Packing Light: Tips for Your Toiletry Bag

After posting about how I packed a week's worth of clothes in a backpack, I promised you a post on how to pare down your toiletries. I have been working on bringing fewer or smaller things on my trips when I travel, which might be difficult for those who want to take their whole routine on vacation with them. Even when I do more than usual, I still don't use too many products.

I find that doing things more simply when I'm away from home both gives my skin a break when I'm also getting more exercise, so I am not dealing with extra breakouts, and I don't have to keep track of so many things that I'm scrambling to fit it all back in a bag when I have to pack up to go home. That bag won't be so big that I need a larger carry-on or suitcase to fit everything I need, so fewer, smaller things helps me pack lighter overall, which in turn saves me time and money.

I rounded up all the things I normally use at home. These are all full sizes and I chose the three eyeshadow palettes I use most often, sometimes I mix and match. Even one of those palettes would take a lot of space in my toiletry bag, so I tend to go with smaller ones when I travel, though they don't usually have as fun colors and I'm more than likely will use neutral colors most of the time I'm away. 

I've also included what I use for my hair and my eyecare. I didn't include my shampoo and conditioner, but I replace those with solid bars when I travel. I've got some favorites from Lush, and I will chop them in half or thirds, so they take up less room, but I will also keep them in a metal tin, and that doesn't have to fit in my toiletry bag, because it's spill- and waterproof. 

Deodorant is easy to downsize. Every brand has a smaller, travel option usually. I bounce between several brands, so I'm not super picky when I buy a new small one for my travel bag. If you are, then check out alltravelsizes or Minimus for your favorites if you can't find them at the store.

Contact solution goes a long way. I've been on the very last squeeze for three days, so I know the smaller one is going to last me a week or more, even with two of us sharing. I'm not opposed to buying this when I get to my destination, but I'm cheap and it's harder to find solution some places, like Europe. When we accidentally left a bag of bathroom stuff behind going to Paris from London, we had to go to an optometrist in Paris to buy contact solution. And if you're beholden to the 3-1-1 bag rule, you definitely can't bring a full size bottle on the plane.

I'll compromise on a lot of things, but I refuse to use bar soap...anywhere. I hate it. So, I find a fun body wash and use that on trips until it's empty and then I find a new one, or I put a favorite one in a GoToob, and then I can refill it over and over, and it doesn't leak. I have upgraded my travel bag to include a small pump soap dispenser that I fill with foaming hand soap and it has changed my whole travel experience. It's a small thing, but doesn't make me hate washing my hands in my room anymore.

Before I got TSA PreCheck, I was tired of having half a tube of mini toothpaste with me when I got home and not wanting to take two with me on the next trip, so I wasn't wasting that half tube, so I started using toothpaste tabs. I've tried multiple brands, but I really like Bite, because they work much better than others, taste better, and come in glass bottles that can be recycled or reused. I bite one in half, so I get two brushes out of one, because they are so efficient and foam up really well.

I have brought along a folding toothbrush for a long time, but I highly recommend these by Dr. Plotka's. They use silver to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and fungi, so you don't have to worry about replacing it after you used it for 2 weeks and then didn't travel again for 3 months and left it in your bag...or what might be on the hotel bathroom counter. It closes, too, so it's easy to not have your wet brush head touching other things in your bag.

My hair is really thick and frizzes in the slightest humidity, so I use a hair honey on it that is made for Black hair. It smells nice and it doesn't take much to get my hair to cooperate and look like I'm a person. This big jar lasts forever, so I always have about half a tablespoon in one of these small GoTubbs. 

I also find that a good setting spray for my makeup gets it to last all day long, with minimal touch-ups. You want to look good in pics. This is another product I keep trying new ones for at home, but the Urban Decay is tried and true, so that's the one that goes on trips with me. I don't want to find that all my makeup melted off halfway through a 12-hour bout of sightseeing where I'm taking public transport.

My skin is sensitive, but I'm also over 40, so I need some extra skincare when traveling. I use a tinted moisturizer with priming in it, but also a separate hydrating primer on certain areas, like under my eyes. My skin is combination, but the dry areas are super dry, and I find that hyaluronic acid is helpful under all my makeup. I don't need a lot of any of these things, but I still need them. I decant moisturizer into another small GoTubb and the other ones that I need even less of into a contact lens case. These are perfect for small amounts of liquids, because you know they aren't going to accidentally leak and they take up hardly any room.

I am much more particular about my foundation and when I find a good one, I stick with it forever. Luckily, this one comes in a travel size, but if it didn't, I'd probably use a GoTubb for that, too. I really like Ulta for travel sizes for my toiletry bag, because they have a lot of things in smaller sizes and often have sales. I'm less particular about my mascara, but I usually try to choose one for travel that lasts all day and is waterproof. You never know when you're going to get caught in a downpour. Waterproof ones are better for staying on all day long.

