Bare Necessities
Low-Maintenance Beauty For The Great Outdoors…
As many of us head off for what might be the last camping (or glamping) trip of the summer, remember that while a full face of makeup and a coiffed ‘do can look ridiculously out of place in the wilderness, a greasy-haired, chapped-lipped version of you can be just as startling when you unintentionally photo bomb every picture of a magnificent waterfall or majestic mountain.
Bringing along a few essential products will help you to look polished without totally ruining your earth-goddess persona.
Keep makeup minimal. Whether you are tent camping or RV glamping, a few strategic products can help you look put together. Always start with SPF. If you’re spending time in nature, chances are you’re getting some serious sun exposure. While working on your tan may be one of your summer goals, it’s important to protect skin from harmful UV rays. Look for a tinted moisturizer with SPF to save valuable space in your travel bag. And if you’re hiking or backpacking, be sure to bring your sunscreen with you to reapply.
In the morning, apply moisturizer with SPF and spot check your undereye circles and blemishes with some concealer. Follow with a swipe of mascara – go with waterproof, since inevitably Mother Nature will see you in a tent and decide to make it rain! Finally, some tinted lip balm (again, with SPF added) and you’re all set.
Wash up every night. We tend to slather a lot of weird things on our skin while camping – bug spray, sunscreen with SPF 1,000, the occasional glob of melted marshmallow – so it’s crucial to wash your face every night. But while you’re snuggled up around the campfire, the bathroom can seem a million miles away. So bring makeup remover wipes to whisk away dirt and debris quickly without having to find your way through a dark forest. And of course, wipes are essential if there is no sink or bathroom close by. If you happen to be glamping, however, feel free to bring travel-sizes of your favorite skin care line. Makeup wipes only go so far.
Get good sleep. Seriously, campers, sleep is the best weapon in your beauty arsenal. Pack a pair of earplugs and a sleep mask to ensure that the first rays of sunlight or the early bird retirees the next site over don’t yank you from your slumber. In the event you don’t sleep as soundly as you like, eye drops can help clear away any redness that might be related to lack of sleep or allergies and are a quick way to look refreshed.
Tame that mane! There are several options when it comes to hair solutions.
Use a bandana as a headband. Roll it up and tie either at the nape of your neck, or on top of your head, à la Rosie the Riveter. Bandanas soak up sweat while you’re hiking, biking or running from a bear, and they hold back flyaways and frizzies. If your hair is longer, try it with a high, messy bun.
Greasy, slept-on hair that smells like a campfire? A French braid is the cure. Opt for one long one, two in pigtails, or a side braid that tucks into a low pony. If you can’t French braid, go for a regular braid. Either way, braids are great in that they look like you put in a decent amount of work but are really a cinch to do.
Pack dry shampoo. If you happen to be glamping where there are bathrooms and running water, shower and style to your heart’s content. But if you’re going the more primitive route and can withstand a weekend without washing, try dry shampoo. Sprinkle it at your roots, comb it through, style and you’re good to go. If your hair is feeling gunked down from the elements of your camping trip, try an apple cider vinegar rinse to clear dirt and debris from your scalp. In a spray bottle, do a 50/50 mixture of filtered apple cider vinegar and purified water. Spray strands, set for 10 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Camping and glamping don’t have to wreak havoc on your beauty routine. Simplify your routine and enjoy a little natural beauty – yours and the landscape.
