Its almost summer which means that a lot of you guys might be travelling on a plane, in a car, or on a boat. But wherever you're going, here are some items that you want to make sure you don't leave home without.
1. A Portable Charger:
I have noticed that whenever I travel, my phone always dies faster than it does at home because I am using it to take photos or look up directions. My favorite portable charger is a Mophie because it will give you an extra 48 hours worth of charge and it has two USB ports so neither yours nor your friend's phones will be dying anytime soon. I would also recommend bringing a wall charger with you because if there is a wall plug, you can charge your phone and save the battery in your portable charger.
(*also if you are going to a foreign country, make sure you look up what their power outlets look like because you might need an adapter)
2. All Purpose Balm
Often times when I travel to a new climate, my cuticles, lips, and elbows get REALLY dry. So instead of carrying like 10 different products to help moisturize those areas, I have one product that can do it all. An all purpose balm is ideal because it will lock in the moisture in all those areas, and it usually isn't oily or greasy. I love using Paw Paw ointment because not only is it super smooth and creamy, but paw paw has really amazing natural properties. Paw paw has healing qualities that are good for minor cuts and sunburns. However, I love using it on my lips and cuticles because it is more lightweight than other balms while still giving me a ton of moisture.
3. Mini Speaker
This one might sound a little strange, but since I am so used to getting ready with music at home, it has become habit to play music as I get ready whenever I am traveling. However, I find that playing music from my phone just doesn't give me the same effect. Now I know that most speakers are super bulky and heavy, but I love this one because it is so tiny and light. It has a clip on it so you can hang it on your bag to make sure you don't lose it and it's waterproof so you can take it into the shower or out by the pool without worrying about it getting ruined. This makes it perfect when you are traveling with family or friends because there won't be anymore awkward silence when everyone is sitting on their phones.
4. Solid Shampoo and Conditioner
I personally have never liked using hotel shampoo or conditioner because I feel like my hair gets super dry every time I do. However, travel sized shampoos never last me throughout my whole trip and there is no way that I am carrying giant full sized shampoo and conditioner bottles. That is why I am so glad I discovered solid shampoos and conditioners from Lush because they have made me and my hair so much happier every time I travel. They are of course made with all natural products and they have so many to choose from so you are sure to find one for you hair type. The best part is that they are the size of your palm and they will last you about 80 washes. And I know they look kinda difficult to use, but I promise that they lather up super nicely and it ends up being a lot easier than you think.
5. Traveled Sized Face Masks
Anytime you find yourself in a new city, state, or country, you might notice that your skin might not be acting like its usual self. Well that's usually a combination of a change in climate and the stress that can come from travelling. Because of this, I always bring a variety of face masks to turn my skin back to normal. My favorite ones to bring are the Origins Mix and Mask set because it comes six face masks that all do different things so you prepared for any situation. The best part is they are single use so they don't take up a lot of space and you don't have to lug them back. Some other great face masks to bring when traveling are sheet masks because they are also really compact and single use. Something that I have recently began doing is doing a sheet mask on the plane and while you may get some strange looks from those sitting around you, your skin will thank you.
6. A pair of ACTUAL sneakers
Even if I am not planning on going on a trip where I am expect to be walking around a ton or working out, because let's be honest, I don't even work out at home, I like to pack a pair of actual sneakers. Every time I've gone on a trip and have forgotten to take real sneakers because I thought I wouldn't need them, I always end up regretting it. While it might seem like they are a hassle to take on and off at security, sneakers can be your best friends at the airport, especially if your gate is a little farther away than you thought it was. Also, when you arrive at your destination, you never know if you will encounter an unexpected adventure where sneakers are essential or you just need a day to wear really comfortable shoes without worrying about blisters.
7. Tons of Pouches
Believe it or not, having a ton of different sized pouches makes packing and fitting into your suitcase so much easier. It will also make it a lot easier to find things later. Making a pouch for your swimsuits, t-shirts, and shorts will help you make sure that you wear most of what you brought because your clothes won't get lost in the abyss of the messy suitcase. They also come in super handy in the car or airport because you can easily find everything you need in your bag without having to spill everything out on the floor. Whenever I travel, I have pouches for shoes, money, jewelry, makeup, and pretty much anything else you can think of.
8. A proper carry-on
Whenever you are traveling, it is super important to make sure that the bag you are traveling with is convenient for the place you are going. Whenever I am going on a trip where I plan to do a lot of sightseeing and adventuring, I like to travel with a backpack with a zipper so that I can use it when I am sightseeing. It really comes in handy for fitting things like water, cameras, or sweaters that you just don't to carry around. However, if I am going on a more relaxing vacation, I like to travel with a large purse so that I can still fit all of my carry-on essentials for the flight and then I can also use the bag when I am going out. Both of these options make it so you will have more space in your suitcase for clothes or makeup.
9. A small wallet with a zipper
When I am a home, I carry around a big wallet and obviously its a little inconvenient to carry it around when I'm traveling because my first priority is to save space. So, whenever I travel, I always move a few things I know I will need into a much smaller wallet. At first, I used to use a card holder, until I realized that things that things can easily fall out without you knowing. My favorite one is from Kate Spade because it has plenty of room for multiple cards as well as space for cash and anything else I might want to bring. It doesn't take up a lot of space and it doesn't weigh my bag down the way my normal wallet normally would.
10. A small first aid kit
This is something that you can easily buy at your local drugstore or you can make you own. I personally like to make my own because I can ensure that it has everything I would need. Some essentials that I would recommend for everyone are bandaids, cortisone, allergy medication, and tissues. I always carry bandaids around in my purse because you never know when you or a friend might get a small cut, but I think that they are crucial for vacations because all the walking around can cause some unexpected blisters that could ruin your entire day if you don't have a bandaid to put on them. Cortisone and allergy medications are also super important because any destination could have bugs or plants that you may have not even known you were allergic to. This way you are prepared and a stuffy nose and itchy bites won't stop you from enjoying your trip. Finally, I always recommend carrying tissues because you never know when you will have a runny nose and they also make great emergency napkins incase something spills.