Travel Tidbits #1: Toiletries

I’m not much for New Year’s Resolutions. By the end of February, no one really cares about them at all. But one thing I realized, in those weird half-empty office days in between Christmas and the new year is that I want to travel. A coworker of mine had taken three weeks to explore Southeast Asia, and it had me thinking about my own wanderlust.

I really enjoyed my time in London and love exploring the cities I travel to for work. My parents have traveled all over the country and, from the stories they tell, their lives seem richer for it. Plus, as I approach the existential crisis of turning 25, I can’t bear the though of one day leaving this world without seeing more of it.

I realized it was time to travel. I’m in a position in my personal life – single, financially stable – and in my professional life – time off to burn, working in a company that understands the importance of taking that time off – where it’s easier than it has ever been. I started small with the trips I knew I would have to take for work or for family occasions and built up itineraries around those.

So, I’ve decided to start a new series. Travel Tidbits are some of the stories from my journeys and the lesson’s I’ve learned along the way.

In this installment, I want to share with you my tidbits about toiletries. Toiletries are often the most overlooked part of our packing list. Toothbrush. Toothpaste. Shampoo. They are such a mundane part of our life, they become second nature, just boxes to tick without much thought put into them.

However, over the past few years, I’ve spent most of my time travelling for work. Whether it’s attending professional dinners or social media events, I know I have to look and feel my sharpest. Over the last few years, I’ve developed a process to be more strategic about the toiletries I pack and want to share it with you so you can look and feel your best while keeping the TSA happy. Start by answering these questions.

What toiletries can I carry on a plane?

If you’ve flown in the last twenty years, you know how dreadful of an experience security can be. Each airport is different, of course, but standing in your socks surrounded by strangers while you all fumble for plastic bins is not exactly the pleasurable 1960’s Pan Am experience we day dream about. Jet setting today is a lot let glamorous. Still, there are a lot of ways you can make it easier on yourself.

If you haven’t flown in over 6 months, check in on the TSA guidelines, especially as it pertains to liquids. For example, at the time I am writing this post, TSA requires all carry on toiletries be placed in a clear quart-size bag and removed from bags before being x-rayed. I can’t tell you how embarrassing and stressful it was to have a mob of disgruntled airline travelers pushing me from behind while I tried to fumble through my carry on to gather all of my travel-sized minis and, even worse, having to make the terrible decision about whether to throw out my shaving cream, toothpaste, or contact solution.

However, now I know ahead of time to pack carry-on toiletries in the quart-sized bag to begin with (I always grab a few complementary ones when going through security to use on later trips). That way, when I go through security, all I have to do is grab the easy-to-reach bag from my purse, slap it in the bin with my shoes, and move on. You really feel like a boss when you’re one step ahead of the TSA.

How can I get around the 3-1-1 rule?

Unfortunately, the 3-1-1 rule can still be restrictive. We often have way more than a handful of liquids or creams to maintain ourselves. And the last thing we want to do when we travel is sacrifice the comforts of our daily routine. Still, there are ways to get around it. The internet is full of hacks, but here are a few I actually use.

Toothpaste drops. Little toothpaste tubes may not take a whole lot of space, but free up that space entirely by opting for toothpaste tablets or making your own. Dollop single servings of toothpaste onto parchment paper, sprinkle with baking soda, let dry, then drop into a bottle or baggie.

Pre-moistened cotton pads. I pre-dampen cotton balls or pads with toner or cleaners. Just saturate the cotton and throw them in a bag or small container.

Storing makeup in contact cases. Though not the most glamorous of travel hacks, I store primer and foundation in contact cases, since I only need a small amount. I really need someone to get onto inventing super tiny travel pots for this very purpose.

Make product work double duty. Where possible, opt for products that work double duty. Conditioner makes a great shaving cream for example.

Sample-sized cosmetics. If makeup is your jam and you’re going to be spending some time in the air this year, find sample sizes of your beauty staples. Specialty beauty shops like Ulta and Sephora, and even larger pharmacies like CVS, will sell sample sizes near point of purchase. And hold onto promotional samples when you get them. All my travel is another one of the reasons I love my Ipsy subscription.

What toiletries should I pack?

Everybody has different needs and routines. So, I can’t tell everyone what they should or shouldn’t bring. Here is a packing list sorted into two levels of need: need and want. I’ve also included some product recommendations (NOT SPONSORED), so think about your own needs and wants and reposition priorities to suit your trip.

Need

Want

How can I pack more toiletries?

• To make room for more “wants”, purchase some basics when you arrive at your destination.
• If you are staying in a hotel, consider whether you will be using what they provide. If you’re picky like I am, call concierge or do a quick Google search. Often, especially at higher end establishments, they will include the brand of their complementary toiletries in their amenities listings. Also think about things like towels, robes, and hairdryers to try and eliminate them from your packing list.
  • Also, when I stay somewhere with product I like, I stuff a few in my bag to take home and use on a later trip.
• If you’re in love with your day-to-day products, or just want to be a little greener, pick up some reusable travel containers or even use some tiny Tupperware. There are all kinds of containers from reusable bags, to squeeze bottles, and pots.
• Keep in mind which toiletries you want to carry-on and what you want to check. When I traveled all the way from Richmond, Virginia to Vancouver, British Columbia by way of Laguardia and Toronto – a 16-hour journey – keeping a facial cleanser and toothbrush on hand were key. But mostly, with smaller trips, a pack of gum and lip balm will suffice and everything else can be checked.

The perfect toiletry bag.

Now that you know exactly what you’re bringing on your trip, it’s time to talk about how. Your toiletry bag is essential to keeping all of your products in good order. Everyone has their own preferences, but here are some things to think about.

• Compartmentalize. Maybe you want to keep your makeup in one bag and body products in another. But avoid having a luggage littered with tiny pouches.
• Size. Your bag should be big enough to fit all your products comfortably, but not so big that the bag takes up more space than it’s worth. It should also fit easily with the rest of your luggage. You definitely don’t want to be playing Tetris every time you pack your bags.
• Accessibility. Make sure your products are easy to reach. You don’t want to spend all your time fumbling for tiny bottles of shampoo.
• Function. Think about solutions like bags that can be hung up, unfolded, have built in pockets and organizers, or are clear for easy reach.
• Personalization. Find a bag that fits your personality. Travel can be stressful, make it a little more pleasurable by packing a bag you like
• Cleanliness. Eventually, something will spill. Opt for a plastic bag or something machine-washable to make it easy on yourself.

---

Packing for a trip is never easy, but, after running a few rodeos, you learn to streamline your jet setting, so you can focus on your journey. Mastering your toiletries can make the whole process so much smoother.