I surprisingly travel very light. This is because there is no hell greater than waiting for luggage at baggage claim. It’s just such a snoozy chafe of a time, like waiting for fingernails to dry at a manicure. I’d rather travel with a backpack full of mini travel-sized Purell and men’s deodorant than check in my full-sized bottles of stuff I actually love. And there’s no way in hell I’m ever siphoning my products into travel-sized containers and labeling them and making sure everything’s packed snug and tight so nothing spills. What am I, addicted to boredom like some OCD goddess? I’m not doing any of that!
So when I travel, I like to have things that can play double-duty. One bra can last a week (Sorry it’s gross but it’s true. Who needs more than a single good bra on a trip less than 7 days?). Socks sometimes get worn inside out. And it goes double for makeup. My eyeliner now gets dabbed on my brows as brow pencil. A tiny blot of Chanel Shanghai Red lipstick serves as a great blush. And I usually only take one eye shadow, and it has to be a palette.
Like everyone on the planet, I think Kim Kardashian looks prettier with no makeup on. Now, of course that’s from when I think she’s not wearing makeup, which was an episode from Season One of Keeping Up With The Kardashians when she was crying because she let out some secret sex photos of Kourtney from high school, or something. She just looked so pretty and normal.
She seems to enjoying wearing makeup, though, so more power to her. I like crazy fortune teller glitter nails, and if anyone told me I looked more demure without them, I’d say, “Sorry dude, it’s not about what you like better, it’s my nails.” So that said, Kim K. kills a smoky eye. It’s usually gold and smoky, which is pretty on everyone.
The reason I love this Naked Palette by Urban Decay is you can make any conceivable attractive eye look in one palette. If you want to look like Kim Kardashian on a trip to Beatrice, you can do that. But you can also look like Katie Couric if you want to. I defy you to find an eye makeup look – short of Gaga – that you can’t do with this palette.
Right now you’re thinking: “Yeah, Mindy, we weren’t raised in a poor orphanage, we know about color palettes.” The difference is: Urban Decay is famous for shimmers, glitters and bold, rich saturated statement colors. While playful, their shadow colors last. For my oily lidded eyes (sorry guys, gross but true), Stila, Chanel, Nars and Urban Decay are the best-staying colors. And now Urban Decay has a palette that– for them– is downright conservative. At $48, you will basically have every color you’d ever need, in rich, high quality, lasting pigment.
This palette was used to create my bright, simple eye for this great Bust Magazine photo (photo by Emily Shur.)
Good For: Female travelers who want lots of makeup options, and not a back-breaking travel experience.
Oh, those eyeshadows look perfect! And I too am not into traveling with a ton of bags. Way to keep it real.
Megan | November 9, 2011 |
Caution: If you use the Naked palette, while naked, you get trapped in some sort of invisible irony box and people will avoid you because they think you are a mime.
jennifer | November 9, 2011 |
I only buy eye shadow in palettes anymore because I am horrible at picking out colors. But if I buy a good palette, odds are at least two or three of them will be good colors for me. If only I could afford to upgrade my existing $5 ELF palettes for some Urban Decay. (You’re such a good saleswoman. I need just to succumb and buy whatever you tell me to. Mortgage payments aren’t that important, right?)
Carolyn | November 9, 2011 |
Up top for ELF! It’s how we poorphanage girls gotta roll.
Jess | November 10, 2011 |
i travel the same way you do. except why bother with a bra at all? lol also, i wholeheartedly agree – kim looks much much better without makeup on.
Whitney Soup | November 9, 2011 |
Naked Palette is a lifechanger…….everyone I know that owns one has bought it within a day of using someone else’s. Indian chicks love it especially, but it looks great on everyone.
kunjali | November 9, 2011 |
Ah, Mindy- I laughed to myself when I read your first line about traveling light. I just a few moments ago published this post….
http://www.thewildercoast.com/2011/11/how-does-she-do-it.html
And yeah, picking up my giant back at Newark airport at 2am facing a long commute into the city, I did question the choices I made that got me there. I think that’s why I read your blog….to see how you do it and maybe I can do it, too.
xo
Melina
Melina | November 9, 2011 |
Damn it, Mindy! You’re going to have me breaking the bank with all these awesome suggestions. I, too, suffer from oily lid syndrome so definitely adding this to my Xmas wishlist. If I can look half as lovely as you do in this photo than money well-spent, I’d say. Cheers!
bel Dee | November 10, 2011 |
I am currently OBsessed with this palette. The colors are perfect, and the ridiculous purple velvet case is the best thing that ever happened to my make-up bag.
Mrs. Kinne | November 10, 2011 |
OMG you’re in Bust? Why did I not know about this/why am I not surprised? I need to go buy a copy ASAP!
KD | November 10, 2011 |
I always thought the same thing, Kim K looked so pretty in that episode when she was crying, i thought i was the only one! lol And i totally agree with you Mindy, I bought the NAKED palette over the summer, and it’s so amazing and you totally get what you’re paying for! I love all of the different looks you can achieve from just one palette!!
alexandra | November 10, 2011 |
I have nothing to say about makeup in general, and even less about any specifics, but I do love your book, and anyone who reads my blog knows it. Thank you for writing it.
the white wave | November 10, 2011 |
I totally bought it. One can never have too many sparkly palettes. Thanks for the tip, Mindy!
Steph | November 10, 2011 |
You are so right on the 1 bra for a week front. You can warsh it in your hotel sink if something wild happens to it anyway.
Why are you making me buy that palette?! I’m going to have to go into the Sephora to get it and all hell will break loose out my wallet.
Julie Hardee | November 11, 2011 |
I too am a collector of way too many palettes and this one has been my favorite for almost a year! I still use it practically every day – can’t recommend it enough.
Anika | November 12, 2011 |
That belt scares me. Can you dye it? It’s too close to your flesh tone.
That dress/top is gorge though. You look amazeballs. Also, LURVE your book. LURVE IT.
saram23 | November 13, 2011 |
Great pick for the makeup palette. But I’m more curious about that cute dress you are rocking in the picture. can you share who makes it and where you got it?
Marie | November 14, 2011 |
Mindy, I finished your book last night and you inspired me. I created a website about all the things Nicholas Sparks does that annoy me. Obviously, this is born of a deep love of Nicholas Sparks and a mild fear of admitting it. I’ve sent your New Yorker piece around to tons of friends as the basis of my inspiration.
Keep up the good work! And please, please write a romantic comedy. I’ve started working on tag lines for Streptococcus vs. Candidiasis.
Elissa
Elissa | January 20, 2012 |