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Let's figure out that toiletry situation (and much, much more).

Budget airlines have stricter constraints on luggage size (looking at you, Spirit Airlines and EasyJet) because, well, you get what you pay for and they've gotta get you $$$-wise somewhere if not for the face price of the plane ticket. BUT, you can sometimes pay to carry-on a bag that doesn't fit their FREE.99 baggage allowances or are allowed one depending on the type of ticket you book. For example, a few years ago I paid for priority boarding and to take on my roller carry-on on an EasyJet flight from Palma de Mallorca to Gatwick, and then from Gatwick to Rhodes, Greece. It was worth the peace of mind to have my stuff with me and not risk the airline losing my bag (which has been happening QUITE frequently lately, in case you've been living in a cave). 

Plus! Make sure that you're measuring correctly when planning ahead. Confusing centimeters for inches would be downright tragic. 

If you ever cross into TravelTok, you've probably already seen videos about sizers changing in dimensions at certain airports with vigilant commenters! (Yep, I am one of those vigilant commenters.) 

I tested this digital luggage scale out when packing for a trip to Iceland — check out my demo of how it works on TikTok!

Promising review: "We use this on every trip to avoid paying for extra weight as we travel internationally quite often. I have tested in several ways and also always note the weigh number in the airport. After several trips, I can say that the accuracy of it is right within 2 lbs. I have it for almost two years and still using the same batteries." —Cass Young

OK if you're flying stateside you likely won't be asked to weigh your carry-on but, GUYS, this is very much a thing in Europe. (I once had to check a bag flying British Airways out of Dubrovnik, Croatia because they made me weigh my carry-on roller bag.)

Get it from Beis for $268 (available in four sizes and nine colors).

Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!

Promising review: "This works out so well for me. I’m a flight attendant, and I’ve had an infinite amount of day trips over the summer. I got tired of carrying around my regular TravelPro spinner, so I finally ordered this. SOOOOO MUCH BETTER FOR ME. It’s light, has enough pockets, and can easily fit under a seat if needed.The ONLY picky thing I can think of is how loud it sounds going across rough concrete. The wheels aren’t as silent as others, but that won’t stop me from buying another in the future." —Kayla T

Get it from Amazon for $50.88+ (available in four colors).

I have a gorgeous reusable toiletries bag that I constantly travel with domestically in the US. But every single time I try to use it when going through security in a European airport, I'm made to switch to a plastic baggy that's the EXACT size constraint. I've learned my lesson and have just started keeping the plastic baggy left over from a trip to pack my toiletries in from the jump. Yes, it's more wasteful, but rules are rules!

Promising review: "Love this packing list! Help me in detail for my summer vacations. I was able to make one for myself and one for my granddaughter. It helped her all the way, packing her own things. Very, very helpful." —norma willis

For example, if you're a super light sleeper and struggle in new environments, it's probably worth throwing in your white noise machine to help you get some Zzzzzs instead of that baseball cap you always take to the beach but never end up wearing. 

For example, I watched the above video before I went to Croatia in 2021 with FTLO (I love the Wolters World YouTube channel!) and learned that, yep, I needed water shoes. And I was so grateful that I packed them because 1) they were very expensive in Croatia and 2) someone in my group who didn't wear them stepped on a sea urchin. And yep, there was blood. 

You can snag the JW PEI purse from Amazon for $58.99 (IMO it's the perfect vacation purse) and the dress is from a Nuuly rental ($98 for six items for a month, which is PERFECT for vacation dressing). The sandals were on their way out by the time I went on my weeks-long trip and I ended up tossing them in the hotel before I came back because of some tears. But they served me well on the trip!

I will never shut up about this wonderful JW PEI purse I've taken on many trips to different countries. On a summer 2022 trip to France, Monaco, Spain, and Greece I brought that and a secondhand MCM crossbody barrel bag that both served me well. But! I mainly just carried the JW PEI purse.

