I'm currently in Melbourne as you read this which means I am probably doing a combination of shopping, drinking amazing coffee, taking loads of pictures and behaving like a lovestruck tourist. Today I thought I'd talk you through what is in my travel makeup bag. Believe it or not this is quite minimal for me. Aside from some skincare bits and my eye brushes this will be it. On holidays I tend to wear less makeup anyhow. This is a more streamlined version of what I use daily in other words. 

Palettes and Powders With palettes I try to take ones that are relatively flat so that they fit into my makeup bag more easily. The Hourglass palette and my Mac quad are multi-use. My favourite Benefit blush Coralista is coming even though it's not so travel friendly, it's my go-to Summer blush right now.

Eyeshadows While I have my eyeshadow quad I also packed my two favourite neutrals, All That Glitters and A Natural Flirt. Eyeshadow is something I don't fuss as much with on holidays so these blendable, subtle wash of colour shades are perfect.

Primers Standard. My travel-sized Hourglass primer is coming because it has the best lasting-power and my Benefit one is close to running out. I may be eyeing up the Laura Mercier counter looking for a replacement primer. Watch this space..

Pencils My two Rimmel pencils are so easy for everyday makeup, a quick swipe along the lashline and a little bit of smudging with a brush or finger has you sorted. The flesh-toned pencil is for the waterline and my pink-lip pencil is what I pair with my brighter lipstick. 

Lip Products The neutral-pink YSL lipstick made its way in for everyday wear. A sheer, peachy pink that is so easy to wear. For night and special occasions I packed Mac Relentlessly Red. A matte, berry red that is super long-lasting and pigmented. Korres lip butters are ideal to apply pre-lip products and a gloss is a Matte lipstick's best friend if you want your lips to not have that dry feeling all day.

Bases My foundation is still a touch too dark for me so I've packed a tinted moisturiser to mix with it and create a more flattering colour. Much like the primer I am on the hunt for a new base in Australia. I'll say no more..

Miniatures Mini products are a traveller's best friend, especially when you have to take into account the rules surrounding liquids and aerosols. I have a mini Bioderma, serum and a couple of perfume samples on hand.

Brushes None of my brushes are particularly multitasking so the majority of them will be coming with me. Only half of my brushes have been packed though so I'm keeping things minimal here. Brushes are essential though!

The Extras A heavy-duty mascara, a makeup-pencil sharpener and a travel-body creme. The body creme is by Jo Malone so it is quite strongly perfumed and is also very nourishing, negating the need for an additional body butter. The white containers will be housing my cleanser and moisturiser to take up less room. I've also packed an empty one in case I want to take a sample pump of any foundations or primers away. Sometimes trying products on in department stores can be risky because of the yellowy-lighting and the fact that I seem to often get matched to shades that make me look orange.

*So that's the bulk of my Melbourne makeup bag. If you saw me tweeting last week you'll know I'm scouting out a number of Australia's beauty shopping locations so keep an eye out for a potential inevitable haul when I get back! xo