Miniature skincare… Whether it’s travel, trial, sample or mini it all makes me happy. I’m not really talking about single use sachets, more the pint sized skincare that comes by way of travel packs, gifts with purchase or if we are lucky – some brands actually produce travel sizes for purchase all year round. Travel sizes are the perfect way to see if a product works or doesn’t work for you, but it’s also a fabulous way for skincare junkies like myself to trial a whole host of things without committing the dollars to a full size…even better if its a free gift with purchase or loyalty points. Bonus!
I’ve got a fair few mini products laying around right now, some I’ve just finished, some I’m in the process of using and a couple I’m going to crack open asap.
Skincare travel sizes and minis
Ren, Tatcha, Estée Lauder
I recieved the Ren Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil in a Caroline Hirons for Cult Beauty box a while back. I’ve only recently started using it, and first impressions are that its a lovely light serum/oil that can be used under or over moisturiser. I’ve been opting to apply it over my nighttime cream and all signs point to goodness. My skin feels plumped with a little extra goodness come morning and it’s also not an greasy one so I don’t feel like an oil slick in bed.
Next I recieved a beautiful box of Tatcha goodies for Christmas which included these three – Firstly the Supple Moisture Rich Silk Cream which is aimed more at normal to oily skin types. I like to use this one during the day, as I don’t find it quite hydrating enough overnight. I would like to try one of Tatchas moisturisers aimed more at dry-normal skin. Secondly the Tatcha Ageless Revitalising Eye Cream which I have fallen in love with. It is a thick cream that feels insanely hydrating on my under eyes, which I find always quite dry and in need of a heavier cream. Works for me both day and night and is now firmly on my list of full sizes to buy eventually. Lastly is the Tatcha Radiant Deep Brightening Serum – when it says this serum hydrates as well as brightens, well, it ain’t kidding. In a small amount of time it has lightened a old dark spot on my jaw which nothing before had seemed to be able to budge. Another love and another to add to the buy list.
I do wish to make it know that if you purchase directly from Tatchas website they offer travel sizes of basically ALL their products, which is amazing. I wish more brands would do this.
The next three Estee Lauder goodies were part of a gift with purchase with another Christmas present. There were more bits in this GWP but I have either not started using or I actually gave some away as I had tried them previously. Firstly is the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair which the full size was actually the main purchase anyway. I have used this serum (in trial sizes) in the past and loved it (obviously seeing as though I asked for a full size!). I can’t put my finger on exactly its effects apart from to say that my skin just looks and feels the better for using it. Plump, smooth, hydrated, balanced… you name it, it does it. Along with that came a 15ml Advanced Time Zone SPF 15 moisturiser and a 5ml Advanced Time Zone Eye Cream. I’ve been enjoying using the Advanced Time Zone moisturiser on those days when I’m not venturing out too far and SPF 15 is sufficent. It is a light textured cream which is aimed at normal/combo skin but seems to be ok for me. The Advanced Time Zone Eye Cream is thicker in texure than the moisturiser and is hydrating enough for me to use throughout the day although I’d prefer to use other eye creams at night. I don’t know that I’d purchase either as I just prefer other products more but neither are bad and I will continue to use them until they are finished.
Omorovicza, Oskia, Bobbi Brown
This Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream and Hydrating Eye Cream come courtesy of a loyalty points VIB box at Sephora. I haven’t actually dipped into the face cream just yet, but the Hydrating Eye Cream is awesome during the day under makeup. I have another of the Hydrating Eye Cream and I’m only part of the way through this one, so I won’t be needing to decide on a purchase as of yet. Shall keep you posted!
Ahh, the Oskia Renaissance 360 Supreme Cream. I have spoken of it recently in this post. I got this as part of another GWP at Cult Beauty last year. It won’t actually be released until March 2016 and I’m already itching for it. I love it!
The Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream was yet another Cult Beauty GWP bag that I received in the early half of 2015. I have had it floating around for yonks mainly because – I loved it. And it’s too pricey. I used it rarely and sparingly. Filled with peptides, vitamins, minerals and all that good stuff it truly is a transformative night cream. My skin glowed each morning after using it. Now I’m sad as I emptied the pot just this week. Sobs. Perhaps one day I will treat myself to this one when there’s some kind of offer happening.
Glam Glow
We’ve come to the Glam Glows. Now, up until fairly recently I had somehow managed to avoid this cult brand. Well, all thanks to Siobhan at Beautylymin that changed when I took her advice and bought myself a trial sized ThirstyMud mask (not pictured). This is an amazing hydrating mask that I prefer to use as an overnight treatment. Love! I spoke about it further here. Discovering a world of mini glam glows at both Sephora and Mecca Maxima I have now added to the collection the ThirstyCleanse Daily Hydrating Cleanser which I used for the first time this morning. It is described as having a mud to foam action which I agree with. I wasn’t blown away by my first application but will keep trying it and make a decision once I’ve gotten a good few uses under my belt. The last two are the YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment mask and the PowerMud DualCleanse Treatment mask neither of which I have tried just yet, but I have heard amazing things, so I am excited to give them a whirl. GlamGlow seem to be another brand getting on the ‘releasing trial sizes of loads of products’ train. Well done. Claps hands.
Do you love and seek out trial sizes before committing to a full size? Have you tried anything here you love or loathe? Tell me about it!
