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Traveling almost always requires packing for the trip. There are some items that I always pack in my suitcase, whether it’s for just a weekend getaway or a week-long adventure. To make sure I don’t forget to pack these essential items, I always, always make a list. I’ve actually created a packing list template (actually a few to choose from) that can be downloaded for FREE to make traveling even easier! Now, let me share my packing list with you and the essential items I always pack in my suitcase.
Makeup
Makeup is something that I always travel with. I am the type of girl who almost always wears makeup so it’s important that I pack it. I actually share a list of the specific makeup products I travel with in this blog post.
Makeup remover
To take off the makeup I wear, I use a makeup remover. I used to use Neutrogena’s makeup remover and then I heard about micellar cleansing water and decided to give it a try.
I’ve used many Garnier products in the past so I went with their micellar cleansing water. I love it! It doesn’t leave my skin feeling oily and it takes off my waterproof makeup so easily. The bottles are larger so when I travel, I just put some into an old travel-size makeup remover bottle. You can also buy travel-sized containers to use as well.
I carry a makeup bag that doesn’t actually fit inside of my suitcase because it’s large, but it also houses some other essential items I need. Here are those items.
Hair Products I Pack in my Suitcase
Hairbrush
I never travel without a hairbrush. My hair is straight and fine and needs to be combed daily. I’m currently using a hairbrush like these but have tried round ones over the years too. I actually keep a travel sized hair brush as well in my purse. It’s been a great item to always have handy!
Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Shampoo and conditioner are products that I’ve always used on my hair (like most people). For years, I’ve used this blonde shampoo and conditioner to help the color of my hair last longer. I like the the products but wanted to try something different.
Recently, I began to use more natural products on my hair and body. I found out about shampoo bars and asked Mule Hell Trading Company, a local business, about them. They didn’t make bars specifically for hair but shared with me the soap bars that they tell people to use on their hair. So, I used their soap bars for a few months on my hair and body. I liked the ease of using one bar for both my hair and body. It’s great for traveling too, as it takes up less space since fewer products are being used.
Then I tried Mule Hell Trading Company’s all-natural liquid shampoo and conditioner. I liked it too but not nearly as much as their brand-new products: actual shampoo and conditioner bars! I’ve only used the bars a few times but they are already, by far, my favorite hair product from Mule Hell Trading Company. I’m especially obsessed with the conditioner bar!
I have found that shampoo and conditioner bars are easier to travel with (and here’s even more reasons to use them). You don’t have to worry about liquids leaking into your suitcase and the bars take up little space.
Hair straightener
Admittedly, I don’t always pack a hair straightener in my suitcase, although I usually do for long trips. I’m trying to train my hair to where I don’t have to wash it every day. If I don’t wash it though, I sometimes need tools to style it. This is where the hair straightener helps.
The hair straightener I currently use is older so I can’t find it online, however these are similar to what I use. I am looking for something smaller to travel with though. A small straightener like this could be the perfect travel one to pack!
Toiletries I Pack in my Suitcase
Soap
Mule Hell Trading Company’s soap is what I’ve been using for the past almost six months. It’s what I initially used as shampoo too but now it’s back to being just my body soap.
I also purchased a wooden soap dish to hold the bars and the dishes came with exfoliator bags which I use regularly now. The bags help the soap bar lather, dry out when not in use, and exfoliates my body.
Toothbrush and toothpaste
When I’m home, I use this Arm & Hammer toothpaste and an electric Oral-B toothbrush. However, the tube and brush are sort of big, so when I’m traveling, I use just a small travel toothbrush and toothpaste set. I usually find mine at Walmart or even the Dollar Tree.
Razor
A razor is another item that I always travel with. I have been using this Schick Intuition Razor for as long as I can remember. I never have to buy shaving cream because the Intuition Razor has it already on it. The razor blades on the razor have shaving cream/soap around them already so all you need is water to use it. This makes shaving while traveling so easy.
Plus, if you happen to find yourself using a small shower to try to shave in, you don’t have to worry about applying shaving cream and having it all wash off immediately with the Schick Intuition Razor.
Perfume
When packing perfume, I try to bring small, travel-sized bottles of it. Some of my favorites are Noir Tease, by Victoria’s Secret, This one, actually by Justin Bieber, and most recently, Boho Beach by Wild and Free. The scent is not only amazing (and can be used on your hair), but I like the name too.
Jewelry
I don’t wear a lot of jewelry. However, the jewelry I do wear are small pieces that take up little space when traveling. These gorgeous stud earrings from Evergreen Stamping are ones that I pack all the time now. They are simple but, at the same time, go with any outfit. You can use the coupon code: BRIANA to buy two pair of stud earrings and get one free!, if you decide to purchase a pair of the sparkle studs!
I also wear this wave ring and this mountain ring from Pura Vida and a spoon ring similar to these.
*TRAVEL HACK: The super simple but brilliant way I found to pack my jewelry is by using this item! Plus, it’s inexpensive! Now my jewelry is organized and doesn’t get all tangled up.
Of course, I don’t just pack makeup and toiletries. I need clothes too! I tend to over pack in the clothing department, however, I’m trying to get better at packing versatile clothing to cut down on space in my suitcase.
Here are the clothing items that I always pack in my suitcase.
Clothing I Pack in my Suitcase
Shirts
First, I always pack shirts. Depending on the weather of the place I’ll be traveling to, I pack mostly t-shirts, tanks tops, and if it’s colder, I will pack long sleeves and sweaters. I’ve actually found that cardigans can really change an outfit so I will sometimes bring one or two along.
