Toiletries? my oh my..

[Disneybabe84]

Okay, -sigh- I have one big problem. I pack way to much stuff when I got on vacation.. I just can't be without my everyday essentials, and believe me the list is huge. I wrote out a list of toiletries that I usually bring with me when I go away; I am just so sick and tired of lugging around a huge case full of hair products, cosmetics, and body stuff. It's a whole extra suitcase! I just don't know how to cut down on my toiletries because I really do need all of the stuff I pack. It is really getting ridiculous because I feel it gets worse and worse everytime I go away. I bought a huge diaper bag so I can stuff all my toiletries in it and count it as luggage, of course it does not fit. My question to you is, how do you know what to pack when it comes to personal hygiene? How can I possibly cut down this time? My boyfriend is stunned by how much stuff I tote around with me when we go away. Any tips/ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

 

[yellowfish78]

I'm like this with shoes. Last time I traveled I had one 22" suitcase just for them!

I always try to stock up on small stuff for traveling. Lots of travel size containers and packages!

I do take regular size bottles of shampoo and conditioner though...reason being they are almost gone, and I just leave them there when we pack to go home. That free's up some space for when you bring home what you've bought!

Try putting a box or bag in the bathroom when you get ready in the morning, something you don't normally keep your "essentials" in. Anything you use, put it into the box. You might think that you might not need everything; and in the next six days it might help you "decrease" your supply of things to take.

 

[elizke]

"I really do need all of the stuff I pack"

You must rethink this! It's the only truly effective way! : )

I also have a few small squeeze bottles from Walmart I transfer some things into if I can't find a travel size of things I use. Just need to label them.


E.

 

[carolfoy]

Use cosmetics that 'double up' ie a nice bronzer that'll do as an eyeshadow as well, a lipgloss that'll also do as a cream blush. one body spray that will be thrown away at the end

 

[java]

First off It is Florida- humidity will melt any effort you put in in the morning. I really only pack the bare minimum. I don't wear makeup at disney during the day because it is just so hot when we go. A gloss is all I need. And as for hair care stuff I do use different stuff on vacation than I use at home... just because they don't make the mouse I use in a tiny size and I can't bring that huge can with me(man oh man I am sounding like the Jersey girl I am here) So I just find something close enough in travel size. How much product do you put on your hair? What cured me of all my stuff was when I went to Europe with just a backpack(and I was there for a month!!) I learned to travel light and it really was fantastic! Less is more. A ponytail is your friend at Disney. Good luck I can fit all our toiletries(for 6 people) in a gallon ziploc. I think if you say to yourself I am only allowed to take enough stuff that fits in this small bag you will feel more in control and you will also eliminate some of your "essentials". You might want to buy a train case. It is about the size of a large pocketbook and you can fit a lot in there. Plus you can carry it on.

 

[ducklite]

I've got travel size of almost everything. Things that come in tubes I save the "2-3 weeks left" tubes for travel so they are pretty small.

In my toiletries bag are:

shampoo
conditioner
body wash
face wash
mini "poof"
deoderant
toner spritz (helps control my rosacea otherwise I'd do without for a week)
q-tips/makeup remover pads
eye makeup remover
facial moisturizer
hand cream
hair gel/lotion
hairspray
toothbrush/toothpaste
assorted items such as nail clippers, emory boards, mini emergency sewing kit, tea bags (can be used in a pinch for soothing eyes as well as making a cup of tea), tweezers, a few bandaids, ammodium, packets of Tylenol
hairbrush
small pill sorter, Advair Diskus

Al of this fits into one average size toiletries bag. Many people would say this is too much. For me it's just right, but I can't imagine needing more than that on a regular basis. If we are going someplace where I'll be in the sun I'd add sunblock or if we were going someplace with a soaking tub I'd add bubble bath, but that's about it.

I could probably cram most of my makeup in there as well if I needed to, although I simply carry a small seperate bag for that with just the basics and one shade of lipstick that will match everything I'm taking.

