Travel Like a Pro

Hey guys! After seeing my "Thankful This Thanksgiving" post, you can probably tell that I am a fan of traveling. I have done quite a bit of it, hope to do more, and have really honed in on what to take in my toiletry bag. I thought I would share with you what I pack and what works for me. Since I am on the go fairly frequently, I do not like to pack my everyday items in my luggage. If you do, then you are forced to unpack as soon as you get home so that you will have your stuff ready to use again. Even worse, if your luggage were to get lost you'd really be hurting. So, I try to have a travel bag always ready to just pick up and go. I occasionally am switching things out and replacing empties, but generally things stay about the same in it. In terms of what I like in a travel toiletry bag, I like something that hangs and has separate compartments to keep my things nice and orderly.

This handy bag has been with me all over the world, I picked it up at Wal-Mart probably 10 years ago. I love the Parisian print, it's very durable, and it hangs/has compartments.

I ultimately just stick things where they will fit, but I have a general place I like to put them. Starting in the top clear compartment I usually keep Q-tips, bobby pins, safety pins, emery boards, orange sticks, nail clippers, tweezers, nail polish remover, ear plugs, allergy eye drops, allergy medicine, ibuprofen, etc.

In the 2nd compartment I generally keep feminine products, makeup remover wipes, eye makeup remover, cotton rounds, deodorant, hair pick, dry shampoo, etc. This is where I usually keep my razor, but sadly to admit, it was stolen. I can't imagine using a razor that previously belonged to anyone else in this world, but I guess that is not how some people are. I have bought a replacement Venus, I just haven't put it in the bag yet. As far as makeup remover wipes, my favorite are these from La Fresh. They are individually wrapped so they stay wet and ready to use. I bought them online and got a box of 48. I usually just keep a handful or so in my bag and replace them as necessary.

In the 3rd compartment this is where I usually keep our toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, eye creams, moisturizers, night creams, etc. I also keep a face wash and my travel face brush in here. I got the brush in the Atlanta airport at The Body Shop. Whenever I get home from a trip I fill the lid with rubbing alcohol,put the brush down in it to soak (to disinfect it), lay it out and let it air dry, then put it back in my bag.

And in the 4th and final compartment, this is where I stash all my travel size shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, hair spray, body wash, etc. I bought a set of plastic reusable bottles from Aveda years ago, and I keep a bottle full of a really thick, moisturizing conditioner in there. I refill it as needed with whatever favorite I'm using in the shower at the time.

As far as where I get all my stuff, a lot of it I find in the travel section at Rite Aid or Wal-Mart. Birchbox and New Beauty Test Tube are really great about sending deluxe size samples of products that are great for travel. I like to keep extras/backups in a basket or baggy for easy access. When I get home from a trip and am unpacking, I go through my bag and see what needs replacing, toss it out, put a new one in, and put my bag away until it's needed again.

Hotels are using nicer products nowadays too. I loaded up on a bunch of 'Bliss' stuff (shampoo, conditioner, body butter, soap, body wash) at the W Hotel in Barcelona, Spain. SO nice. I also nabbed me a bunch of Aveda shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion at a hotel in San Diego. Numerous hotels stock Bath and Body Works hair and body stuff, and I have lots of those as well. If it's nice stuff then I throw extras in my suitcase and bring it home.

We've all got these guys laying around. Pouches like this are perfect for just a night or two away.

Well, I hope this helped and gave you all an idea on how to pack a get-away toiletry bag! Basically it's just finding the right bag, figuring out your individual necessities, stocking up and replenishing empties. If you have any questions or have any suggestions that might help me, please leave me a comment. Thank you for stopping by! Have a great evening! Muah!