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I remember opening the bathroom closet at my grandmother’s house when I was a little girl.

Inside, miniature soaps, shampoo and conditioner sets, and other types of complimentary hotel toiletries were stashed.

Each tiny toiletry was marked with the logo of a hotel where my grandma had stayed during some vacation.

BUT THESE DAYS, YOU’LL BE LUCKY TO FIND A DECENT HAIR CONDITIONER IN MOST HOTELS, LET ALONE A COUNTER’S WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY TOILETRIES.

It’s especially common in Europe, where sustainability concerns have led hotels to cut back on extras that are seen as wasteful or bad for the environment.

If you’re planning a trip to Europe, it’s important to pack your own toiletries.

But if you’re flying, then airline rules will require you to limit the size of liquids, lotions, gels, and aerosols.

SOMETHING SO SMALL SHOULDN’T BE SO CONFUSING.

I’ve written this post to explain why you need to pack your own travel sized toiletries, the best toiletry sets to buy pre-departure, and helpful packing tips to avoid leaks or, even worse, TSA confiscations.

The Best Travel Sized Beauty Products for Your Next Flight

Don't let packing stress ruin your trip!

I created this downloadable ⬇️ Packing Checklist ⬇️ that you can snag right now.

It helps you plan what you’ll pack, and then keeps you organized as you cross things off once they’ve been packed.

Why Travel-Sized Beauty Products Matter for Flights

If you’ve ever browsed the travel-sized section of a drugstore, then you know that miniature toiletries are a common buy for travelers.

BUT WHY IS THAT?

One reason is that smaller products take up less space in a suitcase, allowing more room for clothes and other accessories.

Packing light, ideally in a carry-on bag, makes it easier to navigate your destination with luggage.

The second reason for smaller products, though, is due to airline regulations.

TSA Liquid Rules Explained

In the United States, the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule applies.

Liquids, aerosols, and gels in your carry-on bag must each be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less, and they must all fit within one clear quart-sized bag.

(The name’s a bit silly — the 3 refers to the 3.4 oz limit, the first 1 refers to the single quart-sized bag they fit in and the second 1 refers to the fact that each traveler can only have one such bag of liquids.)

IF YOU’RE TRAVELING TO OR WITHIN EUROPE, SIMILAR RULES APPLY.

For example, the EU luggage liquid rule limits containers to 100ml, packed in a transparent, resealable 1-liter plastic bag.

The UK follows the same guidelines.

Though honestly, it seems like the security folks at Heathrow are way more intense about it than elsewhere in Europe.

Packing Toiletries for Travel: What You Actually Need

Before I dive into my final travel toiletries checklist, a few notes about how I pack them.

First, I usually prefer buying manufacturer-made minis rather than squeezing my full-size products into reusable containers.

It cuts down on leaks and pre-trip headaches.

SECOND, I DON’T PACK ULTRA-EXPENSIVE PRODUCTS.

Accidents happen on trips all the time, so ask yourself if that two hundred dollar serum really needs to join you for a week in Italy.

And finally, take inventory of your existing beauty products before you shop for travel minis.

You’ll be surprised at how many things are naturally under the 100mL limit.

HERE’S WHAT I ALWAYS PACK IN MY CARRY-ON TOILETRY KIT 👇.

Essential Skincare Products

Facial cleanser. Consider a bar or powder formula to cut down on liquids.
Moisturizer. Choose a hydrating formula for travel.
Sunscreen. Non-negotiable to protect against daily UV exposure.
Eye cream. Travel can leave your under eyes puffy and tired, so perk them up.
Sheet mask. I love these for an easy moment of zen mid-trip.

❌ Leave the retinol at home. You’ll likely be in the sun while traveling, and retinol can make skin extra sensitive.

Must-Have Makeup Items

I FIND THAT WHILE TRAVELING I USUALLY WANT A QUICK MAKEUP ROUTINE, BUT I ALSO WANT TO LOOK MY BEST FOR PHOTOS.

For this reason, the Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Foundation Stick has been my go-to for the past few months.

If you’re used to wearing a full face of makeup everyday, then consider investing in mini versions of your favorite products to ensure you have space for it all!

Tinted moisturizer or foundation stick. Light coverage and super fast application.
Concealer. Essential, especially while traveling.
Mascara.
Brow pomade. Polished brows are a must for a quick routine
Lipstick or lip gloss. For a natural look, I reach for Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk, while my go to gloss is Chanel’s Rouge Coco Gloss in Bourgoisie. And if I’m feeling a bold, red lip, I pick Dior’s Rouge Dior in the iconic shade 999.

Hair Care Staples in Travel Size

The quality of the shampoo and conditioner in European hotels varies widely.

Some offer the dreaded hair and body wash combo and nothing else.

At minimum, I recommend packing a hydrating conditioner.

Shampoo & conditioner.
Dry shampoo.
Heat protector spray. For those who style with hot tools.
Styling cream or oil. To help hair look its best in various climates.
Scalp sunscreen. If you’re averse to wearing hats, be sure to protect your scalp.

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Body Care Staples in Travel Size

Body lotion is another hydrating product that is good to have if you’ve got space in your carry-on.

I also like to wear perfume when traveling, and I always try to have nail clippers in case I have a nail break.

Depending on your destination, after sun balm and some kind of insect repellent may also be a good idea.

Dental Care Essentials

I use an electric toothbrush at home but prefer to travel with a regular ol’ manual toothbrush.

And mouthwash is the one thing I do decant from a larger bottle at home.

Listerine’s travel sized bottles are very secure and don’t leak.

Toothbrush.
Toothpaste.
Mouthwash.
Floss.

Best Pre-Made Toiletry Kits

I find pre-made toiletry kits to be a great travel hack.

Even during months when I’m not traveling, I might pick up a set of mini beauty products as a way to test their effectiveness before splurging for their full-sized counterparts.

THESE ARE THE BEST ONES THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND:

Aesop’s Arrival Kit, with the brand’s hair and body care products
Glow on the Road 8-piece travel set from Credo Beauty
The Makeup Travel Kit 2.0 from Jones Road Beauty, the new clean beauty brand founded by industry veteran Bobbi Brown
Men's Grooming Travel Kit from Jo Malone London

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How To Pack Your Toiletries Efficiently

PACKING TOILETRIES DOESN’T HAVE TO BE STRESSFUL.

With the right preparation, you shouldn’t worry about your liquids oozing out of their bottle and ruining your vacation wardrobe.

Here’s how I avoid leaks and a mess in my carry-on:

Use a clear, quart-sized zip bag to comply with TSA rules and make security screening easier.
Tighten caps firmly and consider taping them shut if you’re worried about spills.
Consider alternatives like solid shampoo bars or powder cleansers if you want to reduce your liquids entirely.
Pack non-liquid products in a separate toiletry pouch to keep your clothes safe from broken bronzers, melted solids, or other contamination.

And even though they aren’t technically toiletries, don’t overlook travel-specific sleep aids.

I always pack earplugs, a silk sleep mask, and melatonin, just in case my circadian rhythm is thrown off mid-trip.

AFTER ALL, SLEEPING WELL IS THE BEST BEAUTY TIP 👌.

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