Be A Savvy Traveler

[Your] makeup will contain your natural flora from your face…Germs include bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and fungi – Susan Whittier, PhD

Have you found yourself in this situation?

You come home after a big day or night and desperately want to get all of your makeup off your face. You swing open the bathroom cabinet and look for your makeup remover. It’s not there.

You look in your shower caddy. Not there either. You hunt around for a while and find the empty bottle in the trash can.

Dammit! You were meant to pick some up at the drugstore this afternoon.

Well, there’s no need to stress. There are actually several items that are commonly found in your bathroom cupboard or even kitchen that can help you take makeup off without makeup remover.

Let’s check them out and find out some simple tricks for perfect makeup removal.

1. A Little Scoop of Coconut Oil Goes a Long Way

Not only will coconut oil dissolve the makeup on your skin, it will also leave your skin feeling nourished and moisturized.

In cooler climates, coconut oil is solid at room temperature. Just scoop out a pea-sized amount from the tub with a clean spoon or spatula. Rub the coconut oil between your fingers to warm up and liquify.

Apply to your skin in circular motions, taking care not to rub too hard around your eyes.

Give your face a final gentle wipe with a cotton pad or a warm, damp washcloth.

2. Petroleum Jelly is Perfect for Eye Makeup Removal

Petroleum jelly, is particularly effective in removing stubborn waterproof eye makeup. Simply swipe a little across your eyelid. Do one eye at a time and make sure to keep your eyes closed. You don’t want to get any in your eye.

Use a couple of cotton pad to wipe off the petroleum jelly and makeup.

Just a side note: this method is not recommended to take off foundation or cosmetics on the face as the petroleum jelly may clog pores and cause blemishes.

3. No More Tears with a DIY Baby Shampoo Makeup Remover

You can use baby shampoo or any gentle shampoo that you have to make this cleanser.

Add half a tablespoon of baby shampoo and quarter a teaspoon of olive or coconut oil (make sure the coconut oil is liquified first) into a clean glass jar.  Then add one cup of purified water.  (Don’t use tap water as it contains bacteria).

To take off your makeup, dampen a cotton pad with the mixture and wipe over your face. Shake the jar well each time you use it.

You can even put some cotton pads in the jar first and then fill the jar with the baby shampoo mixture to create your own makeup remover cloths.

Make sure to use your remover quickly because, without any preservatives, the liquid may go rancid, particularly in warmer weather.

4. Keep it Natural with Baking Soda and Honey

This is a super simple method using only two natural ingredients. Take a washcloth and wet it with warm water. Pour about half a teaspoon of honey on the washcloth then add ½ a teaspoon of baking soda to the honey.

You need to be very gentle when rubbing your face with the cloth and the baking soda acts as an exfoliant so it’s best to avoid the eye area.

Rinse your face with water and pat dry.

How to Take Makeup off Without Makeup Remover (or All That Mess)

If you want to know how to take makeup off without makeup remover or going through your cupboards and mixing up concoctions, why not keep it simple and mess free with makeup remover wipes?

Conveniently packaged and pre-moistened with a cleansing and moisturizing solution, Savvy Travelers’s Take Offz are you answer to easy makeup removal.

Click on the link to try them out for yourself.

Are you already a loyal fan of Take Offz? Let me know what you think of these fantastic face wipes in the comments below.

Particles from car exhaust, smoke, and industrial pollution gather onto your skin throughout the day. If you don’t get them off, this chain reaction of oxidative stress (like premature aging and increased sensitivity) continues right on through the night – Cosmopolitan

Most experts would agree that the golden rule of skin care is that you should never, never, never go to bed without first removing all of your makeup.

You probably know that makeup can clog your pores and not allowing your skin to breathe will result in a dry, lackluster complexion. Sometimes even blemishes or acne.

But did you also know that sleeping in your makeup can result in unnecessary exposure to free radicals? Causes of oxidative stress, such as pollution in the environment, gets trapped in your makeup. Continuous exposure to free radicals causes collagen break down. Over time this can result in fine lines and prematurely aged skin.

Although forgetting to cleanse off foundation or oil-based primers is the worst for your skin, sleeping with eye makeup can also lead to problems. The tiny hair follicles and oil glands on your eyelids can become clogged by mascara or eyeliner. Bacteria then builds up and causes inflammation, resulting in the formation of small bumps called styes.

I hope that has made you reconsider sleeping in your makeup ever again! Knowing how to remove eye makeup quickly will make the process so much easier.

