Do you prefer full-size or travel-size for complexion products? (Foundation, concealer, etc.)

I am really inconsistent about using concealer, so travel size is actually perfect for my use. I often mix two shades of foundations, so if it was a really expensive foundation (you know, like the La Mer Soft Fluid I love and loathe myself for loving!), I’d definitely go for two smaller-sized bottles instead.

— Christine

14 Comments

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Valerie Avatar

I have stick foundation for travel and use either stick or fluid at home. Nor sure that I have any “travel sized” face makeup per se, though I suppose stick is smaller and isn’t liquid at least.
I use HG touch up fluid as concealer and it’s in a small container so I use that for travel also.

Andrea Avatar

For the things I’ve already tried, love and wear regularly I prefer a full-size because I tend to be loyal. That’s the case for foundation, mascara, concealer, corrector and setting spray. Given the possibility (let’s be honest there isn’t that much stuff available, is there?) I would rather buy only travel-size for blush and lipstick.
I wouldn’t mind buying smaller sizes for trying new things either! Here’s why: I tested a really famous foundation from NARS in the shop, thought it was fine and bought the full-sized one… The thing is I’m allergic to it, though it took a few days for the information to reach my brain! haha! Afterwards I tried putting it on my legs (it cost good money…!) but obviously it had to go in the bin because I really am allergic and not just on my face! If I’d gotten a smaller (cheaper) size, my mistake would have cost me less.
I’m not particularly keen on trying new things in shops and for things like foundation and concealers, for me anyways, it takes wearing them for a few days to assess them. Those little tester pots you can get to take home are just too teenie-tiny to be able to tell for sure how sth lasts through the day.

kjh Avatar

Be careful of chemical sunscreens that are present in many to most foundations, etc. w/spf. Minerals aren’t too difficult to find these days. Try to patch test on your forearm w/occlusive tape. Of course, the allergy may be to something else, and I’m totally on the wrong track. Good luck; not fun.

Andrea Avatar

Hi! Thanks for the advice! The thing is I’m allergic to hypoallergenic medical tape! Hahah! – you couldn’t make this up! It makes me really itchy and it gives me a rash!
Jokes aside, I think you might be on to sth there because I’m veeeeery picky about sunscreen as a lot of them make my eyes burn, even if I’m super careful w/ application, and some give me a bit of an itchy rash (like the one the NARS foundation gave me).
Again, you’re right when you say it isn’t fun! I wish I’d experimented more when I was a teenager and this wasn’t an issue. I kind of missed the boat there…

Ana Maria Avatar

As a person who only opens and uses one foundation and one concealer at a time, for me complexion products always need to be full size. I’m going to use them up anyway. It’s more convenient, less wasteful (complexion products packaging is already hard to recycle, mini/sample sizes are impossible) and more cost efficient.

When traveling (😅 what a notion these days) or otherwise needing a light makeup bag, I just bring the concealer and use it as foundation as well.

I do acknowledge that minis and samples sizes are good to check at first a new formula or to find a matching shade. But I somehow like better MAC old approach (going to stores and getting some product in a mini sample jar, after a discussion with the store representative), rather than purchasing a ton of tiny plastic tubes.

Susan Nevling Avatar

As I find myself wearing makeup less frequently, I prefer smaller sizes in foundation, concealer, mascara, and lippies. I don’t use them often enough to preserve freshness or not change my mind. I’m a stickler for discarding mascara at 3 to 4 months so I consistently use the small size there.

Daniella Avatar

I use concealer every time I do my makeup and I’m loyal to just the one, so a travel size wouldn’t be practical for me. I rarely use foundation and I switch them up depending on what type of coverage I want, so I would prefer travel size for foundation. But here in Norway they usually don’t have travel/mini sizes of foundation, I don’t think they have that for concealer either

Helene Avatar

I think travel-size would be perfect for liquid foundations. I’ve only used up a few in my life, most gets thrown away half full. It also takes me a long time to finish liquid foundations, I’ve noticed.
I prefer powder foundations, I have used up a lot of those, so I’d want them in full size.
I hardly use concealers, so I’d prefer them in small size.
Primers and setting sprays I like in full size.

Fatma S Alici Avatar

Full size makes sense for me, because I keep my foundations, powders, concealers down to only a few choices that mostly vary due to my skin/weather. If I happen to have ‘travel’ size it was usually free or a bonus item. I attempt, and occasionally, fail to keep my beauty products to a smaller, manageable amount. For me that means using what I have, and only getting more when I’m low or out.

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