I like them overall, especially for those of us who have plenty of products already, then it gets harder and harder to finish any particular shade, so sometimes I’d rather just pay less for less even if the price per ounce is higher.
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I LOVE them for lipglosses, eye pencils (in non-basic colors), and mascaras. Less so for lipsticks that *always* break before you’re even halfway through the tube. I don’t really own any mini palettes, but I love the concept of the Viseart ones (I just don’t love their fomula. Not sure why, but I’ve been disappointed with the palette I own and swatches in store).
I like minis for things that I typically don’t finish or things that spoil quickly like mascara. I also like to buy minis if I want to try a product, since a mini size of a moisturizer or face wash (for ex.) will last longer than a foil sample and I can get a better sense of whether or not I will like the product without having to spend a lot of money.
Other than fearing that they’ll get lost in the shuffle, I have no real problem with them. Well, except for mini lipsticks and fearing that they’ll just break and be a total waste.
I would happily pay more per ounce/gram for minis of just about everything, provided the surface is large enough to accommodate a full size applicator. I prefer to use things up quickly so that I can try something new.
My biggest issue with mini makeup is exactly the same… some items become too mini to be usable. Things like mascara, foundation are usually OK, but using a mini powder is a pain.
I feel largely positive about mini makeup options, especially if the packaging is still up to par!
I don’t really care for minis, particularly lipsticks. They make me feel like Polly Pocket somehow and they seem to accumulate faster, via freebies and whatnot, so I cut them out altogether. I’d rather have a couple of full-sized products I can lean on.
I love them as I’m product heavy right now. Just the mascara seems to be better quality in the minis at times. And with perfume the fragrance is better.
I wish companies would make more of them! Especially for things like lip products.
I like the idea of mini sized makeup. But unfortunately I rarely reach for mini makeup products. So they just sit there. Skin care and perfumes in mini sizes I tend to use and frequently go back for a full size.
Mini mascara! I rarely buy full sized (except my lower lash mascara which I cannot buy in mini) even though it is cheaper. I wind up tossing mascara well before they are finished so I believe I am actually saving money.
Mini lipsticks annoy me although they seem like a great idea. Like reader Z, I find they break far too easily.
Mini everything for trial of new products such as skincare, finishing spray, loose powder.. Still believe it is worth paying the higher amount per ounce rather than have a full sized item barely used.
I so remember the years before 2020 that between offers and points redemption, I lived on free mascara minis from Sephora. 😅
I love mini sizes and always buy them if this option is available. Especially love Viseart and Natasha Denona’s mini palettes!
I have a very positive opinion in general about minis:
* Great to sample a product before trying the full size, without spending too much money or wasting a product you might not like.
* Great for travel (when possible) or carry around on the go (I always have a mini SPF with me).
* Great for products I don’t use as often or in large quantities, but I want “fresh”; for some stronger actives like retinol or Vitamin C a full bottle might last me a year, but slowly lose potency, so I prefer purchasing 2-3 minis that year; Benzoyl Peroxide I use rarely, but I always have around, so I prefer repurchasing a mini every 6 months.
The only drawbacks I see are:
* They are less sustainable. There’s a higher probability that a full sized packaging is recycled, the mini sizes are so small that most recycling facilities won’t accept them. Also, it takes more resources to make smaller products.
* Sometimes the price per gram / ounce is very high compared to the regular sizes.
Forgot to mention that minis are great also for makeup I refresh periodically (mascara and liquid liners every 3 months) or I don’t use as often (lipstick colors I don’t use regularly).
Agree on all points
The only thing I would add is minis are really helpful now that samples have been outlawed. 🙄
I really like the idea of mini mascaras, but not much else. I find mini lipsticks to be annoying to find in one’s voluminous handbag and they do tend to break easily too.
I think mini blushes might be too tricky to get your brush into as well – so I will just stick with mascaras for my answer.
