July had been the most eventful month of my 2017. I flew to Edinburgh, Scotland to witness my sister get married. It was a lovely intimate affair. And since I was already in Europe, Mark and I conveniently decided to celebrate our 5-year anniversary as a couple in Paris, France. Cliché, I know. But really, magical was the right word.

Which now brings me to – what to pack for my trip that will cover me from easygoing no-makeup makeup days to a chic glam wedding look, and everything in between? Here’s what I came up with. Heads up – 75% of the products I brought with me are skin-focused. J On most days during that vacation, I was wearing my minimal makeup look. And when I’m rocking that look, I make sure my skin is protected, fresh and luminous.

Skincare

• Bobbi Brown EXTRA Eye Repair Cream: Perpetually afraid of lines under the eyes and crow’s feet, I wear this every day.
• Carmex Classic Lip Balm SPF 15: Kept my lips nourished in the coldest summer (16-20 C) I’ve ever experienced.
• Shu Uemura Stage Performer Block Booster SPF 50 (Colorless): Used all over the face, functions as moisturizer as well.
• NARS Smooth & Perfect Primer SPF 50: Added pore-blurring effect.

Skin Prep

• Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer: Used only on the t-zone to blur the pores.
• Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer: Used only on the t-zone to control oil.

Skin Perfecting

• Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (6.5): Holy-grail for special events, period.
• Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk Foundation (4): Lighter shade used only on the t-zone.
• Giorgio Armani Master Corrector (Orange): Can’t live without; need to cancel purplish under-eye tones.
• Giorgio Armani High Precision Retouch Concealer (2,3,3.5): Different shades of concealer allows me to skip foundation every day. Only wore foundation during the wedding.

Skin Finish

• RCMA No-Color Powder: Under-eye setting powder
• Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder (2): All-over setting powder
• Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray: Makeup insurance

Dimension and Color

• NARS Contouring Duo (Paloma): Used only during the wedding. A proper highlight and contour makes for a very photogenic look.
• Tom Ford Bronzing Powder (Terra): Neutral bronzer, best used during no-makeup looks.
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer (Luminous Bronze Light): A redder (warmer) bronzer to intensify a tan.
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush (Luminous Flush): The only blush I own because I simply am not a blush kind of lady.
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Power (Luminous Light): Soft and sophisticated highlight
• Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed (Opal): More intense highlight

Brows and Lashes

• K Palette Real Lasting Eyebrow (02): Ticks off 3 important things – ease of use, makes believable natural hairs, bullet proof.
• Glossier Boy Brow (clear): Sets the brow, can be used alone.
• Lancôme Grandiôse mascara (black): The only mascara that didn’t need an extra eye makeup remover get rid off. I simply don’t like waterproof mascaras because they’re more harsh to lashes.

Lip Color

I mix these 4 shades for a custom-shade every day.

• Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Nude Nuance: Muted dark brown
• NARS Audacious in Olivia: Medium-dark red with warm undertone
• NARS Audacious in Raquel: Light warm peach
• Jeffree Star Lip Ammunition in Birthday Suit: Cool-toned nude pink