You’ve heard the saying ‘good things come in small packages’ right? Well, I’m here to prove that this theory is correct, especially when it comes to beauty!

Over the last year or so I’ve noticed that there’s been an increase in the number of mini versions of our much-loved makeup, skincare and perfume products. Is this because we are a generation of people who crave convenience and want to pack light when they travel? Or is it because we can’t resist the way a mini product looks? They’re often so cute and adorable it’s hard to say no! In addition to these pull-factors, they are a lot cheaper – making them a great way to trial products before committing to the more expensive full size. There’s the space-saving aspect too, and I’m all about miniature makeup items when it comes to my on-the-go makeup. They fit neatly into my bag, and I can use them for top-ups throughout the day without the unnecessary weight of carrying around larger products.

If you also swoon over pocket-sized beauty or are looking for products to travel with, here are some of my small but mighty must-have minis…

#1 The Take-Anywhere Foundation

Benefit Hello Happy Flawless Brightening Foundation SPF15 Mini

Foundation bottles often look beautiful, but boy are they cumbersome to travel with. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a luxurious weighty glass bottle on my dressing table but to take away with me, they’re not practical.

Travelling aside, sometimes picking a foundation shade can be a hit or miss. Enter the foundation mini as the perfect solution. Benefit has taken their Hello Happy Brightening Foundation and made a dinky version that’s ideal for testing out a shade or travelling.

The medium coverage, liquid foundation feels and looks like a second skin, plus it contains photochromic pigments that instantly adapt to lighting and brighten the complexion. It gives a flawless, natural, satin finish and is long-wearing. Whether you’re trialling this at home or taking it away with you, I guarantee you’ll want to purchase the full size once you’ve nailed your shade.

#2 The Setting Spray Everyone Raves About

Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

All hail the queen of setting sprays! All Nighter has gained holy grail status in the makeup setting mist category thanks to its ability to keep your makeup looking as fresh as it did when you first applied it, all day and all night. Loved by many a makeup artist and beauty enthusiast, it stands to reason that most of us want a small and portable version of this makeup essential in our collection; I know that I couldn’t be without it on my travels; I even have one on my desk at work.

What makes All Nighter so unique is its innovative formula that features Temperature Control Technology. It will keep your makeup fresh for up to 16 hours so that it won’t melt off your face or fade, no matter what you’re getting up to. Perfect for all skin types, this mini makeup setting spray is a holiday must-have or a great way to try this cult product and experience its makeup wizardry!

#3 The Does-It-All Super Balm

Nuxe Reve de Miel Repairing Super Balm

Ok, so I might be cheating a little bit with this one. Hear me out, though. The Nuxe Super Balm is not ‘strictly’ a mini-sized product; however, it’s small enough to pass as one and because it has so many uses I couldn’t leave it out of this round-up.

If you’re looking for a handbag staple, both at home or away, this is it. A skin repair balm suitable for use on the whole family (children over 3), it has a non-greasy texture that is easily absorbed and melts into the skin leaving it feeling comforted, and nourished and with continued use, repaired.

I love to use Super Balm to treat any flaky patches of skin, moisturise dry elbows, knees and to condition my cuticles. It can also be used on dry patches of itchy irritated skin to reduce redness, cracked heels or even to get rid of those pesky flyaway hairs; this is a beauty SOS must-have you should always keep at hand.

#4 The Travel-Friendly Fragrance

Travalo Classic Excel Spray

Confession – this has been a staple in my handbag for many many years, and I’m such a fan I own four (in different colours!). Because I’m one of those people that like to have their perfume with them wherever I go, this refillable perfume spray is the solution.

The concept is a simple but genius one, you fill the fragrance atomiser from your favourite bottle of perfume, and it instantly makes your go-to scent travel-sized. There’s no need to lug around a heavy, bulky glass bottle any more thanks to the fact that it holds over 65 sprays. Its compact size makes it perfect for travelling (hence the name) or slipping into a clutch bag. When it’s empty, refill again. It’s that easy.

#5 The Best-Selling Mascara

Benefit BADgal BANG! Mascara Mini

One of the beauty industry’s best selling mascaras got a mini-makeover! BADgal BANG! Mascara transforms lashes with its pitch black gravity-defying formula that adds lots of luxurious volume without clumping or weighing down your lashes.

So what makes this different to your run-of-the-mill mini mascara then? Quite a lot! Badgal Bang contains ultra-light aero-particles derived from space technology so although it adds thickness and volume it still feels incredibly lightweight (stick with me here, I’m not about to get all scientific on you, I promise). Boasting an all-important water-resistant, smudge-proof formula, it’s fortified with provitamin B5 for the sort of thick plush lashes you only see in magazines. Its flexible ‘slimpact! brush’ also makes it easy to coat even difficult-to-reach inner corner lashes; so whether you have short stumpy lashes or long fluttery ones, this mascara is for you.

Small enough to pop into your on-the-go makeup bag or holiday beauty kit, I always keep one with me at all times.

#6 The Pocket-Size Sunscreen

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Pocket Sun Cream SPF50

I use sun protection on my face under my makeup every day, without fail. To me, it’s a non-negotiable step in my beauty routine that helps to keep my complexion protected and assists with preventing those unwanted fine lines and wrinkles (high up on my list of priorities). This dermatologist recommended face sun cream is great because it’s suitable for all skin types, including my super-sensitive complexion, and because it’s also non-comedogenic it won’t cause breakouts. This mini sunscreen is a fantastic way to try this best-selling formula for yourself before committing to a larger size.

Also a holiday essential, I pack this nifty pocket-sized version of La Roche-Posay’s popular SPF for the face because it contains just the right amount for a week away in the sun. It takes up hardly any space in your beach bag, plus its gentle, water-resistant formulation doesn’t compromise on performance and has a broad spectrum filter that will give your skin high UVA/UVB protection. Home or away, this is a must for anyone who cares about their skin.

#7 The Iconic Makeup Remover

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution

Many have tried to mimic this beauty icon, but nothing quite beats Bioderma’s micellar water. Ideal for super speedy, on-the-go cleansing and loved by many backstage makeup artists, it’s no surprise that it’s also one of our best selling products at Escentual.

Available in a variety of sizes, this mini version is just perfect for taking away on your travels, and because it’s a 100ml plastic bottle, it could even be packed into your hand luggage if you want to remove or freshen up your makeup on the plane. The Bioderma Sensibio’s gentle non-rinse formulation won’t irritate or dry out your complexion; it’ll just leave it feeling fresh, clean and ready for the next step in your skincare regime. I use it every day as the first step in my cleansing routine, and I always ensure that I have a little stash of minis on standby for nights away or summer holidays!

Discover More:

• 4 Best Travel Perfumes