5 Ways to Put Together Your Travel Beauty Bag

With summer here, your beauty bag should majorly feature SPF, beyond that you don’t need to bring everything in your beauty drawer “just in case”. In my experience, I’m even less concerned about putting on a full face of makeup when I’m traveling. I want to be low maintenance while still looking good. If you typically use the same few items at home, don’t take a bunch of extra items that will just take up room in your bag, because chances are that you won’t use them when on vacation either.

Here’s how to put together your Travel Beauty Bag that helps you minimize, still look great and pack light (so you don’t have to pay to check a bag):

Hang onto those samples

When I purchase from Sephora or anywhere else, I look for samples that I will use in the future. I have a good collection of trial size items that I can rotate into my travel bag, including powder, mascara and eye shadow. I buy smaller sizes of my foundation, or go for a powder foundation and everything else is tiny and lasts me several vacations before I need to toss and replenish. If you’re a member of ebates, you can always find great promo codes for deluxe size samples of Sephora buys.

Decant or put into a zip-top bag

I don’t need to take a full-size product with me anywhere. I’m not moving to my destination. I decant my moisturizer, face scrub and other items I only use small amounts of into smaller containers and bring toner or facial exfoliating pads in a zip top bag to eliminate bulky packaging and avoid putting such things in my 3-1-1 bag. If you have a favorite toner, soak some cotton pads in them, toss them in a zip-top bag, squish the air out and put directly in your toiletry bag. This way it won’t spill out in your 3-1-1 and also doesn’t need to be put in that bag at all.

Simplify

Do you actually need those 47 products you almost never use at home? I don’t. I barely even use eyeliner when I’m at home, so I tend to only pack the basics: moisturizer, foundation, powder, blush, mascara and a tiny eyeshadow quad (which I may not use either). I’d rather use my toiletry space for things that I do use, like hair products to keep my hair from getting all frizzy or dry.

Speaking of, I have invested in a great solid shampoo and conditioner, so I don’t have to waste space on liquids when I don’t have to. These work just as good as my at-home products, and no chance of spillage. If I feel like my hair needs a little extra help, then I will bring a small, extra-moisturizing liquid conditioner instead. Usually, I just pack a tiny bottle of hair oil, which you can find just about anywhere, that will de-frizz whenever I need it.

Size down

That full-size shampoo that lasts you 6+ months really belongs at home. I mean, you’re going to be gone 2 weeks, so 3oz is likely to be more than you actually need, even if two of you are sharing it. Same goes for moisturizer and other products. You can purchase smaller containers pretty much anywhere.

I take this same stance on hair appliances. I have a travel-size flat-iron that will actually fit in my small toiletry bag. The one I take most often has a rounded edge, so it can be used as a curling iron, too. Don’t waste all the room in your carry-on with a full-size iron, hair dryer or other item. You can find “mini” ones that work just as well, or better, that you can keep in your bag.

I typically travel with that and a folding brush, too. It makes my mornings really easy, because I don’t have to juggle a bunch of things and they don’t take up the entire bathroom sink…if there’s even counter space for them in the first place.

Bring Multi-use products

This is a must. I make sure I bring items that have SPF in them, so I don’t have to bring a separate facial sunscreen. I also have a great lip and cheek stain. And I swear by philosophy bath gel, which I use as shower gel and in place of shave cream. It can also work as a shampoo or bubble bath if needed, plus they all smell heavenly.

Packing light can actually help you pare down at home, because you see what you really use and what you don’t. It also allows you to be a little creative, get out of the room more quickly and care more about your actual vacation than looking like a beauty queen. You can still look great with fewer products, and you’ll be able to pick up your travel bag. Think of all the things you can spend baggage fees on instead. That’s an extra $25+ – each way – in your pocket.

How do you pare down and/or simplify your beauty bag? {Stay tuned for more packing tips.}

48 Hours of Fun on a Budget in Logan, Utah

In this blog series I show you how easy it is to budget travel anywhere and I also give you a quick overview of a new city each time in a brief 48-hour itinerary.

You may not have heard of Logan, Utah, because it’s not as popular as other cities or Utah just isn’t on your radar for vacation destinations, but it’s one to definitely consider. It has beautiful landscape and is full of things to do for everyone in the family. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, a group, a family or on your own, you definitely won’t be bored. Maybe you only have a weekend to spare. Here’s how I would suggest spending two days in Logan.

