5 travel-friendly tricks for packing your toiletry bag
Whether you're looking to hit the road or take to the skies, it's time to let you in on a few handy travel hacks for packing your toiletry bag.
Making sure you have all the essentials (and that they fit) is a task in itself, let alone turbulance-proofing your products too.
So if you find trying to squeeze your entire routine into one bag a chore, watch the video above for some tricks to take the pain out of packing. We've included a few extras below too...
RELATED: I'm going on a 30-hour flight next week and here's what I'm taking
1. Decant + dispose of unnecessary packaging
The best and savviest packing trick there is: decanting your full-size products into mini bottles. You can usually find these 100ml, flight-friendly containers for a dollar or two at Priceline. But don't just stop with your liquids - make sure you're disposing of any excess packing too.
From the video: Marzena Natural Facial Wax Strips and Minenssey Hydrating Dynamic Facial Essence
2. Pack mini-size products
If some things just can't be decantered, you can always shop for the mini versions. Not only are they cute, but they also become excellent handbag helpers post-trip. This is great for perfumes in particular, as you can pack a few and discover new scents that will forever remind you of your destination.
From the video: JUSTICE Professional Smooth and Groom Travel, em&mary Coastal Naturals Hand Cream and Le Labo Discovery Set Classic Collection ($46, lelabofragrances.com.au)
3. Favour multi-purpose products
If you're struggling to downsize your makeup kit, try ditching the products that only serve one purpose, in favour of those which have multiple uses. Things like tinted sunscreens, juicy balms and creamy colour sticks (that can be used as your blush, lipstick and eyeshadow) will save you loads of room. Plus, it means you can leave your more breakable compacts and palettes at home.
From the video: Sukin Naturals SPF30 Sheer Touch Facial Sunscreen - Light-Medium and Nudestix Nudies Matte All Over Face Color Blush & Bronze ($52, sephora.com.au)
4. Keep your razor head protected
If you've ever thrown your razor into your bag loose before, you'll know how easily the head can snap off. Not to mention any friction the blades are exposed to will only blunt them faster. Keep it in a case, and with the cap on if possible, to prolong its travel-life.
From the video: TriShave 3in1 Travel Pack for Women
5. Leak-proof your purple shampoo
Once you've experienced one purple shampoo explosion, you'll vow to never let it happen again. To safe-guard your bag and other products from staining, wrap some paper towel around the lid of your shampoo and secure it with a hair tie. This way if it does leak, it will be absorbed straight away.
From the video: John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Shampoo
6. Trust in a toothbrush case
If you're a bit of a germaphobe, we're sure the idea of your toothbrush rolling around uncovered in a bag is enough to give you the heebie jeebies. It does go in your mouth after all. So if you're not an animal, put it in a trusty case to keep those bristles clear of any unsanitary contact.
bh loves: Oral-B Pro 100 CrossAction Midnight Black Electric Toothbrush with Travel Case
7. Find yourself an aersosol-free dry shampoo
There's no denying dry shampoo is a travel must-have, but if you're flying, aerosols are a no-no. Luckily, there are some pretty good powder alternatives. Hello loophole.
bh loves: Aveda Shampure Dry Shampoo
The toiletry bag featured in the video is from The Daily Edited Clear Travel Case Set, $200, thedailyedited.com
What's your best toiletry travel hack?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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143 Member Comments
Some good advise, but I must say that I find mini's quite expensive to purchase. Much better to buy big and then fill smaller bottles that can be purchased at the supermarket.
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I generally don't buy minis, instead I just decant the product into a travel bottle. The only exception is dry shampoo, I just buy a smaller one or a mini one as I have the giant size at home.
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I wrap all my products in zip lock bags, it's saved me so many times from products leaking. Especially hair serums!
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Great tips! I had a small travel perfume but it leaked!
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I take a few alcohol swabs as well. Good for hands or armpits after being on a plane for thirty hours is amazing how this can freshen me up.
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All good tips. I do most of them. Reminded me to look for a toothbrush case too! I need a nice sustainable option...
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I must say these are some of my top tips too, especially the dry shampoo one.
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I love minis!!!! give me all the minis!!!
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Oh I definitely need to check out some aerosol free dry shampoos! Any BH members have some must have recs?
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Whoops away on holidays and forgot most of the above.
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Keeping the razor hear protected is so very important so that you don't get a nasty cut when dipping into the bag
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I always save the sample perfume vials for traveling so I don't have to carry my bulky perfume bottles and depending on the trip's duration, I pour my foundation in a container to last my trip. It saves so much space and weight and gives me room to bring back more souvenirs
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Some great tips to save space there - i always love the hotel mini toiletries for this very reason as it helps with saving space during travels and mini/sample size of products to help me travel more lightly
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I tend to try to take travel sizes of skincare and makeup products with me on holidays. The more products I have, the more selection I have. I like the Christmas period where all the gift ranges are smaller product sizes gives you more opportunities to try before you buy. I also take eye masks and sheet masks with me or buy them on my trips so I can refrigerate them. I also buy travel containers from Muji before a trip to just take smaller samples of my favourite go to skincare items.
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I've begun to take solid shampoo & conditioner bars when I travel, also solid face wash and moisturiser! (Well it's a serum but it's so nourishing I don't need moisturiser as well).
They save so much space and weight- and they are better for the environment
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Well I learned two lessons last week while travelling for work: 1. Always take your own shampoo and conditioner. It doesn’t matter how fancy the complimentary (supposedly all natural) shampoo is, it will strip the magenta from your hair. Even though it has been successfully washed at least 10 times since colouring, I just watched the colour run down the drain. 2. The little water bottles they give out on the plane are a great size to refill and put in your handbag without weighing it down too much.
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Tips 1,2,3 are pretty standard. I like using a hard case so that my products don't get unnecessarily squeezed by my packing. I like to think my makeup brushes and eyelash curlers last a bit longer.
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I once packed my heated rollers and forgot to bring the clips, I was so sad
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I always take a stash of small perfume vials with me when i travel. They are awesome and mean I have a great selection to choose from while on the road.
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This article makes me feel so much better about the upcoming summer in Australia, will definitely keep this on file as a reminder.
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It takes so long to pack a makeup and skincare bag to take away
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I love tinted sunscreen multitasking product save my time.
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Some good tips here :)
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