Anne

 

[emilymad]

I tend to carry a ton of stuff with me. It feels like less of a vacation if I have to "make do" with a limited amount of stuff. I buy a lot of stuff in trial sizes. Target had a great selection last week. I use Redken stuff for my hair. Ulta carries travel sizes of a lot of their products. I do agree with the ponytail though. Between the humidity and the rides my hair is up by 10am most days.

 

[Disneybabe84]

First off It is Florida- humidity will melt any effort you put in in the morning. I really only pack the bare minimum. I don't wear makeup at disney during the day because it is just so hot when we go. A gloss is all I need. And as for hair care stuff I do use different stuff on vacation than I use at home... just because they don't make the mouse I use in a tiny size and I can't bring that huge can with me(man oh man I am sounding like the Jersey girl I am here) So I just find something close enough in travel size. How much product do you put on your hair? What cured me of all my stuff was when I went to Europe with just a backpack(and I was there for a month!!) I learned to travel light and it really was fantastic! Less is more. A ponytail is your friend at Disney. Good luck I can fit all our toiletries(for 6 people) in a gallon ziploc. I think if you say to yourself I am only allowed to take enough stuff that fits in this small bag you will feel more in control and you will also eliminate some of your "essentials". You might want to buy a train case. It is about the size of a large pocketbook and you can fit a lot in there. Plus you can carry it on.

Thanks so much for the advice haha. we jersey girls are histerical! lOl. I don't use makeup at all during the day, just gloss, because im on rides and its so hot there, at night is when I really do most of my 'dressing up' since we will go out to family dinners and such. I scrunch my hair with pantene pro v curling gel and hair spray, i let it air dry and let the florida weather work its magic, the more hot and humid it is the better my hair looks haha! (only when scrunched, if its straightened its a huge mess lol) i am going to do the whole train case thing, I think thats such a great idea! I never thought of it! thanks hun!

 

[ZoZo]

I'm with you - I'm an over-packer by nature, and always bring way more than I need. Here are my tips (I just did a WDW trip in October, and pared down significantly):

1) They make travel/trial sizes of nearly every health/beauty product, so scour places like Target or you local drug store. I even found a trial size of my Bausch and Lomb contact lens solution there for $1/bottle. Toothpast, antiperspirant, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, hairspray, dental floss, etc. all come in trial sizes. You can also find small combs, brushes, etc.

2) Think about your daily routine and figure out what you can cut back on. Do you really need three different hair products, or can you get by with one (travel size) product for the week? I was able to cut out many items by asking myself, "Can I get by without this for the week?"

3) Leave your hair dryer, travel iron, etc. at home. Most hotels (certainly all Disney hotels) have them in the rooms. Check before you go, though.

4) Cut back on your make-up - as many people have already said, if you're a make-up wearer, you probably won't need to put on as much at WDW.

5) You didn't mention clothes, but I assume you probably over-pack there, as well. I brought way too many in October - wish I had brought half the clothes I had. I did laundry mid-week (very easy, and what a life-saver!) and could easily have cut down the clothes by half.

6) There are a few things to be sure to pack a good supply of, IMO, which are: sunscreen (the new Coppertone or Neutrogena spray-on type is wonderful!); emergency ponchos; film (if you use a 35mm camera); and batteries.

Good luck!

 

[la79al]

My biggest problem is overpacking first-aid and OTC medications for the kids. I figure the time I dont have it is the time we will need it (like last year when we had to run to get mole skin). I can't see spending so much to buy stuff down there when I can get it so cheap before I leave. Any suggestions?

 

[Kae]

My biggest problem is overpacking first-aid and OTC medications for the kids. I figure the time I dont have it is the time we will need it (like last year when we had to run to get mole skin). I can't see spending so much to buy stuff down there when I can get it so cheap before I leave. Any suggestions?

How old are you kids mine are 5 & 8 I pack Tylenol & Advil, Sudafed, some Band aids, mole skin and unless they are taking a script that's it.

As far as the beauty stuff goes-I am a junkie at home but away I get by with much less. Cond for my & DD hair yep I use the junk the hotel provides, Sunscreen,deo, Toothpaste & brush, Face wash & tinted moist, & a makeup "palette" that has a blush & shadows. And foot cream for my weary dogs!