On a more recent trip to Paris, Bologna, and Milan, I packed the green M. Gemi purse (now sold out in green but available in other colors!) and a Loeffler Randall bag that I got for Christmas 2015.

Promising review: "This trench coat is well constructed and very high quality. It looks great over formal attire but can also elevate a casual look. It has a slightly loose fit, as expected with this style, but can be cinched with the belt. It’s lightweight, making it ideal for spring or fall. Just enough to cut the chill and keep you dry in the rain, but not overly warm. This is my second LF trench, the first had a plaid flannel lining which — while very soft and pretty — always made me sweat. This one is perfect!!" —Ash

Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in sizes 2XS–3X and three colors).

I have this exact pair of tights and have been wearing them nonstop for about three years. I barely wear pants and rock dresses most of the time, so I've probably worn them more often than the average human. I've worn several pairs of their tights on heavy-walking city vacations in Paris, Bologna, and Milan. 

Get them from Sheertex for $35 (available in sizes XXS–4XL).

I always wear my white Supergas on the plane (my essential travel walking shoe that I also wore to the Oceanic Museum of Monaco, seen here) and stretchy black leggings, plus a bulkier cardigan that I use later to cover up before stepping into cathedrals or bring along for chillier nights. 

I did this for a February 2023 trip to Iceland on Iceland Air, which has super strict baggage restrictions. I wore my heaviest coat and shoved Clif bars, lip balm, face masks, and all sorts of little things I'd know I'd need. I also wore my duck boots on the plane. Which, despite how it sounds, was actually quite cozy!

Though if my trip involves hiking, I'll wear my Merrell hiking sneakers on the plane because they're bulky but still look fashion-y enough to where they don't look "off." BUT do NOT worry about wearing your bulkiest footwear (think hiking boots) on the plane. Have you SEEN some of the stuff people wear on the plane? You're fine. It's fine.

Back in June, I wore this walking around Cagliari, Sardinia, and down ~700 stairs to a cave (and then promptly back up) so I can attest it makes for excellent photo ops *and* is airy enough for such activities. Yes, that is ME wearing this set on the way back up from said cave. Since then, I wore it a Yankees baseball game, a long weekend in Lisbon, walking around Athens, and have it packed for a Caribbean cruise. So yeah, I'm def getting my money's worth out of it!

Promising review: "I got so many compliments when wearing this set on vacation in Hawaii! The top is very comfortable and cropped at just the right length. The shorts were a little see through, but for the price they were very comfortable." —Courtney Smith

Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and in 13 colors/patterns). 

That's me, rappelling down a waterfall in Argentina while on a Flash Pack trip and wearing what I wore on the plane to Buenos Aires. I knew I was going to get dirty and wet while ziplining through the jungle, so this was some solid planning. I think it's always worth packing a clean pair of leggings or pants for your flight home, so I had a *dry* pair to wear while flying back. 

Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. I've packed these on international trips to much success!

Promising review: "I used these in my cabin bathroom on a 15-day cruise, and it worked out wonderfully! (I also brought a rubber plug/mat so my items could rest in the detergent water before rinsing.)" —Ashley

I've also used some similar soap sheets (that you don't have to put in your toiletries bag) to launder stuff on the go. 

I'm in love with this Loeffler Randall bucket hat (that is no longer for sale) but it's extremely easy to find a bucket hat to suit your personal style nowadays.

It's worth grabbing a cheap set of fun earrings for your trip ($19.99; that you won't cry if you lose) and at least one cute square scarf ($8.99) to tie around your dirty-hair ponytail or use as a headband. 

I snagged this backpack after hearing my colleague Chelsea Stuart sing its praises. I had a trusty (now discontinued) InCase backpack I used as a personal item and served me well on dozens of trips for about five years. But I wanted a bag for some upcoming travel (2.5 weeks in Europe with *just* carry-on for five flights) that opens up like a suitcase for easier packing. Since buying, I've taken it on two long weekend trips (Amtrak to Newport, RI, for a wedding and regional train to a CT country lake house) with no complaints. In fact, for both of those trips I packed MORE than I needed. 

