Camping Beauty Must-Haves

So let's just get one thing out of the way first, I am not much of a camper.

BUT that being said, I did just return from four days camping with Mr. BeautyScholar and my family.
I haven't actually "camped" out since I was about twelve, so it was a real shock to the system to have to deal with amenities blocks and dam water, not to mention tents and bugs, and campfire smoke, oh my!

Now you probably think I am being a total princess, and I totally am, but I did learn a few things in my time away that I wanted to share with other little princesses out there in beauty land, should they ever be faced with the ultimate challenge, how to make camping...glamping!

I had a box of tools that fared me well on my Easter escape which looked like this.....

Inside my super cute hot pink crocodile skin makeup box (so princess!) I kept my Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunscreen body mist, travel size Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear Light, Simple travel sized eye makeup remover, NYX Nude on Nude Natural Look Kit, Blistex, Covergirl Waterproof Mascara, and MAC Viva Glam lipstick in Cyndi.

I also forgot to photograph my Nivea facial wipes which were still tucked away in the side of my overnight bag at this stage! (But these things saved my life and were great multi-tasking wipes to have on hand all the time).

I was very proud of myself for only taking this little lot away with me (of course face wash, body wash, toothbrush, haircare etc etc were in another *small* bag), although I was mocked mercilessly by my brother for the pink cosmetic case.

Basically I learnt a few things while camping, number one was ALWAYS wear sunscreen, never, ever forget. I love this neutrogena mist, although it is only SPF15 so it should be reapplied regularly if you're outdoors a lot. While I watched other campers slathering on oily goop to keep the rays at bay, I was misting myself with this spray can which dries quickly and doesn't leave a sticky residue (great when your dealing with bugs and dirt - ick!).

On the topic of sun smarts I found Blistex or some form of lip conditioner/sunscreen to be essential, unless you want to be chapped lip Sally when you get home from your rural adventure.

I also loved the Invisible Zinc tinted moisturiser while I was away, normally I like a fuller coverage foundation, but when you're camping this is a bit much. This has a lovely tint to it that is just enough cover, and has the added benefit of 30+ sunscreen. I was lucky that I didn't need much concealer over the break (going to bed at 8pm helps those under eye circles!), but you could always add a light concealer to this tint for extra coverage.

Waterproof mascara is a no brainer when you're camping of course, and to shed this from the eyes when the sun goes down, makeup remover is a must. I love the Simple eye makeup remover and it comes in this cute little travel sized mini bottle for about $3.

I also took along my newly purchased NYX nude on nude kit, which also has two lip products in a drawer beneath the eyeshadows. I thought those colours were pretty average though, so I can't see myself ever using them, but when you're camping, and desperate, they may just come in handy! The eye shadow colours in this kit are perfect for a natural girl look, and they are pigmented enough that if you do want to step things up a bit you can layer them on for deeper colour. I did miss having my eye shadow brushes though! But, we can make do, that's why we have fingers at all right? Just for makeup application?

Finally I HAD to take at least one MAC product with me or I may not have survived, and since I only just bought the Viva Glam Cyndi lipstick I was far too attached to this little beauty to leave it behind. I applied only small amounts with my pinkie finger over the blistex and it gave the perfect "I haven't even tried" tint to my lips. Also, I realized a few kms down the road that I'd forgotten blush (argh! minor meltdown!), but a few dabs of this lippie on the apples of my cheeks, rubbed in well, was like a lovely hint of cream blush. The matching lip and cheek hue also made the look all the more natural!

So, I have returned from my camping trip, all in one piece, and when I saw my makeup table and bathroom full of products after four days I had to fight back tears of joy. As for the hot shower and hair treatment I quickly applied on my return? Ah... heaven.

Camping can (sort of!) be glamping, with the right beauty booty, but I'll be happily back in the land of internet, mobile phones and bugless bathrooms for a good long while to come I think.

Happy belated Easter all!

xxx BeautyScholar