For many of us, the holidays mean spending valuable time with loved ones. For me, it also means taking a six and a half hour road trip from Virginia to Western NY so my husband, daughter and I can visit our families.

While road trips are a ton of fun (perfect excuse to update the iPod!), sometimes it’s hard to choose what beauty products to take and which to leave behind to conserve space.

Of course, if I had the extra trunk space that this 2013 Kia Sorento has, I could bring my entire wardrobe and all my beauty goodies with me!

Check out all that room!  Alas, my own smaller car looks more like an overstuffed clown car when I’m through packing, so I’m stuck figuring out how to downsize as much as possible.

If you’re looking to pack light for your own holiday road trip, I recommend these four beauty essentials to keep you covered.

1.  Foundation & Concealer in One — Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation

I’ve always loved Cover FX, but now I love their Total Cover Cream Foundation even more!  It was recently reformulated, and it glides on your skin very easily. The new formula also seems to work better when it comes to sitting on top of small lines and wrinkles rather than creasing and settling in.  It’s creamier and velvety smooth!

This foundation saves you space when traveling, since the product is very build-able too, so it does double duty as a concealer for trouble spots.

Cover FX Cream Foundation does double duty as a concealer when you build it up.

The compact itself comes with space for a sponge applicator built right in, so you don’t need to worry about packing extra brushes or applicator sponges.

A hidden compartment houses the sponge applicator.

And did I mention the foundation also serves as an SPF 30?  You can’t get much more out of one handy product!!

2.  Lipstick that Stays Put — Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick 

If you’re looking for a quick way to make a statement, nothing is hotter right now than a good matte lipstick. Of course, red is always a good option for the holidays, but a softer rose color also does the trick if you would rather tone it down a bit. I’m absolutely in love with Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick, which was just launched this past fall.

The velvety matte lipsticks from Hourglass

First, this is a lipstick, even though you apply it like a gloss from a sponge applicator. Trust me — there is nothing glossy about it! Second, this Does. Not. Budge. I’m not kidding. I’m talking about a perfect pout that lasts through drinking, eating, kissing…almost anything.

Hourglass Opaque Liquid Rouge Lipstick in Canvas -- Applied 3 Hours Earlier

I’ve never encountered any lipstick like this, even though there are many that claim to be long-lasting. The most surprising part is that it doesn’t dry your lips out either. It’s simply like you have another layer to your lips. The tube it comes in is about half the size of your typical gloss tube, and it’s flat, so you can easily store it in your wristlet or purse.

3.  An All-in-One Eye Shadow Palette — Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow

I’ve always been a big believer that you can accomplish pretty much any eye makeup look with just four eye shadows. And nobody does it better than Chanel when it comes to piecing together a gorgeous palette. Recently, I purchased the brand’s Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in its newest collection, Variation.

Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in Variation

It’s not cheap (retails for $58), but I can get so many looks from just these four colors — everything from a lighter “day” look to a deep smokey purple “night” look.

A lighter look

A smokier look

And because the shadows are so versatile, I even use the small pointed sponge applicator that comes with the quad to “line” my eyes with the plum hue.

4.  A Quick Way to Cleanse — AVEENO® Ultra-Calming Makeup Removing Wipes

I’m lazy. Yup — I said it. When it comes to taking off my makeup at night, it’s hit or miss depending on how tired I am. Bad beauty blogger, I know!! That said, my whole makeup removal world was turned upside down in a good way when AVEENO launched its new Ultra-Calming Makeup Removing Wipes earlier this year.

I'm on my fourth packet of these babies.

They are so convenient! I just leave them by my bed, pull out a wipe, and take off my makeup in no time at all. These even work on getting my waterproof mascara off, so they’re the real deal, and they leave your face feeling smooth and hydrated too.

No makeup left on my face -- wiped out!

The best part is that they are so easy to take with you on your travels, and you can even keep a pack in your purse if you wanted to.

What are your go-to beauty products to take on a holiday road trip?

Photos:  Kia Motors; Anne Houseman/BeautyXpose; Hourglass
Disclosure
Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Kia Motors