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Day 1

Let’s assume you got in last night, so you can get up and grab a delicious organic, fair-trade coffee drink and breakfast made with fresh and seasonal ingredients at Caffe Ibis. Expect to spend around $30 for two for breakfast.

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Once you’re fortified for the morning, visit Willow Park Zoo. This is a hidden gem that won’t take a majority of the day to explore. There are just over a dozen mammals, 10 reptiles/amphibians and many bird species. The zoo has a park-like atmosphere and has a lot of shady areas. It’s great for those with children or those that just love animals. Admission is just $3 per person ($2 for children 3-11).

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Take some time to wander the historic downtown area of Logan and take in the turn-of-the century homes and buildings. If you’re into architecture, this is a perfect opportunity to get a lot of great photos of design and features you enjoy. Logan has a fun variety of shops, including vintage, clothing and gifts.

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When hunger strikes in between enjoying the quaint downtown scene and ducking into shops, check out the Bluebird Restaurant for lunch. This local favorite has a little bit of everything in a vintage soda fountain diner that’s been a staple of the community since 1914. You can order anything from a Caesar salad and Reuben sandwich to fresh trout and chicken fried steak. The most expensive thing on the menu is $15, with everything else around $8. Plan to spend $25 per couple.

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Head to the USU Campus and take a self-guided sculpture walking tour. You can download a map and take one of three different routes where you can view a number of the 40+ sculptures done in different styles, from modern to abstract. You can also walk the campus to admire the historical buildings. Walking tours are free.

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Splurge on a fun meal from Kabuki Japanese Restaurant where you can order sushi, udon, yakisoba and other Japanese favorites. You’ll be able to sit and relax while recharging from you day out walking. A meal for 2 will run you in the range of $40 for 2.

Head back to your room to get ready for your day tomorrow or catch a movie at one of the first-run theaters in town and then get a good night’s sleep.

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Day 2

Start the day off with a hearty breakfast from Center Street Grill. Voted “Best Breakfast” in Logan, they offer pancakes, breakfast burritos and a variety of platters that are large enough to split between two. A meal for two can run around $20.

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Jump in the car and take the Cache Valley Historic Driving Tour. It runs more than 50 miles and takes you through 28 cities and towns. You can pick up a tour map at the Visitor’s Center, or download one before your trip. You’ll learn the history of the valley and its people. This’ll only cost you gas and whatever you pick up for lunch. We’ll plan for $30 for two.

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Time to grab an early dinner and take in a show. Get a table at The Beehive Grill where you can indulge if you’re a vegetarian or a carnivore. Choose from soups, salads and pastas or opt for a meat-friendly meal like their root beer BBQ chicken or a pub burger. Complement your meal with a beer from Moab Brewery. Now, get a bit more culture by getting tickets to a show, like Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, at the 1923 Ellen Eccles Theatre Center. Dinner will cost you between $30 and $45 for two, while a ticket to a fun performance is quite budget-friendly, starting at around $15 each.

It’ll be late, so you will probably want to head back and pack for your trip home tomorrow. If you do everything on this itinerary, you’re looking at approximately $215 for two people – a little more if you catch that movie on Day 1. You can always make it cheaper by eating more affordably, but I love trying the local faves when I travel.

Logan, Utah is a great year-round destination. These are just some of the things you can do on your visit. Summer is their busy season and they offer tons of hiking, biking and other outdoor activities. You can ski and hit the hot springs in the winter and golf and camp in the warmer months. No matter what kind of traveler you are, you can find plenty to satisfy you in Logan and the Cache Valley. For more ideas, check out Visit Logan.

10 Must-Have Travel Items (That Aren’t Clothes or Toiletries)

Yes, clothes are important, but there are a few things I always have packed in my carry-on, because they are necessities that I’ve learned to take with me after years of travel. I’m still working on paring down my toiletries and sometimes the clothing I pack that hardly ever get worn, but these things are tried and true for me and I believe they could be just as useful for you as well. Here are 10 of my must-pack items:

1.       Ziploc bags

You never know when you’re going to need a spare bag for something. I carry a variety of sized bags with me for snacks, leftovers, wet stuff, receipts and anything else. They come in dead useful for tons of stuff and they take up no space, so you won’t feel bad if you don’t use them, but you’ll kick yourself if you don’t bring them at all.