I have a ton of different blushes and eyeshadows, but I'm not taking all of them with me on a one-week trip, where I probably won't use 98% of them. I've upgraded to this face palette, which has a bronzer, highlighter, and two cheek colors, but I will mix and match to use them as eyeshadow, highlighter, and blush. This is the only way you can usually get a good brown and complimentary pinks, and those are the colors I like to blend on my eyes. Between a primer and a setting spray, these work pretty good wherever you want to use them. I always bring a kabuki style brush for blush, and I have two generic brushes for eyeshadow that barely take up any room. I shove them in the bottom of my toiletry bag with one or two eyeliners.

More often than not, I have a bag full of lip colors that I choose from each morning, but they don't last all day. I hate thinking about reapplying when I'm busy doing things, so now I just bring my favorite color of Covergirl Outlast All-Day Lip Color. It actually does last all day long and I only need to have whatever lip balm I'm into with me, because sometimes my lips get dry, but that doesn't seem to have anything to do with this lip color.

So, I went from all that stuff up on top to just these pieces now. A few are the same things, like the charcoal scrub, my compact (though sometimes I just take the one that's normally in my purse), and eye drops. 

In addition to these things, I bring along a travel hair straightener and I feel organized and like I can keep track of everything. Another plus: if I accidentally leave any of these things behind and they don't make it home with me, I haven't left a $20-40 item, because I never brought a full-size container in the first place. At most, I'm out a small portion of product, and that can easily be replaced.

I hope this helps you pack a little more thoughtfully and smaller when you travel, so you don't have to check a bag just to accommodate your toiletry bag.

What's your biggest struggle when trying to pare down on your toiletries?

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Review: Pursesuitz Pocketwear Tank

I don't know about all the other ladies out there, but I'm so tired of pockets in women's clothing either being super shallow or non-existent. Sometimes, you just don't want to carry a purse or other bag, or you aren't allowed to bring one into a venue, but your pockets are insufficient for keeping things inside or secure. 

More than once I've put something in the pocket of my jeans only to sit down and for it to fall right out. Cool. The only useful pocket is a back pocket where I put my phone, but I'm 100% not putting anything else in there, not just because my phone is already in there. So, what's a girl to do? Well, we get a Pursesuitz Pocketwear Tank, of course. 

One of the new companies I met at the Travel Goods Show was Pursesuitz, founded by Barbara Zabawa. Barbara was also tired of never having sufficient pockets, so she did something about it and created a high-quality tank that has two large kangaroo pockets. They stretch across the whole bottom portion of the tank. She sent me home with a tank and I wore it on the way home and have worn it several times since. 

The tank has a compression feel and makes a really good base layer. This enables it to sit closer to your body and not look bulky under anything you're wearing over it. The hem also has these elastic rows in order to keep it from rolling up or flopping around. I love it, because it helps keep you covered and doesn't scrunch up around your waist. Today, I just wore it under my favorite hoodie, like a regular tank top. 

How big are these pockets? And how do they keep your stuff inside? Well, they're pretty large. You can put your passport in there if you want. Your big phone will too. Honestly, I don't know how they keep your belongings in. I'm obsessed with the pocket technology, honestly, because they somehow just suction closed like Velcro, but are super soft and make a really satisfying little "shoop" sound that's super quiet. 

I turned up the volume as high as I could and still couldn't hear it on my video above, so nobody around you is going to hear it, and possibly not even you. I DID make everyone I know feel the inside of the pockets, because the closing technology is so cool.

I wanted to prove how awesome this tank is. I'm wearing a small and you can definitely size up if you like a little more room, but know that it's not going to sit as close to your body with all your stuff. Notice how the stuff in the pockets don't even move, even while jumping around. 

Even with the tank not on my body, nothing falls out, such is the amazing pocket technology. Please ignore my intense facial expressions in these videos. Nobody told my face it was on camera. LOL!

If you're on one of those budget airlines and have to limit yourself to a personal item size, this tank can help you hold more things on your person when a purse or belt bag would count as a second bag and cost you extra money.

Gotta keep hand sanitizer handy on the plane

Other cool things about this tank top: 

• It's made of recycled polyester/spandex
• It's machine washable
• It's moisture-wicking
• It's wrinkle-free
• It comes in two colors so far - black and gray
• It comes in sizes Small to 3X, so people of all sizes can wear it

you can't even tell I'm wearing a tank with things in the pockets

It's not just perfect for travel, where you don't want to carry a purse through the airport or on the plane, but you can wear this for all these other activities:

• A sporting event or concert where no bags or only stadium bags are allowed
• A festival, where having a purse is annoying
• Taking your dog for a walk
• Going for a run or to the gym
• Sightseeing in crowded areas where pickpockets are prevalent
• When on public transportation

Stop carrying items around in your bra and keep them in convenient pockets instead. There's so many reasons you'll want to have one or more of these comfy tanks in your closet. I'll definitely be keeping one in my travel bag. It's a perfect layering piece, so can be worn in a variety of situations, too. 

Get yours now and support a great woman-owned travel brand, while adding a valuable piece to your travel (and everyday) wardrobe.

