This column is written by a guest-host, my wife Diane Ako, who insists people need to know about this stuff:
As one who travels a lot for my job at KHNL News8, or for personal fun, I’ve become somewhat of an expert on travel makeup. In other words, makeup built to last, or small and portable things. I’m refreshing my makeup kit now, as I prepare for another trip or two this year.
I headed to Merle Norman, because I like its excellent customer service, great selection, and convenience. There are three stores on Oahu, so it’s easy to pop in at Ward Warehouse, Windward Mall, or Pearlridge if I forgot something. I also think it’s nice that all Merle Norman brand cosmetics are made in the US.
It’s known for its foundations, so I got the Luxiva Lasting Foundation SPF 12. It’s waterproof, lasts seven hours, and transfer-proof, meaning it won’t rub off onto your clothes. It is matte, so it will absorb oils. The staff says women with oily skin love it.
The Luxiva Lasting Crème Eyeliner is waterproof, also. I will like these products, because after traveling with a two year old for 23 hours, I will at least be beautiful when I am crying from fatigue and nerves.
As for lipstick, there’s a couple I think are worthy of mention. This Long Wearing Lip Color sacrifices moisture for staying-power. You paint it on and it will stay there until you remove it with makeup remover, or you are a violent eater who is having oily food and wiping your lips with a napkin every other bite.
To give it some moisture, you then apply the specially-formulated gloss, which is at the other side of the stick. You’re not supposed to use other lip glosses with this, but if you run out of the gloss, you can buy replacements that snap in, at Merle Norman.
From dry to moist, this Sheer Luxiva Lip Glaze glides on smoothly. It has plumping agents and moisturizer, so it will give you extra hydration in a dry climate (like the plane, or Las Vegas.)
This cute little Japonesque lash curler is pocket-sized and comes with a lifetime of pad refills. And at press time, it was only $11! How awesome is that? Some brands won’t sell you refills, so you have to discard it and buy a whole new one every couple years.
After you put all that on, set it with this Model in a Bottle Makeup Setting spray. It’s resistant to smudges, tears, humidity, and water. Oprah and Tyra Banks recommended it, and Merle Norman staff say it’s the only Hawaii store to carry it.
If you want to use only a few brushes when traveling, buy this Japonesque Professional Brush Cleaner and clean your brushes between uses so your eye shadow colors won’t blend into each other. It dries instantly, kills bacteria, and removes the makeup colors. It’s sold in travel wipes, but it’s so popular they were out the day I shot these photos, so I can only show you the bottle.
Lastly, if there is only one makeup remover you can take, use Luxiva Skin Refining Cleanser. You multi-task, it multi-tasks. It cleans, it has little bubbles in it to exfoliate, and it tones. It leaves you with a fresh feeling. The staffer says a lot of customers buy three for their home, work, and gym bag.
And now, you’re set to jet set in style.
www.merlenorman.com
CELEBRITY SUITCASE: What won't they travel without?Justin Long, actor
Friendly and funny with reporters, the actor Justin Long told me he must travel with “My brother, my iPod, and a book.” He was in Hawaii for the grand re-opening of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and yes, he was with his brother.
Long's film credits include Jeepers Creepers, Waiting..., Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, The Break-Up, Crossroads, Galaxy Quest, Dreamland, Alvin and the Chipmunks and Live Free Or Die Hard. He was also a regular on the NBC TV series Ed (2000–2004), playing socially awkward Warren Cheswick. Long is also known for his depiction of a Mac in Apple's Get a Mac campaign. He recently starred in "He's Just Not That Into You" 2009 as the character Alex, along with co-star Drew Barrymore.