2.      Pop-up laundry hamper

I found a great mesh laundry basket some years ago with sturdy handles and inside and outside pockets that folds up. I take it everywhere and use it as a hamper and then use it to take my dirty stuff to the laundry room and back. It’s heavy duty enough to carry a bunch of wet clothes, if I want to hang them up instead, plus there’s room for quarters, soap and a game if we stay while the clothes are washing.

I learned my lesson when I had to carry two loads of laundry three blocks to a laundromat and then had to drag them all back half wet, because the dryers didn’t work well. The handle on my cheap tote broke on the way back (better than on the way there, I guess) and made me hate life. Problem solved. Even if I end up staying in a rental with a washer/dryer, I can keep all my dirties separate without them just sitting in a pile in the corner. 

3.      Small bills

Sometimes when you travel, you gotta have cash, either for toll roads or coffee or whatever else. Not all places take credit and will turn you away if you only have a twenty or larger. Make sure to have at least $20 in fives and ones on you before you leave home. This happens most often in foreign countries. 

4.      Kindle/tablet 

I love books and magazines, but carrying a bunch with you pretty much defeats the purpose of packing light. I remember when I used to pack a book that I was reading and then finish it partway through my trip and then get mad about not having anything else to read, or would have to find a book swap. Those days are gone with the invention of ereaders and now I can carry a ton of books (and magazines and podcasts and blogs and games) with me on my iPad mini. And if I have WiFi wherever I am, I can also check/send email, listen to streaming music and download new books/magazines.

5.      Back-up battery

With so many electronics coming with us everywhere, it just makes sense to bring extra power with you. While we usually just use our phones much of the time, that can really sap their juice. We each bring a battery back-up with us to keep them charged all day while we’re out or traveling. It’s especially helpful when you are on a long plane ride and only have your own stuff for entertainment. 

6.      Paper copies of everything

You never know when something’s going to go wrong. Keep a copy of your ID, credit card and passport with you just in case. If you’re worried about having these available for thieves, then take photos of them and either email them to yourself or put them in a sharing folder somewhere, like Dropbox or Evernote, where you can bring them up anywhere and print them if you do need them. (Don't forget your packing list!)

7.      Ear buds/headphones

Let’s face it. Ear buds suck. Even the good ones, but it makes no sense to pay $3 for the crappiest pair on the planet just so you can watch the overhead movie on the plane. Buy a pair that you can keep in your carry-on, or get a really good pair of noise-cancelling buds/phones that you don’t hate and want to use. I mean, even if they’re just for watching a random episode of Friends (airlines are weird), it’s worth it to just bring your own than paying for a new pair every time.

please excuse how bad I look in this picture, but this is how we travel overnight.

8.     Eye mask

If you’ve ever been sleeping really well and then woken up by blinding sunlight at 5:30 in the morning because of that stupid gap in your hotel curtains that just won’t shut, you won’t wonder why this is on my list. You can never go back to sleep after that either. Of course, it also helps when flying and needing to block out daylight to catch some Zs and can’t sleep without darkness.

9.      Ear plugs

What’s that? Construction at 6am? Just why? Maybe your travel mate is a snorer or there’s a crying baby in the next room (or in the seat behind you). You never know when a pair of ear plugs will be useful, but you’ll be mad if you could use them and you didn’t bring any. 

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10.   Pen & notebook

You might need to take down a number, fill out a form on the plane, get directions or jot down your thoughts on that fantastic wine you had at dinner. Whatever comes your way, having an actual pen and some paper can really come in handy. If you’re crossing borders while flying, you’re always going to need to fill out a customs paper. Have at least one pen for your group. Bring more and you can be a hero for a neighbor or two.

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Bonus must-pack: A few months ago, I picked up a 3-pack of antibacterial handwipes from the local dollar store. These have come in handy when a sink wasn’t available to wash my hands, to clean mud off my shoes, to wipe down the tray table and to clean a kid’s sticky face. I keep a pack in my purse and another in my carry-on, so I always have them at my disposal. They’re less messy than antibacterial gel, have more uses and don’t have to go in your 3-1-1 bag. And they only cost a dollar!

So, when you travel with these, you'll be ready for just about anything that comes your way, whether it's loud, bright, sticky or any number of other inconvenient things. 

What are your must-have travel items?