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Travel Essentials: What's In My SuitcaseTravel Essentials: What's In My Suitcase
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items I like to travel when I can, to get away from the everyday grind. When I plan a vacation I like to travel light, especially when I am going to the airport. I will be traveling soon in December, and I wanted to share a few items that will be in my car...
Sections
8
Luggage
Clothing
Toiletries
Makeup
Perfume
Jewlery
Luggage
Obviously, we need to start with luggage first. How else are you going to get your belongings to your destination? Here are a few of my favorite items I like to use when I pack for a vacation. They no longer sell my carry-on suitcase. Otherwise, I wo...
This was a really great purchase! Keeps my shoes in one place, and they're not resting on my clothes, getting them dirty. You can fit three pairs of shoes in this shoe case, and maybe if you have thinner lighter shoes, you could maybe squeeze in anot...
Mossio Shoe Bag for 3 Pairs - Travel & Storage
Love packing cubes! These keep my suitcase organized and easily packable. I know where everything is when I use these on a trip! This set has a variety of different packing cubes, a toiletrie bag, a laundry bag, a shoe case, and an accessories pouch.
Shacke 8-Piece Mesh Travel Packing Cubes
Before I bought my new shoe case, listed above, I bought these, which work just as great and keep everything contained in the bag, so you can have sound of mind that dirt and sand are not getting all over your stuff. I still use these if I know my sh...
Gloppie Shoe Bags Travel Pouch 2 Pack
This backpack is great and holds a lot of stuff. If you were to pack it right or even if you are a minimalist packer, you may even be able to use this as your carry-on. It also comes with 2 packing cubes and a shoe case. I have used this backpack mul...
LOVEVOOK 40L Travel Backpack TSA Carry-On
Clothing
When it comes to clothing when I go on vacation, I want to be comfortable. Here are some staple clothing items I pack when I go on vacation.
I love having slipper socks not only to keep my feet warm but just as an added comfort. These are soft and cozy!
Women's Marled 2pk Cozy Crew Socks - Auden™
These slippers are so soft and cozy! They are lightweight but will still keep your feet warm.
Women's Plush Faux Fur Cozy Slipper Socks with Slip Resistant Soles - Auden™
These shorts are great! Lightweight, and they have a cooling sensation to them. These would work great as pj shorts or lounge wear.
Cloud Lounge Shorts — Comfrt
Love this hoodie! It is thick and comfy! Feels like a warm hug. I love all the pastel colors to choose from. The lavender color is my favorite, as purple is my favorite color!
Pastel Hoodie — Comfrt
Another great hoodie from Comfrt! Just like the other one I listed, it is comfy, cozy, and so many colors to choose from!
Minimalist Hoodie — Comfrt
Similar to the shorts, these tees are lightweight and have a cooling sensation. These tees could be paired with the shorts or with jean shorts and pants, or even a pair of comfy sweatpants to make the ultimate comfy outfit!
Cloud Lounge Tee — Comfrt
These UGG socks are super soft and comfy! They are made with quality material and will keep your feet warm. They also come in a variety of colors to choose from!
UGG Women's Teddi Cozy Crew Sock
My go-to shoe! Love this style by HeyDude! These are lightweight and comfortable. I have issues with some shoes rubbing on my achilles tendon causing blisters and sore spots, but these don't do that. These work great at the airport as they are comfor...
Wendy Stretch Canvas
I love these Nike men's sweatpants, these are soft and thick. I live in Minnesota so these work not only great in winter months, but are excellent when I am going to the airport and when coming back home as most of my vacations happen during the wint...
Men's Nike Sportswear Club Fleece Joggers
Love these T-Shirt dresses! They are soft and lightweight. Great for a warm destination. You can dress these up or as is. It's a great option if you would like a different outfit in the mix.
MOLERANI Women's Casual Plain T-Shirt Dress
These Levi's shorts are my go-to jean shorts. They are comfortable and have a nice stretch to them. They also come in a variety of washes to choose from.
