The clever folks over at Delight have done it again. I swear, they find the most interesting, most fun things to sell. Their travel toys have made my Christmas list for several years, including the travel toiletry containers, travel jewelry case, and luggage tags.  But this makeup palette? I have got to try this. It could possibly revolutionize the way I travel with makeup. Okay, maybe I’m getting overexcited, but seriously, how freaking cool is this thing? The UNII Makeup Palette is basically a magnetized makeup holder. You take all of your makeup out of their current containers and keep it all here. This could save so much space, especially if you use a lot of bulky single eyeshadows. The video below gives you a good idea about how it works. I have ordered one and will have a review soon. Today it is 20% off, and you can get an additional 30% off with the code HAPPYNEWYEAR (case sensitive). That makes it $16.52 plus shipping, which is a steal. Can’t wait to get it!!

In the comments to yesterday’s post, reader Nancy brought up a good question.

Are lipsticks and lip balm considered liquids? I always stick them into my ziplock bag, but never sure if I have to.

I have some excellent news for you, Nancy! According to the TSA blog, normal sized makeup does not have to be in the the liquids bag.

Common size facial cosmetic and medicinal products in a tube, for example mascara, lip gloss, and lip balm are not required to be placed in the 1 qt. bag.

I think this is very exciting. I prefer my lipstick to be in my purse at all times, not in my liquids bag which gets left at my hotel, leaving me without lipstick at the office should I forget to put it back in my purse….. Anyway, makeup is free to be wherever you want it.

I have a question though. The blog does not specifically state foundation though as being exempt from the liquids bag, as it does mascara and lipstick. However it is still definitely considered makeup. Anyone have any insight?

Business Travel 101 is a weekly series about making that first business trip as easy and successful as possible. Packing, security, comfort, and etiquette are all factors that, with a little planning, can contribute to a smooth and efficient trip. If you think of a topic I should include, email me at RoadWarriorette@gmail.com.

Travel is a fact of life for many of us, and heading to the office right after a flight often an unfortunate necessity. There are things you can do to avoid the travel-worn look so many road warriors have. Tricks abound for both short and long flights. Obviously, for a red-eye or other long flight the strategy is a little more intense. But don’t worry! No one has to know you got up at 4am or that you commuted six hours for your meeting.

For all flights:

• Wear comfortable, wrinkle resistant clothes. The easiest way to look good during and after travel: clothes that don’t wrinkle.  Nothing says, “I just got off a plane,” like a crumpled shirt and creased skirt.  There are plenty of wrinkle-resistant, non-iron clothes out there.  TravelSmith has a great collection, as does Brooks Brothers. Trust me, this is not the time to wear your new linen suit, no matter how cute and professional it is.
• Stay hydrated. This is important for comfort, health, and looking good. Drink at least 8 oz of water for every hour you are flying. This will keep you from getting dehydrated, which in turn keeps you feeling more alert and prevents your skin from feeling like sandpaper.
• Freshen up upon arrival. Once you land, head to the ladies’ room to repair any damage that may have occurred to hair or makeup during the flight.

For longer flights:

• Put your hair back. If you have long hair, keep your hair in a low ponytail. This keeps your hair controlled, gets it out of your way, and minimizes the crimp that can happen when you have a higher ponytail. It also allows you to comfortably rest your head against the seat. Another good option is a braid.
• Moisturize!! Use lip balm and hand lotion often.  There are also great face sprays that you can use to keep your skin hydrated. I like the Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist.
• Get some rest. Use an eye mask and earplugs if necessary, or even a Tylenol PM, so that you wake up feeling (and looking) refreshed.
• Avoid mascara. This doesn’t work for everyone, but if you feel comfortable going without mascara for the flight I highly recommend it. It’s an easy way to avoid the raccoon look on a red-eye. Or, you can…..
• Do your morning routine. Wash your face, brush your teeth, brush your hair, and refresh your makeup before landing. Once you wake up, nothing feels better or more eye-opening than washing your face. It helps get rid of the travel grime, and gives you a fresh canvas for applying makeup. I like to use face cleansing pads like these from Korres. For brushing your teeth, you can use your normal toothbrush or one of those new disposable ones. Finally, going through an airplane friendly (possibly slightly abbreviated) makeup routine will make you look your best and feel ready to take on the world, and hide the fact that you slept on a 757.
• If that’s not an option….. If you’re flying in Economy and you don’t think you can get a few minutes in the lav to freshen up, use the face cleansing pads at your seat. You can chew gum to make your mouth feel fresh, and probably even apply minimal makeup.
• Put on fresh clothes. Some people like to wear something very comfortable for sleeping on the plane, and then change into their business outfit for the day immediately before arriving. It’s definitely one way to avoid the wrinkles you get when sleeping in your clothes, but may not be feasible for everyone.

I know, travel hairdryers aren’t the most exciting thing to talk about. And if you’re staying in a halfway decent hotel, you should have one as an amenity right? But if you want consistency with your hairdryer, your budget doesn’t run to halfway decent hotels, or you just like to be prepared, this vintage-look hairdryer from Urban Outfitters is for you. Not only is it adorable, it’s tiny, comes with a case, and is extremely affordable. I first found it on The Frisky, where they called it “Betty Draper’s Hairdryer.” What’s not to love?

Well, exciting to those of use who travel a lot.

