102. Packing for the Coast

Everything I Took With Me

Hi, I’m Maggie, and welcome to Tender Forms Off-Camera: a bi-weekly newsletter on all things slow: beauty, fashion, and living. Links in this newsletter may include affiliate links or discount referrals. If you enjoy and would like to support this newsletter, click the button below or shop through my links! No pressure, but thank you if you do.

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A few weeks ago, I took my mom, grandma, and aunt to the Oregon Coast, specifically Cannon Beach and Manzanita Beach. It was only two nights, but I had so much fun packing for it and loved what I took. Buckle up; there’s a lot to get through. And spoiler alert, it’s all great.

Skincare

Monastery Discovery Kit ($32, entire line | 9 items, 2ml ea.)

My skin loves consistency and no surprises, so you might wonder why I brought the Monastery Discovery Kit with me. I mainly brought it to save space (and to photograph though the family schedule thwarted that, haha). I’ve used their cleansers (Rose and Sage) before, love them, and know they work for me. The sachets pack a surprising amount, and I only used Rose for both nights! *I only cleanse in the evenings. 

I’d been having a persistently aggressive acne spot on my chin that refused to heal, and of course, two nights of Rose did the trick. Rose is as lovely as ever, and I need to get another bottle soon. I’ve written about this in countless newsletters (search for “Monastery Rose”), so I won’t go on about it here. Just know I love it. 

Earthwise Beauty Sweet Roses ($24, 15ml)

Don’t be fooled by the Lilah B. packaging; this was a gift from a dear friend long ago, and I kept it thanks to nostalgia and its perfect travel size! I decanted some of my favorite EWB Sweet Roses into it (I still can’t believe I’m on my last bottle). In the mornings, I would splash cold water and follow with a generous spritz of this. In the evenings, I would do the same after cleansing. I’ve linked Uncommon Yarrow’s shop! This is still available at a few online stockists. 

Earthwise Beauty Ferns & Moss (Not available)

I used three drops each evening after EWB Sweet Roses all over my face and neck. This has been my perfect winter companion (I also can’t believe this is my last bottle). 

Jordan Samuel Skin Moisture Recovery Cream ($34, 1.7oz | 50ml)

I decanted some of this into an old EWB jar. The first night, my cheeks were severely wind chapped from wildly under-dressing for a cold day at the beach, ha! I used roughly a full pea size that night (usually, I do half) all over the face. This also doubled as my hand cream. This is my second tube, and it won’t be my last. It’s lovely. 

Le Prunier Plumscreen SPF 31 ($78, 60ml | 2floz)

I cherish how much this has simplified my morning routine. I splash my face with cold water, spritz EWB Sweet Roses, then go in with two finger lengths of this. That’s it. See it in action here. 

The scent is a delicate marzipan, and I love it (but that’s because I’m a marzipan fan). There’s no white cast and no tint, and it sets down as a satin to satin-matte finish depending on how much you use. It works beautifully under makeup. I’m almost done with this tube too! 

Province Apothecary Healing Eczema Balm (the original formula) ($19, 15g | .53oz)

Let me start by saying I have never tried this before and did not open it on this trip. A few months back, I had a terrible rash due to a product that did not agree with me. As the universe would have it, I stress-ordered this online, and, of course, it did not arrive until well after the rash had healed. However, skin reactions always seem to happen during travel, don’t they? Some unforeseen allergies or irritation. Luckily, it didn’t happen on this trip, but I didn’t get to try it unluckily. I’ve read nothing but good things about this particular version, so I am assured that if something were to come up, this should fix it. Best to be prepared! 

Haircare

Sándor The Grounding Shampoo ($36, 250ml | 8.5floz)

If you caught my recent Instagram reel, you already know this is my fourth bottle. This is my favorite shampoo. There, I said it! Long-time followers know how picky my fine but thick hair and sensitive scalp are regarding shampoos. This is the shampoo of my dreams. I have used this on extremely long and short hair (bob, currently). The true test was right before I cut my hair. It was the longest in years, at least 2 feet, and while I have fine, straight hair, I have a lot of it. 

Even at the long length, each bottle would last me three months, which may sound short, but I don’t think you understand how much hair I had to wash, haha! And I double-cleansed too. 

This is the only shampoo that’s nourished and moisturized my hair without weighing it down. It doesn’t irritate my scalp or skin (ears, neck, back, shoulders). With my long hair, I could go two solid days without my hair weighing down on my scalp and turning into a greasy mess. Most importantly, my scalp wouldn’t become itchy either on second-day hair. And that’s unheard of for me. 

Now with short hair, these bottles will last much longer, and I don’t have to double cleanse anymore! It’s been a massive contributor to balancing scalp health (I have been doing a few other things and will write a newsletter soon). My hair and scalp are in a very happy place nowadays. 

Crown Affair Comb No. 001 in Carrara ($42, 3.6in x 2.4in)

Crown Affair The Clips ($54, sold as a pair)

Tools-wise, I only needed these Crown Affair items: No. 001 travels beautifully (though No. 002 would, too) and The Clips. In hindsight, I probably could’ve gotten away with just one clip, but I brought the pair. And in case you’re wondering, these are my everyday hair tools too! 

