Upgraded Travel Essentials You Didn’t Know Existed
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Close your eyes and imagine the warmth of the sun on your skin in Aruba, the gentle breeze on a street in Lisbon, and the thrill of an African safari.
Adventure beckons, and an upcoming vacation is just around the corner, ready to whisk you away to a world of awe-inspiring beauty and unforgettable experiences. It's time to ignite your wanderlust and embrace the excitement of traveling.
But then you remember that you need to pack.
Packing my carry on is part of the fun of vacation for me though, because I’ve (painstakingly) researched and have assembled the perfect list of must-have’s to make for a more comfortable, easier trip and a prettier you.
Yes, you can turn the traveling part of your vacation into fun with products that make it easier and more comfortable, and accessories that make the entire experience more stylish!
Because let’s face it – you look forward to a trip more if you have cute things to pull out of your carry on (that will also help you get through the TSA line and make sleep easier on a long haul flight)!
Traveling can be an indulgent luxury or a pain in the butt. Beyond ensuring practicality and convenience, a well-prepared suitcase can be the difference between the two.
In this post, I’ll go through the travel essentials I’m never without (which you may not even know existed) to aid in three key areas (and scroll down to read more about the goodies):
(Scroll down for more about these products and why I love them.)
1. Comfort.
Because comfort is key. A mini white noise machine, blackout stickers, a travel pillow that rolls up, and liquid melatonin.
2. Stylishness.
Because you have more pep in your step when you are pulling cute accessories out of your bag (even better if the bag has a shoe department and a USB charger). A vibrating brush for a mini facial, an ultra-hydrating mask for the flight (and one for your lips ), clear cosmetics bags, slippers for the plane/hotel, and travel sunscreen.
3. Efficiency.
Because you can only take so many things with you. A 3-in-1 charger for all your gadgets, a cable organizer, a collapsible water bottle, packing cubes, clear organization bags to compartmentalize everything, a pill organizer. a selfie stick/tripod, and a travel steamer.
Comfort.
Here are the things that will ensure you are comfortable on the plane, can sleep in the hotel, etc.
Mini White Noise Machine.
Blocks any street noise (I could have used this during a stay in Dublin) or people coming back to the hotel drunk late at night. This is something everyone needs but no one knows exists!
Blackout Stickers.
Travel Pillow That Rolls Up.
The problem with most travel pillows is that they’re bulky, and you look like you’re a college student backpacking through Europe when you attach it to your carry on. This one rolls up and fits in your bag, so you get the benefits of easier sleep without having to risk it touching an airport toilet.
Liquid Melatonin.
Melatonin is amazing if you don’t want to take a sleeping pill on a long flight (those make me too groggy and give me a foggy hangover, so I always avoid them while traveling). But liquid melatonin hits you faster (and for me, harder).
You could also try Calm, which is my favorite insomnia cure!!!
Stylishness.
Arrive at your destination or wake up impossibly fresh and with fun accessories.
Facial on the Go (i.e. a vibrating brush).
This is just a portable version of the brush you have at home! Keep your skin care routine top notch even while on vacation!
Hydrating Leave-On Mask.
I will not get on a plane without this stuff.
We all know how dehydrating long flights are. This really counteracts the dryness of the cabin air, and you don’t have to wash it off! Slather some on before you take a nap - it’s as close to a spa experience as you can get at 35,000 feet.
Lip Mask.
Can you tell I LOVE this brand?
If your lips get as dry and chapped as mine do, this is for you! Aside from tasting delicious, it is really thick and creamy. As an added bonus, it doubles as lip gloss! (Quite honestly, the color is so pretty it’s a shame to waste it on your sleeping time.)
TSA-Approved Clear Cosmetics Bags.
Because these are more grown-up than plastic baggies that would otherwise be used for a sandwich.
Travel Sunscreen.
Sunscreen is the BEST anti-aging product out there. This one has the benefit of not taking up any of your liquid carry on allowance.
Don’t forget to put it on for the flight too - the UV rays are strong up there!!
Sturdy Slippers.
These are a bit of a splurge, but your feet should be comfortable on a long haul flight. Also, I don’t like walking around barefoot in hotels.
I love these slippers because my feet won’t come close to any of the grime on plane bathroom floors like they would in most slippers!
An Efficient Carry On.
This one has all kinds of compartments (like one for your shoes) and a USB charger. Plus it’s really cute!
Efficiency.
Get through the TSA line quickly and minimize what you need in your carry on. FYI, yes, you can travel with just a carry on!
3-in-1 Charger.
Because it’s really annoying and time-consuming to charge one device at a time.
Cable Organizer.
It drives me nuts to have a bunch of loose cables in my bag! 1. They get tangled together, and 2. I have a hard time finding the one I want! This keeps them wrangled so that you can find exactly the one you need.
Collapsible Water Bottle.
This one is clutch. It’s so much easier to just collapse this down and carry around instead of hauling an empty Nalgene bottle through the airport. Or if you buy water at the airport, this will pay for itself after one or two vacations.
Packing Cubes.
This is a great product for helping you travel with just a carry on! And if you think you can’t travel with just a carry on, you’re wrong!!
Read my tips for how to pack for a trip in just a carry on bag here, compiled from all my trips with only a little wheelie bag (including a trip to Australia and New Zealand)!
Clear Organizing Bags.
It makes it soooooo much easier to find things when you group like with like in these bags. You can easily see what’s inside each!
Pill Organizer.
Keep all your vitamins and melatonin in one place (it looks much better than a baggie filled with pills).
Selfie Stick/Tripod.
I FOUGHT the selfie stick for awhile, but if you are traveling alone, it is key for getting pictures of yourself in front of cool things. And much better than handing your phone over to complete strangers (who may not even speak the same language)!
Travel Steamer.
WAY better than an iron in hotels. I only use a steamer even at home at this point.
And if you’re trying to condense everything into a carry on so you don’t waste time at baggage claim (or money checking bags!), click here for my FREE carry on packing list! It will make sure you have all the essentials (instead of 12 pairs of shoes you won’t wear):
