My friend and I just took a "girls trip" on the Thanksgiving weekend. Of course, we had a blast...but the most daunting thing about traveling for me, is PACKING! Most Cali Ten girls are NOT LIGHT PACKERS, but no matter how much stuff we manage to CRAM into our bags, we inevitably forget something. SO here are few of my tricks that work as superb substitutes for the beauty must haves!

If you forgot:

EXFOLIATOR: a couple of small sugar packets from any restaurant will save ya! Just use plain sugar and a little water...or mix it up with your moisturizer or cleanser and scrub until the sugar melts away. It really works and doesn't taste too bad either!

MOISTURIZER: a must have in the cold months and a big bummer if you forget it. Use your lip balm! Rub it on any dry area you have... from under your eyes to your elbows and knees. Just apply as you would on your lips and massage it in. Works wonders on those dry patches. For a full body moisturizer, try a very small amount of conditioner diluted with water. DO DILUTE cuz depending on the conditioner, it can be sticky.

SCRUNCHIE OR HEAD BAND: a nylon stocking or basic sock will do the trick. Just cut the stocking horizontally (any width you want) and TA-DAAA....you have a headband and/or scrunchie! It really works.

MOISTURIZING FACIAL MASK: this is totally necessary in the cold winter months...especially after long plane rides. Apply a generous amount of your moisturizer to your face (avoiding eyes, of course) and DON'T RUB IT IN (you can use your lip balm if your forgot to pack moisturizer..but in a lighter layer). Soak a wash cloth in hot water and wring it out..(UMMM...DON"T BURN YOURSELF)...and place it over your face. Now just lay back and relax until the cloth cools. Repeat if you need to. Pat dry and add a final thin layer of moisturizer. Your face will be pink, plump and PERFECT!

LIPSTICK AND/OR BLUSH: each doubles as the other! For missing blush, just apply your favorite lip color to the apples of your cheek and massage it in. I suggest sticking to ONLY the apples of your cheeks cuz the cheekbone can be tricky and you don't want to end up looking like a crazy clown. Also, more moist cosmetics tend to "move" on your face as the day goes on, so use lipstick sparingly and stick to those apples! For missing lipstick, take a good amount of blush powder (there is usually an ample amount in the corners of the compact) and mix it in the palm of your hand with either lip balm or moisturizer until the powder melts into a paste. Apply and pucker up!

BODY WASH: (cuz soaps in hotels can be really drying and usually smell gross!) Use your shampoo....as long as it's not MEDICATED....it will work great and can be very moisturizing!

CURLING IRON: For long hair, wet your hair and braid it while it's still damp. Wait for it to dry thoroughly. This can take some time so I suggest doing it before you go to bed. If you're pressed for time, let's hope you didn't forget the blow dryer too! Whenever it's completely dry, undo the braid and brush your hair out. Flip your head upside down and SCRUNCH in some gel or mouse at the ends. Flip it over and spray lightly with a bit of hair spray. You will have a tousled, wavy look that will get ya through the day! You could also add a headband or wear a high pony tail. Super cute!

TOOTHPASTE: this sucks..but if you have to, you can brush with salt water or baking soda. Both work well, but taste terrible. (baking soda also whitens your teeth)



There are just some things that can't be substituted.....SO DON"T FORGET YOUR:
TWEEZERS
RAZOR
TOOTHBRUSH
LIP BALM (CUZ IT IS SO VERSATILE)
CONDITIONER

We would love to hear your tips and tricks.....so feel free to comment!