Whenever we are getting ready to travel, in our own countries or going abroad, there is always a lot of planning involved. We make reservations to hotels and restaurants, buy the necessary tickets to parks and museums, and endless packing lists.
Travel trends now favor lightweight, TSA-compliant toiletries and eco-friendly items like shampoo bars and reusable containersโmaking your packing both smart and sustainable.
There is a lot of thought that goes into what clothes to bring, which shoes will match them, and accessories to finish off looks.
By the time we get to toiletries, a lot of things are usually thrown into a toiletry bag without much care. Who even has a toiletries packing list? After this article, you will!
If you care to take a deep dive into planning your trip to Brazil, read this on traveling to Brazil. Ok, now back to it.
The best way to ensure your next trip is smooth sailing, from the long flight there to the way back home, is to have everything you need on your toiletries packing list.
Like our other packing list articles, this isn’t set in stone. I have built this from my personal experience as a traveler, take it as your guide to to pack your own toiletry items!
Toiletries Packing List for the Shower:
This first part of our toiletry packing list is for those items we usually keep in the shower. I would advise you to consider packing them in a water proof bag that can be hung on the shower to facilitate your life.
Depending on how long your trip is, travel sizes might not cut it so be mindful of that when packing.
Shampoo:
The first item in my toiletry bag for every trip is always shampoo. Because I always buy those large bottles, it is best to get travel size containers and fill them up. In case you want to save yourself the trouble, head to your nearest pharmacy for plenty of travel size shampoo options.
Conditioner:
Although most places will have a standard toiletry kit in the hotel room, it is rare that it fits our personal preferences. So you could go the same route as shampoo and fill up a small container to last over a short trip.
But if it’s longer, you may want to consider using things like a solid shampoo bar, conditioner bar, or bar soap. They will last a lot longer!
Body Wash:
A body wash is the last item on a bare minimum toiletries packing list for your shower. Of course, you should always pack everything you need to be comfortable. I recommend you also take some plastic bags to pack the shower items for the trip back since they most likely will be wet.
Items to Take Care of Your Clothes:
You probably won’t have to do laundry while traveling. It is still necessary to put together a small toiletries packing list of items to take care of your clothes. These can go on your checked or carry-on bag!
Lint Roller:
The best way to put together a good toiletries packing list is to think beyond the obvious toiletry items. A lint roller can be a lot of help during your next trip. You can easily find mini versions of them in the travel section of stores such as Walgreens or online.
Travel Laundry Detergent:
It might seem like overkill to include it in your list of toiletry, but travel laundry detergent can be a life saver. You might be traveling with kids or spill something on your favorite outfit, its better to take care of laundry as soon as possible since the hotel’s service can take a while.
Fashion Tape or Sewing Kit:
Continuing on the spirit of putting together a toiletries packing list able to deal with all emergencies, add a small pack of fashion tape or a sewing kit on it. It can be a good idea to have specific items on the go if you’ve got any rips or riskier outfits to wear.
Skin, Hair and Nail Care:
These toiletries are much more particular since each person has their own essential items. A personal tip for packing open skincare items is to put each other in a separate baggie after closing their lids with adhesive tape. It is better than arriving somewhere to find your micellar water all over your backpack.
Hair Dryer, Straightener or Curler:
Your hair care appliances like your hair straightener and dryer or curler sure are part of a good toiletries packing list even if they should go in your checked bag. A lot of hotels do have at least a hair dryer in the rooms but they’re usually terrible. Prepare to bring yours if it is a must for you!
Hairspray and Hair Brush:
While I am the kind of person who travels with the bare minimum of a hair brush, some people like to pair it with hairspray to guarantee everything stays in place. Depending on the size of your can, it will need to go in a checked suitcase. You can always buy a travel-size can to keep in your carry-on.
Lotion, Face Wash, and Moisturizer:
Depending on where you are traveling to, your skin can suffer a little more than usual. It is definitely in your best interest to pack some face wash and moisturizer to recharge at the end of a long day. And it doesn’t matter it you’re going on longer trips or road trips, it is a good idea to keep one of those small bottles of lotion and lip balm on hand.
