"I'm not allowed to show my skin in certain Muslim countries, but that doesn't mean I don't take care of it." Globecircling photojournalist Jean Chung, who captures images of war-ravaged regions for publications like the L.A. Times, Le Figaro, and Der Speigel, also thinks that being in a combat zone "doesn't give you license to look stressed out. I'm always meeting editors and potential clients, and I have to make a good impression."
Currently stationed in Kabul but regularly deployed all over the Middle East and Asia, Korean-born Chung never travels light. Routinely, she lugs around multiple bags of skincare and makeup. "The places where the big news is happening tend to be deserts, whose conditions are tough on your looks," she says. "The products I carry are all critical to my well-being. And if everyone thinks I'm much younger than 36, that's OK, too."
BAG 1
MESH BODY SPONGE It's not heavy to carry, and it really enhances my whole bathing experience.
BAG 2
SHISEIDO BRIGHTENING MOISTURIZING CREAM Shiseido makes lots of products for Asian women who like lightening their skin tone. My mom collects samples and gives them to me, and I get addicted. Actually, she's a big inspiration. She turns 60 this year, and she looks 40! She takes two hours to get ready every morning; I only take one-and-a-half.
CLINIQUE MOISTURE SURGE EXTRA THIRSTY SKIN RELIEF AND REPAIRWEAR DAY SPF 15 INTENSIVE CREAM I am constantly in airports and do a lot of duty-free shopping—I wouldn't be able to afford everything otherwise. Clinique is affordable and works well with my skin type.
NIVEA Q10 ADVANCED WRINKLE REDUCER DAY CREME SPF 8 My mom got me hooked on this, too. She saw an ad for it in a magazine when I was abroad. So I immediately went to the drugstore to get it and have been using it ever since.
BAG 3
AVEDA SAP MOSS SHAMPOO AND BOTANICAL KINETICS PURIFYING GEL CLEANSER All the Aveda products smell special, healthy, and soothing.
JERGENS MOISTURIZER After traveling to New York in 2003, I went back to Korea and found a place in my neighborhood that sold American beauty products. I had fond memories of Jergens from that trip.
BODY SHOP PEPPERMINT FOOT LOTION I walk a lot in hot climates, lugging equipment, so I use this twice a day. I keep a bunch of it at home and transfer what I'll need on the road into smaller containers.
BAG 4
ORAL-B CROSS ACTION TOOTHBRUSH I happened to catch a TV commercial for this product and was impressed by the computer graphics it showed of how the brush actually cleanses your gums.
BLISTEX LIP BALM SPF 15 Because I'm in the sun so much, I use lip balm with SPF.
COLGATE TOTAL TOOTHPASTE I tend to trust big-name brands.
ORAL-B ESSENTIAL FLOSS: Asian people don't really use dental floss—it's an American phenomenon. But I can't be going to the dentist all the time, so I have to keep my gums healthy.
ADVIL Besides pain-reliever, I usually carry antacidand other basic first-aid medicines. And hand sanitizer!
BAGS 5 6
PANTY LINERS AND TAMPONS It's a nightmare, of course—a photographer in an undeveloped country with her period! I always have these with me.
BAG 7
EYELASH CURLER I only use this on occasion.
ANNA SUI SUPER MASCARA WATERPROOF AND POWDER COMPACT I collect Anna Sui in Korea, Bangkok, and Jakarta. I love the rose smell in all of her makeup.
GUERLAIN FLEUR DE TEINT LIQUID FOUNDATION I didn't get it from a duty-free shop, so I paid full-price. It really makes your skin glow.
KANEBO T'ESTIMO PENCIL EYE LINER I dot this pencil between my lashes. It looks natural and doesn't smudge.
BAG 8
COTTON PADSI apply my skin lotions with these because you use too much when you apply with your fingers— the excess leaks through your hands. Also, my mother says rubbing your face gives you wrinkles.
BAGS 9 10
ECHINACEAI was on an embed with American troops just this morning and finally succumbed to Kabul's wind and dust. All I could think was, I have to get home and take some echinacea.
MULTIVITAMINS: I take these to keep alert and alive. I can't afford to be sick here; there isn't enough health care.
BAG 11
Q-TIPS: Wal-Mart has a whole section of travel kits. Love the packs of 30 that I can keep refilling.
BAG 12
BODY SHOP CASSIS ROSE SHOWER GEL: Gosh, I really use a lot of stuff, don't I?
ESTÉE LAUDER OPTIMIZER REPAIR BOOSTING LOTION: I bought this in Korea, as it's not available in the U.S. I often layer five or six creams on at the same time.
L'OCCITANE FLORAL CLEANSING JELLY with honey, royal jelly, and propolis: The aroma of honey just radiates around you.You feel like Winnie the Pooh: cute, light, and sweet!
BAG 13
CLINIQUE TOTAL TURNAROUND VISIBLE SKIN RENEWER AND SUPER CITY SUNBLOCK SPF 40: More things collected from duty-free! I like that Clinique's products with SPF don't leave a chalky residue.
ORIGINS NIGHT-A-MINS MINERAL-ENRICHED MOISTURE LOTION: In the late '90s, when Iwas living in New York City and working for the Korea Times, the look everyone was after was Rachel's from Friends. Clearly this was not going to work for me, so I decided to look for inspiration in magazines; that's where I first heard about a lot of skin creams, like this one, which I love.
NEUTROGENA ULTRA SHEER DRY-TOUCH SUNBLOCK SPF 55: It's less oily than a lot of sunscreens. I used to have severe allergies, and this doesn't cause any reactions. Multivitamins keep me alert and alive. I can't afford to be sick here —there isn't enough health care.