Secrets to Packing a Small Toiletry Bag

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These days with airlines charging for checked in luggage, travellers are predominantly choosing to travel with hand luggage only. Initially I saw this as a daunting challenge – how was I possibly going to fit everything I needed into just one small cabin bag? But after years of travelling, I’ve worked out that significantly reducing my toiletry bag leaves me with much more room to squeeze in all my holiday shopping.

The Rules

Follow these rules when travelling with liquids in your hand luggage. (Check with your airline to ensure that their requirements match those listed below)

Liquids must be placed into individual containers no larger than 100ml – larger containers, even if only partly full, are not usually accepted at security.
All 100ml containers must fit into a clear, plastic travel bag no bigger than 20cm x 20cm.
Only 1 bag per passenger is allowed.
The bag must be able to closed and be sealed – overstuffed plastic bags will not be accepted.
The maximum total amount of liquid that you can carry onto a flight is 1 litre.

Tiny Toilet Bag Tips

Containers

First things first, good quality travel containers are your friend. They allow you to dispense your favourite products into travel sized containers that are more easily transported. These GoToobs might be on the slightly pricey side, but they are definitely worth it as you will get years of use out of them. The GoToobs meet airline carry on regulations for liquids and are food-safe (FDA) and 100% BPA and PC-free. The no-drip valve stops them from getting messy and the squeezy tube design makes it easy to get the product out.

The makers of GoToob also make really clever mini storage containers called GoTubbs which can be opened one-handed. They are great for storing jewellery, pills, and thick ointment. However, for liquids use the GoToobs as these containers aren’t as leak proof.

Folding Travel Toothbrush and Travel Sized Toothpaste

I love the clever design of this folding travel toothbrush. I no longer have to remember where I left my toothbrush container since my last holiday because this one comes with a built in one! Also, it folds in half which makes it much easier to tuck into a small toilet bag. Purchase this Colgate travel sized toothpaste to use with it.

Combine Body and Face Wash

I save space by using one gentle cleansing product that can be used to wash both my face and body. I have sensitive skin but find that it tolerates Dove’s Sensitive Beauty bars very well. It does a good job of washing the travel grime off my face and body without drying out my skin. Also, being in the form of a bar means that I am cutting down on the total amount of liquids that I’m carrying. Don’t forget to purchase a travel soap container to transport it.

Combine Face and Body Cream

I used to believe that there was no way one cream could be used on both my face and body, but that was before I found Cetaphils range of creams and lotions. Cetaphil moisturisers are very gentle and recommended by dermatologists. They have a range of moisturisers to suit all skin types. Either buy a large bottle or tub and dispense it into a GoToob, or purchase the smaller tube that can be taken through security and will last you through a longer holiday.

Combine Deodorant and Perfume – Option 1:

Choose a deodorant with a gorgeous scent so that you can have both an antiperspirant and perfume in one. I love this Estee Lauder Youth Dew roll on which smells heavenly with opulent flowers, rich spices, and precious woods. As well as smelling good, it won’t cause annoying whitening and keeps you sweat free.

Travelling as a Couple? Share a Deodorant – Option 2:

You can reduce your number of toiletries if you don’t mind sharing a deodorant. If you are travelling with a companion of a different gender, or you just can’t agree on the same scent, then choose one that is fragrance free but still offers excellent antiperspirant qualities like this Mitchum sensitive deodorant.

Wipes

I always travel with a pack of wipes. Not only do they remove the daily grime and makeup from my face, but I also use them to clean my hands and nails when I don’t have access to good facilities to wash my hands (one of the challenges when travelling). They are also a great way to ‘freshen up’ when you are doing long haul travel and don’t have access to a shower. I love using RAWGANIC wipes as they are 99% natural and 100% biodegradable. Check out my post where I Review the Best Biodegradable Eco Friendly Face Wipes on the Market.

Combine Lip Balm and Lip Sunscreen

If you are heading on a summer holiday, choose a chapstick that combines moisture with good sun coverage like the SPF 50 Banana Boat sunscreen chapstick. The small size means that it sits comfortably in your pocket for easy access throughout the day. Or if you love a bit of colour, then choose one with a tint.