Levi's Women's Mid Length Shorts
I really like these maxi dresses! This dress would be perfect for dinner or a night out while on vacation. This is soft and comfortable, making it a great option if you want to look both stylish but still want comfort.
AUSELILY Women's Summer Sleeveless Maxi Dress
Love, Love, Love Reef shoes! These are great sandles that you can wear with about everything! A nice versatile shoe that comes in a variety of colors!
Women's Reef Water Vista Sandals in Vintage Oasis | REEF®
I love these reef flip flop shoes as well! These would be perfect for the beach or poolside. I like how these have the velcro strap at the back so they stay securely on your feet. One other thing I love about Reef shoes is they are generally very eas...
Water Willow Maya
Toiletries
This is always a tricky thing for me when I travel, as I have to either eliminate items I want to bring or get a little creative so I can fit all of my toiletries in one bag and mainly I mean that quart sized bag required for all carryon liquids to b...
This is one of the shampoo and conditioners I am currently using. I am glad that I have the option to purchase this in travel size and won't have to resort to adding it to a different container. I like this shampoo and conditioner because it is light...
EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Kit - L'Oréal | Ulta Beauty
Another shampoo and conditioner I am currently using. It's great I can purchase this in travel size. Like the other shampoo and conditioner, it is light on my fine hair, does not dry it out, and smells great!
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo 2.53 oz & Acidic Bonding Concentrate Conditioner 1.7 oz Combo Pack
Being a childhood cancer survivor, keeping my hands clean has been instilled in me, so I always need Purell on hand. Thankfully, they have the option of Purell wipes. Another item I will not have to worry about adding to my liquids bag!
Purell Hand Sanitizer Wipes - Trial Size - 20ct
A cute little razor made buy my favorite brand. It comes with its own little case and an extra blade, perfect for travel!
Venus Mini Extra Smooth On The Go Women's Razor + 1 Razor Blade Refill + 1 Travel Case - Trial Size
I used to hate putting on sunscreen because of the scent. Until I came across Sun Bum sunscreen. This is literally like a vacation in a bottle. It smells tropical and coconutty. Now I don’t mind putting on sunscreen, and it smells amazing! Plus, it i...
3.0 oz Travel Size Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 - Sun Bum | Ulta Beauty
This is a great hand lotion to throw in your purse or on the go. It is moisturizing and leaves your hands feeling soft! It smells just like the Cheirosa 62 scent!
Brazilian Touch Hand Cream - Sol de Janeiro | Ulta Beauty
I'm also glad that they have my toothpaste available in a travel size. I don't like to bring my full-size toothpaste if I don’t have to. If you have sensitive teeth, this is a great toothpaste to try!
Sensodyne Sensitivity & Gum + Enamel Toothpaste - Trial Size
My eyes get pretty dry from time to time, and these eye drops have worked great! Plus, they are 0.5 fluid ounces, which will fit perfectly in my liquids bag.
Blink Tears Lubricating and Hydrating Dry Eye Drops - 0.5 fluid ounces
I have very sensitive skin and especially when it comes to my face. This lotion is non irritating, moisturizing, and travel friendly.
Daily Facial Moisturizer - Fragrance Free - Neutrogena | Ulta Beauty
Unfortunately, I won't be able to use this bag for my TSA liquids bag, but I mainly got it for the variety of containers inside, which I may or may not need to use. Just thought it would be a good backup if I needed it.
Travel Container Set - up&up™
Instead of bringing my normal toothbrush, I thought this foldable one would be a little more compact and take up less space, although a toothbrush doesn't really take up much space, whatever I thought it was a good idea, hahaha!
Foldable Travel Toothbrush - up&up™
If you have contacts and you need a travel size contact solution, this one works great! I have taken this on many trips, and it's TSA approved!
