1 Dr Ci:Labo Sampling Kit, $10, from Dr Ci:Labo, B3-41 Ion Orchard
This four-piece set, which can last a week, contains a make-up remover (10g), washing foam (8g), the brand’s signature Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moist EX moisturiser (10g) and BB cream (3g).
2 Tweezerman Mini Manicure Kit, $38, from Sephora and Escentials Paragon
In this clear plastic cylinder are all you need for neat-looking nails: a pair of tweezers, a nail file and a spatula to keep your nails clean.
3 Alterna Bamboo Smooth On-The-Go Travel Set, $36, from Sephora stores including 01-05 Ion Orchard
Tame frizzy hair with these four items: Anti-Frizz Shampoo (40ml), conditioner (40ml), Kendi Pure Treatment Oil (25ml) and Anti-Humidity Hair Spray (43g). The products come in a woven toiletry bag.
4 Shiseido Pureness 1-2-3 Starter Kit, $50, from Shiseido counters
The introductory three-piece kit of the brand’s oil-control range comprises a deep cleansing foam (75ml), balancing softener lotion (100ml) and mattifying moisturiser (30ml).
5 Clarisonic Mia 2, $215, from Sephora stores
This electronic cleansing brush leaves your face squeaky clean. It comes with a plastic travel case and a magnetic charger.
6 Laneige Essential Care Travel Set, $39, from Laneige stores with any purchase, including B3-66A Ion Orchard, till end of this month
This value-for-money six-piece set is usually worth $100. It comes with a handy pouch and contains a Multi Cleanser (30ml), Power Essential Skin Refiner Light Lotion (50ml), Balancing Light Emulsion (50ml), Water Bank Essence (30ml), Gel Cream (20ml) and Water Sleeping Pack EX mask (20ml).
7 FlowerByKenzo Travel Set, $105, from Kenzo counters
This pack comes with three 15ml bottles of the iconic perfume. Slip them into your handbag and smell fresh on the go.
8 Percy & Reed Quintessential Quick Fix kit, $50, from Sephora stores, including 01-05 Ion Orchard
Keep your hair in check with these six products: Dry Shampoo (50ml), Dry Conditioner (50ml), Bodifying Cream (50ml), Texturising Spray (50ml), Volumising Mousse (50ml) and Hairspray (50ml). The set comes in a clear zippered toiletry bag.
9 Skin Inc My Daily Dose Love All Serums set, $190, from Skin Inc stores, including B3-43 Ion Orchard
This set contains six 5ml vials of the brand’s signature serums: the skin-firming collagen; hyaluronic acid for hydration; placenta for brightening; vitamin A for a more even skin tone; coenzyme Q10 to boost skin cell turnover; and ceramide to strengthen skin. Buy the set at www.iloveskininc.com and receive a Pure UV Protect+ sunscreen worth $72 free.
10 Lunamer Travel Set, $20, from Astalift stores, including B3-66 Ion Orchard
This diffusion line of Japanese skincare brand Astalift is targeted at women in their 20s and 30s. The four-piece kit, which lasts a week, contains a tube of facial wash (15g), a bottle of brightener – a beauty essence that removes dead skin cells (20ml) – a bottle of lotion (30ml) and a bottle of emulsion (20ml).
11 Aesop Boston Travel Kit, $105, from Aesop stores at B1-50 Takashimaya Shopping Centre and 01-43 Millenia Walk
The sturdy zippered kit makes a good toiletry pouch. It comes with eight travel-sized products: Classic Shampoo (50ml), Classic Conditioner (50ml), Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser (50ml), Rind Concentrate Body Balm (50ml), Fabulous Facial Cleanser (15ml), B & Tea Balancing Toner (15ml), Primrose Facial Hydrating Cream (15ml) and a mouthwash (50ml).
12 Laura Mercier Custom Artist Portfolio For Home & Away, $150, from Tangs Beauty
This beautiful organiser is perfect for those who lug around tonnes of make-up when they travel. It helps to keep your tools and face paint neat with four removable mesh cosmetic bags, a double-sided holder for brushes and two customisable compacts – one with three wells and another with six – for Laura Mercier eyeshadow and blushers.
13 Best Of Genifique Set, $216, from Lancome counters
Worth $323, this value-for-money set contains the brand’s signature line. It is packed with the Advanced Genifique Serum (30ml), Genifique Yeux Light Pearl eye serum (20ml), Visionnaire serum (7ml), UV Expert GN Shield SPF 50 PA+++ sunscreen (10ml) and a Genifique mask.
14 Biotherm Anti-Pore, Anti-Shine and Anti-Imperfections Set, $60 (usual price $92), from Biotherm counters
Keep your skin shine-free with the brand’s Purefect Skin products: cleansing gel (50ml), lotion (125ml) and hydrating gel (50ml). The products come in a lime green pouch.
15 Kose Save The Blue Trial Kit, $72, from Kose counters
The three-piece set contains a bottle of lotion (140ml) to soften skin, a bottle of hydrating emulsion (70ml) and a jar of moisturising cream (20g). Proceeds from the sale of this kit go to the preservation of coral reefs around Singapore.
PHOTOS: AESOP, ALTERNA BAMBOO, ASTALIFT, BIOTHERM, CLARISONIC, DR CI: LABO, KENZO, KOSE, LANCOME, LANEIGE, LAURA MERCIER, PERCY & REED, SHISEIDO, SKIN INC, TWEEZERMAN
WHAT TO NOTE WHEN BUYING TOILETRIES FOR TRAVEL
THE RESTRICTIONS
Liquids, aerosols and gels in hand luggage must be stored in see-through containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml each.
You can get spill-proof containers – to transfer your favourite potions and make sure you meet the requirements – at Muji, Daiso, Sasa and Watsons stores. These must be kept in a transparent resealable bag, such as a Ziploc bag. The contents of the bag must not exceed one litre. Each passenger is allowed to carry only one transparent resealable bag.
PACK THEM RIGHT
Make it a habit to keep liquid and gel products in waterproof toiletry or Ziploc bags. If the bottle or jar breaks, the contents are less likely to leak and ruin your clothing and shoes.
Keep fragile glass bottles safe by first sealing them in plastic, then slipping them into socks or bedroom slippers.
When buying toiletries for a trip, make sure they come with travel-safe caps, secure clips (for pump nozzles) or stoppers so the products will not leak.
SHOP SMART
Most beauty brands offer value-for-money trial kits. The sizes of the products are usually smaller than 100ml so they are great for storing in hand luggages.
You can also pick up travel kits at duty free stores in airports to save on taxes. Alternatively, if you are planning ahead for your holiday, sign up for beauty sample boxes. Most of the products in these sample boxes come in trial sizes, which are perfect for travelling.
Try The Little Black Beauty Box (www.stylexstyle.com/beauty-box/ order.html); Bellabox (bellabox.sg) and Vanity Trove (www.vanitytrove.com/sg). Prices start at $19.90 per box.
Or you can sign up at The Sample Store (www.thesamplestore.sg) for free samples of assorted products from different brands. Most are in sample sizes. Delivery fees range from $1.99 to $2.99, depending on the weight of the products.
This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on June 7, 2013. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.
