We took a road trip from St. Petersburg over the holiday and spent two weeks in Miami Beach for Christmas and New Years. So many of you love the beauty packing and travel makeup posts I thought it would a good time to share some thoughts about the Clear Medium Travel Case I picked up from Calpak over the holidays. (Shade I bought in all the cases is Caramel, but they have lots of options!)
I’ve purchased several cases from them over the years including the Small Clear Cosmetics Case and Clear Train Case and am completely obsessed. They have gone with me on many trips! Many of you asked for a comparison between the small and medium and also want to know which one I’d recommend. I finally bought the Medium one to try this last trip and can now compare the sizes. The Medium one was perfect to hold almost everything I needed for skincare and makeup.
I shared a look at everything that fit into the Medium Travel Case in this video here. Since we took a road trip and drove to our destination, I didn’t have to worry about any liquid limits but a lot of the skincare I brought were smaller/travel sizes.
Travel Skincare + Hair Care Picks
Skincare/Bodycare:
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser (2.5 oz travel size)
- Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream (travel size)
- La Mer Soft Moisturizing Cream (0.5 oz travel size)
- Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water (travel size 3.33 fl oz)
- Osea Anti-Aging Body Balm (from a travel set currently on sale)
- Sisley Floral Toning Lotion (mini from the Advent Calendar)
- Caudalie Vinosun Protect Sunscreen Stick (available in UK)
- Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Circle Brightening Eye Cream
- Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50
- Saltair Santal Bloom Serum Deodorant
Hair:
- Kerastase Elixir Ultime (travel)
- Dae Hair Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream (travel mini size)
- R&CO Dart Stick (not shown)
Perfume:
- Parfums de Marly Valaya (travel size)
- Celine Parade in a travel atomizer
Since it was winter time I didn’t really need dry shampoo or a lot of styling products for my hair. I did have some times I wish I had some hair spray or texturizer spray.
Travel Makeup Picks
Base Products:
- Dior Forever Skin Foundation Stick 2.5N (in action here)
- Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation in BD41
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (travel mini size)
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Finish Flawless Powder
Cheeks:
- Chanel Les Beiges Travel Cream Bronzer (swatches here)
- Dior Forever Glow Maximizer Liquid Highlighter in Nude Glow (review here)
- Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Trio (sold out, but some minis still available here, here and here)
- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette in Evil Eye (still in stock!)
- Rhode Pocket Blush in Freckle (review + swatches here and here)
Eyes:
- Natasha Denona I Need a Nude Palette (swatches here and comparison here)
- Urban Decay Moondust Palette (limited-edition for 2024)
- Maybelline Sky High Mascara in Cosmic Black
- Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
- Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Shadow in Rosegold
- Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow Starlight and Wild Rose (new formula swatches here)
- Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliner in Black
- Sisley Phyto-Khol Star Matte Eyeliner Pencil in 2 Tonka
- Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel
Lips:
- YSL Loveshine Lipstick in 150 (review + swatches here)
- NARS Afterglow Sensual Shine in Orgasm (review here)
- Maybelline Super Stay Teddy Tint (in action here)
- Tom Ford Lip Color Spanish Pink (swatches here)
- Dior Addict Lip Glow (bought one of the new formulas while in Miami)
- Tom Ford Long Wear Lip Liner 102 Re-See (swatches in this post)
- Dior Addict Lip Maximizers in Pinkmania and Peachmania (in action here)
Misc:
I packed brushes in a separate small makeup bag from Stephanie Johnson (mine is an older print/style but it’s the same size as this one). Also since we were going on an extended trip I bought full-sizes of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and sunscreen while in Miami since there are plenty of Sephora and Nordstrom stores around the city and also since Andrew and I share them.
I really like the size of the Medium Travel Case. It’s roomy enough to fit a TON of things inside although since it’s on the bigger side it will take up a lot of room in your suitcase or travel bag.
I did a poll on Instagram asking how you pack your makeup and skincare for travel and most of you end up putting things in multiple pouches to keep things organized. I ended up using everything I packed although I wish I had packed a loose powder with me for more options.
Here’s a quick look at the Medium vs the Small Clear Cosmetic Case (what fits inside the Small Case HERE):
A closer look at the Train Case from Calpak (also a quick snapshot here):
If you’re going on a shorter trip or want something smaller I still think both the Small Clear Cosmetics Case or Train Case are excellent picks. I’ve used the Small Case for about two years and it holds a lot! The Train Case is a newer style from last year and while it looks small I really love the height since it’s a bit taller and zippered compartment at the top to is very useful to hold smaller things.
Overall for a 2-week trip the Medium size was perfect. I am really amazed at how much it fit. You can watch the packing in action here.
How do you pack your makeup for trips?
