The Ultimate Mission Trip Packing/Style Guide: 6 Travel Beauty Tips
People often ask me what I take with me when I travel in terms of makeup and beauty products, how I do my makeup while I’m in Haiti, to what extent do I suggest worrying with makeup while traveling and more!
And I’m no expert – I simply watch a lot of beauty YouTube gurus and follow their lead. I like to take what they recommend, tweak it to my lifestyle and figure out what works for me. It’s a constant process – a fun process!
So here are the 6 things I always have with me when I travel. From meetings in Minnesota to mission trips in Haiti – you’ll find these 6 things in my beauty bag.
#1. Vaseline or beauty oil.
Vaseline or your choice of oil (jojoba, maracuja, almond, olive – you name it) is the multi-tool of the beauty world. Use it for….
Hydration hydration! Keep your lips, brows and lashes moisturized. especially if you are spending much time on a plane, you’ll notice that your skin may feel dry. That’s because the lack of humidity inside the cabin on plane can be very drying.
You can also use it to mimic the look of mascara when you aren’t wearing any. Simply take a small amount, not much at all and brush it onto your lashes with a clean fingertip – this was what they used back in the days when they didn’t have mascara. also, a perk of using Vaseline or oil is it won’t run when you get hot, sleep or maybe shed a few tears.
Lastly, if you are using oil, rub a little on the ends of your hair to help protect them from the sun and keep them moisturized.
#2. Eye de-puffer
Almost every brand these days has their own version of a under-eye de-puffer. From roller balls to spoon-like tips, you’ll want to find a product that dispenses the solution on your eye in a gentle manner, being sensitive not to tug or pull on your delicate under-eye area. As well, ensure that the product you choose has a metal end, cold metal is shown to help with swelling in the under-eye area. It’s the same idea as pressing a frozen spoon to your eye (I think we’ve all seen that Pin on Pinterest) – but not quite as nerve-wracking.
Here’s one I really like – it even has a bit of tint to it to serve as a concealer.
#3. Tinted moisturizer
When traveling or serving in a hot climate, you don’t want to have a full-face of makeup on. You will not be comfortable if you are worrying about the state of your makeup and if it slipping and sliding all over the place.
I really love to use a tinted moisturizer – the drugstore has great brands that have their own products like this. I really love the newest formula by NYX and Maybelline. And a plus – they are cheap!
A tinted moisturizer isn’t going to be noticeable like makeup, it will simply give you additional SPF coverage, moisturize your face and give you a slight amount of coverage and glow.
#4. Chapstick
A good chapstick is priceless. Odds are, you’ve already got a favorite kind, and that’s great!
I really love Burt’s Bees, not because it’s the “cool” kind of chapstick, but their products are awesome. They have an incredible range of products that focus and address specific problems on the lips, like healing or moisturizing.
My few favorites are the Mango Moisturizing, Pomegranate and Original. They are thick, stay on my lips for a good amount of time and make my lips feel noticeably softer after I wear them.
They even have a specific Sun Protecting one – be sure that your specific brand you love has an SPF in it to protect your lips from the sun!
#5. Sunscreen
Protecting your skin from the sun is so important. Did you read that? Protecting your skin from the sun is SO important!!
If you were to ask any person who’s been on a mission trip with me, they’ll tell you, the two questions I ask around the clock are:
Have you drank any water? and Have you applied sunscreen?
I’ve seen it happen far too often where someone comes on a mission trip and says: “I’m going to get such a great tan this week!” “No sunscreen for me, I don’t need it!” “I don’t ever burn, trust me!”
Famous last words.
After day one, they are burned so bad that they are miserable the rest of the week. And then they’ve missed out on an awesome trip. I’ve done this very thing way too many times to admit. Now, I am adamant about ensuring everyone keeps their skin safe and enjoys the trip. Find yourself a good sunscreen, 30 SPF or higher.
#6. A beautiful heart
I think it goes without saying that all of these superficial and physical things aren’t what make us beautiful. They are just fun ways of enhancing what God gave us and having fun in the process. You are beautiful without a stitch of makeup on and you are beautiful with a full face of makeup, fake eyelashes and all. What makes us beautiful is what lies within. And what matters to the Lord? What’s on the inside – our hearts, our attitudes, our thoughts, our kindness, our love for others, etc.
Let’s look at scripture:
In this text, all of David’s brothers were being interviewed by Samuel to see which one might be the next king. David is clueless, tending to the sheep out in the field. Samuel sees Eliab and was impressed by him on the outside. He must have been tall and/or muscular – what Samuel thought would qualify him to be a good king. But here’s what the Lord said:
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:6
And the Lord instructed Samuel that David was to be the future king, even-though he was just watching the sheep in the pasture. A nobody by the world’s standard, but a future king in the eyes of the Lord. Why? Because David was a man after God’s own heart. (Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22)
So as you read the style series here at PPM and we give you ideas on how to address the things that come from the outside, remember to first address the things of the heart. Be confident in who God made you to be!
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous–how well I know it. Psalm 139:14
Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31: 25+26
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. Proverbs 31:30
In constant pursuit of a beautiful heart,
-Bethany
Check Out The Other Posts In Our Packing and Style Series:
“The Ultimate Mission Trip Packing Guide.” – tips and tricks from Praying Pelican Missions missionaries on how to be best prepared for your mission trip and how to take the pressure off of packing your suitcase for a new culture, climate and lifestyle. Our heart is to remove the anxiety and focus from timeless questions like: “How much is too much?” and give you a few tips that we’ve learned throughout the years. Ultimately, we pray that these posts would be a resource for you as you prepare for your trip. We want to provide you with a few tools that can help you as you prepare for your trip of a lifetime.
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