Here are five fantastic products to keep in your bathroom cabinet, or even in your bedside table drawer.

1. Microfiber Cloths Need Only Water to Work

There are lots of different types of microfiber makeup removal cloths on the market. Some are simply squares of microfiber, others are circular shaped.

Whatever form you choose, the science behind microfiber is the same.  Microfiber is about 100 times finer than human hair. Just by wetting the cloth with water, the fibers are able to get deep down into the skin’s pores. They then lift out any trapped makeup, dirt and oil that is on the skin.

2. Makeup Remover Wipes are Totally Mess Free

Makeup remover towelettes have got to be one of the easiest ways to take off your makeup. Stash a couple in your purse and definitely keep some in your nightstand so you can quickly remove your makeup if you forget to before going to bed.

Savvy Travelers Take Offz remove all traces of makeup, even waterproof mascara and liquid eyeliner!  They are super easy to use. Just take one out of its pack, gently wipe your face and eyes and throw the used wipe in the trash.Makeup remover wipes are also perfect for travel.  They are so convenient to use and fit easily into your carry-on or luggage.

3. In a Pinch, Use Petroleum Jelly

Your makeup will slide right off with petroleum jelly. It’s made from petrolatum, which is made from mineral oils and waxes. Use your finger to smear a little over your eyes and wipe off gently with a cotton pad.

Fun tip – if you want your eyelashes to grow thicker or to assist the regrowth of over-plucked brows, slick some petroleum jelly on the hairs overnight. Just be careful not to get any in your eyes.

4. Micellar Water is a Wash, Remover and Moisturizer in One

Micellar water is made up of tiny balls of cleansing-oil molecules (called micelles) suspended in soft water. The micelles are attracted to dirt and oil. They act like a magnet, drawing out makeup, dirt and oil, away from the skin.

Micellar water acts like a magnet to lift dirt, oil and makeup from your skin, without the need for any harsh rubbing.

To remove eye makeup simply soak a cotton pad with micellar water and hold over the eyes for a few seconds. Always wipe in a downwards motion.

5. Coconut Oil – the Handiest Product in Your Kitchen Cupboard

Organic, cold-pressed coconut oil is a brilliant all-rounder. Not only can you use it to cook, but it is also safe to use on your face. Because of its detergent effect, it works well as a makeup remover.

Coconut oil solidifies in the colder weather, so if it isn’t liquid, rub a little between your hands.  Very gently rub onto dry skin. Use a little more to remove any heavy eye makeup.

How to Remove Eye Makeup – A Professional Makeup Artist’s Tip

Professional makeup artist and New Yorker Jill McKay says that cotton is the best material to use with any eye makeup remover. However, her secret is to dampen the cotton with water first. This way the makeup will glide right off. According to McKay, if you just put makeup remover straight onto dry cotton it will end up pulling on the eye and dragging makeup on the skin around it.

Have you been guilty of sleeping in your makeup? Just click on the link below to get your own makeup remover wipes, so you never do it again!

Have you ever been to the bathroom to check your makeup after a few glasses of wine, smiled into the mirror and realized in horror that your teeth have turned a peculiar shade of purple? Having red wine stained teeth can make you feel very self conscious.

Not everyone will experience the same amount of staining. How porous your teeth are, or in other words, how strong the enamel on your teeth is, will determine how badly red wine will stain. That is because chemicals in the red wine, called tannins, get absorbed into the surface of this enamel.

How to Clean Red Wine Stained Teeth?

Of course you can stop drinking red wine altogether, but that’s no fun! Why not try these things to reduce the severity of the staining?

1. Brush Your Teeth

Having plaque-free teeth is the best way to avoid a red wine stained smile. Make an appointment with your dentist right away! Regular checkups and professional cleaning, along with proper dental care at home will keep your teeth clear of stains from any drinks or food.

If you have room in your purse, take a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste with you. You can give your teeth a quick brush before you head out to the bar or restaurant if you can’t get home first.

If you want to brush your teeth after drinking red wine, leave it for at least a few minutes. Brushing too soon after drinking red wine will strip away some of the enamel because the wine’s acid will still be in your mouth and on your teeth, .

2. Alternate with Sparkling Water

This is a great one, not only to help combat red wine stained teeth, but also to stay hydrated and slow down your alcohol consumption.

After each glass of red wine, drink a glass of sparkling water or seltzer. The effervescence (bubbles) in the water will help to lift the stain.

You can swish around the water in your mouth, but do this in the bathroom or you may get some very strange looks!

