While decanting your favourite beauty products into smaller containers may seem like a good idea for travel this summer – a word of warning, it probably isn’t.
You might be saving on space and sailing through airport security, but you could be affecting how well your skincare and haircare essentials work for you on your holidays.
The original packaging of your favourite products can be integral in keeping the formulas stable and therefore effective, especially if they contain actives such as retinol, antioxidants, and SPF.
Luckily, nowadays, you don’t have to compromise when it comes to beauty travel minis, with a wide array of brand best-sellers, from Augustinus Bader to Virtue, available in small, travel-friendly sizes. Plus, these minis are a great opportunity to try a product you’ve been eyeing up for the first time – saving on wastage which is good for the planet, and your bank balance.
So, whether you’re off on a weekend away, attempting to fly hand luggage only, or on the look out for something new, try our beauty editor’s tried and tested routine of the best beauty travel minis on hand to help make your journeys a little more beautiful (and stress-free).
CF Beauty Editor’s Beauty Travel Minis Routine
A gentle yet thorough cleanser is a travel essential, especially if, like me, you are prone to congestion that can be aggravated on planes. REN's best-selling mini milk means you can achieve a deep yet nourishing cleanse without needing to give up lots of space in your carry-on. Plus, there's enough in the 50ml tube to last every day of your week-long holiday without skimping on the quantity you apply.
Your weekly reminder that sunscreen is the number one skincare essential for your routine, regardless of the weather outside. No more is that true than on flights where, especially if you are near a window, you are even more prone to the effect of the sun's damaging UV rays. This high factor SPF means you can pack your full-size formulas in your checked baggage, while still being fully protected.
Every mini travel beauty routine should contain an SPF. It’s integral everyday, but especially in the summer and on planes, when your skin is very susceptible to the sun’s damaging rays.
I actually discovered this serum on a flight, as it is part of the excellent amenities on Virgin Airlines and Emirates, which just demonstrates how good it is for all your travel skincare needs. Its nutrient-rich yet non-greasy texture is my secret weapon for walking off the plane looking refreshed. It's just as good the morning after one-too-many cocktails at the beach bar too…
The key to effective retinoid use is being slow, steady and, most importantly, consistent, meaning Medik8's retinol – which just happens to be a small 15ml to ensure potency – is a must-try for individuals who travel a lot. The brand is my top recommendation for first-time retinol users. Just remember, if you are going to really sunny climes, you need to protect your skin with a hat and sunglasses, as well as SPF, as retinoids make your complexion more sensitive.
Not only is this vegan-friendly shampoo a must for protecting your hair during the summer as it contains hair colour safeguarding ingredients, but the squeezy 75ml pouch makes travelling with it even easier and, importantly, not messy. In particular, you don't have to worry about bottles spilling in your luggage. There's a matching mini conditioner and salt spray too, for effortlessly good summer hair.
With a travel-size shampoo and conditioner in squeezy packaging, you don’t have to worry about spills in your luggage.
With Tan-Luxe's mini 10ml version of its best-selling tanning drops, it's easier than ever to keep your tan topped up on-the-go. After all, the only really safe tan is a fake tan. Designed to be mixed with your moisturiser for a healthy radiance, these are also my go-to during the summer when I want to wear less makeup, as they even out my skin tone and hide areas of redness with ease.
Award-winning skincare brand Paula Choice's has made a wide array of its products available in both 30ml and 5ml samples, making fitting your favourites into a clear plastic bag for the plane easier than ever. There are also sets that focus on breakouts (including the iconic BHA toner), but if you are off on a city break this summer, this pollution-defending cream will keep your skin looking glossy throughout your stay.
I've experienced first-hand the frustration of packaging a mini conditioner and then having to use almost the whole bottle in a single-use to actually detangle my hair. Not so with Virtue's Full Conditioner that makes light work of knots and also smooths split ends, even if you've been in and out of the pool on your travels.
I've had many a 'hand-luggage only' plan complicated by the rather unglamorous concept of deodorant; then, I discovered this roll-on. Not only is it small enough to be thrown into your under-seat handbag, it actually works in humid climates, with a fresh aroma and odour-neutralising citronellyl. It means there's one less thing to think about when packing.
Ask any beauty editor and the odds are that they'll say one of their flight (and desk) essentials is a hydrating facial mist. This one from Chantecaille, which comes in a handy 25ml size, stops dehydration lines in their tracks and the light aroma can double up as a relaxation tactic for anyone who struggles to sleep on-the-go.
A mini facial spritz provides the skin refresh your complexion – and mind – needs on flights of all lengths.
Finding a deliciously rich-textured cream that doesn't come in a massive pot that takes up your whole liquid allowance bag can be trickier than you think, but Sunday Riley ticks all the right boxes. If you tend to get puffy on flights, this cooling, ceramide-infused moisturiser will combat the issue and leave your skin with a natural-looking hydrated, glossy glow.
This mini version of Augustinus Bader's award-winning silky-smooth oil packs the same impressive punch as the full-size, with its complex of amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins and nourishing oils. It will lock-in moisture with ease throughout your summer trips this year, whether that's post-sunny days at the beach, or trips to windy or colder climes.
It's simple enough advice, but you'll really feel the benefit of having a travel-sized toothpaste, rather than just mints or gum, to hand for all long journeys – especially red-eye flights. Unlike the tiny amenities version you may get on the plane, Marvis offers multiple flavours, including mint, jasmine and earl grey, and a little goes a long way, without it taking up a lot a space in your carry-on.
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?