Your Skincare Routine:
In case your skincare routine includes a little more than the basics, then they should be part of your toiletries packing list too! You can pack each separate item in smaller Ziploc bags then put all of them in a quart size bag to make sure nothing gets lost.
Sunscreen:
You can’t forget to pack some sunscreen in your toiletries bags. I suggest you get on specifically for your face and one for your body! Depending on how big each of them is, it can go over your limit for liquid toiletries for carry-on luggage so make sure to keep an eye on what goes where.
Hygiene and Medicine Essentials:
Hygiene and medicine essentials, much like the stuff in our last section, are very particular. They can all go on a single toiletry bag together spending on which products you use.
Toothbrush:
One of the most important items on your toiletries packing list is your toothbrush. You can just grab it from your bathroom and that’s it! But depending on where you’re going, a long flight might be in your future. So I also advise you to carry a travel size kit of toiletry items for your personal bag.
Toothpaste:
You won’t be able to use your toothbrush for much without toothpaste. Just like your brush, there should be extra travel-sized toothpaste on your bag. That is a great way to guarantee your travel experience goes smoothly! There is usually a small bag with essential toiletries even in supermarkets!
Mouthwash:
Wrapping up your oral hygiene toiletries packing list is mouthwash. Even if you don’t normally use it, traveling can be quite chaotic so it helps to feel your best. You can get the right size of toiletries in pharmacies or grocery stores. Some high-end hotels will leave travel-sized versions on the bathroom but don’t count on it!
Deodorant:
Something you should never forget to add to your toiletries packing list is a deodorant. Most roll-on versions are small enough to take with you even amongst your personal items, and there are aerosol travel versions you can buy as well. Don’t worry about the size since a little product goes a long way!
First Aid Kit:
You may think that packing your own first aid kit is necessary, after all you can just ask for a band aid or something. But trust me, sometimes you just won’t want to wait. There are a few brands that sell compact ones, with products appropriate even for the most sensitive skin type.
Random Items for Your Checked Bag:
Not all items will have a travel size version to put on your carry-on bag, and the TSA has very strict rules for what can go in there. Everything in this section should definitely be safely tucked in airplane cargo, and properly packed to avoid accidents.
Tweezers and Razors:
Even though it is incredibly easy to find a disposable razor wherever you are going to, they are not the best for taking care of yourself. You should take both tweezers and razors with you! They need to be in your checked bag since the TSA doesn’t allow sharp objects on airplanes.
Nail Kit:
Although it won’t be much use on a long flight, since it has to go on your ‘travel toiletries list for checked bags’, you should pack a nail kit. There are travel ones you can get online or you can put one together yourself. You will need nail clippers, nail scissors, cuticle nipper and at least a couple of nail filers too.
Hair Ties:
If you are like me, then you always have a simple hair tie around your wrist. Whether it is for your own use or to lend to others, a hair tie is one of those items that can do a lot more than it seems. I would go as far as throwing a couple in random places while packing so it is always available.
Even if it isn’t know as a Dopp Kit anymore, a good toiletry bag can be a life saver. I hope this article has helped you figure out which are the most important things to bring along with you. However, you should always keep two things in mind!
The first one is that some items can’t go in your carry-on bag because of the limit on how much liquid you can carry. And there is also a limit on how much can go on checked bags too, so always check the TSA website for updated guidelines on it.
You could avoid going over the limit by buying the travel size of things on your travel packing list. I once had a boss that bought even the tiny can of dry shampoo for trips.
The second thing you need to think about is having a second toiletry bag in your carry-on bag with the travel size of things like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Along with other essential toiletries like lip balm, face wash, hand sanitizer, oral hygiene items, and even a dry shampoo. They are useful during a long flight or in case your bag gets lost.
If you are looking for more help with packing for your vacation, there is a more complete packing guide on the blog. And for all of your Brazilian adventuring, there are several travel guides to help with every other aspect of planning!