3. Use Teeth and Mouth Cleaning Wipes

Using teeth wipes is a really discreet and convenient way to remove stains from your teeth. If brushing your teeth in a public restroom is not possible or not something you want to do, then a quick once-over with a tooth wipe is ideal.

These wipes are made with textured material that gently removes wine, coffee and food stains from your teeth. Often flavored with fresh mint, you can even use them on your lips and tongue for a full mouth clean.

A few individually-packed mouth cleaning wipes can easily fit in your purse or pocket. Your friends will love you if you have a couple to share, too!

4. Eat Cheese

Cheese and wine is a match made in heaven. Luckily eating cheese can help reduce red wine stained teeth.

Cheese contains proteins that form a protective layer on the surface of your teeth making it harder for stains to penetrate.

Cheese is also high in calcium, which is an important mineral for strong bones and teeth. Harder cheeses like cheddar or parmesan tend to have a higher calcium content over soft cheeses like brie or camembert.

5. Choose a Light-Colored Red Wine

The rule of thumb is the darker the wine, the worse the staining. This is because of the higher levels of tannins in dark red wine.

There are some beautiful lighter red wine varieties such as Pinot Noir or Burgundy. These contain fewer tannins than heavier reds like Bordeaux or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Also try to avoid drinking any wine that is high in acidity. You may think that drinking white wine first and then going on to red will help, but it actually makes it worse. The high acidity in white wine will erode your tooth enamel and then the staining from the next glass of red will be much more pronounced.

What are your tried and tested tricks to keeping your pearly whites white?

I don’t think anyone can deny that sweating is healthy and very natural. The purpose of sweating is to help your body regulate its temperature and to expel toxins.

But just because it’s healthy, it doesn’t mean you have to like it!

There are so many products out there to combat either body odor or sweat. From crystals, deodorant sticks and sprays, pit paste to antiperspirant, the choices are endless and there is something to suit everyone.

A great alternative to traditional deodorants and antiperspirants are single-use deodorant wipes.

What are Deodorant Wipes?

Simply put, deodorant wipes are wet wipes for your armpits.

These wipes often contain properties that are both deodorizing and that act as an antiperspirant. In other words the ingredients work to mask any odor and stop sweating.

Savvy Travelers have developed individually packaged, biodegradable deodorant wipes. Best of all, they are safe for all skin types and have a soft, feminine fragrance.

I am an avid label reader when it comes to personal-care products. I chose five of the ingredients that feature in the No Sweat wipes to find out what role they play in making the antiperspirant wipes so effective.

1. Aluminum Chlorohydrate

In any antiperspirant, aluminum compounds will be the active ingredient. They block the sweat glands to keep perspiration from reaching the skin’s surface.

Compared to other commercially available wipes, Savvy Travelers’ sweatblock wipes contain a higher amount of aluminum chlorohydrate. This means that they are more effective at reducing perspiration.

Aluminum is a safe ingredient to apply topically on your body. In fact, you would ingest more aluminum through food than through your skin with an antiperspirant.

2. Usnea Barbata Extract

Usnea is a type of lichen that grows on trees. Lichen is a combination of fungus and algae. The extract is taken from the body of the plant and, in this case, the extract has been added as a deodorant.

Usnea contains many beneficial anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties.

Apart from deodorizing, some other uses for usnea are as a weight-loss aid, for pain relief, flu and fever control, and wound healing.

3. Cocoglycerides

Cocoglycerides are derived from coconut oil and are used as a moisturizing agent.

This emollient helps the deodorant wipe to glide gently over your skin so that you are not rubbing or pulling at your skin.

4. Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract

Salvia officinalis, or sage as it is more commonly known, is a small evergreen herb. It is native to southern Europe, but will happily grow in many suburban herb gardens around the world.

The main use for sage-leaf extract is as a skin conditioning agent. However, it is also an excellent deodorizer.

It helps to dry perspiration and eliminate body odor, hence its inclusion in the deodorant wipes.

5. Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant)

Tocopheryl acetate is a type of vitamin E. Vitamin E is both an antioxidant and a natural skin conditioner. It has been added to care for the delicate underarm skin.

An antioxidant helps the body to protect itself against damage from free radicals.

In addition, vitamin E is proven to assist skin to heal, strengthen the skin’s barrier and allow the skin to hold more moisture.

Out of all antioxidants, Vitamin E is one of the most well-researched.  It is found in eight different forms, either naturally extracted or synthetically produced.

From the eight, tocopherol is the most bioavailable, meaning the body will easily absorb it.

