Packing Toiletries for a Week or Weekend Away
87Everything but the kitchen sink
This hub was written by Pat, who likes her home comforts, and is prepared to lug along a heavy suitcase. If it had been written by Tricia, it would be quite different. Tricia has a stream-lined approach to travel.
We don't expect everyone to agree with this Hub, and would live to have know what works for you!
Packing toiletries for a week or a weekend away
My favoured method is to use a bag that I can hang up in the bathroom of my hotel. This saves time on arrival, and is convenient when a vacation involves moving from place to place.
My bag measures roughly 53cm (21") top to bottom by 29cm (11 and ½") from side to side when it is opened out. When it is fully packed with my toiletries, and rolled up ready for the suitcase, it measures approximately 50 cm (19 and ½") in circumference - that's packed full.
I paid about £15 for my bag at an independent chemist (drug store). You could probably find something similar in a department store, or from Land's End or an on-line luggage shop.
Of course, you could just pack your toiletries in plastic bags and distribute them around your suitcase. Make sure that you have wrapped any liquids so that they will not leak and spoil your holiday wardrobe.
Because I travel frequently, my travel bag is kept packed and ready to go.
I save any free samples that might come in handy for my travel bag. (Try to stick with tried and trusted products.) I buy quite a few travel items from Liz Earle, because all of her products (at least the ones I use) are available in small sizes. See http://www.lizearle.com/
Many chemists (drug stores) have a large range of travel-sized products. They may also sell empty pots and bottles that are useful for decanting your favourite toiletries and beauty products.
When flying, it is best to pack your toiletries in the case that will travel in the luggage hold. If you are flying from the United Kingdom, I strongly advise that you check on the government's Department for Transport website: www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/airtravel/airportsecurity/. If you are starting from another country, check with your airline to get up to date advice.
Knowing the rules (and following them) could save you a lot of stress on the day of travel.
Remember, if you are travelling to another country, the regulations that apply to your return journey may be different! I suggest that you try to find out what they are before you travel. If you cannot find the information on the Internet, your airline may be able to help.
MY PACKING LIST
Here's a list of what I pack, which you might want to use as a check list:
____ Toothbrush (in a case)
____ Toothpaste
____ Dental floss
____Stretch hair band (to hold your hair back while cleaning your face)
____Eye lotion or eye make-up remover
____Face cleanser
____Skin toner
____Moisturiser
____Body wash (I know - hotels provide soap -I like my regular product.)
____Eye cream
____Deodorant
____Contact lens solution and case, plus spare pair of lenses
____Shampoo
____Cotton wool pads
____Razor (I keep the blade wrapped)
____Disposable plastic shower cap (sometimes 2 or 3)
____Soluble aspirin
____Plasters (lovely if feet get blistered)
____Antiseptic cream
____Scent
____Emergency sewing kit
____Orange wood stick
____Cotton buds
____Sun cream (regardless of temperature - if its going to be sunny and snowy I take an extra-high SPF for my face)
You may want to add other hair products to this list.
When you get home
If you do not keep a travel bag packed, remember to put your toiletries back in their normal place. If you have decanted products into smaller bottles or pots, you may like to use these up at home, and then wash out the containers, ready for your next trip.
Make sure your bag is clean and dry before you put it away.
If you keep a bag packed, remove the contents and make sure that your bag is clean and dry. Take the toothbrush out of its case, give the case a wash and make sure the brush is clean and dry before repacking. If you have decanted products into pots and have been dipping into products with your fingers, it will be more hygienic to use up that supply, and then wash and refill the pot. Otherwise, repack your bag, making sure to top up items as necessary. Then you're all ready to go again!
Am I really this perfect? Take a look at my secrets of holiday unpacking.
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Because I fly a lot, I keep my 'handbag' cosmetics and hand cream permanently in a small plastic bag. It occasionally gets me some odd looks, but I joke that it's my budget make-up bag.
I travel a bit lighter - I find bodywash doubles as shampoo and laundry powerder. I dont use makeup so don't need cleansers - but I would always carry suntan lotion its one of the rare things that can be more expensive and difficult to get high SPF stuff. I am curious whats the orange stick for?