Inside, you'll find a mesh zippered pocket and a plastic pocket perfect for your toiletries. I can fit enough wet toilet toiletries in the second pocket as I'd be allowed to carry-on for a plane. In the mesh pocket I put other necessities like cotton swabs, medicine, eye glasses, etc. The main compartment is deceptively deep so you can easily roll clothes and Lego-fit them in together without using packing cubes. In fact, I fit all of the stuff in the second picture in that section (a romper, PJs, a bikini, sunscreen, five pairs of undies, a pair of jean shorts, nap dress, three pairs of socks, two pairs of sandals, two T-shirts, a slip skirt, sleep mask, curling iron, mini flat iron, makeup bag, and tote bag). AND it has stretchy X-straps to keep it all secure like you'd see in a roller suitcase so when I unzip it, everything stays put. But before I forget, there's a separate cushioned laptop pocket close to the backpack straps that I found works well for books or a Kindle if your travel leaves you laptop-less. 

I love that this backpack has DEEP side pockets so your umbrella or water bottle won't fall out. In fact, I stuck a flashlight and an umbrella in one side pocket. (You could always use a flashlight.) Plus! It has a generously sized pocket on the front of the backpack with easy access for sunglasses, snacks, writing pens...all sorts of those little extras you need to access quickly. To top it all off, the backpack straps and top handle are STURDY. I felt totally secure toting it around and slinging it into overhead storage compartments on the trains. I love the look and construction of it with faux leather and sturdy black canvas, and the trolley passthrough to easily fit on my roller suitcase I'm about to drag through a bunch of airports. At nearly $80, this isn't the cheapest backpack option but if you're a frequent traveler, you'll get so much mileage on it and seriously save on some baggage fees, making it well worth the cost. This backpack and I are going places, for sure. 

NOW when it comes to air travel, you won't be able to put your wet toiletries in the waterproof pocket (as I have in the above pic for a train trip). But! Lots of nonliquid toiletries and essentials fit in there just fine. 

Get it from Beis Travel for $118 (available in four colors). 

Promising review: "It is hard to complain about an item that is exactly what you are looking for. Come on, the price point can't be beat, the lovely extra that came with the bag (bag scarf) is super cute. This is a bag I use to hold a few extra items for quick trips out of town. This bag is a composite product, like tennis shoes and the like. There is almost always that 'new car' smell, which is one way to describe it, for these types of items. But unlike a new car, this is a barely detectable smell, that is faint and is gone by the time you threw the packaging away. Zero complaints, will buy in other colors!" —D.S.

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in a variety of colors).

Promising review: "I live in an apartment and these bags make it so much easier getting my groceries inside. They are sturdy enough that I can make fewer trips. They are so easy to clean. I always keep a couple in my car and purse. I will be buying more. They also come in a handy little bag to keep them together. Love them!" —Tanya

This highly rated set comes with a small travel hand pump!

Promising review: "When the bag is re-inflated, the wrinkles all go away. Keeps stored stuff free of dust and moisture. They're see-through, which makes identifying contents a no-brainer. I would recommend these for traveling as well. Was able to get double into my carry-on. Yay!" —Tina

Get a pack of six small bags from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in other sizes and packs).

Pro-tip: When you use compression packing cubes, it's more effective to lay them flat than to roll them! It helps with the compression (and keeps your clothes from getting too wrinkled). 

Promising review: "These packing cubes helped to keep my clothing organized in my suitcase. They compressed my items and gave me a little more room in suitcase. They are mesh construction so you can see what is inside. Easy zippers. Expandable. Sturdy." —Mary 

Get a set of six from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in four colors). 

Yep, I have a full week's size pill organizer. But if I'm just going for a long weekend, I'm going to drop my vitamins into a Cadence container because it's less than half the size. More room for other stuff! Like souvenirs or an extra top!

