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The Mission- Pack all essentials into the single quart sized bag for a 7 day trip. (Warning: for some this post may not interest you. It may be a big bore. But if you are nosy like me and enjoy knowing how other people pack this is for you!)
I have gotten this down to a science. I try to never check a bag if possible, and now with the newer charges for checked or extra baggage its even more of an advantage if you can get around a checked bag. But what really sealed the deal for me was a disaster at LAX. I was on a trip with the boyfriend; we left PDX, flew to LAX, stayed over and then were to leave LAX the next morning to Mexico. Well our alarm didn’t go off and we got to the airport a bit late and the line for international flights with checked luggage was HUGE. The line went out the terminal and continued down the sidewalk, it looked longer then an American Idol audition line. We couldn’t believe it, we double-checked several times to be sure we were in the right line, unfortunately we were. We weren’t going to make our flight and with the next flight out not for a week (the down side of flying into a very, very small Mexican airport) I had only one option- lose the checked bag. We left the line, found a quite spot and I tried to cram as much from my checked bag into my carry on. What happened to the checked bag you wonder? I ditched it, with half its contents still inside. I left shoes, clothes and products. I took out the most important stuff but it just wasn’t possible to fit it all. But we did make our flight and had an amazing time in Mexico. So after having to abandon a lot of belongings I decided I never wanted to have to check a bag again, and traveling light is just so much easier.
Here are a few tips that have worked for me, and allowed me to manage to stay within the dreaded quart sized bag. I start by mentally going through my day and only pack the things I actually use on a daily basis. It’s hard when packing for me to not load up on too many items. While grabbing my daily products I’ll notice others and think I need them, even when I know I probably won’t use it. So sticking to daily use products only is sort of a no brainer, but its key. Second is to pack as many solid products and less liquids. Since the restriction is only on liquids changing products to that of a solid form and packing in a separate case is the best tip. Here are a few that really save me space;
Body Wash < Bar Soap
Lotion < Solid Butter Bar
Face Wash < Cleansing Towelettes
The next is something everyone knows about- travel and sample sized items. Make friends with the people at the beauty counter so they will happily load you up with samples, usually for free! I put everything into smaller bottles or containers that I currently only have in full size on hand. Here is my fully packed baggie:
I cut down on the number on products by packing products that can serve as two or more. Like the solid body butter bars, I also use them on the ends of my hair as a smoothing gloss and defrizzer. And when traveling to a more tropical destination where my hair can get dry from swimming, sun and other elements I pack a heavier leave in conditioner to replace the two bottles I would normally use- a daily condition and a hair repair treatment.
And then make up; again take solid products over liquids. Such as a compact foundation instead of liquid, powder eye shadows over creams and lipsticks (yep, not a liquid) over glosses. The lipstick was a big space saver for me in the tiny quart size bag. I typically have several lip glosses on me at all times. I like to have a nude, soft pink and a brighter shade at the very least and usually have more then that. When I realized that I could pack as many lipstick as my heart desired I was very pleased. My trick is to bring just one lighter nude/pink gloss and then several lipsticks. That way I can change the color of the single gloss by layering whatever lipstick underneath to get a look as if I brought millions of glosses.
When traveling with carry on only I also hugely downsize my makeup. I stick to a very simple look of a clean fresh face, some liner and mascara. For night I just add some blush, a brighter lip and a more dramatic eye by applying a heaver liner or a winged/cat eye. Here is what does double duty for me:
Concealer- also use for eye primer and base
Bronzer- also use for eye shadow to define crease.
Lipstick- also use for blush
Face highlighter- also use to highlight brow bone and inner eye corner
Here's what I plan to bring.
Face Items
Face Scrub- I must when in a more humid place, and helps to keep break outs in control.
My Current Skin System- Cleanser, Toner and Lotion
Aveda Balancing Infusion- A spot treatment
Eye Makeup Remover
2 Single use pore cleansing mask- Easy to travel with and needed as my skin is in a bit of a break out frenzy. And with the sun, saltwater and travel I will need this twice a week.
Hair Items
2 sets of Shampoo and Conditioner- Given these for free at Trade Secret. I will be able to get at least 2 uses out of each, then can just toss the foil leaving less to pack home.
2 small jars of a leave in treatment- For when the beach makes my hair dry and tangly.
And Lastly
Mini Toothpaste
Mini Hand Sanitizer
Here are the rest of my products that can go in their own bag as they are all solids.
Cleansing Towelettes- Beach days I don't plan to wear any makeup so these are good to wipe down with when feeling sweaty. Ew.
Bayer- Hopefully won't be needing this.
Solid Perfume- Smells amazing, and something nice to have that I don't have to worry about spilling.
Floss- Well, you know.
Dove Beauty Bar- A very moisturizing body bar. And non-liquid, yay!
Deodorant- Again, you know.
Solid Body Butter Bars- I will be packing two!
Makeup. Being that I am going somewhere very low key there isn't a need to bring a lot. In the baggie I have put all my liquids;
Clear Mascara- I use this as my only brow product, and feel put together with just this, mascara and some gloss.
Mascara- Both normal and waterproof.
Gloss- My single lip gloss coming to Hawaii, in a natural soft pink.
Concealer- Face the facts, sometimes you just need this.
Chapstick- My current favorite Cherry Carmex with SPF
The Solids
2 Blushes- A powered highlighter from Smashbox and a check stain from Tarte.
1 Shadow- Just in case, a perfect highlight on inner corners or brow bone.
Solid Gel Liner- In black. This stays put in sun, water and sweat.
Bronzer and Powder- Essentials
2 Lipsticks- A pinkish nude and bight pink lavender.
Powder Brush- Will use for both powder and bronzer.
Liner Brush- Well, for liner.
Blush Brush- Works well for face highlights, blush and contouring with bronzer.
Tweezers- Just needed.
That’s it. Maybe it seems like a lot to some but I get this all into 1 plastic quart size bag, and 2 small makeup bags. One bag contains just the makeup and the other products all fit in the other. It ends up being very light. Hopefully you weren't too bored with this post, I am always interested in what people pack and how to get the most in a small space. And if you were that's okay too, it kept me from trying to count down the hours until my flight. Tomorrow I will be on to packing up clothes, another mastered talent!
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