Beauty-to-go

Ilove tiny things.

(Some things I like big, but that’s another story.) As a kid, I collected miniature bottles and jars, and this fascination with scaled-down objects continued into my adult life.

Difference is, now, I have a collection of miniature beauty products. Whenever I shop, I’m always on the lookout for travel-size bottles and jars that I can stuff into my everyday beauty kit, pack into my maleta when I go abroad, or leave in the car when I schlep from home to work and back.

Here are 25 recent discoveries, which are perfect for that back-to-school beauty kit. When you’ve got a backpack full of books and there’s hardly any space left for anything else (not to mention, think about your poor back!), a stash of mini makeup and skincare products is the practical way to go.

Products available at Beauty Bar, Bench, The Body Shop, Human, PCX, Somera The Fragrance Gallery, Watsons, select drugstores, supermarkets and health & beauty stores.

Makeup Kit

1. Rocket City Pressed Powder in Medium (P395). For quick, discreet touch-ups.

2. In 2 It Cute Blush in Kiss (P199.75). Smile and apply this on the "apples" of your cheeks for a healthy glow.

3. Rocket City Sheer Lipstick in Star (P275). A sheer, natural shade that’s perfect for school

4. It-Be Switch lip palette (P350). If you need more color for an after-school date.

5. Human Face Eye Shadow in Tiramisu (P125). Open your eyes to the possibilities of these shades.

6. hb_sixteen Mascara in Black (P95). Only lashes need fattening up.

7. Bloom Eyeliner in Brown (P195). All-night cramming will require a little liner around your eyes.

8. Watsons Powder Paper (66 sheets, P69.75). Only your report card should shine, not your nose.

Skin Care

9. Kiss My Face Honey & Calendula Moisturizer (1 oz, P65). When classroom air-conditioning zaps the moisture out of your skin.

10. Burt’s Bees Carrot Nutritive Body Lotion, Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion, Burt’s Bees Milk & Honey Body Lotion (set of 3, P395). Choose from three different lotions depending on your needs and the weather.

11. Hawaiian Tropic Oil Free Sport Sunblock SPF 30+ (2 oz, P195). Slather this on at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors for sports or CAT.

12. Frooties Hand Sanitizer in Cucumber Melon (60 ml, P75). Because there’s never any soap – or water! – in the CR!

13. Heartstrings spray cologne in Trix (50 ml, P50). Keep fresh all day with this sweet-smelling, all-over body spray.

Good Hygiene

14. Johnson’s Kids Top-To-Toe Wash Moisturizing in Tropical Blast (100 ml, P49.75). You don’t need a separate shower gel and shampoo because this cleans both hair and body!

15. Tropical Greens Foot Deodorant Spray in Apple Mint (60 ml, 34. 75) After PE, before switching from trainers to your regular school shoes, treat feet to this anti-fungal spray.

16. Gatsby Powdered Body Paper in Cool Citrus (P69.75). When there’s no time to shower after sweating it out, use this all over your body to freshen up. It leaves a cool, invigorating sensation!

17. Watsons Dry Shampoo (250 sprays, P199.75). No time to shampoo either? Just spray this on, rub in and comb– instant clean hair!

18. Rexona Anti-Perspirant Deodorant Mini Stick (P16.50). A discreet way to keep BO at bay.

19. Caswell-Massey English Lavender Soap Leaves (15 leaves, P140). Just half a leaf is enough to wash hands before attacking a burger.

20. Active Pocket Floss (P75 for 2). Always handy to have when you need to dislodge those stubborn barbecue bits.

21. Cool Mint Listerine Pocket Paks Oral Care Strips (24 strips, P100). A temporary replacement for your mouthwash (keep it away from heat, though– it melts!).

22. XStreme Ice Drops Sours in Watermelon and Blue Raspberry, XStreme Sour Drops in Strawberry and Apple (P30). Before you go talk to that cutie, just a drop’ll do you good.

Extras

23. The Body Shop mini hairbrush (P95). Long or short, curly or straight, groomed hair will keep you at the top of your class.

24. Sally Hansen La Cross Matchbook Boards Elegant Emeries (P49.75). Your nails will stay snag-free with these colorful emery boards.

25. Human Face Nail Varnish Set (set of 4, P89). Colored or not, keep 10 fingers and 10 toes in tip-top shape.

megamagazine@i-manila.com.ph <–e-mail back here

(Editor’s note: Liza Ilarde is the fashion & beauty director of MEGA Magazine.)