Packing Light | Creating a Personal SOS Bag
Spending time on getting myself ready in the morning involves communication, multi-tasking, and a bit of hiding. Even in our vehicle on wheels, the bathroom has become a place where both my husband and I go to hide. Parenting at its finest. Am I right?! While we race to see who gets to the bathroom first, my boys sit around the table and demand their breakfast. For me, it’s a race between getting dressed, not allowing the oatmeal pot to boil over, and keeping the boys’ noise level to a minimum as Daniel starts his first meeting in the next room over.
Calling it an SOS bag is a bit dramatic, but getting five minutes of independence in the bathroom for me has become a bit of a life or death. When I do get this time, I feel so much more capable in conquering the day. When I don’t get a chance to do these things, my day feels blurry like I can’t quite step out of the fog of sleep. How can something so simple affect me so much?
Below are my go-to’s for my everyday morning routine. You may find this incredibly simple, which it is! This doesn’t include any makeup, which is a reality for me with life on the road. I don’t wear it. I find with the extreme temperature shifts we face and living life more outside than in, moisturizers, balms, and natural products make me feel better.
*With limited space and time, I have to be choosy about my products. Most of these are multipurpose having a plethora of uses rather than just one.
Beautycounter Cleansing Balm | If I had to pick just one BeautyCounter product this would be it. The price is steep, but it has lasted me for an entire year. In the wintertime and especially to combat the dryness of the desert west, this became my go to for chapped, dry skin. In the evening after a shower I apply a thick layer over my hands especially on my knuckles. I also apply a layer three times a week in place of my night moisturizer to the eczema prone dry spots on my face. Thus, becoming a night mask. The purposes are multi - it can function as a makeup remover, a remedy for children’s chapped faces, and I’ve even used it as a layer of protection over my face while running.
BeautyCounter Lotus Glow Cleansing Stick | This product is perfect for travel especially in an RV. I use it to wash my face in the evening. The cleansing stick melts into my skin and then turns into a milky substance when it meets water. Which reads - you don’t need a lot of water!
Primally Pure Charcoal Deodorant | I switched to a non-aluminum containing deodorant a few years back. The process was rough, but once done I will never go back. I love that this deodorant only has a faint scent and clears away impurities instead of just covering them up. It lasts me about 3-4 months.
Lucas Pawpaw Ointment | I always keep a lip balm on hand for moisture. Lucas PawPaw is in my every day bag, another is located in the cup holder of our truck, a third is next to my bed. Like the cleansing balm this product is thicker and can be used as both a lip balm and a salve. Spending time in the car AC or traveling to drier climates always dries out our lips. I reach for one of these often during our travels. It can even be used on cuts and brush burns as a healing ointment = multipurpose.
E.l.f. Glow Primer Stick | I used this as a sheer foundation stick. I moisturize eerie morning with a night cream (I know, that doesn’t make sense, but my skin needs it!) Then I apply this which has a gentle cooling effect and leaves you with a natural glow. I’m sure it rubs off mid morning after my kiddos smother me in kisses, but a quick reapplication and I feel like a new woman.
Classic Hair Clip | For anyone that knows me at all, I wear this religiously to keep my mane out of my eyes. I tend not to brush my hair due to the coarseness and curls. A simple comb through the scalp and it goes back half up half down for the day. I don’t believe hair clips are created equal. This one is solid and can hold up to the head of hair I have. After countless broken cheaper clips from local grocery stores I have come to invest a $10 clip.
Anastasia Clear Brow Gel | I enjoy using a brow gel to keep my full eyebrows in place. Using five strokes per brow it lifts them up, makes them feel fuller, and is also lightweight. It makes me feel more put together though I’m the only one that notices. Being on the road, and doing all my own “up keep” this has become a go to even without applying makeup! They do have tinted versions as well but I prefer the clear version.
