Miss Lipstick Daily: Addiction to miniatures

I'm not sure why, but there is something about miniatures I just cannot resist. No, not the alcoholic kind that lurk in hotel minibars — as this won't pre-empt my checking into the Betty Ford Center — but the dinky little beauty products that are just so, err, handy.

There are plenty to pick from if you cruise the cosmetic aisles and I'm not talking about invading the kiddies' corner. Sleek handbag-sized perfume atomisers, chic travel hair-care sets, and glam mini-mascaras await. You name it, most top-end brands do it in a "mini me" size.

Surely grown women wouldn't give into such a gimmick? But we all know at least one cool-as-a-cucumber sophisticate who has charged to the department stores to get hold of the latest solid perfume key ring.

So what's my favourite? It's Prada's Shielding Balm ($38).

With eight individually wrapped tiny tubes, I like to think it resolves the age-old problem of the mysterious disappearing balm. I'm not sure how many I've been through in my life, but it would probably fill the foundations of a hefty sky-rise tower.

But by downsizing you can dispose of your baby balm when it's done/been swallowed by your handbag and pop open a new pack. It's a genius solution! Well at least until the very obvious was pointed out.

For the same price as a covetable pack of mini designer balms, I could in fact buy a lorry-load of a regular-size product — and still have enough cash for a taxi ride home. It's great advice, but really, where is the fun in that?

Your say: What's your most decadent make-up addiction?