PRELUDE: beauty

WORDS BY CHRISTINA KALLERY

Good Things. Small Packages.

Traveling light doesn’t have to mean forgoing your favorite products. Nor does it require a steady hand for pouring lotions and potions into teensy little bottles. These days, it seems every beauty line is hawking its own mini skincare kits and compact cosmetics—the savvy woman’s secret for saving time and precious carry-on space.

HAIR: Say goodbye to “travelers’ hair”—dull, frizzy locks caused by overuse of cheapo trial-size shampoos. Davines/Essential Hair Care offers pint-sized versions that pack a big beauty punch (www.davines.com). To get a silky mane on the go, the Umberto Beverly Hills Professional Series travel kit has all the necessities: moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, detangler/heat protector and hair spray (www.umbertobh.com).

SKIN: Long flights can leave skin dull and dehydrated. Dr. Hauschka’s Jet Set comes to the rescue with an assortment of skin-saving superstars for face, eyes, hands and body—tucked into a sleek, travel-friendly tin (www.drhauschka.com). Mature complexions get a boost of age-defying radiance with AmorePacific’s ultra-luxe treatment cleansing oil, soap, vitalizing serum and eye complex (www.amorepacific.com). Problem pores? Dr. Brandt’s Poreless Travel Kit features cleanser, toner, clarifying formula and “Microdermabrasion in a Jar”—the perfect prescription for oily/combination and acne-prone skin types (www.drbrandtskincare.com).

FOR THE GUYS: check out Jack Black’s fantastic face-saving moisturizers, after-shave lotions and SPF-infused eye balms in convenient travel sizes (www.getjackblack.com).

MAKEUP: Why stuff your cosmetics bag to overflowing when you can downsize to a streamlined compact and a handful of diminutive goodies?

Since most of Tarte’s products are sized just right for slipping into the slimmest of evening clutches, you could easily label the entire line “travel-friendly.” We’re especially fond of the Glow on the Go mini cheek stain set, featuring two of the brand’s bestselling shades plus a glittery gold-flecked highlighter (www.tartecosmetics.com). Beautify your pout with the super-cute Goldie Lip Kit, stocked with everything you need to create luscious lips, from exfoliator to gloss. (www.bathandbodyworks.com).

You don’t have to be a painter to have fun with palettes. Anastasia Beverly Hills All in One Palette (www.anastasia.net) comes in warm and cool collections for eyes, face and lips. Sonia Kashuk’s Twist and Shout Kit resonates with the season’s warm hues of coral and khaki (www.target.com). Meanwhile, Pop Beauty’s ultra slim Popette Palette offers up a selection of gorgeous neutrals (www.sephora.com). Jouer’s customizable kits feature shades for eyes, cheeks, lips and face that can be taken apart and snapped together in endless combinations (www.jouercosmetics.com). And if you’re looking for a good base, Lola’s travel-size Oil-Free Sheer Liquid Foundations are tiny enough to fit in a pocket (www.LolaCosmetics.com) .