If you’ve booked a cabin bag only then you’re going to need some seriously compact beauty products to see you through your holiday. These are all under 100ml and brilliant
It is a truth universally acknowledged that good things come in small packages, which is why travel size toiletries are not only practical from a cabin-only luggage situation, but they are so much cuter than the full-size counterparts. On a serious note though; if you are travelling anytime soon and are only taking a cabin bag with you, it’s reassuring to know that your skin, hair, body and makeup routines don’t have to be compromised on effectiveness because you’re limited to bottles 100ml and under. And remember they all have to fit into one clear plastic bag…no they won’t let you take two. We’ve tried. And yes, your favourite budget mascara and best lipstick of all time does count as a liquid so that has to go in the clear bag too.
Travel size toiletries also serve an excellent secondary purpose that have nothing to do with going on holiday. They are an excellent way of really trialling a product you’re not 100 per cent about without having to financially commit to the more expensive full-sized bottle. More so than a sample sized version which may only give you one or two applications at best, travel size toiletries should give you at least a weeks worth of usage and that is enough to then know if you want to invest in the bigger size.
And top tip, hold on to the sample size so that when you do need it for travelling you can decant your full-size into the travel size version.
Here is our round-up of some of the best travel size toiletries out there.
Holiday proof shampoo and conditioner: Charles Worthington Take Aways Sunshine Protect Shampoo and Conditioner, £2.99 each
Coming in very convenient 75ml pouches there is enough product in here for one person washing their hair every night on a week long holiday (unless you have very long hair and then we’d recommend taking two shampoos and one conditioner). There are a few different formulations to choose from but this one contains UV protection and ingredients to keep colour in place, essential if you’re looking for how to care for blonde hair.
Hydrating serum: Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Micro Serum, £90 for 30ml
Yes this is a pricey small sized serum, but it packs a serious skin caring hit. Containing a mixture of brown and red algae that has been clinically proven to be more hydrating than hyaluronic acid, it also contains pre and probiotics to help strengthen the skin barrier. It has a unique texture of an oil suspended in serum (you can see small oil spheres floating around), the serum part delivers the actives while the oil sinks deeper for maximum moisture. It can be used day and night so may be the only thing you need to pack for your face (apart from a cleanser and SPF of course). This size bottle will last months.
Cleansing balm: Wildsmith Skin Cleansing Balm, £14 for 15ml
If you haven't tried this fantastic cleansing balm then this is a great way to give it a go before committing to the 100ml tub (which is £52 and you will definitely want to as it is one of the best cleansing balms). It is a silky smooth gel that then melts into an oil and makes light work of removing sunscreen and makeup leaving your skin feeling super clean and plump. It also like a spa. We guesstimate a good ten days use out of this size, definitely more if you only use cleanser at night.
Nourishing body wash: Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Shea Butter Suds Body Wash, £7 for members, £15 for non-members*
There’s nothing worse than a moisture-sapping, skin-drying shower gel. Fact. Swerve and avoid it at all costs by packing this wondrous body wash that’s packed with hydrating glycerin and shea butter that has a gorgeous zesty lemony scent. And if you love it (which you will) you can then buy the bigger size to use at home.
Cult moisturiser: Tatcha The Water Cream, £23 for 10ml
This oil-free gel-cream is just the product you want to take on holiday. The lightweight texture sinks in instantly and feels cooling on the skin and it delivers serious hydration thanks to containing red algae. You only need a little so this pot would definitely last a two week holiday if being used morning and night. The 50ml pot is £65 so again, it’s a great way to find out if this cult cream works for you before splashing out.
Smart SPF: Murad Environmental Shield SPF45 PA ++++, £70
Of course you’re not going to go away without packing one of the best face SPF and this one is definitely that for many reasons. Firstly, it fits easily into hand luggage and is very slim and lightweight. Great for city breaks and beach holidays alike, it glides onto the skin really easily, leaves a very subtle glow and contains a mineral sunscreen of the highest protection level to protect the skin from future damage. This will last you your holiday and a few weeks when you get home too.
Mini mascara: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara in Super Black, £14 for 4ml
We’ve seen too many great mascaras getting thrown in the airport security bins because travellers didn’t realise they counted as a liquid. Thankfully, you can get this brilliant mascara that lifts and volumes lashes in the perfect travel size.
Short break serum meets SPF: Hello Sunday The One That’s A Serum SPF50, £10 for 10ml
To cut back on even more products and make more space for your flip flops this brilliant product combines your daily serum - it has hydrating hyaluronic and brightening vitamin C in it - alongside a broad spectrum, fragrance free SPF. This small, but impressive, bottle, would last for a 5 day sunny break.
Mini deo: Wild Mini Trio Pack, £10 (for three)
If you haven’t made the switch to natural deodorants yet then trying out one of these brilliant minis is a good way to give it a go. One will last you more than a week’s holiday leaving you the other two to pop into a gym bag or to have for on the go touch-ups, should you feel you need it.
Hairspray hero: TRESemmé Hairspray Extra Hold, £2
If your hair frizzes up at the mere hint of humidity then this hand luggage size hairspray is what you need. It has 24 hour frizz control, doesn’t feel at all crispy on the hair, smells lovely and is a bargain price too. And you will get a good few months use out of this.
Compact concealer: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, £15 for 1ml
We would recommend buying this a few shades darker than you would normally wear it as a concealer as the formula is so creamy and bendable you can then use it on your whole face. It’s also a great size to use when you’re no longer on holiday and for keeping in your bag for through the day touch-ups. Just as with the full-size it comes in 30 shades.
Shampoo sachet: Rehab Shampoo Sheets, £24 for 25 sheets
If you’re really tight on space then these genius shampoo sheets forgo the need for bulky bottles and don’t have to take up prime space in the clear plastic bag to get you through customs as they are waterless. They also are completely dissolvable. You simply open the sachet and drop the outer packaging onto the shower floor that then dissolves down the plug, add water to the shampoo sheet and it will then completely dissolve and create a lathery foam to wash your hair with. Absolutely brilliant.
Perfume pods: Marc Jacobs Daisy Love Drops, £28 (for 30 capsules)
We’ve written before about how genius the Marc Jacobs Daisy Drops are but for travelling they are a no-brainer. No more lugging around a heavy perfume bottle, simply pack as many pods as you need for your trip - each one is a good dose of fragrance - and pop them in recycling if you can after as they are biodegradable.
Travel size candles: Floral Street Mini Scented Candle Discovery Set, £20
Now, candles might not be the first thing you think of packing when going away they are a great way to make a hotel room or an Airbnb feel a bit more cosy and like home and this pack contains four of Floral Streets best-selling scents in 20g tins; Grapefruit Bloom, Vanilla Bloom, Wonderland Bloom and Midnight Tulip.