Taking your favorite cosmetics and skin care items are definitely a must-have while on vacation, but really, how much of it is necessarily to take with you?
We’ve compiled a simple list, think of it as the go-to guide to ensure that you’re packing the necessities. Most places you travel to will have a nearby corner store or even the hotel will have a quick shop where in the event you did forget to pack something they have you covered.
So, let’s get down to business. The amount of toiletry space that you can allot for depends on your means of travel. If you are flying then you have 2 options here: 1. a carry-on bag and 2. a checked bag. With a carry on bag, not only are you working with a smaller suitcase usually but you have to ensure everything is 3.4 fl ounces or less to be able to take it through security. The second limitation is that you have to then put these small bottles into a clear bag so that TSA can easily recognize toiletries. There are a lot of steps in this process but it is definitely worth it if your airline offers carry-on baggage for free or if you need your toiletries readily available. The second option was a checked bag: here you have all the freedom you need with packing toiletries as long as your bag weighs less than 50 pounds at check in.
With that in mind let’s talk about the basics:
1. Shampoo and Conditioner. If you are staying in a hotel then typically the hotel will provide a trial size of shampoo and conditioner, yet that is not guaranteed. Therefore it’s always safe to bring your own. Only bring what you need to save room for other things in your luggage.
2. Body Wash. We recommend using a bar of soap rather than liquid for the simple fact of it takes up less room.
3. Face lotions. If you condense the bottle that you use now into a smaller bottle or a tub it can be easier to carry in your toiletry bag.
4. Toothbrush & Toothpaste. Try to find a traveling toothbrush ideally one that folds in half. If you have a travel sized toothpaste tube already then we recommend keeping it on hand and refilling it when it runs out. That way you don’t have to spend more on buying travel sized toothpaste tubes. Another idea would be to try toothpaste powder or baking soda. These powders tend to come in tiny bottles that hardly take up any space.
5. Face Wipes. These can be a quick fix to any emergency! If you have a long layover and need to freshen up, or even just to take your makeup off at night before you go to sleep facial wipes can be a lifesaver. No limit on the packaging so a big pack can fit right in your carry on.
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