Lipsticks. Pintalabios. Rouges. I’ve got a millions of them.

I actually carry like 10 with me in my purse on any given day. On any given *normal* day, that is. When I travel, I might have even more. Ha! No, I’m not exaggerating! I love bold lip color. No puedo mentir, if I’m honest I might be borderline obsessed with lip color.

I actually believe that lipcolor is a vital and very essential packing item for ANY trip! Yep, you heard me right. Every girl should try traveling with lipstick, it’s a travel fashion game changer.

There are so many reasons for this belief. Valid reasons. Reasons that I’ll share with you. But first, lemme just clarify that lip color just makes me happy. Tremendously happy. I think it’s the same for alot of us!

And that’s really reason enough. Ciertamente!

But, for shits and giggles, let’s go through a list of why I think lipstick should be in every chica’s travel bag:

1. Looking Fabulous

Most importantly, it looks great.

There’s not a girl on this planet that doesn’t look fly with a little pop of color on her smackers. It’s like the frosting on a cake, lipstick adds pizzazz. It takes something already great and makes it fab!

It makes you shine in a crowd, and your brilliant shine lights up others. Fact.

If you want to look good while in a new place, put on a little lip color and see what it does for your overall vibe!

“Anytime I have bright red [lipstick], I’m like ‘Here I am. Who’s ready for me?’ Even if no ones ready”
— Issa Rae

2. Pick me up

Travel can be tiring. Exhausting. Draining.

And that shit shows up on your face. Y lo sabes!

That’s the first thing that people see when they look at you while you’re away and “haggard” is not the word you want people to think of when they see you vacationing. You want to look fierce and happy… alive!

Lip color is an easy way to make that happen.

You’d be surprised what a jolt of life, a decent rub of lipstick can make after a 10-hour flight. It can take a tired, sullen face and make it poppin’… the equivalent of a morning cup of espresso!

traveling with lipstick, bold lip color — Tired in Central Park, but you can’t tell… its the power of a RED LIP!

“Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick and pull yourself together.”
–Elizabeth Taylor

3. Confidence Booster

Which leads me to my next point, a little pop of shine on your labios can make you feel confidant.

Like a bad bitch ready to take on the world! Which is EXACTLY what you are doing when you are traveling! Shouldn’t you walk into a new place with an extra pep to your step? Shouldn’t you embrace a new culture and people with your head held high?

Lip color can do that.

It can take a girl and immediately make her feel like a million bucks. And to be honest, new places can be intimidating, why not meet them head on, red lip shining?!

4. Honor those around you with your best

My Cuban Papi always told me that your appearance is equivalent to the amount of respect that you have for the people you are spending your time with. He says that if you take the time to look nice and take care of yourself, then you are telling the people you meet that you respect them enough to bring them your best.

And while I’m not a huge fan of getting ready for others (your style needs to be for YOU solamente), I do think that there’s some truth to his words.

When I walk into a new country looking put together, I do think I’m honoring the people of that place by coming in with my best foot forward.

A nice lipstick could go a long way into making people feel like they matter enough for a little extra effort on your part.

From the mountains of Ga. to the Rapeseed fields of England- LIP COLOR!

“She has a way with words, red lipstick, and making an entrance.”
–Kate Spade

5. Instagram ya’ll!

O sea, HELLO! You are going to dope ass spots. You are trying to take beautiful pictures (probably for the Gram). Why the hell not put on a bright pink lip or a rocking red lip and make that picture BOMB?!

You KNOW that a bold lip or lack thereof can make or break a perfect picture.

Go ahead and take the additional time to look fabulous and then you will be Insta ready all damn day. No matter what candid your travel partner takes, or what selfie you might be inspired to snap.

Who’s ready for a close up now? 🙂

Can’t tour Westminster Abbey with a plain lip, can I?

I’m telling you girls. Don’t ever underestimate the power of a fierce lip!

It can make you feel verdaderamente bella. And Alive. And ready for your travel day. And when you walk by, your bright, colorful, and confidant smile will inspire others to smile right back. That’s when you’ll know that the extra effort has all been worth it.

My 5 Favorite Lip color brands:

Maybelline ( Super Stay Matte line)
Nars ( Cruella matte lip pencil esp.)
Lip Bar (Black-owned and amazing!)
NYX (bomb lip pencils)
Winky Lux (natural looking lip balm with bold tint)

Hope que este post inspires you to get crazy, get bold, and get loud with your lip color choices when you travel! And if you do make the plunge, tag me! Id love to see you living your best lippy life!

Con mucho amor,

Joana

“Lipstick is the most valuable weapon in a woman’s make-up kit. It has the power to transform the appearance and mood of the person wearing it, and, at the same time, arouses the admiration of everybody else.”
–Monica Belluci