When ever I’m heading out for a trip, I love to visit the travel toiletries section in Target or CVS. Maybe it’s a remnant of my obsession with dollhouses when I was young, but I seeing all those products I know in teeny, weeny sizes makes me smile.

I will buy some tiny toothpastes or sunscreen or other basics. But in general, these are not brands I use at home. Any of the higher quality items–from my favorite lipstick to my anti-frizz hair gel to my face moisturizer–still come along with me in full size or have to be transferred to small TSA-approved size containers.

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Imagine how giddy I became then when in Sephora a few months ago, I came across travel sizes in brands I never knew came in mini versions. That section in my Sephora was in the corral you have to go through to get to the register. Kind of like going through Duty Free on your way to your gate or the gift shop as you’re exiting a museum. Exploit that captive audience!

Well, it turns out I was prime exploitation material. I was so entranced with the offerings that I let people go past me to check out. Along with the dry shampoo and mini perfumes, were tiny, travel-size palettes—actual palettes!—of gorgeous shadows, blushers, bronzers, highlighters, and more.

With all the booty I collected, I have now made my own travel “go bag.” I no longer have to switch my foundation in my makeup drawer to my cosmetic kit before a trip. I can let the small ones have a permanent home in the makeup bag with a scene of the beach in Deauville or this toiletry case (not so fancy, but boy does a lot fit.) Packing just got easier and quicker since all I need for grooming is ready to go.

Here’s some of my favorite finds–not just from Sephora but any place little sisters to big, bold brands are sold.

Travel Size Makeup

First off, here’s what I like for my makeup bag:

Natasha Denona Mini Blush & Glow

I’m all about the two-in-one concept, and this mini highlight/blusher combo hits the mark. The universally perfect coral-pink powder gives cheeks a pop of I’m-awake-despite-the-flight; while the ivory highlighter adds a subtle shimmer to eyes and cheekbones. 

Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer Mini

An Instagram influencer half my age turned me on to this adorable-ness of a powder bronzer…and I’ve never looked back. Though it comes in shimmer as well, I’m partial to the matte formulation as it seems to draw less attention to lines; plus, you can use it for contouring, sculpting, and defining features.  (I apply it with a fluffy powder brush…but the tiny square brush that’s tucked inside the box is perfect for those more precise contouring tasks.)

Mini Mix Eyeshadow Palette

Three coordinated essential eyeshadows in one wee container. Made by Sephora. Its matte, glittery, duo chrome, and sequins finishes, create dazzling, long-lasting looks. This trio is removable and can be integrated into a Mega Mix palette 

Alleyoop 4-in-1 Multi-Tasker Makeup Brush

This is the item that will literally save you from hauling an entire brush collection when you hit the road. Not unlike one of those home screwdriver kits with multiple attachments, the Alleyoop brush set allows you to twist four different “heads” onto a central, two-sided brush handle; and that includes a handy sponge for dabbing on concealer and foundation.

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Pressed Powder Travel Size 

I love that Make Up For Ever came out with a compact version of my favorite loose powder. I love them even more for miniaturizing said compact for travel. This extremely fine-milled, one-shade-fits-all product has a magical way of air-brushing your complexion with one stroke of a brush.

Milani Stay Put 16 Hr Eyeliner

This long-lasting gel formula—available in eight different shades—gets my approval for its self-sharpening point that creates a precision line; as well as its smudge sponge on the other end to create a more diffused look. As for wearability, it will last through any flight you can throw at it without transferring or migrating into a raccoon situation.

Mini MAC Lipstick

I was all ready to advise that you throw your favorite lipstick into the bag, size be damned. (I mean, how big could it be?) Until I saw that MAC had shrunk my lipstick of choice into a travel-worthy version…cute as hell and so convenient. The pared-down size only comes in eight shades; but they’re good ones—like Twig, a pinky-peach tone with a satin, semi-matte finish.

Lancome Mini Lash Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara

Also on my adorable list is this mini mascara that works big. As in big lashes–without clumps. The secret ingredient is a white tea extract that’s rich in antioxidants, which are great for conditioning those fringes.

