In preparation for pending holiday travel, let’s prep a pre-packed travel toiletry bag (try saying that ten times fast!). I’ve seen this suggestion before but it wasn’t ever something I’d tried, until recently!!
I made one simple change that totally convinced me to add this to my household. Now I believe it is worth the extra few minutes to pack your toiletries ahead of time.
(Tip to note: This was a great reminder for me; as you find ideas you like, don’t be afraid to make the idea your own. Sometimes tweaking a tip or recommendation can totally make it work for your household and individual needs. Have you taken a tip you read about here on Space for Living and transformed it into something that works even better for you? Please share! I’d love to see your ideas and inspiration.)
Back to the toiletries! The simple change I tried on this packing tip is to create a checklist for extra items you can’t or aren’t willing to buy just for traveling (for example that super expensive night cream to erase all your wrinkles).
Previously, I never wanted to spend the money on the overpriced per ounce travel size to make a permanent toiletry bag. I always kept some things in my travel bag, like small shampoo, but I kept out most of the other items I used every day. When it came time to pack, the problem was I’d keep checking and then rechecking what items I have already had in travel size and what I still needed to gather from my medicine cabinet.
But my little checklist has made all the difference! Technically my checklist is just a list on a post-it yearning to be a checklist. I like to keep things simple here!
On a post-it, I have a list of items to add to my toiletry bag. I taped it to the inside of my medicine cabinet to glance at while packing. Here are the items on my list:
- Curling Iron
- Sunscreen
- Sinus Medicine
- Neti pot
- Face wash
- Clips
- Mascara
- Foundation/powder
The biggest difference for me is how much faster I can pack all my beauty necessities. Now I quickly look at my checklist and pack any missing items. I don’t even need to double check my toiletry bag to make sure I have everything (but double checking is never a bad thing).
At first, I tried typing up a travel list to print out; but for quick weekend trips it is easier to have the small check-list right there in the medicine cabinet, tucked away but exactly where I use it.
I save the printed travel list for longer trips that we may take once or twice a year (I’ve found it’s helpful to have one checklist for road trips and one for air travel. *Check out this printable, comprehensive travel checklist from Simple Mom.net)
As an alternative to buying travel toiletries, I use half empty items that take up less space, like my toothpaste. I also save the small hotel bottles and refill them with my own personal shampoos and creams. You save money by not buying the reusable travel bottles. Some items, like deodorant, are just kept as is.
As far as makeup, I have extra eye shadow, eyeliner, eyelash curler, blush and lipstick that constantly stay in my travel bag. I then only have to throw in my favorite mascara, foundation and powder. The current lipstick I am attached to, stays in my purse so I’ve always got that on hand.
To make this tip last for the long haul, I make sure not to leave out a vital step when I return home and I’m unpacking. I review all the contents and replenish any almost empty items. This step is simple to do while unpacking and it makes packing for the next trip soooo much easier.
What are some things you do to help your packing go smoothly? Any checklist peeps out there? Do you make piles of items to pack days or weeks ahead?
Motel sign photo courtesy of Curtis Gregory Perry
To make sure I don't forget any toiletry or cosmetic, I usually pack them 1-2 days before I leave for a trip. This way I live out of my toiletry bag and makeup bag. If I forgot something in my daily use, then I make sure to put them in right away! Or other times I pack my cosmetics as I get ready a day or two prior to leaving. As I wash up before bed, all the cosmetics I use are put right in my travel bag instead of my drawer. I do the same while I put on my makeup in the morning, instead of putting the makeup away, I drop the items in my travel bag. This doesn't feel like packing, which I hate to do!
Great tip! Thanks so much for sharing. That is the key, to find what works best for you!
Such a great idea! This Christmas I brought full sized toiletries and I've been lugging them to the bathroom every morning! I'll definitely try this tip!
We streamlined what products we use at home as a family, which has helped in packing – i.e. we all use the same low-chemical showergel, even the toddler, rather than using seperate kids versions of things. so I packed showergel, shampoo, conditioner, facewash, hair product for me, deodorant, kids toothpaste, adult toothpaste, brushes, and minimal makeup bag which has my ~(free with purchase travel size) moisturiser and tweezers in.
We are generally only visiting family, and they keep a supply of children’s medicine alongside their own so I don’t have to worry about that, although I generally have some sachets of pain relief in my purse since toddler is still teething. If we go anywhere else I keep a basic medicine and first aid kit packed ready, nothing leaves that while we are home so I just have to grab and go.
Great idea to keep it simple. I wish we could share more things as a family then we do. Thanks for sharing your tips!