Sweatshirt
Regardless of the weather, I tend to always pack some sort of sweatshirt in my suitcase, just in case. Temperatures can change quickly. The first time I ever attended the Carolina Country Music Festival, it was so cold that first evening of the festival that my sister and I had to go buy sweatshirts! And that was in June in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina! The weather can change so quickly sometimes.
Bottoms
Whether it’s jeans, shorts, or yoga pants, I always pack bottoms. In colder climates, I pack jeans and yoga pants. My favorite jeans are from American Eagle but I’ve started shopping for them at places like Marshall’s and have found some great jeans and yoga pants there!
In warmer places, I’ll pack jean shorts and comfortable shorts made of stretchy/yoga pants material. I’ve really been loving this style of shorts.
They are comfortable, not too short, and I can even wear them under dresses, which leads me to the next clothing item I’ve started packing more.
Dresses
Dresses are so easy to pack and wear. There are cute and comfortable ones that take up less space in a suitcase. Dresses can sometimes be pricey though, so I’ve started shopping for them at local Goodwills and even when I travel to other places.
I am all about the comfort but with dresses, comfort and style can easily be created for a fun look to wear anywhere.
Undergarments
Underwear and (usually) bras are definitely essential items. Of course, you have to bring them when you travel! Does anyone else over pack them though? I always pack way more than I need.
Shoes
The next item I always pack is shoes. Obviously, everyone packs some type of shoe when they travel. If the weather is warm where I’m traveling to, I pack a pair of simple flipflops and then a pair of nicer sandals.
I found this pair randomly at a Marshall’s and they have been my favorite sandals! They go with shorts, jeans, and even dresses. I always pack them now because they are so comfortable and versatile.
Another pair of sandals that I have look like the classic Birkenstock’s but mine cost just a small fraction of what an actual pair of Birkenstock’s cost.
I have also learned to bring a good pair of walking shoes, like sneakers. I got these Adidas ones recently and I love them! They are so comfortable and pretty. Plus, they’re soft and compact which makes them great for packing into a suitcase!
In colder weather, I like to wear boots. Riding boots like these are beautiful but this past winter, I started wearing booties. These are the booties I have and I found that I wore them so much and they went with so many outfits!
I also have a pair of duck boots. I wear them so much during the fall and winter seasons. They can make a fall or winter outfit look so cute! I love them! The duck boots are a bit bulky though so it may be harder to pack them into your suitcase.
I definitely recommend a nice pair of boots that can be worn with many different outfits, that way, you don’t have to pack as many shoes.
Socks
I only bring socks with me if I’m also bringing my sneakers and/or boots. I like ankle socks but will also bring taller socks if I bring my riding and/or duck boots.
Rain coat
I like to bring a raincoat when I travel, just in case. A nice, waterproof jacket from The North Face is what I wear when it’s cold and wet outside. However, I also have a lightweight, waterproof The North Face rain jacket that packs nicely into a suitcase. I usually bring it because it’s smaller and easier to roll up and pack into my suitcase.
Aside from toiletries and clothing, electronic devices are something I’m finding impossible not to pack, these days. Here are the electronic items that I basically always pack in my suitcase.
Electronics I Pack in my Suitcase
Phone charger
I have an older iPhone (I desperately need a new one) and I’m finding that I need to charge it more often. A phone charger is a must-pack item on my list for sure! When I’m out and about though, it’s not always easy to find an outlet to charge my phone. This is why the next item I always pack is also so important.
Portable charger
This portable phone charger was a life saver during my trip to New York City! I was using my phone for everything from taking photos to mapping out how to get to our next site so I was draining the battery. About three full charges was what I got out of my portable charger before I had to start using my sister’s.
I highly recommend packing a portable charger for any trip!
Earbuds
Earbuds are just an item that I always pack because I can use them in several different situations. If I want to listen to something on my phone in a noisy place, I pop in the earbuds.
If my sister, who I travel with often, is snoring, I pop in the earbuds. And if I simply want to listen to music anytime during my travels, I just use my earbuds.
Laptop and Case?
Just recently, I got this MacBook Pro laptop computer and I’m obsessed with it! I owned an iMac for several years and while I loved how big and clear the screen was, it just wasn’t portable. So, I sold the iMac and got a laptop. I’m a fan of Apple products anyways, and have enjoyed this new MacBook Pro so much! But I instantly realized that I needed to protect it as much as possible.
As soon as the new laptop arrived, I went online and started searching for a hard case and laptop bag. After comparing prices and reading reviews, I went with this laptop case bundle. Not only was I getting a hard case to snap onto my laptop, but I also got a matching bag, keyboard cover, screen protectors, and webcam cover in the bundle. Just an FYI, they have other color options. You don’t have to buy pink cover!
Having the protective case plus all the additional products included for my laptop has made traveling with the laptop easier. I feel like it’s well-protected now.
This may seem like a long list of items to always pack in my suitcase, but honestly, it’s not a lot for me. I try to pack in a smart way. I also use these packing cubes (check out my review here) and it makes packing these items in a suitcase a lot easier!
Here’s a Recap of Essential Items:
So, there’s my packing list! I hope this list will help you the next time you start packing for your next adventure and maybe it has given you some new items to try out for yourself as well.
Are there any items that you think I should add to my packing list? Let me know in the comment section below!
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