MINI-mize your Makeup Case

It was evident I had a problem when I was instructed to ‘economize’. Clearly it was not a reference to my already shoe-box sized apartment. She peered unabashedly at my travel and makeup bag. I wanted to hide it as if it never existed. I was a closet beauty whore and only those allowed an entrance pass into my girly-world knew it. I looked at her travel makeup case – the size of a six inch sub sandwich – and then looked at mine, the equivalent of a small suitcase. (Sigh) I AM the girl who takes everything but the kitchen sink.

My friend’s blatant honestly sent me into a tailspin that has since become a sustainable way of beauty survival. In full force, I hit as many stores as possible looking for small bottles and any containers that would save my sanity and take my shelf size hair, face, nail, ‘you name it’ products and convert them into reasonable travel companions. I meticulously made a list of all my must-haves and began my mission.

At Ricky’s NYC, I followed the crisp smell of plastic permeating from the back of the store where the empty travel containers are shelved. It was the Golden Gates to beauty efficiency. I chose multiple (you will need extra) 80 ml pump lotion bottles complete with locking components. My next stop was The Container Store’s travel section where I discovered .25 oz spray bottles, perfect for pocket sized hair spray or brush cleaner. Last but not least, it was off to SOHO to visit the new Japanese transplant, MUJI. Their aluminum atomizer was perfect for my favorite fragrance (anything with a high alcohol content should not be put in plastic) and their snap cap cylinder bottles became my obsession as I purchased them in bulk ranging in size from 12-100ml. They would hold all of my facial potions.

Proudly I headed home with my bags of PET plastic and pulled out my label maker. And fear not if you do not own this electronic lifesaver, The Container Store actually sells mini Personal Care Labels. With the precision of an artist at work, I printed and pasted. Voila! I sat back and admired my final creation. I even made extras of some items, including my hairspray, to tuck away in my purse. For some of my favorite products, I was actually able to search out small, solid versions that would not deplete my in-flight liquid restriction, including Smashbox’s solid version of their Anti-Shine and CUTEX nailpolish remover pads, which have spared me packing extra cotton balls (believe it or not they do take up space).

I was efficient and I was proud that even the smallest changes allowed me to maintain my high maintenance regimen. The only problem now is that I think I can take 2 different hairsprays, 3 eye creams and 4 face lotions. Well, I conquered the ‘mini’-mizing. ‘Down’-sizing my mini selection is another story.

See some of my favorite ‘mini’ finds in my photo above…get going girls!