Beauty Diary: The best thing about Christmas gift sets revealed
Both Coles and Woolies have an a embarrassingly low number of these products to choose from – but once a year there’s a solution.
Face & Body
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Have you ever noticed just how disappointing the travel-sized beauty product section is in Aussie supermarkets?
If you’ve ever panic-shopped ahead of a holiday, you’ve probably noticed the low number of products to choose from in the major players’ aisles – and while some chemists and other bigger retailers have heaps more, the offering still feels pretty basic.
Sure, we all need shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste to go on our holibobs. But as any beauty junkie knows, we also need a vitamin A, B and C serum, a day and night moisturiser, and of course all our make-up essentials too.
To date, most brands don’t regularly sell mini versions of their products, making it difficult to get away with just carry-on for even an interstate weekend away.
However, skincare and cosmetics brands will often release gift sets in the run-up to Christmas that contain miniature versions of their bestsellers.
It’s the perfect solution to my supermarket problem, and it also means I don’t have to sacrifice my skincare routine when I go away.
Here are the sets I’ve stocked up on for my travels next year.
Laneige Strong Barrier Minis Set
Price: $58
Available at Sephora
This is one of my favourite brands ever. I use the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask daily and have got through tubs of the Water Bank cream as well as bottles of Cream Skin, a gorgeous milky toner that I once described as “off the charts good”.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Duo
Price: $42
Available at Mecca
If you’ve never tried the cult Brazilian Bum Bum Cream because you’ve been put off by the price, this is the time to give it a whirl. However for die-hard fans of the tropical-scented body moisturiser, these minis are ideal for stashing away for your next island holiday.
Natasha Denona Baby I Need A Nude Eye Kit
Price: $47
Available at Sephora
Forget lugging huge eyeshadow palettes overseas and in weekend bags, this is honestly all I need. Natasha Denona products are made from the best formulas that I find super easy to blend – and the shimmer shade is perfect for a night out.
Stila Meet The Icons
Price: $75
Available at Mecca
My favourite eye-liner but make it a mini version – YES PLEASE. Plus a full-size Huge Extreme Lash Mascara and a full-size Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Cream in Lillium along with a travel-size Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in best-loved shade, Kitten.
Go-To Skintroduction Discovery Set
Price: $40
Available at Mecca and direct with Go-To
Go-To has some of the most effective skincare around, so having it on hand when travelling is a no-brainer for me. Plus, I am pretty sure they sell this set – which contains “teeny tiny versions of Go-To favourites including its hydrating gel cleanser, a ultra nourishing face oil, and the brand’s popular antioxidant rich moisturiser – all year round. Winning.
Rare Beauty Mini Blush & Luminize Trio
Price: $68
Available at Sephora
The cult cheek products from Selena Gomez’s beauty brand are temporarily available in mini version and of course I had to get the set. When I reviewed the blush earlier this year, I wrote: “Be warned though, you don’t need a lot, you honestly only need a small amount.” So these are the perfect solution.
L’Occitane Holiday Crackers Set
Price: $49
Available at David Jones and L’Occitane stores
You can’t help but feel bougie when you use L’Occitane products – which is why I love travelling with them. My fave is the Almond Shower Oil, which I always run out of.
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Originally published as Beauty Diary: The best thing about Christmas gift sets revealed