Opti-Free PureMoist Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Contact Lens Solution - 2 fl oz
I bought a pack of these quart sized zip top bags for my liquids. I also gave one to my mom and dad. Just thought it would be a little easier to add my items to, easier to open and shut, and it wouldn't easily rip.
BORSALI TSA Quart Clear Toiletry Bag 4-Pack
I am normally a bodywash person, but again, to eliminate an additional liquid to my liquid bag, I had to improvise. This soap bar was the only one that came close to the feel of a body wash. My skin didn't feel stripped and chalky afterward. It is mo...
Dove Beauty Restoring Coconut & Cocoa Butter Beauty Bar Soap – 8pk/3.75oz
Another Dove soap bar that smells great, feels similar to a bodywash, is moisturizing, and gets me clean. Definitely would recommend these soap bars if you want to travel carry-on only, and you normally use body wash, but want to eliminate an item fr...
Dove Beauty Purely Pampering Shea Butter with Warm Vanilla Beauty Bar Soap - 8pk - 3.75oz each
I wear glasses a lot, more so than my contacts, so my lenses tend to get dirty. These lens wipes are always in my toiletrie bag. They work great, and they aren't dried out when you open them, like others I have used in the past.
Pre-Moistened Lens Wipes - 60ct - up&up™
Makeup
When it comes to makeup, I am a minimalist, not just for travel, but on a daily basis. I barely wear any makeup. I tend to gravitate to more nude shades for eye shadows and lip stick shades. I love the neutral shades for more of a natural look. Here ...
Love the Naked pallets by Urban Decay! I like how they have the smaller pallets, which work great for traveling. This Naked 2 pallet has the shades that I like.
Naked2 Basics Matte Neutral Eyeshadow Palette - Urban Decay Cosmetics | Ulta Beauty
Another Urban Decay Naked pallet I love and will definitely be in my makeup bag for my trip. Again, this one has the perfect colors I love for eye shadow!
0.11 oz Naked3 Soft Pink Eyeshadow Palette - Urban Decay Cosmetics | Ulta Beauty
My eyebrows are pretty thin, so I need a helper to fill them in. I really like this dual sided eyebrow pencil/marker by Urban Decay. It gets the job done and is precise. They have a variety of colors to choose from, which is nice!
2-in-1 Eyebrow Pen + Waterproof Pencil - Urban Decay Cosmetics | Ulta Beauty
If I have to use foundation, this is the one! It is very light and does not feel caked and heavy on my face. It also has SPF, which is a plus! This bottle is 1.3 fluid ounces, so it is TSA approved for your quart sized liquids bag!
Very Light Moisture Surge Sheertint Hydrator Broad Spectrum SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizer - Clinique | Ulta Beauty
Love that this mascara comes in a travel size! This stuff adds volume to my eyelashes, and I love the black color to add depth to the color of my eyelashes.
Black Travel Size Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara - Too Faced | Ulta Beauty
Love this eyeliner! It is easy to apply, dries fast, and does not smudge!
Intense Black Better Than Sex Easy Glide Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - Too Faced | Ulta Beauty
I like to pack a couple of different mascara when I go on a trip, not always, though, depending on the occasion. This is my absolute favorite mascara and the mascara I reach for the most. It is easy to use, the brush applicator combs through your eye...
Travel Size Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting Volumizing Mascara - Lancôme | Ulta Beauty
My go-to eyeliner is also Idole by Lancome. The eyeliner goes on nicely, dries fast, and doesn't smudge. This, like the mascara, is always with me.
Idole Ultra-Precise Felt Tip Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - Lancôme | Ulta Beauty
My Favorite Lip Balm! This is my go-to over and over. Turns my chapped lips around quickly, and it smells like coconut! Instead of a balm, it's more like a balm and oil mixed together. It is also a multipurpose ointment, so you can use it on dry skin...
