Sure, your hotel may provide toiletries but the quality, quantity, and variety vary. If you have ever had to buy something that you forgot to bring, then you know that those items comes with a hefty price and inconvenience. I am going to share how I pack my toiletries and cosmetics. This may not work for everyone, but It is what works best for me.
I travel often, and it can be a hassle to pack for each trip. My goal is to keep everything I need packed and ready to go. If I decide to travel last minute, I can simply grab my toiletry pack, do a quick check of my packing list and toss it in my suitcase. Then when I return, I simply replace the items I have used, and I am ready to toss and go when the next adventure rolls around.
The second packing goal is to have what I need, might need, and still save as much space as possible. I travel with up to five kids ranging in age from 2-18. That means I need to be prepared for everything from boo-boo's and tummy troubles to teens who forget their toothbrush.
The third goal is not to have an explosion of toiletries hogging every imaginable space in the hotel room. I like make up. I am actually obsessed with it. So this can be a real problem for me, but I have found something that helps keep everything tidy.I searched for the perfect toiletry bag, but nothing worked the way I wanted to. Then re-purposed something I already had and I love it.
I travel often, and it can be a hassle to pack for each trip. My goal is to keep everything I need packed and ready to go. If I decide to travel last minute, I can simply grab my toiletry pack, do a quick check of my packing list and toss it in my suitcase. Then when I return, I simply replace the items I have used, and I am ready to toss and go when the next adventure rolls around.
The second packing goal is to have what I need, might need, and still save as much space as possible. I travel with up to five kids ranging in age from 2-18. That means I need to be prepared for everything from boo-boo's and tummy troubles to teens who forget their toothbrush.
The third goal is not to have an explosion of toiletries hogging every imaginable space in the hotel room. I like make up. I am actually obsessed with it. So this can be a real problem for me, but I have found something that helps keep everything tidy.I searched for the perfect toiletry bag, but nothing worked the way I wanted to. Then re-purposed something I already had and I love it.
All of this plus medication & room for more.
What can I fit in here? I think you will be surprised. The key is to find what you need in a small sample or travel size or repackage it to saves space. I love that I can see everything in the clear pockets. What is not in here? Things that are to bulky or leak prone. I will go over that at the bottom of the post. So here are the items currently stowed in my toiletry bag:
Cosmetics: 6 sample size foundation packets, 1 men cologne sample, 4 women's fragrance samples and one tiny vial of perfume. Mascara, 3 mini eye-liners 1 lip pencil, 3 mini lip glosses, 1 eye-shadow palette, 1 liquid eye liner,3 mini make-up brushes, one set kiss brand nail colour strips, and a package of make up remover wipes.
TIP: Sign up for free samples of your favourite products, ask your independent sales reps for free samples or if you can buy the free with purchase items. These are often the perfect size. You can also search ebay for samples.
TIP: Sign up for free samples of your favourite products, ask your independent sales reps for free samples or if you can buy the free with purchase items. These are often the perfect size. You can also search ebay for samples.
Personal Hygiene Items: 3 pads, 3 tampons, a razor, sunscreen stick, 3 moisturiser/skin care samples, mini toothpaste, 6 mini toothbrushes, 2 tiny emery boards, 2 cotton balls and q-tips.
TIP: Request free sample packs but keep in mind it can take 6-8 weeks for some samples arrive.
TIP: Request free sample packs but keep in mind it can take 6-8 weeks for some samples arrive.
Hair: Comb, 5 assorted Hair treatment/styling product samples, fabric head band, tiny rubber bands, hair elastics, tiny clips, and bobby pins.
TIP: Those tiny rubber band are for the Sassy Diva's fine thin hair but they also are a great packing tool. More on that in another post.
TIP: Those tiny rubber band are for the Sassy Diva's fine thin hair but they also are a great packing tool. More on that in another post.
Jewellery: 2 sets of earrings, 1 statement necklace, 1 ring, 1 bracelet, and another necklace.
TIP: Leave your good jewellery at home to keep it safe. Take inexpensive fun pieces that will accent a variety of out fits.
TRICK: The small zip pockets are PERFECT for keeping your chains from getting tangled up or lost in your luggage.
TIP: Leave your good jewellery at home to keep it safe. Take inexpensive fun pieces that will accent a variety of out fits.
TRICK: The small zip pockets are PERFECT for keeping your chains from getting tangled up or lost in your luggage.
Medication: 7 days worth of prescription medication, adult and children Dramamine, adult and children's Tylenol, pep-to gas x, migrain medication, sinus medication, children and adult allergy medication, children and adult mucus medication, band aids, Aleve, and children's vitamins.
TIP: Buy travel size package of medication or individually package over the counter medications in small bags, place a label and dosage information inside the bag. For prescription meds, pull the label off the bottle and re-stick on the inside of the bag.
TRICK: Use colour coding labels for organization.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If travelling with children, please use child proof packaging and keep away from small children.
TIP: Buy travel size package of medication or individually package over the counter medications in small bags, place a label and dosage information inside the bag. For prescription meds, pull the label off the bottle and re-stick on the inside of the bag.
TRICK: Use colour coding labels for organization.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If travelling with children, please use child proof packaging and keep away from small children.
I love tiny toothbrushes. These were purchased at just a dollar store. I actually prefer the Wisp ones that have the tiny bead of toothpaste on them, but I am having trouble finding them. These will do until I stumble across them.
Here is a side view of the bag packed and ready to go. It folds up tight and fits nicely in the bottom of our carry on bag. It is small but does take up some space, but for me it is way better than having a million zip lock bags full of products. I limit myself to what I can put in here and no more 2 small zip lock bags.
What is not in the bag? My travel size shampoo ( I have to have head and shoulders, so I I simply refill the travel bottle each time I get home.). The Travel Size conditioner, I am picky about my conditioner, so I do the same with it. A small travel size deodorant, a brush, 2 Small round containers that I fill with my foundation and loose powder. I do have the samples in the bag, but I like to have my regular brand on hand. A small bottle of waterproof baby sunblock. I can ONLY use baby sunblock because the regular stuff ruins my beach day. I also have the baby sunblock stick in the bag. Sunburns are no fun. I am also planning to add aloe and burn cream to my travel bag before our next trip. I may bring a small hairspray and a small bottle of detangler, but these are not must haves for me.
TIP: ALWAYS pack your shampoo, conditioner and other liquids in a zip lock bag. They always seem to leak. Take extra zip lock bags.
TIP: ALWAYS pack your shampoo, conditioner and other liquids in a zip lock bag. They always seem to leak. Take extra zip lock bags.