So, you’ve saved up the money and planned out the perfect dream trip to Europe! Travel is a great experience filled with fun, learning about new places, and seeing some amazing sights. While you are exploring different countries and cultures, you want to devote your time to taking in as much as possible, but you still want to look good while you do it! Your beauty routine may need to be switched up a bit while you are on vacation. Time restraints and unusual locations may limit your options and require you to get a little creative and prioritize some things while still taking care of your skin. Take a little time before you set off on your adventure to choose the essentials that will most benefit your skin and will have you looking your best with minimal fuss.

Stick To a Few Makeup Favorites

Packing for a trip can be a challenge. There are so many things that you may want to bring along in case you want them, but think about what you actually need and will use. Choose products that pack a punch and take up as little space in your luggage as possible. Instead of selecting single color makeup, opt for an eyeshadow palette that has several shades. This will let you adjust your look for various circumstances. With a range of colors you can layer the shades for a smokey eye when you want a night out on the town, or select a single neutral shade for a daytime look. Select a color palette that compliments all of your outfit choices for zero stress. Minimize the number of makeup products that you bring with you. Focus on one feature. If you like to play up your eyes, then select one eyeshadow pallet, a waterproof mascara, and eyeliner. A full face of makeup that is layered on with a primer, foundation, powder, and blush may be more involved than you want.

Think about the climate of the places you will be visiting and the activities you plan to do. A ton of makeup may be uncomfortable and difficult to keep on all day without regular touch ups if you are going to be walking in the sun and likely to sweat it off, or spending time in the water. A simple application is best. If you are worried about looking a bit too dewy after being overly warm, include some oil-blotting cloth for a fast and convenient way to combat any oil buildup that happens during the day, without interfering with your makeup. Don’t forget about your lips. A single lipstick is easy enough to toss into your makeup bag to ramp up the glam factor on special occasions, but for regular use, you probably want to stick with a moisturizing chapstick or lip balm to keep comfortable. When you are making your choices for what you wish to bring with you, keep in mind how your selections will travel. You don’t want to waste too much precious space in your luggage with a packed makeup bag. Also, remember that luggage can be treated roughly when you check your bags, so be wary of bringing along glass bottles or anything that may shatter easily. Consider packaging your items in clear plastic bags so you can easily see what’s inside while minimizing any potential mess from a broken bottle.

Create Your Signature Look

It’s natural to want to look great when you are on vacation. You want to make a good impression on the people that you interact with and show that you take pride in your appearance. And the many pictures you are taking of yourself while exploring all that Europe has to offer will last a lifetime after all. Your best bet when it comes to putting on makeup while you travel is to stick to a look that you like and that you are experienced with. Vacation isn’t the best of times to experiment and try out new things. Routine is your friend here. Keep it simple with some applications and techniques that you use on a regular basis. Going with the familiar will speed up the amount of time that you need to spend applying your makeup each morning.

No one wants to miss out on seeing all that they can because they spent several hours each morning getting ready. You may also want to do a little research and discover the current beauty trends of the country or countries that you will be visiting. It’s not necessary to change up your preferences to fit into someone else’s ideal, but you might feel more comfortable if you opt for one of your signature looks that is similar to the local style. A standard look not only simplifies your day in terms of time spent, but you can cut out the worry of matching your makeup to your clothing. A neutral face will go with anything and let you easily adjust your daily activities as the whim hits you without worrying over the need to touch up your makeup.

Wear Sunscreen

Traveling through Europe usually means that you will be spending quite a bit of time outside. Maybe you plan to relax and enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Or, perhaps you are interested in architecture and plan to walk around and explore the beautiful buildings and churches.

Either way, you will be out in the sun and the elements and need to take that into consideration. Sunscreen is an essential each day. Apply a high SPF sunscreen to your face, hands, and any other exposed skin. Sunscreen can be applied underneath your makeup if you prefer. Just remember that it can wear off over time and will need reapplied throughout the day. More often if you are in the water. Choose a non-greasy product that quickly absorbs into the skin and is comfortable to wear.

Along with sunscreen, you may want to bring along a hat that you can pair with your outfits. Something that shields the harshest of the sun’s rays from your face will help to prevent burning and sun damage. A hat can also help out if you are traveling to an area that is especially hot. Add a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes and keep you from squinting, which can lead to wrinkles.

Stay Hydrated

Proper hydration is important every day, but is more of a concern when you are traveling. Your body needs water to function well. If you aren’t drinking enough water, you may experience headaches and other symptoms. Low water intake can even be dangerous, especially in warm climates.

Eliminate the risk of dehydration and missing out on the fun of vacation from a bad headache by carrying a water bottle with you at all times. Refill it with clean water whenever you get to your next stop so you are never running low. If you have trouble drinking plain water, you can opt for seltzer water, or add in some fruit or fresh herbs for a pleasing flavor.

Hydration is necessary to keep your body functioning well, and is equally important to support your skin and keep it looking supple and smooth. In addition to the water that you drink, don’t forget to apply a good quality moisturizer to your face and body once or twice a day. This can help prevent drying and other uncomfortable skin conditions like redness and cracking. You can also choose to carry a facial mist with you, so that you can rehydrate your face easily throughout the day. Long exposure to the sun can make your skin feel tight, so a mist may be a worthy addition to your bag.

Keep It Clean

You already know how important it is to cleanse your skin each day. This can be even more crucial during your travels. While the sights that you get to see and experience are priceless and well worth it, the constant busy pace and exposure can wreak havoc on your skin. Long days spent exploring will lead to some sweat and dirt building up on your skin. If you travel to a lot of cities and highly populated areas, you are most likely exposed to a lot of pollution and toxins that can be absorbed through your skin.

Smoke and exhaust from cars and businesses are just a few examples of this. The other thing to consider is the amount of germs that your skin is coming into contact with. Traveling usually means being around a lot of other people. Maybe you are joining walking tour groups or hopping onto a crowded bus to see a landmark outside of the city. Popular tourist sites are often quite packed. Being in a crush of people means that you are breathing in and touching a lot of germs. While this should certainly not limit your movements or prevent you from visiting all the places that you want, you should take some extra precautions.

During the day, you should take care to wash your hands frequently, especially after riding public transportation and before you eat anything. If running water isn’t available, carry and use hand sanitizer. Clean hands will limit the amount of germs that could potentially make you sick and put a hold on your vacation plans. After a busy day of sightseeing, you will want to shower and thoroughly clean your skin. Change your outfits on a regular basis, and wash anything that you will want to wear again. You can easily hand-wash a few garments in the sink if you don’t have the time or the facilities to do a load of laundry.

Any dirty items that you don’t plan on wearing again should be kept away from your clean clothing if at all possible. Pack a laundry bag for this purpose so you can separate out what has already been worn. Pay special attention to the delicate skin on your face.

Use a facial cleanser and remove all traces of makeup. It may be tempting to fall straight into bed after an eventful day, but the buildup of dirt, makeup, and sweat on your face can cause breakouts and irritation. You will feel much better, and more refreshed, by taking a few moments to clean your face. Do this even if you don’t have access to a shower. Makeup remover wipes can be used in a pinch until you have better options available.

A trip to Europe can be such a monumental experience. So many people are exposed to new ways of thinking and living while they travel that they never were aware of before. Your new, deeper understanding will let you live a richer life and be more compassionate to others. Another wonderful effect of an epic vacation is sparking the desire to explore and travel the world even further.

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