Clinique Mini “Take The Day Off” Cleanser and Makeup Remover

At the end of the day on the road, you need a good remover that gets rid of not just the substances you added to your face on purpose, but also those that lodged there by accident—dust in Marrakesh, sand (and who knows what else) on the Malabar Coast.

Travel Size Toiletries

There’s a lot more to good grooming, of course, than makeup. Here’s some small-but-dazzling winners in the toiletries division.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

One of the best skincare companies in the world is thinking small. This iteration of La Roche-Posay’s bestseller comes packed with the same prebiotic elements that help balance your skin microbiome and broad-spectrum sunscreen protection. Plus, a high concentration of water from the La Roche-Posay thermal spring, which sounds like a place I’d like to visit.

Olay Face Wash Gentle Cleaning Melts

Since liquids are regulated and inherently take up more room because they have to be stored in something, these little washing pads are a really smart solution. And we mean little: About the size of a chiclet and only .02 miligrams. At our house, we save space and bulk by using laundry sheets rather than those unweildy bottles of detergent. Same idea here. Just add water.

Neutrogena Travel Size Rapid Wrinkle Repair

At half an ounce, this little jar is still large enough to deliver the highest concentration of anti-wrinkle Accelerated Retinol SA into the skin. Plus, it contains SPF 30.

Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste

If you love Tom’s toothpaste for its non-GMO ingredients, you’ll love it in this travel size. Most travel size toothpastes are the big brands that you wouldn’t use at home. Why use them on the road?

Gillette Venus Extra Smooth Travel Razor

My favorite brand of razor scaled down for a dopp kit. So charming in design, I’m tempted to use these at home too.

Pureology Mini Shampoo & Conditioner

Usually, the choices for small shampoos and conditioners are drugstore brands that do a fine job but nothing special. It’s hard enough to have good hair days on the road–what with different humidity levels, minerals in the water, accessible appliances–why not take the best shampoo and conditioner possible to give yourself a leg up in the daily quest for lovely locks. Pureology hair care products are Allure award winners. Your hair will thank you.

John Frieda Frizz Ease Serum

Glee. That is the only word to describe how I felt finding this tiny item. A perfect miniature of the hair tamer I have in my bathroom drawer. It goes on after I’ve towel dried my hair to do its job best.

Bed Head Texturizing Putty

Bed Head calls this the Manipulator, but I like to think of it as the Minipulator. I use this after I’ve dried and styled my hair to keep the look all together. I also like to keep one of these Lilliputian sized jars in my purse for emergencies.

Downy Wrinkle Releasor Spray All

This isn’t really a toiletry for your body, but since we’re so often talking about wrinkle reducing for the skin, I thought I’d add in this cool anti-wrinkle product for your clothes. It’s ideal for traveling because you can spray it on and smooth fabric as you’re unpacking. Plus, it freshens the smell. I’m for anything that keeps me away from an iron.

The Refillables

If your go-to products aren’t sold in Hobbit scale varieties, you may have to use small containers. Here’s some help.

Matador Flatpak Toiletry Bottles

This package of 3 Matador FlatPak Toiletry bottles is up to 5 times lighter and 3.5 times more compact than traditional silicone travel bottles. Flat was never so handy.

Refillable Travel Bottles For Foundation

Good foundation is hard enough to find. But the task of finding it tiny is near to impossible. Instead, I take my favorite liquid formula and decant it into these very cute, very portable, very cheap plastic pump containers. They don’t spill, you can see how much makeup is left in the bottle, and when things get low, you can simply twist open the top and use the long pump tubing to scoop up any remains.

2-in-1 Refillable Travel Bottles

This dual chamber is ideal for shampoo and conditioner (only one item to bring in the shower with you!) or body lotion and face cream. Basically, any products that go together like peanut butter and jelly. Each compartment is 50ml and you can snap them apart if you ever want, say, the peanut butter without the jelly.