Coconutter 101 Ointment Multi-Balm - Dry Lips & Skin Treatment - Lanolips | Ulta Beauty
Here's another great flavor if you like bananas! Instead of a balm, it's more like a balm and oil mixed together. It is also a multipurpose ointment, so you can use it on dry skin patches, cuticles & elbows, which is a bonus!
Banana Balm Sheen 3-in-1 - Lanolips | Ulta Beauty
Yum! This smells great! It smells similar to the original Sol de Janeiro scent and keeps the lips moisturized! This comes in a rather large tube, so it lasts a long time.
Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter - Sol de Janeiro | Ulta Beauty
Another great lip balm that is always in my makeup bag. It is a very hydrating lip balm. When I get really chapped lips, this helps heal them quickly.
The Original LanoStick - Lanolips | Ulta Beauty
A great night lip balm! I put this on my lips before bed to help rejuvenate them overnight!
12 Hour Overnight Lip Mask - Lanolips | Ulta Beauty
Love this lip tint by Dior! I really don't like the feeling of lip stick and I wanted more if a lip stain for when I go on a trip and out to eat, so it would stay longer and I wouldn't have to worry about reapplying or it smudging all over the place....
491 Natural Rosewood Addict Lip Tint - Dior | Ulta Beauty
Like I said, I like my nude shades, and this blush is great! It comes in a variety of nude shades to choose from. It goes on nicely and feels light on the face.
GEN NUDE Powder Blush - bareMinerals | Ulta Beauty
Neutrogena Hydro Boost wipes are the only wipes that can remove my makeup and also cleanse my face without it breaking out or cause my face to burn. I chose this as well to bring on my trips because I don’t have to worry about packing a liquid makeup...
Hydro Boost Facial Cleansing Wipes - Neutrogena | Ulta Beauty
Love this eyeliner! It goes on soft and smooth as butter! Not like the traditional eyeliners that you feel are going to jab your eye out. A staple in my makeup bag when traveling.
Pixi By Petra Eye Define Waterline .01oz - Tightline Black
Perfume
I wear perfume daily, but when it comes to traveling carry-on only, I can't bring my large bottles. Thankfully, these days, most perfumes also come in a travel size, or you can buy a perfume atomizer to pack your favorite scents. Here are some of my ...
This was the very first Sol de Janeiro scent I tried, and so glad I did! I also think this is my favorite scent in their line. I got so many compliments when wearing this perfume. It is a more potent, concentrated version of the iconic warm gourmand ...
SOL Cheirosa '62 Eau de Parfum - Sol de Janeiro | Ulta Beauty
This a great light and fresh scent. Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue is an iconic fragrance that is sunny, breezy, and citrusy. It is primarily classified as a Fresh, Floral-Fruity scent. This is not a strong scent at all and very nice and subtle.
Light Blue Eau de Toilette - Dolce&Gabbana | Ulta Beauty
I love Coco Mademoiselle! It's a massive classic! It is an elegant, warm floral scent that's both timeless and modern. You get a nice pop of citrus like orange right at the start, which settles down into a beautiful mix of jasmine and rose, with that...
COCO MADEMOISELLE Eau de Parfum Twist and Spray - CHANEL | Ulta Beauty
Another one of my favorites and fairly new to my perfume collection. It is a sweet, and powerful scent. It’s more of a sweet and warm "gourmand floral." It hits you with a blast of floral notes like jasmine and rose, but then it quickly settles into ...
Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum - Viktor&Rolf | Ulta Beauty
Gucci's Flora Gorgeous Magnolia is generally described as a lovely, feminine, and slightly creamy floral scent. Think of it as a blend of beautiful magnolia and other white flowers mixed with a gentle, non-sunscreeny hint of coconut and a juicy berry...
Flora Gorgeous Magnolia Eau de Parfum - Gucci | Ulta Beauty
I love Mugler perfume! Each scent is very unique and not similar to other perfumes out there. I loved this scent the moment I sprayed it on myself. It is a stronger scent that has amber floral notes and dies down to more of a light powdery scent. It ...