Jillian Dempsey Roadie Hair Pomade ($28, .6oz | 17g)

I enjoy more curl and texture with shorter hair, so I’m happy my recent cut gave me a reason to try Jillian Dempsey’s Roadie finally. I love that it’s in a stick form and enjoy its light sandalwood and lemongrass scent. I would categorize this one as a medium hold in a very dry wax. For those unfamiliar with pomades, they come in multiple holds, but it’s rare to find clean versions. This one is great for what I need.  

If I warm a bit between the fingers and tousle it through the ends, I can get that piecey look I love. I’ve even used this in my brows to see how it would work, and it works surprisingly well! Often with brow gels, I find it picks up powders on the face or floating dust throughout the day. This one does not! I can’t wait to use it more! (I have not tried it with taming flyaways because I don’t tend to have them unless I have baby hairs growing out. Though I’m confident this would work great for that as well. A little goes a long way!) 

Bodycare

SALT & STONE Body Wash in Bergamot & Hinoki ($36, 15.2floz | 450ml)

I’ll admit, it’s been a while since I’ve tried a shower gel. And that’s entirely my fault. My head is still filled with the drying shower gels of the past. This one is divine. SALT & STONE have such a way with scents, and this one is lovely for a body wash. The scent rides a fine line between citrusy and woodsy thanks to its titular characters. However, there’s more to it than that, and I’ll let their fragrance notes speak for me here: 

Top — Italian Bergamot, Grapefruit

Middle — Hinoki, Vetiver

Base — Eucalyptus, Amber, Orange Blossom

The result starts with a pop of effervescence before drifting into something more grounding. It’s a sigh of relaxation in a bottle. And that’s just the scent! The feel of the body wash is luscious. I used a sample sachet during travel so at its most rudimentary shower form. Yet, it was a luxurious experience. The gel has body to it and doesn’t disappear into nothing after it suds up. It rinses off easily and doesn’t leave any film atop the skin. But the most impressive part is what comes after.  

This is the most hydrating yet non-irritating body wash I’ve ever tried. I say non-irritating because my skin is rather reactive. And sometimes, overtly hydrating things will give me hives or itchiness. This one soothes, smoothes, and plumps the skin. And not just right after but for a solid day later! Thanks to this beautiful body wash, I didn’t put on any body lotion during this trip. 

Furthermore, they just released a Santal & Vetiver version (my favorite of their scents, see next item below). Now this is the one I want (need)!

And there’s currently a Leon Bridges collaboration body wash that sounds equally delicious in their “best-selling Black Rose & Vetiver fragrance.” While I haven’t tried it, I hope they’ll make this part of the permanent body wash collection so I’ll get a chance to in the future! 

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SALT & STONE Natural Deodorant Gel for Sensitive Skin in Santal & Vetiver ($20, 2.6oz | 75g)

If you’re a long-time subscriber, you know I don’t wear deodorant daily. However, this is the only one I will wear. Remember how I said I have reactive skin? Well, that includes my underarms and especially when baking soda is involved. If you wear clean deodorants, then you also know how tough it is to find one that doesn’t have baking soda in it. SALT & STONE just think of everything, and they offer their deodorants sans baking soda for sensitive skin. It comes in two scents, and I am so thrilled I went with Santal & Vetiver because, just like the body wash, this, too, is divine. If they sold this as a fragrance, I would purchase it in a heartbeat!

Top — Violet Leaves, Cardamom

Middle — Orris, Ambrox, Cedar

Base — Australian Sandalwood, Amber, Crystal

As for the performance, I think it works great. However, I don’t sweat a lot unless I’m doing a longer or more intense workout. I just swipe on a bit under each arm and go about my day. I haven’t noticed it staining any of my clothes either! Plus, it has a cooling sensation upon application which adds to that fresh feeling (and don’t worry, the cooling fades quickly).

Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+ ($33 per month)

I’m putting a true body essential in this section as well. I’ve been taking Ritual for years and won’t go without it. I packed just enough for two nights in an older bottle! 

Makeup

Let this be an introduction to my latest makeup obsession: NOTO Botanics. A few months ago, I found myself with the majority of my makeup either used up or expired. As fate would have it, I randomly stumbled upon a sale and picked up the following. These have subsequently fast become my daily go-to. If I were to create makeup, it’d be like this. 

First, I have to talk about the packaging and “delivery system” because it’s really what seals the deal for me. I love refillable pans, I do. But there is nothing that compares to the convenience of a stick form. Especially when it comes to multi-use color products. The Multi-Bene sticks are housed in sleek, black, and (I’m guessing) aluminum tubes with caps. There’s a rubber lining within the caps to secure and keep its closure. 

I picked two Multi-Bene sticks in both of the available formulas, and both pack a punch when it comes to pigment. Fluxus is a color, bronzer, and contour all in one and has a more matte finish for better longevity. Touch is one of their base color formulas that is more emollient and is designed for lips and cheeks with a lovely peppermint scent. 

