Don't know about you but the mere thought of travelling with expensive skincare and makeup stresses the hell out of us. Too many things can go wrong with 'em while travelling and no one wants to let their hard-earned money go to waste over breaking or leaking. So, we decided to curate a list of fail-proof skincare and makeup minis that make for the perfect travel buddies, thanks to their travel-friendly sizing and dependable formula. They are also great to invest in if you want to try a particular pricey product before committing to its full size. From skincare to mascara to blush, here are our picks for the best mini beauty products!
Travel Buddies: 10 Beauty Minis That Have Your Back Wherever You Go
CTM Set
₹1900
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We absolutely love this set from Klairs 'cause it has just the basics you need for your everyday TLC sesh on a vacation. With a cleanser, toner and a moisturiser plus cleansing oil, because if you are still not double cleansing in 2024 then you need to rethink your beauty choices in life. All four of 'em feature exceptional formulas and because K-Beauty products hardly disappoint, you can be assured your skin will be giving post use. The tiny bottles and tubes make this set super convenient to carry and you don't have to order multiple different products which makes it a bit more fuss-free.
Serum
₹1450
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You know it, we know it — the Estee Lauder ANR is one of those skincare products that shall never be replaced in terms of its hype. ANR loyalists swear by the magic this bougie all-in-one serum does to your skin with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, squalane, and fermented extracts that claim to help soothe the skin, help with fine lines, and generally help the skin look super youthful and glowing. The tiniest packaging (7 ml) is super petite and easy to carry in your travel pouch and even great for those in-flight skincare sessions.
Sunscreen
₹749
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We don't agree with the logic of mini products when it comes to sunscreen. You need a helpful amount to keep your skin protected, especially if you are travelling to a tropical destination and planning to soak loads of sun. This sunscreen serum from L'Oreal comes in a slender sturdy packaging, making it great for tossing in your tote bag and calling it a day. It has an SPF of 50 with PA+++ protection and also comes in four different variants to suit various skin concerns.
Primer
₹1600
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A negotiable addition to your makeup pouch since people are split on whether or not they need a primer in their routine. We personally can't do without one to mattify the T-zone and fill in the pores before putting on makeup. And one primer that holds a permanent spot on our vanity is the OG Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer that does all that it claims in its name and comes in a travel-friendly mini size. If oily skin is not a concern for you and you need a primer to get some glow on, get your hands on the MAC strobe cream mini.
Skin Tint
₹399
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Skin tints are the perfect pick-me-up for your vacation glam days since they are super easy to slap on and feature breathable formulae with a lightweight feel to 'em. Honestly, you don't need to carry a full coverage foundation and simply work around with a reliable skin tint, and this one from Maybelline is just that! With lightweight coverage that doesn't crease and stays put through the day, it's got all the rizz you need from a high-performing complexion product.
LBB Tip: Want to learn more about skin tints or need product reccos? Check out our list here.
Blush, Bronzer & Highlighter
₹3100
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This trio set from Nudestix is all you need for a rosy-sunkissed beat face on your vacay. It includes a blush, bronzer and highlighter stick in their dreamy cream formula which is a breeze to use. The mini sticks come in a stunning black tin box that's perfect to keeping it organised and clutter-free. Also, we love that one can use these sticks on-the-go by simply blending with fingertips so no need to worry about carrying ten different makeup brushes or beauty blenders.
Finishing Powder
₹2650
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Our fascination with the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish powder feels like a love story now since we have been raving about this baby since its launch on Nykaa. Being a finishing powder, it sets your makeup in place with a soft satiny veil of powder, unlike typical setting powders that leave the skin looking powder-y like a plastered wall. Additionally, the super tiny gold packaging would melt anyone's heart! Perfect for carrying anywhere, even in tiny bags for touch ups.
Lipstick
₹1450
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The MAC mini bullet lipsticks are the best beauty accompaniment in anyone's bag. They are small, with stellar formula and the nicest velvety colour pay-off for a satin finish lippie. The shade Mehr is one of the most popular nudish pink lipsticks in the market with a loyal fan-following since years. Also, since the lipstick bullet is smaller, it hugs your lips perfectly and is perfect for a precise application for colouring between the (lip) lines.
Mascara
₹1550
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Truth be told, a travel sized mascara is a better investment over a full sized one since the smaller tube size means that less air can get in to meddle with your mascara formula which dries it up faster. Our pick is the Benefit Cosmetics They're Real Magnet Black Mascara Mini that is well-sized for the ease of carrying and has the incredible mascara specs we associate with all of Benefit mascaras.
LBB Tip: Don't miss on our favouirte mascaras here.
Concealer
₹1600
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For our fellow 'we just use concealer' beauties, nothing beats the full-coverage the OG Bobbi Brown Skin Full Cover Concealer gives. The mini size is perfect for travel and even great for folks meaning to test out its performance before committing to the full size. You need the slightest amount of this semi-matte concealer to cover the peskiest dark circles and voila, your base will always look fab.