Alien Eau de Parfum - MUGLER | Ulta Beauty
These work great if you can't find your perfume in a travel size. A great way to travel with your favorite perfume without having to bring the whole bottle.
Tekson 8ml Travel Perfume Atomizer
Jewlery
When it comes to jewlery, I typically only pack a few items, and my top end jewlery usually stays home as I don't want to risk losing it. Here are a few items that will be in my jewlery travel case.
These earrings are stunning and have that right amount of sparkle! You can get these in multiple sizes as well, which I thought was great, as I don't like my earrings too small or too big, but right in between. I ended up getting them in 6mm, which i...
Moissanite Stud Earrings 18K White Gold Plated
I can't wear heavy necklaces as they hurt my neck if I wear them for long periods of time, so I tend to gravitate more to the lighter, daintier necklaces. This definitely fits what I look for in a necklace. It is super light and has a cute sea shell ...
MYEARS Women 14K Gold Pendant Necklace
This conch charm necklace is similar to the seashell necklace I listed above. Lightweight, dainty, cute, and a beachy necklace for a tropical vacay. Would make a great addition to your travel jewelry box or even everyday wear.
MYEARS Women 14K Gold Pendant Necklace
These earrings are adorable! I'm not a huge fan of dangle earrings, but being these are a stud and not a hook, they sit on my ear better. These are also super light, so they won't tug on your earlobes or feel heavy. The starfish gives these earrings ...
Starfish Pearl Drop Shell Earrings for Women
This is the jewelry box I have for going on a vacation. It is lightweight and small, so it is a nice addition to fit in your carry-on that does not take up a ton of space. You also can fit quite a bit of jewelry in this box if you would like to bring...
ZPROW Mini Travel Jewelry Organizer Case
Games
My family and I like to bring games on trips. A great way to both have fun and unwind.
Skip-Bo is a fantastic card game because it's easy to learn (just count to 12!) and great for 2 to 6 players of different ages. It cleverly blends luck and strategy, as you try to be the first to empty your stockpile by playing cards in ascending seq...
Skip-Bo Card Game
Uno is an iconic card game cherished for being incredibly easy to learn, making it fun for everyone, from kids to adults. Its appeal lies in the thrilling unpredictability created by action cards like Draw Four, which constantly change the game's flo...
UNO Card Game for Kids, Adults & Family Game Night, Original Game of Matching Colors & Numbers
Phase 10 is an incredibly engaging card game that offers a fantastic blend of Rummy-style strategy and exciting, progressive challenges. Its great appeal comes from the need to complete a strict sequence of ten unique "Phases" (like two sets of three...
Phase 10 Card Game
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is an instantly chaotic and hilarious party game that is fantastic for its zero-setup, rapid-fire action. What makes it great is the way it brilliantly messes with your mind by having you chant five simple words in sequence...
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Card Game
Yahtzee's enduring appeal lies in its perfect blend of pure luck and strategic decision-making. While the roll of the five dice is up to chance, the real fun comes from the crucial, high-stakes choice you have to make on every turn: which category to...
Yahtzee to Go! Game
I thought I would add this in there, as it is the game of Uno only in waterproof cards, which would be great if your wanna play the game at the beach or if you're just lounging by the pool.
UNO Splash Card Game
They also have the waterproof option of the game Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, which would be fun if you wanna play at the beach or poolside.
Dolphin Hat Games Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Poolside Edition Card Game: Creative Thinking Party Game
The game Kollide is a great, simple, portable, and a tense challenging game that appeals to everyone. Its core appeal is the incredibly easy-to-learn rule: place all your powerful magnets inside a boundary without causing any of them to crash togethe...
Kollide Game by What Do You Meme?: Creative Thinking Classic Board Game, 2-Player Strategy, 40-80 Minutes
Other Essentials
Here are just some other travel essentials that I may pack in my suitcase depending on the trip I am taking and how long I will be gone for.