How would you wear this awesome tank?

Show Barbara and Pursesuitz some love. Follow them online and check out the other levels of compression tanks on her website. 

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Disclaimer: I was given the Pursesuitz Pocketwear Tank for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own. 

Saving Money On the Las Vegas Strip

Last month, I took one of my yearly trips to Vegas. This was a short trip, because I was there for the Travel Goods Show, but I still took time to do some of my favorite free things and also splurge on some food and attractions I wanted to get to. 

If you're headed to Las Vegas, or thinking about visiting and worried about your budget, let me take you through some great free things to spend absolutely zero dollars on, except in gas or via Uber (or the Monorail, which I highly recommend):

Bellagio Conservatory

I love the Bellagio. There are some great places to eat, luxury shops where I enjoy window shopping, a video of upscale fashion shows, and it just has a good vibe. The stand-out for me is the lobby and the conservatory, which both change with the season. Anytime you go, there will be a different theme than the last time you were there. Even if the theme is the same, it will probably look completely different. Master gardeners create scenes using flowers, seeds, beans and more, which are combined with buildings, walkways, aviaries, and ponds inside a huge class-ceilinged area. 

It's open 24-hours and is completely free. It's a fantastic opportunity to get some lovely pics, and if it's busy, you'll be competing with plenty of other visitors doing the same thing. Don't forget to walk behind the main structure, as there's always something cool to see, and this is usually where I take selfies.

Flamingo Habitat

I love the Flamingo, the Linq and the Linq Promenade. It's one of my favorite areas of the Las Vegas Strip. If you're looking for a relaxing time just viewing some beautiful animals, head to the Flamingo's Flamingo Habitat. You'll find flamingos, pelicans (they have feeding times if you'd like to visit and watch), koi, catfish, turtles and more in a lovely little oasis, complete with flamingo fountain and waterfall.

Wynn Fountain

If you don't enjoy crowds or want to wait for the fountains to start over at the Bellagio, head down to Wynn for a smaller water show that runs 24/7. It's also right next to their waterfall, which gives a great backdrop for a photo op.

Palazzo Lobby & Canal Shoppes

Like the Bellagio, the Palazzo changes up their lobby decor based on season, as well as their decor throughout their side of the Canal Shoppes. Inside you'll also find a very tall waterfall feature and a reflecting pool. Continue through the Shoppes to the Venetian, where you'll be able to walk along Italian canals, over bridges and enjoy free entertainment, like people dressed as statues, as well as some fantastic musicians. 

The Park MGM

Don't get this confused with The Park at MGM, which is the hotel across the street. MGM Park is attached to New York New York and is a great outdoor area lined with eateries. That's not all though! There's a water walkway feature, places to sit, vendor kiosks and on some nights you can take in free local musicians or watch artists creating awesome things, like murals that are displayed downtown.

Streets of New York at NYNY

Some of the best features of the streets have been replaced with more gambling and slots, but it doesn't diminish the fact that you can feel like you're walking down actual streets in New York City and even feel like you're seeing a little bit of Times Square. Slow down and look around. Look up, because the balconies and windows have some cool details. I also love to take pictures of store fronts and myself on stoops. 

M&M World

If those candy-coated chocolates are a favorite of yours, you can view 3+ floors of merchandise, sponsored items like a racecar hood with M&M art, and candy gifts plus there's even a free movie featuring your favorite candies. You don't have to buy anything here if you don't want, and there are even some fun photo ops throughout.

Statues, Atmosphere, and Fall of Atlantis

I don't recommend gambling at Caesar's Palace, but that's a personal preference of mine since I never win anything there. I still pay a visit there, starting with a stop out front to the colorful prayer shrine, where I donate a buck or two and light a stick of incense to give me some luck (either it doesn't work at Caesars, or else I'm just giving money for my own enjoyment). Inside, there are tons of impressive Roman statues and architecture elements, and if you continue through, you'll end up in the Caesar shops, which is a big indoor shopping mall that looks like you're outside. 

Head to the very end and witness the free animatronic show The Fall of Atlantis. It's not good, but it's fun to see at least once. Hopefully, they will either revamp this show or repair the animatronics, because the people are in terrible need of it. Don't forget to check out the aquarium, which you'll find on the backside of this round and see what sort of sunken treasure you can spy while viewing the marine life.

Brahma Shrine

If you are looking to gamble or just need a little extra luck in your life, stop by the shrine outside of Caesars. Donate some change or a few dollars, light a stick of incense and say a little prayer. This shrine has a historical marker and has been a landmark outside of Caesars since 1984. I love stopping by and just soaking in a little bit of serenity. It's tucked in a little patch of bushes across from Hell's Kitchen, so it's quiet, except for the cascading of the nearby fountains.

There are lots of other things to see that aren't on The Strip, and I'll probably have another post up on those soon, because I think there are some great things to do in Las Vegas that aren't losing your money and/or drinking all day at the pool. 

Do you have favorite freebies in Las Vegas?