Casablanca Packing Lists

Play it real safe here in Morocco. Keep your clothes looser and longer especially when you're out shopping in the souks or even, walking along the streets etc.

Over here in cosmopolitan Casablanca, the folks are more westernized and hence, you won't be sticking out that much like a sore thumb. Phew!

It is not uncommon to see Moroccan women dress in colorful kaftans (is that what you call those long flowing outfits?) and covering up three-quarters of their faces along the streets and in the souks. So, this is a signal for you to also dress conservatively. Leave those shorts at home... Or you can use them when you're trudging on the sands of the Sahara Desert O.K.?

For many women, it's usually our lotions, shampoo, conditioner, hair-sprays... etc that make our carry-on luggage hell. To look your best on the road, it's not easy... But hey, you don't have to leave your entire make-up kit at home and you don't even have to bring your whole vanity caboodle either.

Here are some tips to remember about makeup. Less is more (especially when packing) and multi-purpose items are PERFECT for travel. Choose some of these beauty essentials to stash in your make-up bag:

Moisturizer - Climate changes can leave your face dry. ALWAYS carry a moisturizer. Choose one that has an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) so that it doubles up as your sunscreen. To save space, pack moisturizer sample packets.

Foundation - Used to even skin tone and freshen up that harried face. :-) Two-way cake powder foundation is easier to carry and apply (Chanel has the BEST two-way cake foundation in the market... in my humble opinion). Choose one that gives the coverage of liquid but the finish of powder (read: CHANEL). If you still opt to carry the liquid stuff, close lids tightly to avoid spillage. Or save money and space with foundation-and-concealer-in-one sticks. Not good for women with oily skin (like mine). :-(

Pressed or loose powder - For quick touch-ups, stash a mini-compact of your favorite powder or transfer your loose powder into a smaller bottle. Oh, and sable brushes with short handles conserve more space.

Eye Shadow - To take your look from day to night, highlight your eyes. A smart choice is to buy a compact of eye shadow with at least 4 shades. Checking against the color palette of your packed clothes is also a good idea to know what hues to bring!

Lip Color - Choose one that suits your skin tone. For sheen and barely-there color, try lip balms and gloss pots. For long-lasting color, hey.. get a tube of lipstick that doesn't come off easily (read: Smear-proof/ Kiss-proof! Buy CHANEL!). If you, like me, can't live with just one lip color, look for those sleek credit card-sized lip color palettes - to match your moods. Dark Burgundy for those days when you want to feel like a dominiatrix... Fuchsia for the days when you feel like you can conquer the world etc... :-D Or limit yourself to two tubes of lipstick, a neutral shade for daytime and a darker one for night.

Towelettes - These handy wipes are convenient for freshening up when there's no place to wash your face. And it came in soooo handy when I was in Morocco... i.e. to wipe away the desert sand from my face and hands!

Blotting Paper - Blot mid-day oil and perspiration with these oil-busting papers. Very handy. A must in every woman's purse. I've discovered the BEST blotting paper in the market is the one produced by the Japanese cosmetic company - SHISEIDO. Very, very good!

'It is not enough for a landscape to be interesting in itself. Eventually there must be a moral and historic interest.' - Stendhal, on travel

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