Gotta have scrunchies for on the go! These are great, as they don't pull on your hair and are made of silk.
Pure Silk Skinny Scrunchies - Slip | Ulta Beauty
I sleep with a silk pillow case. This one by Slip is my favorite! Although it is not necessary to bring on a trip, if it's something you're used to, it's an added comfort from home.
Pure Silk Queen Pillowcase - Slip | Ulta Beauty
I think bandages are an essential that should be in your toiletrie bag, first aid kit, or purse when traveling. You never know when you're going to need one. This brand of bandages is my favorite! They come in a variety of colors and designs. They al...
Welly Flex Fabric Assorted Bandage Pack Refills - 100ct
They also have this brand in waterproof bandages, which work great if you are at the beach or poolside.
Welly Kids' Waterproof Bandages - Jellyfish - 39ct
This is a great little sound machine that has a variety of sounds to choose from and would make a great item to add to your carry-on. Especially if you're like me, that religiously listens to a fan at night and needs it for sleep.
Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine, 16 Sounds
This cute little bose speaker would be perfect to bring for a day at the beach or having fun at the pool! Although it is small, it still has a powerful sound. It is also waterproof! I simply swear by Bose speakers as their sound is immaculate!
Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker
This is the waterproof and shockproof camera that I have. It takes great pictures and has multiple settings to customize the type of photo you want to achieve. These types of cameras would be a great option for going on vacation to beach destinations...
OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS TG-6 Red Underwater Cam
My go-to SD Card for years. SanDisk has been very reliable, and the brand has a generous variety of GB SD Cards to choose from. You will also want to purchase multiple SD cards. Storage space can get eaten up quickly on an SD card if you are at a pho...
SanDisk 128GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I Memory Card
Here is the case that I have for my Olympus Tough TG-6 camera. The camera fits great, it is a hardshell case, and it has a storage pouch inside to put your camera charger, extra batteries and SD cards.
Aproca Camera Case for Olympus Tough TG-7/TG-6
These worked great for when I was taking pictures in the ocean and pool. They helped my camera stay afloat so it did not sink to the bottom. Highly suggest getting these if you have an underwater camera.
Nordic Flash Waterproof Camera Floaty 2-Pack
Okay, another item that may not be an essential item to bring, but if you know, you know. We all have our favorite pillow or even maybe, like me, have trouble sleeping with certain pillows. Being I have back issues due to scoliosis, I have been on th...
Bluewave Extra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow
If you like to journal or jot stuff down, this is a great journal. It has 320 pages, so it will be a while before you have to buy a new one. I like to take a journal with me on vacation to write down memories or ideas while on vacation.
CAGIE A5 Leather Journal Notebook
I love these pens! They write so nice and of great quality, great for journaling. You can also buy replacement pen ink refills, so you can use these over and over again.
Writech 8ct Black Gel Ink Pens 0.5mm Fine
This is my go-to comb and will definitely be packed in my carry-on. I like how wide the teeth are, and it does not pull on my hair.
Pink Pro Detangling Wide Tooth Comb - Wet Brush | Ulta Beauty
This is a great brush and will definitely be in my carry-on. It massages the scalp, detangles my hair more easily because of the longer bristles, so it's better on my thin, fine hair, and it is easy to clean as it has the open slots and not covered.
Scalp Care Flexi Head Paddle Brush - Conair | Ulta Beauty
This is an awesome charging cord! I like its versatility that you can use it for different devices and its quality and durability.
MFish 4-in-1 USB Charging Cable 240W
What a nice fanny pack! Similar to the LuLu Lemon Belt Bag, but for less than half the price. It has enough space to fit my phone, a small wallet, and most of my purse essentials. I also love that this is lightweight, has the double zippers, which ma...
Pander Two Way Zipper Nylon Fanny Pack