How to Pack a TSA Ziploc Like a Beauty Pro
1/11It's fair to say that travel is a special, horizon-broadening experience that we fully endorse. We do not possess those same warm, fuzzy feelings when it comes to condensing entire beauty routines into bags designed to hold sandwiches. Welcome to the frustrating game of TSA Ziploc Tetris, which seems mostly designed to make beauty lovers question just how badly they want to get out of town.
TSAoperates by the 3-1-1 rule, which means you are allowed as many 3.4-ounce products as you can cram into a single, one-quart plastic bag. It's not only liquids that are subject to the 3-1-1 treatment; the full list also includes gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes. Basically? When in doubt, throw it in the bag. Thankfully, our favorite brands have been coming through with genius reinventions of our everyday products. Things that were once liquid are now solid, and work every bit as well as their free-flow counterparts. Pay attention, because we're about to show you how to breeze through security with a fully stocked beauty cabinet.
Whether you're planning a summer getaway or preparing to study abroad come fall, make this your ultimate guide to upgrading the one-quart Ziploc. Click through our slideshow for all the best traveling tricks, and let us know if we missed any!
2/11Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes
Makeup wipes are your new best friend when it comes to packing light and streamlining that bedtime routine. They don't count as liquids, creams, or gels, so feel free to leave them out of the Ziploc. If you're looking for wipes that do more than just remove makeup, try one of Simple's Oil Balancing or Radiance wipes. The former keeps your T-zone from getting greasy, while the latter perks up your complexion in just 2 seconds.
3/11Boscia Charcoal Deep-Pore Cleansing Stick Treatment
This twist-up balm is the chic (and travel-friendly!) version of face wash. It's not quite a bar soap on a stick; the formula feels sticky to the touch even when dry. Rub it directly onto damp skin, and let the glycolic acid go to work on dirt, oil, and congested pores. Plus, the activated bamboo charcoal is a natural antibacterial agent, which makes it perfect for keeping your skin clear on-the-go.
4/11Osmia Organics Coffee Mint Soap
Apply the same solids-swap to your shower gel by packing bath soaps instead. We love how this handmade soap from Osmia Organics smells like dessert, and the coffee grounds do double duty as an exfoliant for dry patches and calluses. Pack it up in one of their cotton travel bags, which prevent the bars from going gooey (never a fun thing to find in your suitcase).
5/11Lush Brazilliant Shampoo Bar
Solid shampoo? Surprisingly, we found a ton, but this sunny disc from Lush might be our favorite of the bunch. The main attraction: it's tiny enough to fit snugly in the palm of your hand, but lasts for up to 80 washes. Essential oils add plenty of shine and citrusy scent to hair, and once the bar meets water, it lathers just as easily as your favorite, bottled formula.
6/11Nine Naturals Repairing Body Balm
Yes, you can turn your body lotion into a balm too! This fragrance-free version from Nine Naturals is super concentrated (meaning a tiny swipe goes a long, long way) and gentle enough to use as a lip balm. It's packed with organic shea, cupuacu, and mango butters, along with mongongo oil, so there's basically no dry patch it can't repair.
7/11Benefit They're Real Tease
Traveling doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up your cat eyes and fluttery lashes, as long as you shrink the products. Gifts with purchase are the easiest way to stock up on mini mascaras, but if you don't have any samples saved up, swing by Sephora for one of their travel-sized kits. This duo from Benefit has a gel liner and a mascara, both small enough that they'll barely take up any room in your bag (hey, every square inch counts!).
8/11Acuvue 1-Day Moist Contact Lenses
Contact lens wearers will know that traveling with an adequate supply of saline solution is a major headache. Daily lenses are definitely the way to go when you're trying to save space, not to mention a million times more convenient (no need to thoroughly wash them before you pop them in). You can even try an eye-enhancing option like Acuvue Define, which subtly highlights your natural iris. Just make sure to check in with your optometrist before making the switch!
9/11Scentbird Scent Subscription
Sure, solid perfumes are a great option too, but sprays offer a much wider variety and the option to give your clothes a little refresh if you don't have the chance to do laundry. Scentbird's subscription program lets you pick out a 30-day supply of your favorite perfume, elegantly packaged for travel. Their library includes popular brands you might find at Sephora, plus niche options like Montale Intense Café (the coolest blend of coffee and rose).
10/11Tatcha Indigo Soothing Silk Hand Cream, Travel Size
No matter the season, hand cream should always be a makeup bag essential. Tatcha's version is one of the best, and not just because its vivid blue coloring makes for an interesting conversation-starter. It's packed with tons of anti-inflammatory indigo extract (hence the shade), which instantly soothes inflamed or irritated skin. Don't worry; the color disappears as soon as you rub in the lotion, but the softening benefits will stay behind for hours.
11/11Muji Cream Case 30G
If you're set on bringing your favorite moisturizer, try decanting it into a miniature pot like this transparent version from Muji. Their snap-top squeeze tubes are ideal for anything that might be too messy to pull from a pot (think conditioners), and you can even try them for downsizing your toothpaste. If decanting sounds like too much hassle and you're not too particular about which brands you use, you can always search the airport for travel-friendly beauty buys.
The most important thing is to do what makes you happy. Keep that in mind, and your life will improve immeasurably. What beauty product are you loving right now?
By Terry Baume de Rose is easily the best lip balm I've ever used, ... Read More