Kae

 

[nliedel]

I buy small bottles and stick them in there.

 

[KCMiller]

Toiletries . . . hmm. Here's what I bring:

my own soap (I like Kirk's Castile)
body lotion with spf, and a face and hand moisturizer
one of those endless lipcolors - I use the same one pretty much every day
a hairbrush
a razor and gel

I use the shampoo they provide in the hotel room. I don't use conditioner.

That's pretty much it. No kidding. I jettisoned all the hair stuff and the makeup years ago - and people tell me I look pretty good (they comment on my skin, a lot - they think I'm younger than I am). And the best part is, I'm out of the hotel room in short order.


KC

 

[ducklite]

My biggest problem is overpacking first-aid and OTC medications for the kids. I figure the time I dont have it is the time we will need it (like last year when we had to run to get mole skin). I can't see spending so much to buy stuff down there when I can get it so cheap before I leave. Any suggestions?

You're assuming you'll NEED first aid and medications. I take a couple band aids, and a single packet of neosporin, some packets of Tylenol, and a few tablets of Ammodium, and a half a roll of Tums. There is really nothing else that you would need so quickly that you couldn't get onsite if you needed to. The cost--if you even needed things--isn't worth lugging it all. If you'll need more than a bandaid and packet of Neosporin, you'll need the first aid centers or Paramedics. (And the first aid people are more than happy to give you a few extra bandaids if someone has a ****oo.)

Anne

 

[dougsmom98]

Until this last trip, I always had trouble spending the money for travel size toiletries. I am so frugal, but for my birthday and Christmas stocking, my DH bought travel sizes for me and now I am hooked. I can't believe how much space it saved. I will also buy more stuff once I am down there rather than cart it with me on the plane. I always bring kids' medicine though and will continue to do that. I need it on every trip and you never know what time of day or night you'll need it. I also bought some smaller plastic bottles to put my shampoo and conditioner in. They are not the smallest size, but still smaller than my huge bottle of pantene. I need a lot of conditioner because I have long curly hair.

 

[Maybelle]

toner spritz (helps control my rosacea otherwise I'd do without for a week)




To Anne...Ducklite

Just wondering about this toner. I have rosacea and I am always looking for new products.

Thanks for any info!

 

[iluvallthingsdisney]

LL Bean makes some really nice toiletry bags which hold a lot of gear. I use the family size one for our family of 4 for a week at WDW and I have space left over in the bag. Here's a link for the bag:

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...egory=4525&cat4=2936&shop_method=pp&feat=dp50

I also pack a full size liquid body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and 2and1 shampoo/conditioner for the kids and my DH.

Everthing else is travel size:

comb
brush
hair clip
ponytails
toothpaste
4 toothbrushes
mouthwash
contact lens solution
contact case
baby powder
q-tips
bandaids
band aid blister bandaids 2 packs
adult tylenol
child motrin
body poof
body lotion
wipes
about 5 cosmetic items

Thats what I have cut my packing list down to after many trips. Thats my list of bare essentials. Good luck with the packing!

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

I, too, travel without hair dryer and curling iron, as has been said most hotels have them anyway. If you are trying to save money, then invest in small cheap plastic bottles into which you can put things like shampoo, conditioner, etc. Downsizing can be easy, just remember you have a movie star image to protect and you look fine with what God has given you, just enhance it a bit. We never look as badly as we think we do.

 

[malibuconlee]

I agree, buy travel sizes whenever possible. If that's not enough for shampoo, buy some of the refillable bottles that are a little bigger, but will still fit into your toiletries bag.

I do the same thing with vitamins. I don't carry all of my bottles, I just put enough of each into one container so it doesn't take up much room.

I do have a couple of things that I have to bring the big bottles of, hairspray being one of them. Sometimes I'll just suck it up and use a brand I wouldn't normally use for a few days just to save space.

I'm with you. I don't wear make-up at WDW during the day, just occasionally at night. It would be a wreck after 10 minutes in the heat or on a water ride. I just slather on the sunscreen and go, then shower in the afternoon before we go out at night.