I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left my house for a trip and realized I’ve forgotten something. On a few occasions, it’s been something big like a bathing suit or a favorite sweater, but more often than not, it’s a small yet important travel essential like toothpaste or hair spray that has somehow slipped through the cracks.
Sure, beauty products and toiletries are easily replaceable, but every time I’ve had to buy the same items twice, I would become annoyed with myself for not being more organized — which is not a great way to start a trip! Determined to become a smarter packer, I started keeping a toiletry bag full of travel-sized duplicates of my favorite products stocked and ready to go at all times under my bathroom sink. That way, I can just pop it into my overnight bag or carry-on suitcase depending on the trip.
Now, instead of having to remember to add 12 different items to my packing list, I can just add “toiletry bag” and know that I’m covered and not leaving any important creams or serums behind. I’ve even gotten into a routine where I restock any empty products as soon as I get home from a trip, so it’s one less thing I have to think about when I start packing for my next adventure. Having this prepared in advance has not only saved me time and money, but it’s also helped me focus on more important things like which clothes to pack and what new book I want to download.
To help make the packing process a little easier for you, I’ve listed the exact items I keep stocked in my toiletry bag at all times. Use the below checklist as a template to start your own grab-and-go toiletry bag.
