Beauty Picks: What to Pack in Your Makeup Bag for Any Festival

 
If you’re heading to the covetable Essence festival this year, one thing that’s a guarantee is that it is going to be hot. New Orleans, infamously known for its southern, rhythmic blues and delicious seafood is equally known for its heated summer days and quick rain pours. However, none of that should deter you from sporting your favorite makeup looks while there. Check out my five beauty must-haves you’ll want to pack in your traveling arsenal to Essence Fest:

1. Urban Skin RX Brightening Serum Skincare is vitally important, and an amazing serum is all one needs to replenish all the good stuff back into the face. While away in the heat, you definitely need to make sure your face is receiving all it needs, and in acne-prone skin like mine, that you have some protectant. This amazing serum features 15% Ascorbic acid, Kojic acid, and Salicylic acid. If you want to give a try for yourself, purchase for $69 here.
2. MAC Ruby Woo I have yet to meet a woman who can’t pull off a red lip. While some are cool toned and other’s warm, a red lip instantly elevates any look. On days when it’s a quick grab and go, this will easily make you look like you invested a lot more time into your routine (because who really has time to do a ton of makeup when there are parties to get to?).  An overall people pleaser and universal red lip for almost anyone, MAC’s Ruby Woo is a great matte shade, especially for those just starting out in the world of red colors. WARNING: This red lip is VERY Matte (which means it’ll hold up well in the heat), but it also can dry out the lip. Before applying, pair on your favorite lip balm and voila! If you’re interested, you can pick up this awesome lip shade here.
3. Laura Mercier Translucent Setting PowderFor all those ladies out there that suffer with “shifting” makeup, look no further. A translucent powder will not only keep your makeup in place, but also keep your oil and shine down to a minimum. Translucent powder is an off-white shade, guaranteed to prevent flashback (hey camera!) or a ghostly white cast on the skin. Set your makeup with this powder or wear it by itself for a natural finish. Whichever you decide, this is easily the best remedy to oil blotting and keeping that skin matte or lightly fresh while out in the heat. You can purchase this life-saver here.
4. Tarte Maracuja Skin OilNow you may be asking, “If my skin is oily, why would I use an oil for a moisturizer?” Science has proven that applying a light oil to the face actually sends signals to your skin that it doesn’t need to produce MORE oil. So applying an oil is, across the board, good for all skin tones. After a night of partying or even just to refresh the skin, Tarte’s Maracuja Oil replenishes and moisturizes leaving yours soft and pretty healthy looking. Apply a few drops in your hand and pat it into the skin before bed (or even first thing in the am). You’ll thank us later. Check out this moisturizer here!
5. Nars Tinted MoisturizerEveryone, and I mean EVERYONE, needs to wear an SPF. The sun’s harmful rays can do more damage than just surface level, and trust me when I say you will regret not taking preventative measures earlier. This Nars Tinted Moisturizer is BOMB: It applies medium to full coverage, contains an SPF, and is light-weight (so no cake feeling even when you’re out in the sun or partying late into the night). Apply this moisturizer to cover up any spots or imperfections, pair it with the translucent powder, and you’re off for the day with beautiful, dewy skin! Need this in your life? Pick it up here.
6. Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Black MascaraLastly, we can’t all rock false eyelashes and sadly we were not all born with Jackie Aina length flutters. You CAN, however, make it look like your eyes have always been on ‘fleek’ by rocking a bomb mascara. The Marc Jacobs mascara not only lengthens, but it widens and creates volume to your eyelashes for instant results even after the first swipe. Instantly look awake and bright-eyed with this mascara that has given hope back to those of us who thought it wasn’t possible to find an almost perfect mascara! To keep the mascara lasting even longer, apply a bit of translucent powder or clear mascara to the eyelashes first, and then apply. Purchase this game-changer here.

There you have it everyone! These are the five picks I’ll definitely be throwing in my makeup bag. These products are not only affordable, but will lessen your beauty routine time while giving you a photogenic look! So what do you think? Are any of these things you already use?