Have you used deodorant wipes? Have you ever looked at the ingredients? All Savvy Travelers’ wipes are specifically formulated with the most beneficial ingredients. Let me know what you look for first when shopping for your own personal care products in the comments below!

Multitasking beauty products are absolutely essential when traveling. The heaviest items in my luggage are often toiletries and I need the same products whether it’s a weekend or two months away!

The restrictions on baggage for international flights are so strict now. It’s important to find the balance between having all the necessities without paying for excess luggage.

Later this year we will be taking a family vacation to Europe and we will have to pack very wisely. I have two young children who can’t help us carry our suitcases and a husband who insists we take his road bike so he can cycle a stretch of the Tour de France!

I am always on the lookout for products that can be used in different ways and are safe for my family’s skin and health.

10 of My Favorite Multitasking Beauty Products

1. Clear Mascara

A clear mascara is great to define my lashes during the day and one of the best things is I don’t get panda eyes if I go swimming or to the beach! I also have quite strong brows, so a slick of clear mascara helps to define and tame them.

2. Tinted Moisturizer or CC/BB Cream with SPF

This has got to be at the top of my go-to multitasking beauty products. It is a foundation, moisturizer and sunscreen all in one. This is such a simple way of making sure my skin is hydrated but more importantly protected from the sun’s harsh rays. Melanoma (skin cancer) is one of most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society an estimated 87,000 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2017 and 10,000 cases will be fatal. Those are really frightening statistics.

Sun damage is also a huge factor in skin aging.

3. Lip and Cheek Stain

Beauty and the Beast actress Emma Watson wears one everyday to add some warmth to her pale complexion. I don’t have her flawless skin, but a peachy pink color will keep my lips looking pretty and my cheeks fresh with a rosy hue all day.

4. Lip Balm with SPF

I always keep some lip balm handy to reapply during the day. It’s so easy to overlook your lips when applying sunscreen. In fact it is a really common place for skin cancers to form, particularly in men.

5. Neutral Eyeshadow Palette

An eyeshadow palette in a mix of matte and shimmer neutral colors will see you through any occasion. Celebrity makeup artist Nicole Bryl  uses one to make up eyes, fill in brows and contour cheeks.

You can use a dampened angle brush for a soft eyeliner and a light shimmery shadow is the perfect highlighter.

6. Shampoo or Body and Hair Wash

I use a gentle shampoo or all-over body wash to cleanse saltwater or chlorine from my hair after a day on the beach or by the pool. Chlorine actually chemically bonds to hair and skin which will dehydrate and damage it, so it is important to make sure to wash all traces of it and its strong smell away.

I also use shampoo to clean my makeup brushes and to hand wash clothes.

Multitasking beauty products are not just for me in the bathroom. An all-in-one body wash and shampoo is also really handy to use with my kids. I wash their hair and use the suds to clean their bodies. My husband takes one to the hotel gym to use in the shower after his workout.

Even though most hotels provide toiletries, they tend to contain really harsh ingredients so I always prefer to bring my own.

7. Conditioner

My hair is super thick and is prone to frizziness. I always use a conditioner after shampooing for smooth and shiny hair.

I also use it in place of shaving cream for legs and underarms. The razor glides over the skin meaning no nicks or cuts. If I do accidentally draw some blood, I can use a bit of lip balm to help seal the cut.

8. Face and Body Moisturizer

My skin really needs a moisture boost after a lot of sun exposure. A gel moisturizer works well as a soothing treatment for minor sunburn.

For a simple face and body scrub, try adding a small amount of sugar, salt or coffee grounds to some lotion.

9. Deodorant Stick

Particularly in summer, deodorant is a must-have. I always make sure to choose one that doesn’t contain parabens or pore-blocking aluminum.

A deodorant stick can also help stop shoes rubbing my feet.  If I feel my shoes becoming a little uncomfortable I can swipe on a little deodorant onto my skin to reduce the friction and avoid a nasty blister. It can work the same way to avoid chafing on thighs and other areas prone to irritation from sweat and rubbing on fabric.

A little deodorant on an insect bite is also a great way to ease the itching.

10. Travel Wipes

It is so important to look after your skin and take care of basic hygiene en route. I always make sure to pack some multi-purpose travel wipes in my carry-on bags.

Savvy Traveler makes a great Jet Set Kit with a variety of single-use wipes. This means I don’t have to pack small bottles and containers to pass through the strict security checkpoints.

I’d love to know, what are your favorite multitasking beauty products and what are the different ways you use them? Leave a comment below and share with the Savvy community!