I love minis because as a makeup artist i can have more colors & less product that gets old & goes to waste. I recently bought a mini eyeshadow palette because its all the same colors of the full size but compact. Just the right amount of eyeshadow in each color imo. The quality didn’t suffer snd neither did my wallet. Win win win.
I actually prefer the mini sizes in makeup. I have quite a few different products, especially foundation used for different days and different skin moods. I change mascara religiously every three months. For color cosmetics, I like to change things often so have different palettes on hand and lots of lippies. Especially now, I am wearing makeup less frequently also.
The opposite is true for skin care in general. I like a full size product if I know it’s effective and I will use it regularly.
I love them because I like to keep everything fresh. Mini concealers, primers, mascaras and some skin care items especially come to mind. They also allow me to try new products without too much of an investment. And I have been enjoying my mini palettes from Viseart and Natasha Denona. I also love mini lipsticks and glosses for the variety that they allow me and again for the ability to try new things at a lower cost.
I love minis. I never finish anything because I’m always buying. Even if it’s something I do finish, I’ll want a mini for travel or my purse. I much prefer them!!
Pro to minis mostly, mascaras are great to try out as are liquid liners. But powder products not so much as they are not brush size friendly. Facial care products are great as | can throw them in my suitcase when I travel and it’s a great way to try something new as there is enough there to use for more than one day.
In theory, they are great to test a product.
In reality, they are a huge waste of packaging.
All the minis I’ve purchased a full size of, is maybe 10%.
Saying so, I’ve recently added 2 mini mascaras to my purchases; a product I already have and love, so I’m happy to have more of.
My job includes (included) a lot of travel, so I am sitting on a lot of mini “travel sized” items right now, with no future travel plans until “likely” 2022.
I love minis, but not for bullet lipsticks. I don’t wear a lot of parfum, I would prefer those in mini if I did. Liquid foundations should come with a pump dispenser (general rule) no matter their size. Powder pans must be big enough to use with brush or other applicator.
I dislike paying more for a mini size. Markup on beauty products is already astronomical, it’s just a cash grab. If I had a cosmetics company, I’d want to sell my products with a mini sized option, specifically for customers who prefer that size or just don’t use it all up.
Side gripe: I detest the powder packaging where you have to pour the product into the lid. Messy and wasteful unless you’re able/willing to pour the leftover back into the container. I have a Laura Mercier mini I haven’t even opened because it’s tiny and has that packaging style.
They’re super cute and I love them. They’re my preference for mascara, the wand feels more comfortable to hold and they’ll definitely be used up by the time the 3-6 month mark comes around.
I wish mini blushes and highlighter were more of a thing! Those are products that I like having lots of choice in, but it takes forever to finish a full size. I don’t mind maneuvering my brush in a smaller pan. I also wish more brands would put out mini foundations and concealers, because that seems like a great way to get to know if you like a shade and formula on yourself before investing in a full-size. The only mini-size products I find myself annoyed by are lipsticks; I find them difficult to apply and I tend to overlook my mini lipsticks, even though I don’t hesitate to reach for a mini lipgloss. Go figure!
I like minis in makeup for two things — foundation, which is so hard to get a correct color/formula in. Minis would dramatically reduce the need to try and return repeatedly, especially if you are like me and hard to match. Also, lipsticks. I have bizarre body chemistry and lipsticks turn *interesting* shades on me more often than not, so I would love to be able to try more lipsticks without breaking the bank or worrying about returning if the color is bad. I do wish lipstick minis came in wider and shorter tubes — big enough to put on like normal lipstick but just less product — as opposed to the tiny, easily breakable tubes. Most other makeup, I can get a correct assessment of the color by swatching on my hand — or I used to be able to do that! If we can’t ever go back to swatching, I’m going to want minis of everything.
I think minis are great. I don’t think I have ever finished too many products completely. They are great to try to see if you like the product and how it works for you without spending a lot of money and then finding out the product isn’t good at all. All products are not the same for every person. More companies need to have minis in their line up.