What to Pack in Your Travel Kit

I used to travel with a beauty kit that was the size of a hardcover book. In it, I would lovingly pack all kinds of lotions, conditioners and skin products, not too mention my entire bathroom counter's worth of makeup. Unfortunately, those days are long gone. When the rule restricting liquids over three ounces took effect, I gamely transferred everything into travel-friendly containers. For longer trips, I'd still pack whatever I wanted, and just check everything in. But now that airlines are charging at least $25 for each checked bag... each way... I had to make a few adjustments.

Unless I'm planning a month long cruise on the QE2, my luggage now consists of one carry-on. It's been difficult, but one of the first things I had to edit was my toiletry kit. Initially, I found myself bringing the wrong things---I brought conditioner when I should have bought sunscreen, or, I used up all the toothpaste on my last trip and forgot to put a replacement tube in my case before the next trip. Eventually, I came up with a system.

The first part of this system is, I take one of those quart size Ziploc bags and fill it with three-ounce liquid bottles. You can either go to the sample/travel aisle of any drugstore and pick up mouthwash, shampoo, etc. Or, you can buy a "kit" from someplace like The Container Store which has pre-fillable bottles in a clear plastic pouch. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The benefit of buying sample sizes is that everything is disposable, and when you come home, you simply open your garbage can, throw everything out and you're finished. Packing is easy, and unpacking is even easier. The disadvantages are, this method is not eco-friendly and costs more. You are also limited to the products you can buy in small sizes.

The other alternative is to make your own kit with the products you use everyday. For those of you who have to have your own shampoo, or want to save money and the environment, this is the way to go. No matter which option you choose, one thing is certain: you can't bring everything you want. You may have to live without that Italian cuticle cream for a weekend, and if the need to wear that just-right eggplant eyeshadow comes along, you'll have to suffer through with brown. With that said, I found a few multi-purpose products that I don't use everyday, but have saved me when I'm on the road.

1. Dr. Bonner's Peppermint Soap.

Whenever I am at a Target Store, I always look for the mini travel sized version of this product. (Hint: it's usually not in the sample section, but sold next to the large bottles of this product.) The product advertises 18 different uses, and I've used a lot of them. I have used this as toothpaste, a mouthwash, a shaving cream, body soap, shampoo and as a detergent when I wanted to wash something in the hotel sink. Now, I still pack toothpaste and mouthwash because it's a little too soapy for me, but when I arrived late at a hotel one night, and found I forgot toothpaste, I was more than happy to use it. Plus, it worked pretty well. There are several other formulas for Dr. Bonners like lavender, almond or eucalyptus. Even more reasons to use the product: it is organic and fair-trade.

2. Vaseline. Unfortunately, this you have to buy as a small size. But the more I travel, the more I find I use this as a go-to product, and not an emergency-fall back. I use this instead of the watery lotion found in hotel rooms as a moisturizer. At night, I rub some on my heels, and in the morning, I'm sandal ready. I also use this at night on my hands since it's too thick to use during the day. Vaseline works as an eyebrow smoother, and protects my lips during the winter. A dab of this on a Q-tip will erase mascara or eyeliner smudges.

3. Sunscreen. Coppertone sells theirs in three-ounce tubes, and other manufacturers will sometimes include a sample when you buy a regular size. But wait, you say, I'm not going to the beach, and if I were, I'd just buy a large tube when I get there. Well, actually, when you aren't planning to go to the beach is exactly when you'd need a small tube of this around. Most of us wear sunscreen on our face, but when we're on vacation is when we spend more time outdoors. Put this on your neck and shoulders as well as your legs in the morning. The small bottle will last through a weekend.

4. Makeup. The important thing is to determine what you absolutely can't do without. I need eyeliner and concealer, so I always bring the same products I have at home. But for other items, I'm willing to do without. I am a big fan of Benefit's Benetint product---it's a lip and cheek stain that is sold in a tube. At home, I usually vary the lipstick and blush I wear depending on the outfit I'm wearing, but when I'm on the road, I'll settle for a neutral, long lasting product and this fits the bill. Another resource is Sephora online. Sephora.com sells limited edition samplers of various brands. You can choose from compacts containing mini lipsticks, or concealers or eyeshadows. I've also found perfume in cream formulas which is another space saver, on this site.

The next items are the basics: toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush. I also include saline solution, contact lens case, glasses, mouthwash, hairspray, gel and hand sanitizer.

Once you have identified all the items you need, write it down. This will be your checklist, and you can keep a lookout for these products when you're shopping.

As you pack, separate non-liquid items from the liquid ones. This may seem counter-intuitive at first for those of us who pack makeup in one bag, hair products in another, and skin care products in yet another one. When travelling, it's simply liquid in one bag and everything else outside of that. Next, take the liquid items, place them in a quart size bag, and place that in another quart size Ziploc bag. This double bagging can help protect your clothes if one of the bottles breaks or spills. Remember that you can only take (1) quart size case. Then, place that bag at the top, or even better, in one of your carryon's outside pockets. As you go through security, take that bag out and place it in a bin. That way, your luggage will not have to be opened when liquids are spotted inside...the easier for you to get through security, and the faster you'll be on your way.