If there’s one thing that makes me feel smug when I travel, it’s fitting most of my skincare, make-up and hair products into one cosmetic bag. Here are some of the mini multi-tasking heroes that make it possible.
Trinny London Mini Skincare Stacks
A genius space-saving solution courtesy of Trinny London: Stackable Skincare Minis. Cleverly designed, aesthetically pleasing pots that can be stacked on top of each other to create your perfect (compact) skincare routine. Choose from a range of mini versions of the brand‘s bestselling skincare products, including Better Off gel cleanser, Boost Up Vitamin C serum, Overnight Sensation retinal, and more.
There are also pre-curated sets to help you get the basics right, like The Non-Negotiables Set (€35 from trinnylondon.com), which includes Be Your Best, a gentle enzyme cleanser, and Bounce Back, a peptide moisturiser – and the Daily Upgrade (€44 from trinnylondon.com), featuring a mini Tiptoe In, a gentle PHA exfoliant, and Plump Up, a peptide and hyaluronic acid serum.
SOSU Liquid Complexion
A recent standout launch from SOSU Cosmetics is their new Liquid Complexion range, a collection of multi-use liquid products that work brilliantly as blush, lipstick, contour, bronzer, eyeshadow – you name it. You can mix and match shades to create your perfect custom colour, or save time and go straight for the ultimate summer shade: Toasted Cherry (€16.95 from sosucosmetics.com).
I wore it recently, and a friend told me my cheeks looked like an expensive Japanese dessert (a compliment I’ll be holding on to forever, obviously). Use it on your eyes, cheeks, and lips – and marvel at how good you look (and how much space you save in your make-up bag).
Sculpted by Aimee Double-Ended Makeup Brushes
Why pack four make-up brushes when you can just bring two? My go-to travel brushes since forever are Sculpted by Aimee’s brilliant double-ended options.
There are several iterations to choose from, but my personal favourites that do it all are the Complexion Duo Brush (€19 from sculptedbyaimee.com), a foundation and concealer brush in one, and the Foundation Duo Brush (€19 from sculptedbyaimee.com), which is great for foundation or cream products in general – I use it for bronzer and blush.
If you need more than two brushes, The Essentials Volume 2 Set (€55 from sculptedbyaimee.com) is well worth a purchase – it includes five brushes (or 10, in actuality) and a cute Sculpted by Aimee cosmetic pouch to store them in.
Sol de Janeiro Rio Sunset Glow Oil
One product I’m never without on summer holidays, and admittedly, year-round, is Sol de Janeiro Rio Sunset Glow Oil (€35 from Brown Thomas). At 75ml, it just about nudges the edge of the “mini” category, but it’s still technically travel-sized and delivers a summer glow like no other.
I use it in a multitude of ways – I mix a drop or two into my foundation for extra radiance, apply it as a body oil for an unreal sheen, or add it to my favourite body moisturiser for extra hydration and glow. It gives sun-kissed skin in seconds, and the scent is next-level dreamy.
Brow Aid The SOS Advanced Brow & Lash Recovery mask
Give your lashes and brows the summer loving they deserve with Brow Aid SOS Advanced Brow and Lash Recovery Mask (€26 from browaid.com). Use it daily to boost hair growth and the overall health of your lashes and brows while also cleverly helping to shape and tame at the same time. It’s a smart, multitasking product that weighs next to nothing but delivers noticeable results with minimal effort.
Hair by Sam McKnight Happy Endings Nourishing Balm
Treat your tresses to the very excellent Happy Endings Nourishing Balm by Hair by Sam McKnight (€20 from millies.ie). It’s perfect for taming flyaways, smoothing a slicked back style, or nourishing dry ends after a day in the sun. It also doubles up as a pretty excellent hair treatment. I’ve been known to slather it all over as an overnight mask – it’s deeply hydrating and quickly quenches thirsty strands.
Sculpted by Aimee Hydrate and Hold Mist
Refresh and hydrate your skin and set your make-up with one clever product: Hydrate and Hold Mist from Sculpted by Aimee (€12 for 50ml from sculptedbyaimee.com). The miniature version is perfect for on-the-go adventures at home or abroad and costs just €12 for 50ml.
This week I’m loving ... COS Perfumery
Contemporary fashion brand COS, part of the H&M Group, has officially entered the fragrance world with a thoughtfully curated collection of perfumes and candles. Exquisitely packaged and beautifully formulated, the eight-piece range gives off serious luxury vibes yet remains reasonably affordable by fragrance standards.
One of the candles, Cuir en Fleur, is particularly mood-altering, with notes of sweet plum, vanilla, cinnamon, and cedarwood. Prices range from €25 to €79 for perfume and €49 for candles.
