Think of Gollum with his ‘precious’ ring and you get some idea of my obsession with travel-size products. Why do I love them?
They mix palpitation-inducing cuteness with practicality (and affordability). Before them, I lose all rational thought and am consumed with want. It’s the same with hotel toiletries. Reader, I clink as I check out.
If the above equals joy, then the opposite is having a favourite product confiscated at the airport for being over the liquid limit. I’m still processing the loss of a nearly full bottle of Chanel No 19 in 2007. Ditto a Sisley-Paris Radiance Foaming Cream a year later (it is, FYI, the ne plus ultra of cleansers, leaving skin softer than a kitten’s belly).
But I digress. This summer, UK airports are supposed to introduce scanners that would mean we could carry on a much higher liquid allowance, but as the rollout has been a bit of a shambles it’s still wise to go mini.
So, what travel pieces do I take? Well, a small Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (6, £3.15 for 100ml, boots.com) is a must.
I also carry a few diminutive Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oils (4, £12 for 9ml, aromatherapyassociates.com) to dab on pulse points should turbulence strike on the flight and to pour into the bath once there. To stretch time between styling, a dry shampoo is essential – I use Hair by Sam McKnight Lazy Girl Dry Shampoo (9, £12 for 50ml, spacenk.com).
And this year I’ll be experimenting with a new skincare mini trio, Dr David Jack The Discovery Set (3, £113 for three 15ml bottles, drdavidjack.com) comprising Daily Defence SPF 50+ Moisturiser (below), Power-C Antioxidant Serum and Retinoid Renewal Night Cream.
You can play fast and loose with a hotel shower gel or body lotion and not suffer unduly, but do take shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. I’ve been in seriously smart hotels that have filled branded bottles with inauthentic product (practically Fairy Liquid).
I always pick up Aussie minis at the airport and rate its 3 Minute Miracle Moisture treatment (2, £2.50 for 75ml, boots.com).
Make-up minis are the best because they are a) adorable; b) allow us to mix things up without risking bankruptcy; c) don’t get to the dried-out stage. For brows and lashes I like Benefit Gimme Brow+ (5, £14.50 for 1.5g) and They’re Real! Beyond Mascara (1, £15for 4.5g, benefitcosmetics.com).
By Terry Mini Baume De Rose Crystalline (8, £16 for 3ml) seriously hydrates lips, while its 3-in-1 eyeshadow, eyeliner and illuminator Ombre Blackstar Mini (7, £19, both spacenk.com) is great on the go.
Even if you’re not jetting off, minis are an excellent way to try bougie brands with less expense – a gateway drug to the full-size product. This works brilliantly in perfumery and is why lots of brands are creating purse-friendly bottles – I’m loving Bastille’s gorgeously Lilliputian Discovery Set (£30 for 7 x 2ml, beautyeditmayfair.com).
And, finally, there is even a bijou essential oil diffuser. It is designed to scent your hotel boudoir but is also a great space saver in a small bedroom: Neom Wellbeing Pod Mini (£55, neomwellbeing.com).
Deputy beauty editor: Alice Robertson.