Multi-Bene Stick in Fluxus ($26, .09oz | 2.6ml)

Fluxus is a rich cocoa in a gorgeous burnt caramel-like base with red undertones. I tend to go for very neutral bronzers and contours due to my fair skin tone. So I was initially nervous that this would pull too orange on me. To my sheer delight, this is beautiful on my fair skin. When worn in a light layer, it deepens my skin tone ever so slightly, and the red undertones somehow aid in blending seamlessly into my neutral-to-olive undertones. When applied heavier and directly from the stick, it gives a sunny warmth without ever going orange! It dries, sets, and trust me when I say it’s long-lasting. It has a lovely deep, slightly spicy lavender and rosemary scent but dissipates quickly. 

Multi-Bene Stick in Touch ($26, .09oz | 2.6ml)

I adore that Touch is a chameleon shade. It is a warm pink with a bit of coral and rose to it. It’s lighter in depth than I anticipated because it’s pigmented! The creamier texture gives it more slip than Fluxus, so it can be sheered out when applied to the cheeks and blended. However, applied directly onto the lips, it’s got far more opacity than I expected and is a light, almost milky pink-coral. This shade provides the most natural flush of color no matter where you apply it. It’s beautiful and is a dead-ringer for (M)anasi7’s Etruscan at a way more affordable price point. 

And the two mixed together is a sleeper hit! I can achieve my own perfect shade of rosewood. Fluxus brings out the earthiness of Touch, and my natural lip color skews Fluxus more neutral.

Now, for application, you could definitely use just the sticks and your fingers. The diameter is quite small (approximately a quarter to a third of an inch), and because you can twist the product up or down, I’ve twisted it way down and used the edge of the casing to apply Fluxus directly to my lash line, and it works just fine. You can also apply these directly to the skin and blend them out with your fingers or take some on the fingertip first and then apply and blend. 

Duo Brush ($24) 

But my favorite way to use these is with their Duo Brush. You know that I love brushes. And I am blown away by this one—it’s the only travel brush you will ever need. Here are all of its amazing highlights and qualities: 

• Both ends have caps, so say goodbye to your fear of either the brush or your makeup bag getting dirty. Added bonus is you can store these upright on either end without crushing the bristles. 

• Vegan; synthetic bristles only yet so incredibly soft. 

• There’s a fluffy end for all your powder or cream application and blending needs. I use this side to blend Multi-Bene sticks and for setting powder. Moreover, there’s a retractable component that allows you to alter the shape and density of the brush head. Pulled up, it compacts the bristles to provide a denser brush for blending out heavier color. Pulled all the way down, the bristles won’t have any restricted movement, making it great for light powder applications and airbrush blending. 

• There’s a flat, detail end for spot concealing, eyeliner, or precise lip color application. I use this with Fluxus for everyday upper lash line definition. I’ve also used it for spot-concealing cream concealers. 

• It’s compact and lands roughly around the 5” length mark. Again, perfect for travel! 

• It’s only $24. What? I still can’t believe it. The quality of the brush is outstanding. 

• I’ve already washed this several times: there’s no shedding, and it keeps its shape beautifully. 

Merit Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara ($26)

I have the mini that was part of their holiday set. You know I don’t tend to wear mascara on the day-to-day, but when I do, it’s the Kjaer Weis Lengthening Mascara. However, this one has quickly become a top contender. It’s a tubing formula applied with a medium, even bristle hair brush. I used to be afraid of tubing mascaras since I’ve heard they don’t have the best hold, and I already don’t curl my lashes. But I am thoroughly impressed by how well this lengthens and separates despite that. A lot of mascaras also tend to dry out during the day and can make my eyes itchy. This one is so comfortable to wear, pretty much weightless once it sets, and there’s only minor flaking (and I mean one or two if I happen to laugh and crinkle my eyes a lot that day).

I will run through the rest of the makeup quickly, as they are nothing new but definitely tried-and-true favorites.

Alima Pure Pressed Foundation with Rosehip Antioxidant Complex in Sesame ($26 refill)

I brought this with me just in case I needed a powder that packed more coverage (as opposed to bringing my Westman Atelier pressed powder). I went in with the fluffier side of my NOTO Duo Brush to lightly powder under the eyes and down my T-zone. 

Westman Atelier Bonne Brow Defining Pencil in Slate ($38, .01oz | .34g)

My only item needed when it comes to brows. I also love that it includes a dry spoolie (aka, no need to pack a separate one). 

Westman Atelier Powder Brush ($85, ~5.5” handle length)

I took this with me in case I needed a brush with larger real estate for faster powder application. But I didn’t end up needing or using it. 

*The efficiency lover in me hates that I could’ve packed less on this trip, haha! But you live, and you learn.

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Thanks so much for reading! Do you have any travel favorites you never fail to pack? Leave a comment; I’d love to know! And if you know anyone needing some travel-packing inspiration, please give today’s newsletter a share.

As always, I hope you have a great start to your week! See you soon!