Even when we travel short distances and with our car, I rarely bring full sizes. It’s actually a way of getting into travel-mode for me to refill shower gel, shampoo and other essentials into small – hopefully leak-proof – containers. Only when we visit warm locations will I bring a full-sized bottle of sunscreen(wrapped in a plastic bag because I’ve learned).
Whenever I travel, my worn and trusted, sunflower-yellow Jack Wolfskin toiletry bag will always contain the following (I’ve linked to products I’m currently using).
Essentials
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Shower gel
- Shampoo
- Body lotion/ after-sun lotion
- Face cream
- Deodorant
- Nail file + clipper
- Brush
- Hair ties
- Lip balm with SPF
- Sun screen
- Toilet paper in a zip-lock bag
- Razor
- q-tips
- Liners/ pads/ tampons for the ladies
Because I like to spoil myself, depending of the length of the trip and the importance to keep my overall pack weight down, I will usually also pack one of more of the following
Luxury items
- Lip stain
- Mascara
- Make-up remover wipes
- Mouth wash
- Face wash
- Eye cream
- Hand cream (always have one with me)
- Sun screen for the face
- Toner + cotton pads
- Cold cream (loved it in NZL, will take it to NYC)
- Skin food (same as above)
In a separate bag I usually bring (at least) the following
Medics
- Ibuprofen/ aspirin
- China balm
- Motion sickness tablets
- Disinfectant
- Tweezers, small scissors
- Paracetamol
- Band aids in different sizes
- Tape
- Personal medication
- Contraceptives
Please note that different people have different needs – especially regarding medication. For example, I will always carry my emergency asthma spray with me, hoping it will expire before I’ll actually need it.
In general I won’t bring too many meds because you can stock up on pretty much anything pretty much wherever you go. Thus said, we have paracetamol from at least 3 different countries at home because this apparently is something I tend to forget (despite having it on my packing list).
Regarding my toiletry bag: The one I have is great because it has a hook and I can hang it up. However, it doesn’t pack up as nicely as I would like it to. Mr A’s is a classic men’s bag: black with one big compartment and a small zipped compartment on the outside. I’m not sure if I didn’t actually prefer that was I to buy a new one. As long as my current one will last, there is no way I’m going to replace it though. We share too many stories.
I remember that toiletry bag!!! It was hanging on our bathroom doors in Damascus, Aleppo, Deir az Zur, Latakia, Hama…. I wish we were able to go there again.