I am usually a check your bags kinda girl. Usually I had a medium or large suitcase and it’s not that I over packed but I definitely used the space allotted. Since I checked my luggage I never really worried about what liquids I was packing since the restrictions aren’t really the same when checking your bags. So there is a learning curve when it comes to carry on toiletries packing. The whole 3-1-1 system takes practice. The last few flights, especially travelling to Europe I have been packing lighter. It is actually pretty amazing what you can fit in a carry on!
Carry on Toiletries Packing
3-1-1 is the key to packing a TSA compliant toiletries bag. This means you can pack approximately 3 once (100 mL) liquid bottles in a clear one quart bag per person.
You can pack as many 100 milliliter bottles as you want so long as they fit in your clear one quart bag.
Keep in mind many full sized makeup products are under the 100 mL mark however they take up more space than samples or mini sizes that would do for a week or two. Use your space wisely.
The bag can be anything from a ziplock bag to a clear travel case. They range in price from very inexpensive to luxury. I have this case and while not inexpensive it isn’t high end luxury either. Plus you can get it personalized for free.
Clear Travel Cases under $50
Clear Travel Cases over $50
Once you have your toiletry bag you need to fill it with what makeup or toiletries you are packing. Personally skin care is more important to me than makeup when travelling. With this bag however I am able to stock up on skincare, pack my shampoo and toothbrush and still have room leftover for the makeup basics like foundation and mascara.
There are three ways to make sure you have the right sized liquids.
- transfer your usual larger sized liquids like shampoo and conditioner into smaller squeeze tubes.
- Collect samples, save them for travel
- buy mini sizes of your favourite toiletries
I try to do as much with the first two options as possible. Sephora is great for decent sized samples of favourite products. I made sure to use my points towards collecting moisturizes and cleansers that I could take with me in my carry on toiletries bag.
I make sure to transfer my favourite shampoo into squeezable bottles like these:
However not all products are really ideal for transferring into smaller or different packaging. For example I purchased this mini set because my favourite Vitamin
C serum needs to stay in it’s special case. I also picked up this minis set because there are some seriously good products in there.
Minis worth packing:
Don’t waste your space with non liquids! Put any dry makeup like shadows and powders in a different case. I use this one. Also pack your bar of soap elsewhere too.
Keep in mind that they are ways to pack completely liquid free if you are willing to swap your liquid shampoo out for the bar and your toothpaste out with tablets. I am not there yet but it seems like a good idea to try!
