Going on press trips as a travel writer is a real privilege, but often the schedule, though packed with delights like wine tastings and tours of ancient chapels, allows for very little down time and requires a lot of vigour. Packing for them therefore requires precision – I don’t want any rubbish that doesn’t deliver in my case. On a recent trip to Hacienda Zorita, here’s what I relied on (photo diary to follow) //
Liz Earle Moisturiser / This is one of only two moisturisers I think highly of (the other being the Intelligent Nutrients one) – as a rule I always put more money and consideration into a serum. I like that it smells at once calming and uplifting (yes, that doesn’t mean it helps the skin out, but it’s a substantial factor in making me choose to use it night after night), and it softens my skin without overwhelming it.
REN No 1 Purity Cleansing Balm / This rose-infused balm competes with all its more expensive counterparts and leaves my skin clean but not red or sensitised in the slightest. If travelling with just this (as I did in this case), I’ll just use it twice to get a good double cleanse.
Eve Lom Sheer Radiance Oil-Free Foundation / EL really mean it when they say this isn’t an oily foundation. This means it glides on feeling ever so slightly more grippy than other foundations and then mattifies all day long (somehow it achieves this without switching the lights off on the surface off the skin a la mattifying pastes). I didn’t pack powder and didn’t miss it (though my skin is only moderately oily – pack blotting papers or a powder the first few times you use it until you know how your skin develops over the day).
Zelens Triple Action Eye Cream / I have wanted this eye cream since I was 14 but could never find a spare £95. When the PR team kindly offered to send it over, I obviously eagerly accepted. I’m now sorry to say I’m hooked. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s pretty much one of only three eye creams I feel has significantly impacted the appearance of the skin around my eyes (the others may have affected how they will age in the future, but current Madeleine doesn’t care all that much about that). I’ll write a piece on cheaper eye creams that are brilliant soon, but if you have a hundred quid lying around…
ReVive Lip Balm / Another dear one – apologies – when packing for performance I just grab stuff I know I can rely on. This is thinner in texture than, say, By Terry Baume de Rose, but still packs moisture into lips and also comes in a cool metal dispenser that I love gliding over my lips.
Ultrasun SPF 30 / An eminently inoffensive SPF that doesn’t make my face oily or make-up slide around. I’ve yet to meet anyone who is irritated by UltraSun’s wares.
Philip Kingsley One More Day /Be not fooled – all dry shampoos are not born equal. This mini one comes on all trips with me as it really does give me an extra day of clean-looking hair if I don’t have time to wash it.
MAC Guo Pei Blusher / Too too bright for me – packing this was a mistake. Were I a touch more tanned, though, this would be the perfect subtle glowing pink I’d be in the market for…
Nars Eyeshadows in Stud and Never Too Late / Reviews here – love them coupled up with Stud all over the lid and Never Too Late used as a powder liner.
Urban Decay Brow Beater / Get it in the clear version my friends, get it in the clear; tinted gels are awfully messy things and end up making brows look a state. This one stands out thanks to the hold of the gel and the tiny brush head that allows for precision.
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