It’s amazing how quickly our bathroom cabinets and drawers are overflowing with bottles, cleanser, moisturizer, and shampoo. This isn’t a particular problem when you’re at home, but you need to leave this mess behind when you travel. With this in mind, here are some ideas for organizing your cosmetics, toiletries, and other essentials when you travel:
- If you use a hair dryer or straightening iron, you’d better take them with you. There’s nothing worse than trying to make do with the useless underpowered hair dryers found in many hotel rooms. Spend some time selecting a good travel dryer, one that isn’t too big or heavy.
- No matter what body care products you use, samples are usually available. Samples that are packaged in sachets are ideal for staying overnight. Samples packed in tiny bottles are great for a mini weekend away or a week away.
- If you can’t get samples, or you’re still worried that these little packets will run out before your vacation is over, then transfer your lotions and potions to small travel jars. Most department stores and pharmacies have an assortment to choose from. Look for pump-action caps for cleansers, small bottles for toner and eye makeup remover, and jars for creams. While the idea of decanting can be tricky, it’ll be worth it when your beauty essentials fit into a neat cosmetic bag.
- When you get home from your travels, be sure to use up your remaining cleanser and moisturizer, and wash the bottles and pots afterwards. It’s not a good idea to store unfinished amounts of cosmetic products in these bottles for the next time you’re out, unless you travel frequently, as they can burst.
- Store your washed bottles in your travel wash bag so everything is where you can find it quickly, the next time you need it.
- It is better not to pack bottles and containers, when they are completely full. When you fly, the increase in air pressure or the weight of the full cylinder can cause a leak. It’s best to have a bottle that is half to three-quarters full, to leave some headroom to allow for expansion, and if the worst happens, you’ll have less shampoo leaking everywhere.
- As for shampoo and conditioner, many brands also make smaller travel-size versions. Again, you can decant into smaller pump-action bottles, but label them if your shampoo and conditioner look similar.
- If your budget allows it, get some good quality toiletry bags and travel bags because cheaper alternatives are a false economy. I once had a set of clear wash bags that were great in theory as they allowed you to easily see where everything was stored. In practice, the plastic turned out to be cheap and soon broke, and the Velcro closure simply didn’t stay closed, causing bottles to be thrown into my suitcase, which didn’t help when they leaked. The best laundry bags are durable, wipe clean, have zipper closures, and won’t fall apart no matter how hard you try to force them.
- If you’re only away from home for a few nights or on tour, it’s best not to unpack all your toiletries and cosmetics when you get to your hotel room. Ask anyone who has ever worked in a hotel about the sheer amount of lost and found people leave behind when they rush to check out in the morning, and you’ll see why you should never unpack more than you need in a hotel room. If you frequently travel for business or plan a sightseeing vacation, look for a good quality hanging toiletry bag. Hanging toiletry bags have several zippered compartments and come with a hook, which means they can be hung on the back of your bathroom door or shower rod. If you do this, be sure to always check the back of your bathroom door before leaving your hotel room!
- Different sizes of cosmetic bags and toiletry bags are available and it is better to have two or three different sizes for different occasions. It makes no sense to travel with a bigger bag than you need. A smaller travel bag may be fine for the gym or an overnight, while hanging bag types are great for longer periods away from home.
It wasn’t that long ago when the only toiletry bags and toiletry bags available were drawstring bags that looked like something your dad might use or hideously flowery bags that only your grandma would use. Today, the best designer toiletry bags, like those from Australian designer Uchi, have beautiful patterns, colorful and vibrant designs, are strong, wipe clean and have clear sections and compartments so you can see exactly what you’re looking for. .
If your cosmetics and other essentials are usually all over the place when you’re out and about for a few nights, plan ahead now and consider buying yourself a new toiletry bag or toiletry bag. If you know someone else who travels a lot, the designer toiletry bag makes a perfect birthday gift or Christmas gift for men and women of all ages.