Welcome to my two-week series all about our recent family trip to South Africa. I’m recounting some of our favorite experiences, lessons we learned, travel tips, and some of the most memorable stories and takeaways. To read all of the posts in this series, click here.
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I shared a peek into my bathroom bag on Instagram Stories before we left for South Africa and so many of you asked if I could give links to the products and post more details. So, here you go…
(Note: This is only for a one or two-week trip. I’ve never done an international trip that was more than two weeks, so I’m not your girl if you’re looking for long-term international trip packing tips!)
(Psst! In case you missed it: What I Pack in My Backpack for International Trips)
I got this bag in my FabFitFun box when they sent me a box to unbox on Facebook and share my thoughts. It’s a really expensive bag if you buy it on its own, but Amazon has some Train Case Makeup Bags that are similar and much less expensive. For instance, this one, this one, or this one.
I love how much I can fit in this case! In the top section, I have my toothbrush, a nail file, makeup brush, tweezers, mascara (this is the one I love and have used for a long time), and eyebrow powder.
In the side pocket, I keep my contacts, Visine, floss, and essential oils.
I typically only bring three essential oils when I travel as these pretty much cover it all for me and they don’t take up a lot of space.
I bring Deep Relief (I adore this stuff!), Digize or Digestzen, and Germ Fighter or Thieves.
In the large section, I keep everything else! 🙂
I have toothpaste, my Mary Kay Timewise cleanser (in the squeeze tube) + SPF and moisturizer, deodorant, travel size shampoo and conditioner, hair spray, and then baggies with magnesium & probiotics, my Sinus Rinse packets, hair bands, earrings, hair pins, foundation, lip liner & lip stick, blush, and eyebrow pencil.
I also keep my glasses in here (not pictured). You could also keep a small comb or brush in here if you’re unlike me and can fix your hair on-the-go without using a brush.
I typically just pick up travel sized shampoo, conditioner, and hair spray at Target before a trip. You can also get small bottles and divvy up what you like to use into those bottles. But I find this to be simpler.
And there you have it! 🙂 I can keep enough in here to last me for a good two weeks.
I will put this bag into my backpack for international flights so that I have everything I need to brush my teeth, wash my face, put on makeup, take out my contacts, fix my hair, etc. (Note: We have TSA PreCheck so we’re never asked to take our liquids out of our bags or have them in a clear bag at security nor have I ever had an issue keeping everything in this case.)
If you enjoy posts on international travel, be sure to also check out the following posts I’ve written on the topic:
- 10 Things I Always Bring When I Travel
- How I Packed for a 10-Day International Trip in a Carry-On
- 10 Things You Should Always Bring on a Long Flights With Young Kids
What else would YOU pack in this bag? What would it be missing for you? I’d love to hear!
Bethany F says
Do you pack a carrier oil for digize and germ fighter?
MaryAnn says
Thank you !! 😉
Jen says
I just found that train case new at Goodwill for .99!
Crystal Paine says
Did you snatch it up?? That’s a steal!
Jen says
Sure did!
MaryAnn Thomas says
I would really like to know what TSA pre check is ..spelled out and explained. Thank you
Crystal Paine says
Here you go: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck
This has saved us hours and hours at the airport because the lines are usually super short at TSA Precheck so you get through security in just minutes! I highly recommend it if you fly often!
Jenna says
She’s probably checking her bag. One quart bag is just for carry ons
Jennifer says
She said she puts the toiletry bag in her backpack so she has whatever she needs on the plane.
Jenna says
?? Missed that! Thanks 😉
Janell says
Everyone is asking my question. What about the one quart bag rule?
Crystal Paine says
We have TSA PreCheck so we’re never asked to take our liquids out of our bags or have them in a clear bag at security nor have I ever had an issue keeping everything in this case.
Sarah says
A travel size shampoo and conditioner is enough for your long hair for 2 weeks? I feel like I use an entire travel bottle of conditioner on my hair for one wash.
Crystal Paine says
Yes — I typically only wash my hair every 4-6 days and I will use about a 1/4 to 1/3 of the bottle per wash. I only use conditioner on the ends of my hair mostly — so that helps it to go further.
Melissa says
I’m curious how you get away with having all this stuff and not putting it in a clear ziploc bag to go through TSA? Usually I can get away with having a chapstick outside of my. Ziploc but not much more.
Amanda says
Crystal has mentioned that they have TSA Precheck before. You don’t have to take this stuff out if you have that service. I live in a major city and sometimes they will declare other lines precheck so you don’t have to do this. It’s wonderful! I don’t travel enough to make the expense worthwhile. I think I would bring the case and repack it once I cleared security.
Crystal Paine says
We have TSA PreCheck so we’re never asked to take our liquids out of our bags or have them in a clear bag at security nor have I ever had an issue keeping everything in this case.
Laura says
How do you get all the liquids into one quart size bag? That always stresses me out.
Are you planning a post on eating on an airplane? I had a nice long chat with the inspection lady on my last international flight. She said I could take a PBJ, but not a jar of peanut butter. I sometimes opt for a quesadilla to eat in-flight. They’ve given me no problem with carrots and an apple, plus I bring a water bottle to fill. Plus bars, of course. We still end up buying things we wouldn’t normally, but it pays off to plan ahead when traveling as a family. I was just wondering how you eat healthily, conveniently and inexpensively when flying.
Beth says
Once (out of probably 30 flights) we had a flight that they announced we couldn’t open peanut products because someone was severely allergic. We still bring stuff with peanuts but I make sure not all our food is peanut products. You can take fresh fruit and veggies onto an international flight but know you’ll have to eat it all or throw it away before you go through customs in the arrival country. My son had a major food allergy so for a while we packed all his food. We’d bring dry cereal (to eat dry or ask for/buy milk on the way), dry oatmeal mix (add hot water), sandwiches, trail mix, apples, boiled eggs for the first part of the trip, cheese sticks, granola bars. You could also take jerky but same as fresh produce, usually you can’t take meat through customs. We do usually plan to spend money on food in airports on our long trips. Staying hydrated and fed is higher on our priority list than saving money. You don’t want to arrive dehydrated and hangry.
Crystal Paine says
Oh! I forgot to mention cheese sticks! I often have brought those on domestic flights, too. And Jesse loves to bring jerky!
Crystal Paine says
We have TSA PreCheck so we’re never asked to take our liquids out of our bags or have them in a clear bag at security nor have I ever had an issue keeping everything in this case.
On most international flights I’ve been on, they’ve fed us 2-3 full meals. So I usually mostly just eat what they feed us as it’s typically plenty. I also always bring something like trail mix and Larabars to have on hand in case I’m hungry. On domestic flights, I actually bring more food — such as fruit, dried fruit, cheese, bran muffins, trail mix, Larabars, carrot sticks, etc.
Lynn says
What do you do with the liquids and gels for going through security? Do you have all those items in the one quart size zipper bag for the security checkpoint and then redistribute it later? That’s one area that’s always an issue for me. Thanks!
Crystal Paine says
We have TSA PreCheck so we’re never asked to take our liquids out of our bags or have them in a clear bag at security nor have I ever had an issue keeping everything in this case.
Muriel says
Where do you put your contact cleaner? Thanks for the Amazon suggestions.
Crystal Paine says
I wear dailies, so I don’t use contact solution. If I did use contact solution, I would bring a travel size bottle or two, depending upon the length of my trip.