Follow our tips to build a compact travel toiletries kit you’ll use over and over again!
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Packing toiletries is one of those travel jobs that’s all too easy to underestimate. It’s tempting to throw full-sized bottles into your wash bag or pack products’ just in case’. But that just gives you a toiletries kit full of things you never use, so it just takes up space and weight in your case.
Instead of packing your entire bathroom cabinet before every trip, it’s worth putting together a dedicated kit that’s always ready to travel. You know, just in case you get the chance of a last-minute trip!
Spending a little time putting together a dedicated travel kit makes every trip easier. With a few reusable containers, a carefully chosen selection of everyday essentials and a little planning, you can save space, stay organised and avoid last-minute packing stress.
Read on to discover how to build a travel toiletries kit that works for everything from weekend breaks to longer holidays.
Start with your everyday essentials
Before you buy travel bottles or organisers, think about which products you actually use each day.
The easiest way to do this is to pay attention to your normal morning and evening routine for a few days, rather than relying on memory. The products you reach for automatically are often the ones you’ll forget to pack.
Once you’ve noted down everything in your beauty routine, ask yourself whether each item is genuinely essential for your trip.
Some products are daily necessities, like your daily cleanser, serums and moisturisers. Others can be left at home if you’re only going on a short break – think face masks and deep cleansing creams.
Starting with your real beauty routine helps you pack what you’ll actually use instead of filling your case with ‘just in case’ items.
Invest in reusable travel bottles
A set of quality refillable travel bottles is one of the easiest ways to build a toiletries kit you’ll use trip after trip.
Rather than buying miniature versions of your favourite products, you can decant exactly the amount you’ll need, whether you’re away for a weekend or a two-week holiday. It’s usually more cost-effective, creates less packaging waste and means you don’t have to switch to unfamiliar products while you’re travelling.
Look for bottles with secure, leak-proof lids and label them clearly so you can identify each one at a glance. That saves you from trying to lather up your locks with your conditioner (been there!).
Soft silicone bottles are particularly useful for thicker products such as shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. They’re easy to squeeze, even when they’re almost empty, and there’s less risk of them splitting in transit.
If you’re a frequent traveller, it’s worth keeping a small selection of refillable containers in different sizes. Larger bottles are ideal for longer trips, while smaller pots are perfect for moisturiser, eye cream or foundation. Once you’ve filled them, store everything together in a clear wash bag so it’s ready to pack whenever you travel.
If you’re flying with hand luggage only, make sure each container holds no more than 100ml. Even if you’re checking a suitcase, smaller bottles are often more practical because they take up less space.
Simplify your makeup bag
Holidays are a good opportunity to pare your makeup routine back to the products you genuinely enjoy wearing.
Rather than packing your full makeup collection, focus on versatile items that earn their place in your cosmetics bag. A tinted moisturiser with SPF saves space, while a cream blush that also works as a lip colour helps reduce the number of items you need to carry.
A compact travel makeup brush set is usually all you need for application, and many are designed to fit neatly into a cosmetic bag without taking up much space. If you’re only travelling for a few days, you may find you can reduce your kit even further by taking just one or two brushes.
It’s also worth thinking about durability. Cream products are generally less prone to breaking than pressed powders, making them a practical choice for travel.
Whatever you decide to pack, keeping your makeup collection simple makes it easier to get ready each day. It also leaves more room in your luggage for everything else you need to pack or maybe souvenirs from your trip.
Do a trial pack before you travel
Once you’ve assembled your toiletries kit, pack everything a few days before you leave and give it a quick once-over.
Check that bottles are tightly sealed, lids are secure, and everything fits comfortably into your wash bag. Placing liquids in a resealable bag provides an extra layer of protection against leaks during transit.
It’s much easier to spot missing items or replace a leaking container while you’re still at home than the night before your flight.
If you’re flying with hand luggage only, now is the time to make sure your liquids comply with the airline’s size restrictions. Check their website or app for up-to-date details, as some airports and airlines are starting to relax the 100ml rule.
You’ll probably tweak your kit after every trip, removing products you never used and adding anything you wish you’d packed.
Before long, you’ll have a tried-and-tested travel toiletries kit that’s ready to grab whenever you’re planning your next adventure, making packing quicker and far less stressful.