You know that feeling when you’re running out the door to catch your plane with arms full of WAY too much luggage only to find that you forgot a couple things?
Every time this happened to me I promised myself I would write down a list of what I needed for my next vacation. Not only was it frustrating to forget the things I needed, but also when I would over pack toiletries I didn’t really need. I’d forget the sunscreen for my beach trip to Miami, but sure enough I brought it with me to Minneapolis to visit my sister in December. It took me years struggling with how to pack my toiletries to get a system down that would last me more than ONE vacation!
Here’s my favorite tips for packing toiletries:
1 | I have a completely separate set of toiletries that I bring with me on vacation as opposed to what I use everyday at home. When NOT traveling I keep these in my suitcase. This makes a world of difference and I can’t recommend enough.
2 | I’m a sucker for matching labeled containers. Obviously. I bought a bunch of these TSA approved sized ones for all my liquids. Yes, I could just use those mini shampoo bottles that come at the hotels. While I’m a lover of everything reused, I’m a girl who likes my toiletries looking clean and well labeled.
3 | That brings me to the labeling. Don’t go for just any label. Make sure these are waterproof or you literally will only be able to use them for ONE vacation. Buying labels that are pre written will look WAY nicer than writing yourself. The only downside is that there might not be a label available for every one of your toiletries (aka – dry shampoo anyone?).
4 | I purchased full size versions of my travel toiletries. That way when I refill my toiletries, I’m not mixing shampoos from whatever I’m using in my shower. I keep the full size versions in my suitcase when I’m not traveling. Literally EVERYTHING that I need for my travel toiletries stays in my suite case when I’m not traveling.
5 | Refill your toiletries AFTER each vacation. There never seems like there’s enough time to pack and prepare for a vacation. Filling up your toiletries shouldn’t be one of those!
6 | Anyone else ever feel completely gross after flying on a plane or a long road trip??? In addition to my standard toiletries, I create a little ‘while traveling’ case that includes hand sanitizer, Airborne, Listerine strips, perfume samples (the ones from the magazines) and hand lotion.
7 | To carry all my non liquids I love to use the free department store makeup bags that come with purchase. I never feel bad if they get dirty because I know another free gift is on it’s way eventually :).
Now on to show you MY travel toiletries! I split up my toiletries in to 4 different groups (which essentially means that I just have 4 different containers)
- Liquids | obviously these go in a plastic ziplock bag
- Non Liquids (hair brush, toothpaste, etc) | I use one of those free makeup bags with department store purchase
- Makeup | I always use a plastic makeup bag so that in the event that something breaks or spills, clean up is easier.
- While Traveling (a couple items to help freshen up during travel time) | in a small makeup bag
1 Liquids
I even use a small travel container for my moisturizer and eye cream (not pictured). For perfume, I refill one of those small free perfume sample containers.
Liquid refills
I keep all the refills to my liquid toiletries together in large makeup bag that I store inside my luggage when I’m not traveling. It makes refilling the toiletries SO much easier to have dedicated products that I only use for travel.
I keep this stored in my suitcase along with the other travel toiletries when not traveling!
2 Non Liquids
I’m not necessarily a bar face soap kind of gal, but it makes traveling so much easier to do so. It’s one less thing that I have to try to squeeze in to my liquids plastic bag.
I keep a smaller clear case for cotton balls, hair ties & bobby pins.
3 Makeup
I have a completely separate set of makeup that I use for travel, as opposed to my everyday stuff. If you’re worried about it expiring before you use it all up, you could alternate your travel makeup bag and everyday makeup every so often.
4 While Traveling
I keep a couple items with me in a tiny makeup bag to help me ‘freshen up’ while in route to my destination! Airborne, hand cream, Purell, Listerine strips, & perfume samples.
One last photo showing you everything that goes in to my suitcase!
May your trip be as organized as your toiletries!
Sandy says
You should really check out shampoo bars and lotion bars for traveling. Light weight – zero packaging and much easier than “liquids”. From am an old seasoned traveler ❤️
Lindsay @ Crazy Organized says
I’ve heard about these and am definitely going to have to give them a try! Thanks so much for mentioning!!! Glad to hear they’re helpful!
Rita says
I got pinched for time one trip trying to fit all of my toiletries back into my luggage after a long business trip to India. My traveling companion mentioned she put hers into a plastic tub. As soon as I got back, I bought a large Rubbermaid tub and now every toiletry I take fits into it, including everything you have shown, plus meds, hair products, comb/brush, nail file/clippers, mini travel first aid kit, razor, facial products, etc. It stays packed when I am not traveling as well. And after a recent trip where I forgot stupid stuff I needed I made a list of everything I need in a Note app on on my phone as I unpacked my suitcase. I am finally getting it down to a fine science!
Kim~madeinaday says
Oh I liek the idea of the freshening up bag while traveling! I also keep a separate set of flying toiletries in my suitcase until the next trip. Great post! Stopping by to let you know you are being featured on Friday’s P3 Party post! Have a great week! Thanks for pinning!
Best,
Kim
Kim~madeinaday says
And I can’t spell! lol.
Lindsay @ Crazy Organized says
🙂 I’m right there with you!
Lindsay @ Crazy Organized says
awww thanks so much! I’m so excited to be featured!!!
Jenni R says
The other time that this approach has saved my life is that I have quite elderly parents who live a couple of hours by car from me. They’ve had middle-of-the night medical emergencies (a few!!) in the past year or so, and I’ve had to jump out of bed, throw a few things in a bag, and GO. Having my toiletries already packed and not needing to think about it really saved me.
Dixie says
Very nice. I travel a lot for 30 days at a time. Like you, I have separate makeup for traveling. I am afraid of it getting old, or maybe running out of something on a future trip, so when I get home, I replace everything in there with new unopened makeup.
I also make my own wonderful makeup removing towels by buying the thickest baby wipes and adding 1/3 to 1/2 bottle of baby oil. Very inexpensive and work wonderfully.