I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a big fan of people-watching. I spend quite a bit of my time on trains and the London underground, meaning I often find myself tapped into what's going on around me to pass the time.
Nothing piques my attention quite like someone doing their beauty rituals whilst on-the-go. Whether you're sweeping the best volumising mascara through the lashes or buffing one of the best Charlotte Tilbury products onto the skin, doing your makeup on your journey is, after all, an excellent way to save time. And with it being my job to write about all things beauty, you can imagine that my eyes are very quickly drawn to someone applying a nice-looking lippie or opening a convenient cushion foundation.
So, I've spent the last few weeks playing detective by eyeing up the beauty bags of those around me on my commute, in order to see the exact formulas they've been relying on for top-ups whilst on their travels – here's what I spied.
The 6 travel-friendly beauty buys loved by commuters
Whether you're craving an extra 30 minutes in bed, need beauty touch ups throughout the day or want to transition your look from day-to-night, there's many reasons why you might carry a little beauty pouch in your handbag. But, one thing each product inside has in common is that they need to be portable, quick and easy to use.
RRP: £22
This multi-tasking formula from Dr Jart+ acts as a hydrating primer, overnight mask or a tinted gloss for the lips. It's enriched with hyaluronic acid that works to deeply hydrate, plump and lock in moisture of dry, dehydrated lips. Not to mention, it delivers an enviable dewy shine and sheer pink tint.
RRP: £26
Lock your brows in place thanks to benefit's Ready, Set, Brow! clear brow gel. Its dual-ended wand coats every hair, while its flake-free formula tames, shapes and seals the eyebrows for undisrupted all day wear.
RRP: £33
For instantly voluminised, longer lashes with YSL's Lash Clash Mascara in the warm brown shade. Its clever formula works in harmony with the double conical brush to curl and lift the lashes for up to 24 hours of wear, without any flaking or drooping.
RRP: £47
Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Bronzer delivers a natural matte, sun-kissed effect on the complexion. Its weightless, finely-milled formula is infused with hyaluronic acid to help smooth the skin and blur the pores for an airbrushed-like finish.
RRP: £3.25
Revive your hair to give it a freshly washed finish with just a spritz of Batiste's On the Go Dry Shampoo, which arrives in a travel-friendly 50ml can. It works to remove oil, without drying the hair out – plus, imparts a clean and fresh zesty lemon scent.
RRP: £23.70
I actually spotted someone using Banila Co's Essence Skin Pink Cushion in the airport, rather than the train. Its compact cushion design makes it an excellent choice for taking on your travels. The foundation formula is enriched with squalane, hyaluronic acid and flower essence to lock in moisture, regulate sebum and encourage glass skin. Plus, it conceals dullness, redness and dark circles, without caking or clinging to dry patches.
