Trying to decide which of your favourite products to pack for your holidays? Hadley Freeman investigates the latest travel-sized kits on the market.

If you happen to be strolling through an airport this summer and spy a young lady, elegantly unburdened by bags, resembling the sleekest, most efficient of travellers, I can guarantee you that will not be me. I can only dream of being a glamorous jetsetter. But to achieve such a look requires a certain amount of products ('natural beauty' not being something I've ever even aspired to) so, by the time I get to the airport, I'm carrying four bags under one arm, five under the other - and that's just for going away on a weekend. The whole jetsetter image is spoiled from the off. 'Tis a vicious circle.

But, happy day, cosmetic companies are breaking this cycle for us and increasing numbers are offering ever-improving travel kits. Indeed, a newish range, Capsule, is entirely about Travel beauty, and its products come in neat, packing-sized portions. Now, I love this range, not least because it doesn't get so distracted by its own gimmickiness that it forgets to concentrate on the quality of the products (a rarity indeed).

Special mention goes to Time Capsules, which are little packets of moisturiser that dissolve instantly on the skin. Super-fun in a sci-fi kinda way. If there is a criticism, it's that the portion sizes are just too small, particularly for those of us whose skin turns to lizard scales on aeroplanes, so prepare to use more than one. For £20 you can buy the whole kit, including travel case and three products from the whole range - ideal for a weekend break.

Molton Brown's New Age Traveller Kit (£49) wins the prize for the nicest packaging: the products come in a toffee-coloured leather cube - and that's probably the best bit . Inside you get a selection of 10 of Molton Brown's standard, if somewhat forgettable, products, the best of which is the Coco de Mer Body Lotion.

Chantecaille's Jet-Set (£59) is a bit more of a luxurious, self-indulgent affair. What sleep-deprived, smelly traveller wouldn't feel her worn-out heart lift at the sight of that nippy little black bag, chock-full of mini versions of Chantecaille's yummy Armoacologie products, all of which work particularly well when travelling. The Pure Rosewater spray, for example, an always-welcome luxury in the real world, feels downright essential after 7 hours in economy class.

Eve Lom's Travel Pack (£45) is more pungent than fragrant, but the lady's devotees will welcome it no less for that. The grateful traveller will find mini-versions of the famous (and very smelly) day cream, rescue mask and, of course, the cleanser with cloth, all zipped up in a pretty little white bag.. Very handy for fans or a great introductory kit for any nervous Eve Lom virgins.

But travel kits needn't be as homogenous as airplane food. Space NK's Experience Kit, for example, offers a bit of a respite from the usual body balm-moisturiser-cleanser buffet. Space NK have cleverly realised that what we really want when away from home is not super-soft skin, but super-comforting surroundings, especially those of us who tend to go the budget route with hotels. Thus, their mini fragranced candle and luxury bath products will bring joy to anyone's heart whilst languishing in the Happy Traveller Hotel.

After all, travel kits needn't be such expensive affairs. Boots, for example, do a smashing selection of el cheapo travel products that aren't to be sniffed at - well, actually, they are because they smell so yummy. Their Mediterranean Range has become quite the insider's secret on the high street and their mini-packs of Lemon Hazelnut Face Polish; Wheatgerm and Milk Almond Moisturising Cream and Thyme, Olive and Lemon Foot Butter are all lovely, and only £1 each. Just shove them in the Mini Travel Bag (£3.15), along with some mini emery boards (£1.50), eyegel pads (£2) and a travel-sized Lemon and Grape Shower Gel (£2), and you will truly be the bargain-tastic traveller. Plenty left over for the Duty Free shopping.