Sunscreen or Combine Sunscreen and Mosquito Repellant

If you are going on a summer holiday then you’ll need a sunscreen that provides good coverage. When choosing your sunscreen it’s essential that it protects against both UVA and UVB (i.e. ‘Broad Spectrum’). UVA is the long wave rays that penetrate deep into the skin layers and cause ageing and wrinkling. UVB is the short wave rays that cause your skin to burn and damages the superficial epidermal layers. Use this travel friendly sized Banana Boat SPF 50 Broad Spectrum sunscreen. It’s sweat and water resistance and also non-greasy.

If you are going somewhere with mosquitos (in summer that’s inevitable) then go for Avon’s Skin So Soft combined 30+ sunscreen with bug guard. It is Deet and PABA-Free and has moisturizing protection with aloe vera and vitamin E.

Razor

I love the cute and compact Gillette Venus Embrace razor. It even comes with its own little travel case. The blades are interchangeable with the other Venus razors, so it’s easy to buy replacement heads and it also fits the men’s Mach3 blades. So if you are travelling with a companion, you could both save space by sharing the razor handle and just swap heads as needed.

Mascara, Eyebrow Makeup and Eyelash Curler

Leave it at home! Just before departing, book yourself in for an eyelash and eyebrow tint. If you’re on a really tight budget and trying to save your cash for your holiday, then use this DIY at home eyelash and eyebrow tint kit. For those of you who can’t go without their eyelash curlers, get yourself an eyelash perm (yes, this is a thing!). You could even go all out and get some eyelash extensions too.

Lip and Cheek Tint

Don’t waste space by taking two different products, instead, try using a dual purpose lip and cheek stain. I like the Benefit Lip and Cheek stain as they come in a slim tube that easily fits into your purse or pocket and is kind on your airline liquid allowance. It leaves a lovely flush of colour on lips and cheeks.

Foundation

If you are really trying to travel super light, then stop and think about whether you really need to take a foundation. If you feel that you can’t live without it, then find a product that combines sunscreen, moisturiser and foundation. I love the very popular Missha BB cream. Originally developed as a salve for patients after laser treatment, this BB cream’s soothing and regenerative properties can actually improve your skin whilst providing high quality but coverage. It also has a high SPF of 42 making it perfect for a summer holiday. I prefer this BB cream over a normal foundation because it has a lovely light texture but still gives excellent coverage. I’m often holidaying during the summer months and there is nothing worse that having heavy makeup sweating and sliding off your face in the heat.

Shampoo and Conditioner

Personally, I have not found a 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner that provides me with good results because I have curly hair that is prone to extreme frizzy dryness. Instead, I dispense my favourite shampoo and conditioner into these GoToobs. However, if you have hair that is easier to manage, you might like the highly rated and popular Tresemme 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner that come in a travel sized bottle.

Styling Products

Hair styling products are very particular to hair type, but do your best to stick to just ONE styling product that you can either buy in a travel size or dispense into a GoToob.

When it comes to choosing a brush to take with you, look no further than the famous Tangle Teezer brush. This very popular detangling brush now comes in a handy compact travel sized version with a case to protect the bristles. These brushes are great for both wet and dry hair. The bonus? They also deliver a great head massage.

Airline Approved Clear Plastic Travel Bag

Now that you have your toiletry items sorted, pack them into this sturdy clear plastic airline approved toiletry bag. Its zip closure makes it much easier to open and close than a zip lock bag.

Pocket Tissues

I can’t write a post about what toiletries to pack without mentioning pocket tissues. Even when I’m not travelling, I never leave home without these pocket tissue packs stashed into the pockets of my bags and coats. As well as using them to blow your nose, they have multiple other uses when travelling, including as a napkin, for make-up emergencies, and those many situations where you find yourself in a loo with no toilet paper! Take it from me, whether you are holidaying in Italy or Japan, this happens all of the time no matter where you are travelling.