Fashion

Mini Products Perfect For Travel Or A Night Out

by Sara Tardiff

Picture this: On a night out, you realize you smudged your red lipstick halfway down your chin and don't have the tube to touch it up — because your purse was way too small. How do you avoid such a beauty tragedy? Purchase the best mini beauty products designed specifically for on-the-go babes. Don't let massive bottles of hairspray or your extensive beauty brush collection prevent your from having a perpetually put-together look. Find some mini versions of your favorites — or even discover some new tiny favorites — and you'll be back in business.

Equally as difficult to stock with products as the evening clutch is your travel beauty bag. Whether you're out of town for a weekend or a month, whittling away at your collection of products to curate the perfect bag-full of travel necessities is tough. Especially when you've got more tubes of mascara than actual eyelashes. So, again, it's time to get miniature and fill up your makeup bag with enough travel-size products to take care of your basic needs, but still leave room for some fun beauty experimenting. After all, what better time to try out bright lipsticks or shimmery eyeshadow than on vacation? Here are 13 mini beauty products to make your travels or evening out a breeze.

1. Tiny Kabuki Brushes

This holiday collaboration between NARS and Steven Klein is nothing short of magical. It comes with a set of the softest, fluffiest kabuki brushes you can imagine, that are also small enough to throw in your travel bag. Plus, how could you turn away packaging that involves a lovely leather-clad man pole dancing?

Full Service Mini Kabuki Brush Set, $95, narscosmetics.com

2. A Little Lip Glimmer

Not sure if you've heard, but lipgloss is back in a big way. Matte was cool for a while, but now the glittery-sleek look is having a moment. With this collection of lip gloss minis, you'll have your choice of nude, gold, and peach.

Julep Sparks Fly! Mini Lip Glimmer Trio, $28, julep.com

3. Baby Beauty Blender

Creased concealer or cakey foundation? A blending mishap can put a damper on your whole night. Keep your (very tiny) secret weapon on hand for any foundation faux pas.

beautyblender Micro Mini Original Duo, $18, net-a-porter.com

4. Nano Lip Liner

Keep your pout looking plump all night with this little lip liner. It's small in size but the color makes a huge statement.

Sephora Collection Nano Lip Liner, $5, sephora.com

5. Handheld Highlighter

Who doesn't love a beauty cult favorite in travel size? Keep your glow up no matter where you are with this lipstick-size tube.

Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up Mini Size Highlighter, $18, amazon.com

6. Purse-Sized Texturizing Mousse

There is no better vacation hair product than this texturizing mousse. It's small enough to toss in your beach bag, and effective enough to give you amazing beachy waves with a small dollop.

Oribe Surfcomber Tousled Texture Mousse Purse Size, $22, ronrobinson.com

7. Travel Blush/Bronzer Duo

This is one of my favorite product for quick contouring and brightening. It shouldn't be absent from anyone's bag.

NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo, $42, sephora.com

8. Polish Minis

Packing nail polish for a vacation always seems a little silly. You're wondering, "Am I even going to have time to paint my toes? Or are these polishes just taking up space?" With these polish minis, you won't have to worry. You can pack all four and still feel guilt-free!

Essie 'Silk Watercolor' Mini Four-Pack, $17, nordstrom.com

9. To-Go Perfume

Can never find your favorite fragrance in a travel-friendly size? This heavy-duty mini spray bottle allows you to fill it up and take your signature scent with you wherever you go.

Travalo Refillable Travel Perfume Spray Bottle, $12.50, kohls.com

10. Dry Shampoo

This is every backpacker's must-have product. If you're trying to pack minimally for weeks on the road, a mini bottle of dry shampoo is a necessity. It's perfect for touching up three day-old hair or even giving some volume to super straight strands.

Victoria's Secret Mini Dry Shampoo, $10, victoriassecret.com

11. Minuscule Mascara

Better than sex? Maybe. Better than lifeless lashes? Most definitely. This little tube of life-changing mascara can fit in your coat pocket.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mini Mascara, $12, macys.com

12. Travel-Sized Eyeshadow Palette

As much as we wish we could take our NAKED Palette with us everywhere, sometimes you have to minimize your beauty bag in order to actually fit it into your suitcase. This travel palette gives you a good range of matte and shimmery shadows, covering your daytime and evening eye makeup game.

Smashbox Cosmetics Travel-Size Exposure Palette, $24, smashbox.com

13. Face Mask Packs

Due to time and space in your beauty bag, face masks are usually something most of us forego while on vacation. However, with the stress of travel and drastic climate changes, that's when we could probably use it most. Take this four-pack of face masks with you that give you the opportunity to soothe, exfoliate, hydrate, or cleanse — depending on what your skin needs.

Nügg Four-Pack: Soothe, Exfoliate, Hydrate, & Cleanse, $12.99, nuggbeauty.com

Take your beauty on the road with these mini beauty products that pack a major punch.

Images: Courtesy Brands (13)