Packing toiletries can be one of the most difficult things when you go away. They can add a lot of bulk and you often need as much of them for one night as 3 or more. Here are my hints and tips that I have honed over the years:
- Collect sample sizes. These can be just one use size for a overnight trip when traveling light is important. Collect samples from magazines or that shops give away – a lot of mine have come from free gifts given when you buy a product or two during a promotion. Larger samples (like the ones good hotels provide) are ideal for longer trips.
- Collect small bottles. You can buy these in chemists, but you sometimes get sample bottles that are good to reused for a while. I often decant shampoo and conditioner into smaller bottles to save on space and weight.
- Save on packing time by having a travel toiletries bag packed at all times. The key to this is to restock and refill when you get back from a trip. It means that you will need to invest in some extra items like a spare hair brush or tweezers, but you’ll save time and there’s less risk of forgetting something. If you need to strip back your kit for a trip, keep the discarded items together so you can repack them on your return. Packing for a weekend away takes only a few minutes I find now as I just have to think about the clothes I am going to take.
- Include a mini first aid kit. I carry painkillers, anti-histamines and plasters, plus medication for ailments that I get reasonably regularly. Or you can buy a ready made first aid kit, you can get to the site here. It’s much easier to carry what you need with you, rather than being uncomfortable or having to find a chemist in a foreign country in a hurry.
- If you have prescription medicines that don’t require refrigeration or special care, put a spare strip or pack into your toiletries bag to be sure you have your meds.
- Don’t forget to add seasonal items like sun cream depending on your destination and time of year.
So it’s not just me that keeps a washbag ready to go! I was beginning to think it was lol
These are good tips, thanks. I decant into small bottles when going abroad, but had never thought about having a set of toiletries ready packed! That does make a lot of sense as it’s so easy to forget something when you’ve got to think about absolutely everything you need.
Great tips, thank you! I’m going to try to use the idea to keep a washbag ready. I have a default list of things to take, but having them all packed would get another step done; it’s a wonderful idea!
Great tips! I had a habit of collecting sample toiletries for short trips and then not getting around to using half of them! You can get lots of them on freebie websites too. I ended up taking a whole bunch on my backpacking trip, but I’ve still got quite a few shower gels lying around!
Also YES, mini first aid kits are so underrated! I swear I’ve given more painkillers and plasters out to other travellers than I’ve used myself.
We always take a first aid kit, and paracetamol which a lot of people forget! My wife always insists on taking a new bottle of each of the toiletries though….
Great tips! I actually just recently bought a pack of travel bottles from Primark….I think they were £2 maybe, so super reasonable! Going away at the end of June so currently sorting out medicines and first aid kit to pack! xo
What I never understand is how people only carry hand luggage. Where do they put their toiletries? mysterious questions of life.
Great tips – I do have a travel toiletries bag for this very reason. I make sure there’s cotton buds, make up remove and hair bands as well as all the usual stuff too.