Pre-packing a toiletry bag with all the right stuff may just change the way you travel…
By Adriana Ermter
“Packing a carry-on bag’s toiletries for a two-week vacation in Mexico, a 24-hour business trip to New York City or (insert your next destination here) is my favourite part about travelling”… said no one ever. Which makes the idea of having a pre-made kit – one that contains all the essentials and is tucked beneath the bathroom vanity ready and waiting to be tossed into carry-on luggage, regardless of where you’re going – sound like the dream. Particularly if you’re a chronic over-packer, or always seem to be organizing your toiletries five minutes before you’re due to leave for the airport. It’s curse worthy.
“When you pack at the last minute, you likely will lack confidence that you have packed everything you’ll need,” notes Hitha Palepu, in her book How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip. “Pre-packing is where your adventure begins. It’s not when you step off the plane or out of the car; it’s here, it’s now. With planning.”
Maybe it’s presumptuous to think that people need guidance selecting their favourite shampoo, moisturizer and deodorant for an in-flight carry-on bag. Yet since 9/11, Canadian Air Transportation Safety Authority (CATSA) and the United States’ Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules regarding what you can and cannot bring onboard an aircraft have undergone significant changes, and continue to change, largely due to evolving security concerns and technological advancements.
Gone are the days of mindlessly throwing a full-size cylinder of hairspray or bottle of cologne into a backpack to stow in the overhead bin. CATSA rules dictate that each passenger is allowed only a single one-litre bag to carry their liquid items in-flight, with each product restricted to being no more than 100 mL each in size. Consequently, choosing your carry-on toiletries requires thought and preparation. “Toiletries are the things that make us look and feel good (probably even more so than clothes!) and when we’re travelling, we want both of those things,” explains Jennifer Weatherhead Harrington, a travel expert and the host of Next Destination. “No one wants to look or feel tired and blotchy, have frizzy or flat hair, or have a breakout while on vacation. So, when it comes to narrowing down what to take, it can be tricky because you always feel like ‘What if this happens to my skin, or my hair?’” With a little know-how, however, pre-packing what you need can be a time- and stress-saver in the long run.
Apply the two-bag rule
Rule of thumb: stop trying to fit everything from your lip balm to your aftershave and mouthwash into one plastic carry-on bag. You’ll need two: one for your liquid-based toiletries and another for your solid products. Keeping these items separate creates organization and facilitates efficiency when your luggage goes through the X-ray scanner at airport security. Just make sure to avoid having random items roaming free in your suitcase. “Your toiletries should always be contained – this is where leaks and explosions tend to happen,” observes Palepu. “And those can ruin a trip!” While the liquid bag’s size is mandatory (it must be 7 x 8 inches), popping it inside a larger, clear, resealable plastic bag is a smart way to double up on leakage prevention.
Prioritize your liquid products
What no plastic bag can prevent, however, is product overflow. “The key to taking less with you is scaling back on your routine,” advises Weatherhead Harrington. “Let’s say you have a 12-step skincare routine.… How can you minimize that? Is there a product you can use that does double duty (moisturizer and sunscreen in one, a tinted lotion so you don’t need foundation, a multi-purpose hair serum that repairs and heat protects), or is there a way you can cut out steps altogether? In most cases, your skin or hair isn’t going to drastically change in one to two weeks, so keep the essential parts of your routine and nix the added bonuses.”
According to the TSA, you can bring a range of favourites on board, inclusive of aerosols, gels, creams and pastes, so select the ones you use most frequently. Travel-size shampoo and conditioner bottles or squishy plastic sample packets fit this bill and should always be in your carry-on toiletry bag…as should your favourite face and body moisturizers, sunscreens and shaving creams. Simply squeeze or spoon the products from their full-size containers into empty miniature bottles for travel. If you’re strapped for space and staying at a hotel where many toiletries are provided, leave these items at home.
“Whatever is the most important to you, bring,” adds Weatherhead Harrington. “Anything else is a bonus, and if you’re travelling with a partner who has extra toiletry space, use theirs.”
Identify your non-liquid essentials
Grab a second plastic bag (size is optional; these items are solid) and load it up with your non-negotiable solid items, like a hairbrush or comb, dental floss, toothbrush, toothpaste in tablet form, bar soap, bar facial cleanser and stick deodorant. These are the good-hygiene products you need to feel and smell clean, fresh and comfortable. To create more room in this bag, swap your regular toothbrush for a foldable version, pack the exact number of toothpaste tablets you’ll need for each day away, and opt for a gentle hydrating and cleansing bar soap you can use on both your face and body.
“When it comes to makeup and beauty products, I swear by stick formulas,” adds Weatherhead Harrington. “First of all, they’re not going to spill or break in your carry-on and cause a mess. Second, they can usually do double duty (lip, cheek and eye). And third, they don’t count as toiletry liquids. Think about that with skin care, too. Balms or solids don’t count as liquids, and sheet mask packets also don’t count – they’re all ways to give your skin extra hydration and love without taking up that key liquid space.”
Earplugs and a reusable water bottle are two other must-pack items, as they can provide a better sleep and ongoing hydration, helping you look and feel fresh and well rested. “No moisturizer can replace that!” enthuses Weatherhead Harrington.
Travel Packing Dos and Don’ts
Do:
• Pack miniature-size bottles: “Go to a drugstore (US ones are amazing for selection), Sephora, Ulta, department stores, etc. and look for trial or mini travel versions of your absolute favourites,” advises Weatherhead Harrington, “from fragrance (I use free samples from Sephora all the time) and mini face cleansers to toners, mousse and dry shampoos.”
• Pack multi-use products: They save space and meet multiple needs.
• Follow CASTA/TSA guidelines: This ensures a smooth security-check experience.
• Use refillable containers: “If you can’t get your favourite products in mini versions, find refillable toiletry containers,” says Weatherhead Harrington. “I like ones that are squeezable in tube form so you can get as much product out as possible or a small pot container, so it’s easy to scoop out all the product.”
• Label your refillable bottles: This prevents mix-ups and makes identification easier.
Don’t:
• Overpack: Stick to essentials to avoid having to check your bag and incur baggage fees.
• Forget a leak-proof bag: This prevents spills from damaging your luggage.
• Use full-size products: They’re bulkier and may exceed liquid limits.
• Neglect personal preferences: Bring items that suit your skin and hair type. “Honestly, using a bar of soap at a hotel to wash your face just won’t do or could even cause issues with your skin,” says Weatherhead Harrington.
• Pack a shaving razor: It’ll get confiscated at airport security; you can pick up disposable ones at drugstores when you arrive at your destination.
ADRIANA ERMTER is a Toronto-based lifestyle-magazine pro who has travelled the globe writing about must-spritz fragrances, child poverty, beauty and grooming.
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