The orange wood stick is really for cleaning under fingernails and toe nails. I have used it for other things, such as prising open a stuck in plug in a hotel room sink.
On lightweight - I find shampoo works as a quick wash for clothes. If you wish to double up bodywash/shampoo, it pays to go for a more expensive product - usually (BUT NOT ALWAYS) gentler for hair.
Due to safety regulations in the USA for air travel, I need to chop my toiletries "in half." Of course, I want my essential clean-up supplies with me in a carry-on bag, but we are permitted only what liquids or gels will fit in a one-quart plastic bag (close to one liter). This means literally in the bag which often must be removed from your carry-on for visual inspection. Therefore, combs, nail files, cotton swabs (buds), talcum powder, tweezer, etc. need to be with me, but not with the liquids. These are what go in the plastic bag: deodorant, tiny shampoo, tiny conditioner, hand lotion, sun tan lotion, lip gloss, under-eye-concealer.
A very help hub... especially for a novice traveler like me! ;-)
THANKS!!!
Mary K
I hope you enjoy your travels. Remember to check with your airline to get the most up-to-date security rules. That can save panic at the airport.
WHile I agree it saves hassle to have your sponge bag in the hold, it also saves potential grottyness to have your toothbrush with you, in case the bag goes AWOL!
I usually carry a travel toothbrush in my handbag - Boots sells them. I am always on the alert to tiny tubes of toothpaste, as they are useful for travelling.
The security regulations that restrict liquid in carry on luggage have made packing much more challenging!
dont no
Hello Sage, My guess is that you don't know whether it is a good idea to take as much as I do! Since writing this Hub, I have reduced the number of shoes and sometimes volume of clothes (depending on weather) but probably increased the amount/number of toiletries. Reason is, they make me feel more comfortable in strange hotel bathrooms. Honestly!
Other half of 2patricias. I cheat when packing by saving freebie sachets & samples up & pop them into a make up bag. This means I have a small, very lightweight bag of products to select from when I travel. I also have a small travel compact with eyeshadow, lipgloss & blusher which saves on weight with make up. It only works if you don't mind using different products when you are away but if you need to travel light it's helpful.
Love the check list. I used to do one for first aid items, since I travel a LOT. Your hub is a good reminder that I need to go back over that list and replace items I've used.
Hi SF Gal, Thanks for leaving a comment! It strikes me that it would probably work list to write 'replace' notes while you are away. Say you notice that you're running low on toothpaste - make a note in your diary (or whatever) to buy some more when you get home. (Both of us carry tiny notebooks in our purses for little reminders, etc.)
Hope you enjoy your travels.
Wow you take a lot! My toiletries stay in a the clear zip lock bag they are required to be in (I travel with just a travel on). I have miniatures of everything and also use a super concentrated, all natural, wash. This can be used for shampoo, washing clothes even dishes. Sounds horrible, but it works incredibly well.
Toothpaste is supplied in miniature form thanks to an unlimited supply from Sensodyne, who sent me a whole lot.
As long as I stay in a hotel every now and then I also have an unlimited supply of small shampoos, toothbriushes, combs etc.
Pat takes a lot, but Tricia travels more along your lines. Pat actually travels a lot and Tricia wonders why she feels the need to take quite so much stuff - maybe its a sort of security blanket.
Thanks for leaving such a helpful comment.
Hello ladies. I love the toiletry handbag you pictured. I have something similar from the Body Shop but it doesnt hang up like yours. Useful article. I tend to err on the side of 'taking everything but the kitchen sink' but at least I decant it all into little plastic bottles!
Hi Chloe,
The toiletry bag in the picture came from an independent chemist - a very old-fashioned one.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
I also travel with a hanging bag. Its easy to find things instead of searching through a bag. Its convenient and easy. Thanks for the checklist!!
Hi ChaseGirl,
A hanging bag is also easy to pack - and you can see what you've got.
Pleased you like the checklist.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
Caregiver-007 3 years ago
That's a great travel bag idea, a hanging one. There's a real talent, art (dare I say "science?") to packing toiletries for travel - especially air travel. In the USA, those we want to take with us, and those that would alter chemically with temperature extremes, just be in a clear plastic bag that is pulled out and goes on the conveyer belt (xray) separately. What a pain! That sure makes for a crowded purse!