These are three pouches I've accumulated over the years that I use often for packing random things like makeup brushes, tampons, whatever. I prefer these over stiffer or hard-sided containers or pouches because I can position them in a number of ways in my suitcase, including packing them empty and flat on my way back when I've used up everything on my trip.

If you're in need of pouches, you can grab a 30-pack of mesh waterproof pouches from Amazon for $16.99.

At home I always use gel Mitchum deodorant and opted for a random solid deo at the drugstore labeled for sensitive skin for a trip two summers ago. Let me tell you, my pits did NOT react well to it. It looked like I had chemical burns! Since then, I've switched to this Vanicream solid deo for traveling. It's super effective but doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. And there are lots of reviewers with sensitive skin that would agree. 

Promising review: "I recently developed a serious reaction to antiperspirants. My underarms would break out in a horrible, painful red rash. So I tried different 'natural deodorants.' They did not break out my underarms, but they didn't really work! So I tried Vanicream after reading several reviews. IT WORKS!! My underarms don't break out, and it works as well as any antiperspirant/deodorant on the market. After my first order, I ordered two more. Couldn't be more relieved and happy to find this product!!" —Amazon Customer

This is me on a week-long trip to Croatia in 2021 with three city stops that I did a carry-on only for, knowing I had a tight layover in Amsterdam and would be riding two ferries. But, um, my hair had to look good for wonderful sunset photo ops such as this. (The bar is Buza Bar in Dubrovnik, go there!) So I packed a shampoo bar by another brand that I felt pretty meh about and this wonderful new go-to bar. Here, I used hotel shampoo (it was pretty fancy, NGL), this shampoo bar, and my roommate's Moroccan Oil curl cream. The bar is basically foolproof. You rub it directly on your wet hair after rinsing out your shampoo. I normally wash my naturally curly hair once or twice a week but on this trip was taking daily dips in the sea, so I washed my hair 5x over a week. Because of this, I let the conditioner sit for a few minutes, though you probably don't need to do that if you're washing your hair your usual amount on your trip. Each bar is supposed to last 200 washes and it might do a little less for me, but I know this'll be good for many future trips! I've used it on about five trips now and it doesn't look any smaller than it did when I used it the first time. 

Even if you aren't really a "beauty person" or care for masks, IMO you should always ALWAYS have some eye patches in your suitcase. I was so grateful to have packed some of the linked Patchology eye masks for a 48-hour Vegas trip when I woke up to VERY puffy eyes the morning of an outdoor heavy-metal music festival. I wore some when indulging in a bubble bath (yay, waking up at the crack of dawn in Vegas because you're still on East Coast time) before housing an obscene amount of casino buffet food and going to see some bands perform in the desert heat. This brand is consistently my fave eye-patch brand because I do notice a depuffing difference, and the thick gel makes the patches stick!

Get them from Amazon: a 14-pack of I Dew Care sheet masks for $19.78 and a 5-pack of Patchology eye masks for $11.99

And if you're so interested, here's the Airbnb listing for this gorgeous Bologna loft with the unreal ceiling!

Sometimes this can end up costing about the same amount as buying some travel-size things. Do a quick google of your accommodations to see if there's a market, grocery store, or something else nearby (FYI, pharmacies can be expensive) as an option for buying toiletries. 

If you're heading to Europe, the sunscreen there is SO much better than what you'll find in America anyway. I'm a product junkie (hence this job I hold), and I love to check out each country's sunscreen selections. One summer in France, I racked up with La-Roche Posay sunscreen at a pharmacy (lucky for you, my fave skincare brand sells a lot of SPF options stateside) and bought in bulk. Granted, I reapply sunscreen on the hour because I'm pale as heck. I also found an amazing bottle of Nivea sunscreen SPF 50 in Greece that lasted my friend and me for days, and soaked in with zero cast like a total dream. 

If you like to be prepared for EVERYTHING (tbh, same), you can pack a few Neutrogena solid sunscreens to get you 'til you can grab some lotion or aerosol spray. I've used this stuff a lot and will just caution you that when you apply you have to be a bit more diligent to not miss spots. Otherwise you'll end up with a strip of sunburn. 