Due to the cleverness of many of my readers, I have a list of updates about what does and does not have to be in your Ziplock going through security. If you know of any I missed, please share!

• Deodorant. Stick deodorant is fine in any size and does not have to be in your Ziplock. Gel and aerosol deoderant mus be 3.4 oz or less and must be in the liquids bag. (Source: TSA blog)
• Makeup. Common size facial cosmetic and medicinal products in a tube, for example mascara, lip gloss, and lip balm are not required to be placed in the 1 qt. bag. May I just say, hallelujah. (Source: TSA blog)
• Contact solution. According to the TSA site:  You may bring all prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including petroleum jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes. So, let’s just go with it. It still needs to be in a resealable bag, and it still needs to come out for screening. It just doesn’t have to take up room in your other liquids bag. (Source: TSA site)

Most of these came from the TSA blog, and if you have a minute check out some of the comments. There is a lot of good information and experiences there.  Of course, if you get frustrated easily that may not be a good idea……

Going by my blog posts, last September I was alternating between stressing about security lines (nothing new there) and being excited about my makeup. At least I’m consistent!!

How To Travel Like An Expert. Since everyone is going to think they are an expert traveler when going through security, here are my thoughts on how to also act like one.

Make-up Rave. I loved my make-up then, and I love it now. One year later I still use the same brands of products, and they are still amazing.

One of the easiest things to speed up your packing is to keep two sets of toiletries. Have one full size set that you use every day at home, and have a travel-size in a bag ready to go at all times. Some people may worry about the expense, but there are ways around that. One idea is to use samples from your favorite makeup store (Sephora in my case) or freebies from the hotel. Another way to cut costs is to simply purchase a set of toiletry bottles and fill them up. Sometimes I have had to purchase travel size toiletries, but that isn’t common–usually just contact solution and toothpaste. I have a mix of refillable toiletry bottles (love the Fillables from Aveda), samples, and free hotel toiletries. I keep them packed at all times, my liquids in a plastic Ziploc and the rest in a cute bag.

The only set I don’t keep duplicates of? Make-up. There aren’t a ton of sample or smaller options available, and so I would basically have to keep a whole second set. I’ve thought about getting less expensive makeup for travel, but my thoughts are that it is hard enough to look good while traveling, and I don’t want to use sub-par products. So I’m still working on that. I may have to just bite the bullet one of these days, especially after forgetting my makeup last month.

I am curious what other people do with their make-up. Readers, what do you do? Do you keep a full set of all of your toiletries, including makeup? Just shower stuff?

Recently I got a very specific question from a reader.

“I don’t fly often, and this summer I am going on vacation to New York. Obviously I need my makeup–can I bring my concealer with me on the plane, or do I need to pack it in my checked suitcase?”

I understand a girl wanting to have her makeup with her!! The answer is yes, you can bring your concealer with you on the plane. It just needs to go in your liquids bag for the security line. Once you are through, feel free to put it with the rest of your makeup if you want.

What exactly is considered a liquid? Concealer is one of those gray areas. It often comes in a pot, but if it melted it would be liquid. Therefore it is just safer  to go ahead and put it in your liquids bag and save yourself the trouble of being hassled by TSA.

Remember, anything that is clearly liquid (mascara, foundation) needs to go in your liquids bag for security. Even some things that you may not consider a liquid, such as lipstick, may need to go in your liquids bag if TSA tells you so. Anything that is powder is fine in your regular makeup bag.

Have a great time in New York!!

Yesterday I had to drive to Dallas for the day. As I got in the car at 5:05am, I was feeling pretty good. Tired, but good. I had remembered everything! From the muffin I wanted to eat for breakfast to the plug-your-ipod-into-the-radio thing my husband had found in the shed the day before, I was Prepared. Until I got about an hour down the road, that is, and realized I had forgotten one thing that I couldn’t do without–my makeup bag. I said a few bad words, and then tried to figure out how to fix this. Should I drive back home? No, that would put me two hours behind. Can I find a Sephora? No, they don’t open until 10. Finally I decided the only thing I could do was find a Walgreens or CVS near the office and buy replacements.

It was kind of sad actually–normally makeup shopping is one of my favorite things to do. But I only had ten minutes, and of course there were no samples to play with. So I couldn’t take my normal joy in finding the perfect, most fun colors. Plus I had to wear this new makeup to work, so it couldn’t be too crazy. I tried to take my own advice and find one of those sticks that work on eyes, cheeks, and lips, but no luck. I finally decided on a shimmery pink shadow, and then got the standard powder, blush, and mascara. Did I look my best ever? Probably not. Did I look awake and feel better than I would have? Yep.

I think this just goes to show, again, how tricky it can be when you both fly and drive. If I had flown to Dallas, I would absolutely have packed my makeup. But since I was driving, it just didn’t even occur to me. I have never, in all of my four years of traveling for work, forgotten my makeup. But now I am going to keep mascara and powder in my purse, just in case. And hey, now that I have extras, why not?

It’s not just in DFW anymore!! Monday morning I was leaving the plane, checking out the cute outfits of the New York lady business travelers (they are inspiring, seriously) and started heading toward Starbucks. An amazing sight stopped me. There is a Sephora vending machine in DFW, across from gate C12. It’s so exciting to know that the place I visit the most can finally take care of me if I forget my makeup or hair or skin stuff!!