What’s In My Bag

Small-But-Mighty Holiday Beauty Essentials

By: Carrie Yotter

Toteable and totally necessary.

As an absolutely massive fan of the holidays – meaning I love every and any opportunity to immerse myself in families’ and friends’ love (and their snacks, if I’m being honest) – I have to admit that this time of year can somehow also really put me in a weird place. Meaning, stressed out, forgetful, a little flip, and – did I say forgetful?

Stress, maybe obviously, doesn’t play nice with my complexion, or sleeping habits, or ability to conform to a normal routine. So I’ve found that curating what I can only liken to a beauty “first aid kit” has proved lifesaving, especially at year’s end when all brain power needs to be reserved for time management and gifting strategies, and I need to exude the best semblance of myself. It’s on the ready for me at all times. (And for that reason, It’s a kit that I lean on a LOT.)

Nothing fancy in my beauty essentials kit. Just the basics to give me a lift when I need one – something to bring my eyes and lips to life, something to keep my scent from becoming unoffendable (and even nice). And of course they’re all small enough to keep together. in. one. bag. For wherever I find myself.

Sharing is indeed caring, so here’s what’s in my kit… from me to you. And, if you decide you’d like to use this travel-friendly holiday beauty kit yourself, well…your wish is our command.

THE BEAUTY ESSENTIALS THAT FIT PERFECTLY
IN OUR IDLE HANDS SLING

1809 COLLECTION LODGE FRAGRANCE

Not only is this fragrance sentimental (as I was an employee at FP’s first office at 1809 Walnut St. many moons ago), it boasts a chemical-free formula that complements my natural pheromones, and I truly love it. With notes of palo santo and vanilla grounded in patchouli and black pepper, Lodge embodies a smooth warmth to accompany me throughout the season’s endless festivities.

MADAME GABRIELA LIPSTICK

In my opinion, a red lip provides the quintessential mood lift. And Madame Gabriela’s satin lip, derived from nourishing Mānuka honey, vitamin E, avocado oil and lavender, goes on smoothly and stays put. Perfect for a pick-me-up or pre-party touch-up. Madame Gabriela’s line is inspired by cosmopolitan elegance, and that makes me feel like a million bucks any place.

Madame Gabriela Lipstick

“I’ve found that curating a beauty ‘first aid kit’ has proved lifesaving, especially at year’s end, when I need to exude the best semblance of myself.”

FP Curated Lip Bag

FP CURATED LIP KIT

Think of this as your essentials kit within an essentials kit. Curated by our in-house beauty team, the Lip Kit contains cult fave Lanolips’ multi-use and ultra-moisturizing balm (pro tip: chapped cheeks and unruly brows LOVE it); RMS Beauty’s Lip2Cheek for a nourishing touch of color; and Free People’s plant-based lip balm to top things off. The quintessential custom cosmetic bag, designed by FP One, can be used over and over again.

LÉVANS CULT BROW SOFT HOLD GEL

A FP teammate introduced us to LÉVANS recently, and I’m fairly sure that half the FP staff now uses this as their everyday brow gel. Made from plant-based glycerin and pro vitamin B panthenol, this soft-to medium-hold gel applies easily, and doubles as a clear mascara. A literal lift in your look, as needed.

LÉVANS Cult Brow Soft Hold Brow Gel

RMS Beauty Straight Up™ Volumizing Peptide Mascara

RMS BEAUTY STRAIGHT UP™
VOLUMIZING MASCARA

Longevity is key when it comes to my mascara. RMS’s peptide blend holds for 12 hours +, which makes it a staple in my to-go kit. Lashes appear full and long, and remain smudge- and flake-free even while juggling meetings, shopping and everything else, thanks to a trio of natural binding ingredients (2 waxes and a non-GMO corn starch!).

SUMMARY TRAVEL DEODORANT

Above all, a deodorant needs to be effective. Summary checks that box, along with good-for-you ingredients and cute packaging factor. Comprised of butterfly pea flower extract to soothe and protect, bamboo powder to absorb sweat and moisture, and lemon/ginger/bergamot to keep you smelling unnerved and fresh, Summary’s mini deodorant makes for the perfect travel companion.