I first bought this for a weeklong Croatian vacation in 2021 when I did carry-on, and as long as you are *thoroughly* reapplying, this stuff stays on pretty well. On a beach club afternoon, I did haphazardly reapply and missed a strip on one arm, but I tend to do that with spray-on or lotion sunscreen, too. Since then, I've packed this for any trip I've been on, including a two-day Disneyland trip where I toted this around in my bag and shared with friends. I sometimes carry it with me in my purse on my everyday adventures because I know it's so easy to apply. Also worth mentioning...I am about the palest lady you've ever seen and swear by daily application of sunscreen. But when on a beach trip, I'm constantly swimming in the water and sweating. So yeah, this stuff works. 

And if you're a bit hesitant about jumping on the solid sunscreen bandwagon, you can pack a stick of this, knowing you have enough sun protection to get you through to finding some spray-on or lotion SPF at your destination. 

Yep, those are similar to the laundry soap sheets from earlier in this story! I put my toothpaste and mouthwash bits into smaller, lighter containers for a trip. And I barely go outdoors without carrying some insect-repellent wipes. And do we really need to talk about how smart it is to have some hand-sanitizing wipes on you?

Promising review: "I love that this blush stick has a slight shimmer to it. I am still learning how to apply it properly, but I like that it adds color quickly and with little fuss! It is a lovely tone. I am normally darker, but have been indoors a lot, so I will update with a summer photo to see if this color still suits my skin in the summertime. Even if not, it works well with my winter skin and lasts all day!" —Paprika

Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in seven colors).

Check out a TikTok of the wrinkle balm in action. 

Promising review: "Okay! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly this stick is life-changing!!! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me, will def try the others!" —Kristy 

"This stuff makes my face feel so soft and has a nice scent. I use it every day and will buy it again when I run out!" —Cyndy1

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in seven styles). 

For example, that mascara that maybe has a week or two left it in it can be tossed at your hotel before you leave for the airport. And that container of face serum on its way out will be staying on vacation...forever.

Additionally, I've DEFINITELY thrown away a pair of cheap sandals or two at the end of a trip because, upon closer inspection during packing, they were on their last leg (lol) after tons of walking on my trip and wouldn't last more than a wear or two at home. (Have you ever had a sandal strap break on you in public? It's awful.)

^ That's me pumping my signature perfume into one of these travel atomizers I've been using for about three years. As the reviewer down below mentions, it's great to just throw in your purse on the reg for a fragrance re-up throughout the day. As you can see, it's about the size of my thumb and therefore takes up very little room. Plus! It's smaller than most rollerball travel fragrances you can pick up. This first one is working so well, that I just have the other three in storage. But if this one bites the dust this summer during travels, I'll be OK about digging into my stores to use one of the remaining three...especially at this price point. 

Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." —Teresa

Get it from Amazon for $12.59 (available in a range of hair shades). 

During my nonvacation life, I always blow out my naturally curly hair with my WEN hair dryer brush. But! That thing is bulky! So when I go on vacation, I blow out my hair before flying then just let it get progressively wavier on its own before it's time for my first wash. Then I'll use Moroccan Oil curl cream to help enhance my natural texture. It's saves me SO much time and I just decant the curl cream into a reusable toiletries jar that fits into my toiletries bag. This pared-down hair routine saves me a ton of time that's better spent napping on a beach or trekking up to the Acropolis in Athens. Now I realize this isn't an option for everyone, but if it's on the table for you then it can seriously help your packing routine. 

Even the dust bags that come with your nice purses can be a bit bulky!

Then at the end of your trip, you can even use the pillowcase as a dirty laundry bag to separate your dirty drawers from your dry-clean-only stuff in your suitcase. 

Check out Rebag's guide on bag storage to learn more about why stuffing your bags is a good idea when not in use. 

Promising review: "Obsessed. This is exactly what I have been looking for, and now I want one in every color. It is so soft, fit perfectly, and is made from great material (as in it's not too thin). It washes well too! You will NOT regret buying this. Buy this now." —Chelsea S.

