Wellness

A mini (beauty) travel obsession

Emily Armsrong on her love of mini beauty products when travelling...

It's a mini obsession. My love of a mini beauty product runs deep and is deeply rooted in a love of travel.

The ghastly reality of long-haul flights, queuing and covid cancellations has done little to dampen the love I have for a trip abroad. So naturally, I take packing (and unpacking) quite seriously and top of the list are mini beauty skincare products. Aside from the pure practicality of having smaller versions of one's favourite skincare products to whistle through airport security smugly (preferably in an Anya Hindmarch In-Flight Case) and to keep luggage light, there is a fresh, facncy new feel to a travel mini pack - you can try new products, you can leave them behind if you so wish without feeling too wasteful and there is a sense of organisational bliss. It's my version of the stationery obsession.

The happiness doesn't end with the smooth travel and in-flight beauty play, the ritual extends to the hotel room. I love to unpack! And once I've unpacked the holiday wardrobe neat and tidily in cupboards, it's time to line up my beauty in the bathroom and get excited about sticking to a skincare regime even if only while on tour. I may even unpack a mini scented candle (while trying a sample-sized face mask in my oversized bathrobe) for the general holiday vibe! Those who know me well may be shocked at this mini-love organisational confession as generally, my life is chaotic, not controlled. But therein lies the beauty of my mini secret - in a different place and time, I can be in control, everything can be tidy (at least for the first few hours before the wet towels start to pile up) and I can momentarily forget the relentless routines of family life and focus on some me-time skincare regimes.

Therein lies the beauty of my mini secret - in a different place and time, I can be in control, everything can be tidy (at least for the first few hours before the wet towels start to pile up) and I can momentarily forget the relentless routines of family life and focus on some me-time skincare regimes

On my recent trip to Australia, I was lucky enough to be able to try the Dr Barbara Sturm Glow Kit. Emerging from a long winter and heading to the last of the Sydney summer sunshine, I certainly needed a glow-up! It's amazing and has me converted to the brand I know a little of and love.

My favourite products in this particular kit are the enzyme cleanser - its powdery feel takes a bit of getting used to if more accustomed to a cream or oil cleanser but the fresh feel is unparalleled. The facial scrub feels just the right amount of tingly to know it's working through the layers of dead skin and the glow drops have a beautiful finish and had me sold with the name. Having a choice of serums to play with was also dreamy. I think the only item missing is an eye cream and we all know we need eye treatments when flying cross-continent, especially with four children in tow.

We've rounded some of our favourite mini beauties to trial for your next travel adventure. Bon Voyage!

Our favourite skincare travel mini packs

	1	Dr Sturm Glow Kit Incredible products all scientifically backed to deliver the glow that stays once the holiday is over!
	2	Eve Lom Discovery Set This has all the faves including both star cleansers, at a fabulous price. A six-step 'Mini Daily Ritual' comes ready to travel in a zippered pouch. This would also be such a great gift for a teenage relative.
	3	L'Occitane Travel Minis Pack A lovely spoily pack and a perfect gift for a travel host or travelling offspring.
	4	Malin & Goetz Bestsellers Travel Pack This is a great one to cover off hair care as the hotel shampoo may not be suited!
	5	Anya Hindmarch Walton Bespoke In-Flight Case To decant all your favourite mini packs, samples, mini-sized lotions and potions and travel through airports and in-flight in style.