Many women tend to be brand loyalists when it comes to makeup and skin care products: once you find something that works with your skin type and your wallet, you stick with it. But when it’s time to take a trip, or if you pull long hours at work or school, you’ll want to have your favorite products in smaller, travel-friendly sizes. Not every skin care company makes travel-sized versions of their products, which can be more than inconvenient if you’re pressed for time.
But there are a few brands that cater to woman who want to take their favorite products with them in smaller packages. And their products are affordable and great for your skin, no matter what size they’re offered in—so you can use them both at home and on the go.
Itty-bitty skin care
For value, quality and sheer fabulousness, you can’t beat Philosophy. Their minimalist packaging and inspirational quotes are signatures of the brand, but their products are some of the best on the market, especially for folks with sensitive skin. They’ve made it easy to take Hope, Grace and Purity with you anywhere you go: their Birthday Girl gift set and their Travel Agent set give you generous amounts of each product—more than enough to last a few days away from home, but packaged to get you through airport checks with no fuss. They’re great to keep in your gym bag to use after workouts and a perfect size if you share a bathroom with a roommate. Little versions of other Philosophy products can be found anywhere their line is sold, like Sephora and Ulta.
Little packages for big looks
Makeup bags aren’t foolproof, and tossing your favorite lip gloss and eye shadow into a bag might not protect it from getting jostled around in your purse or tote bag. Smaller versions of your favorite makeup—and smaller tools to apply it—are ideal.
Target’s Sonia Kashuk line offers makeup brushes perfect for travel: their Purse Brush set is a full set of brushes, so you can apply all of your makeup with just a few little tools.
For travel-ready makeup, Sephora has a great selection: Too Faced’s Glamour To Go Pocket Pallette that works with a whole spectrum of skin tones. And Bare Escentuals offers adorable little eyeshadows with built-in applicators, in a dozen bright and sparkly colors. Toss it all in your Too Faced Perfectly Pretty Bag, which includes primer, eye shadow protector, and a lovely mascara.
Being able to carry your favorite makeup and skin care products with you doesn’t have to be a luxury. Find brands that you love, and that love their customers enough to offer travel-sized versions of their products—it might take some searching, but it’s worth a little time to look great wherever you are.
Whitney Jones is a freelance writer and editor living in the Midwest.