Get it from Amazon for $27.73+ (available in sizes XXS–5X and five colors/ patterns).

 I know, I look SO elegant and not at all like I've been running on ~three hours of sleep a night for going on a week at this point of my vacation, right?! I packed this dress for Italy knowing that I'd be going in lots of churches and religious sites that require having your shoulders and knees covered, and I pulled it off with this by merely slipping the sleeves up higher (as seen on the right when visiting the church with The Mouth of Truth from A Roman Holiday...turns out I'm NOT a liar after all). But I owned this dress months before I touched down in Rome and have been racking up compliments from strangers on the streets of NYC thanks to this frock. ("Thanks! It's from Amazon!') It washes well, is super lightweight, and very easy to wear with a regular bra. The only thing it *doesn't* have is pockets. But I'll make an exception for this comfy beaut.

Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and seven colors).

Promising review: "Absolutely love this shawl! The color is a true red and will work beautifully for several outfits. I bought it specifically for travel...easy to pack in carryon bag and warmth without weight." —bojangles

"Wore on a trip to Morocco. Lightweight and versatile. Wear it as a traditional scarf, draped over front, or as a head scarf. Good quality and color pigment." —Micki R. Leesch

Get it from Amazon for $15.98 (available in 43 colors).

Promising review: "These are so comfortable, I wore them every day on vacation and didn’t even get a single blister. However I have no arch so I don’t think they would have enough support for people who do. The 'leather' parts are very soft and not stiff. These will be my everyday shoes this summer for sure." —Allie McCarthy

Get them from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in sizes 5–11 and 12 styles).

Hackwith Design House is a woman-owned small business. Their sustainable designs are made to order and sewn in their Minnesota studio. Their sizes run from XS–4X. On Mondays, they also release limited-edition designs so you can be one of only 25 people to own a piece! 

My colleague Chelsea Stuart owns this and loves it. Here's what she has to say: 

"All credit for its discovery goes to TikToker @jennifer.bianca who I happened to stumble across on my FYP. It checks all my boxes: black, comfortable, versatile, and durable. My initial worry was that I wouldn't feel secure in it (I have a 38DDD chest and most wrap tops/dresses I've tried haven't stayed where they're supposed to), but I haven't had an issue with this! I've worn it tied in the front giving me a square neck (like the middle picture) and tied in the back giving me a V-neck up front (just like the photo on the right) — both were super comfortable and I didn't have to adjust myself at all. As someone whose weight fluctuates, I also appreciate that this piece can handle pounds gained and lost. The fabric is medium weight so I'll be wearing it season to season and there's just enough elasticity in the arms that if you roll up your sleeves, they won't fall back down. All that is to say trust that I will be buying additional colors!"

Get it from Hackwith Design House for $145 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in three colors). 

Souvenirs can quickly hog space in your luggage. I, for one, love a magnet, which you can almost always squeeze in a suitcase and have a friend I travel with who limits her souvenir shopping to JUST magnets. Art prints also pack flat in your roller carry-on and serve as a lovely, constant reminder that you can frame at home. I snagged this piece of art on the top right from an art market in Havana! I can see it from my couch and love seeing it as a constant reminder of my trip there!

If you're hitting up some vintage stores, check out satin and silk scarves because they'll take up basically NO SPACE and will always "fit," even if your pant size changes. Did I come home with three scarves from a trip to Italy last year? Yeah I did. (The vintage shopping in Milan was fantastic.)  

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Elizabeth Lilly is a deputy editorial director with more than a decade of lifestyle journalism spanning a range of subjects under her (tool) belt that includes four and a half years at a home improvement magazine. So she has well-informed opinions on tubing mascara, but can also install a friend’s window AC unit before brunch. When she's not working, she's plotting her next trip (and how to pack carryon-only for it), catching the latest horror movie, picking up a stack of library books, or convincing friends to go see the latest museum exhibit.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.