I’ve been sharing travel must haves on TikTok and Instagram for years and I think it’s finally time to make a master list here on the blog! I consider myself a travel pro with how much I fly and here are all of my favorites when it comes to luggage, carry on gadgets, and travel beauty finds! I’ve also included an exclusive – and very detailed – packing list for each category. If you have an upcoming trip, especially an international trip, you don’t want to miss a thing.
The Best of Luggage
Beis is one of my absolute favorite luggage brands. I got this three piece set in spring 2022 and I have been obsessed with it ever since! I use the beige roller carry-on every time I fly, and the 29 inch whenever I need the extra space!
Packing cubes have become an absolute must for me on vacation. I typically use them to separate by category but I’ve also packed by outfit instead! These can also be great if you’re sharing a larger suitcase with your significant other or children! My labeled bags on the left are also so great for longer trips that require more beauty items and accessories. Sorting by each category is so perfect if you ever find yourself forgetting where you packed specific items!
How to pack for an international trip:
- Makeup in “Face” bag
- Hair care products in “Hair” bag
- Skin care products in “Skin” bag
- Belts, tights and accessories in “Stuff” bag
- Bottoms in a larger packing cube
- Tops and dresses in a larger packing cube
- Swimsuits and coverups in a medium packing cube (if applicable)
- Athletic sets and pajamas in a medium packing cube
- Underwear, bras and socks in a small packing cube
- Shoes separated in shoe packing cubes
- Bulky jackets, denim and sweatshirts on top
- Shoes separated in shoe packing cubes
- Underwear, bras and socks in a small packing cube
- Athletic sets and pajamas in a medium packing cube
- Swimsuits and coverups in a medium packing cube (if applicable)
- Tops and dresses in a larger packing cube
- Bottoms in a larger packing cube
- Belts, tights and accessories in “Stuff” bag
- Skin care products in “Skin” bag
- Hair care products in “Hair” bag
Pro tips:
- Pack within a color scheme so everything matches
- Take pictures of the items and keep a list on the Notes app for easy referencing and outfit planning
- Compression cubes are great if you simply have too much
- Put the heavier items in your carry on bag if it’s overweight
- Wear your bulkiest shoes and clothes if they don’t fit in your bag
- Put the heavier items in your carry on bag if it’s overweight
- Compression cubes are great if you simply have too much
- Take pictures of the items and keep a list on the Notes app for easy referencing and outfit planning
The Best of Cosmetics Packing
This Calpak cosmetic bag is my most favorite ever! Everything I pack for my trips is listed below.
Travel Cosmetic Bag Packing List:
- Makeup brushes in silicone brush holder
- 4-in-1 makeup brush
- Makeup sponge in silicone sponge holder
- Light up portable mirror
- Liquid filled makeup removing swabs
- 3-in-1 makeup compact
- Lip trio
- Travel razor
- Makeup
- Primer
- Setting spray
- Skincare
- Makeup remover
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Travel mouthwash
- Floss
- Mouth tape
- Travel body wash
- Travel hair products
- Travel body wash
- Mouth tape
- Floss
- Travel mouthwash
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Makeup remover
- Skincare
- Setting spray
- Primer
- Makeup
- Travel razor
- Lip trio
- 3-in-1 makeup compact
- Liquid filled makeup removing swabs
- Light up portable mirror
- Makeup sponge in silicone sponge holder
- 4-in-1 makeup brush
These are two of my favorite cosmetic bags. The Dagne Dover is so great for my skincare products. I use their taller version to fit larger haircare items. This Amazon makeup bag is one of the best. It fits so many products and comes with dividers that you can move and switch out whenever you need to reorganize! Love that the top flap also allows space for makeup brushes and larger palettes.
My favorite Calpak bag also comes in smaller sizes that can be great for smaller trips – or the lower maintenance traveler lol. Amazon also has great clear cosmetic bags for a more affordable price. This light up makeup mirror is one of my favorites for travel, as well as the silicone makeup brush and sponge pouches. This Beis hanging toiletry bag is also one I’d give 5 stars too because it is so functional and practical – especially for those hotels with the limited counter space!
Carry On Packing Must Haves
Amazon has some of the best travel gadgets and finds! When it comes to long flights and far trips, these items can make the travel so much better. You can never be too prepared 🙂
Carry On Packing List:
- Passport
- Wallet
- Lip balm
- Laptop
- Tech organizer (see that packing list below)
- Book or Kindle
- Eye mask
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunglasses & sunglass case
- Headphones
- Travel pill organizer
- Travel jewelry case
- Light up portable mirror
- Hair curler in silicone pouch
- Makeup bag (if limited space in suitcase)
- Jet lag medicine
- Sweatshirt
- Compression socks
- Extra outfit (if you’re traveling to a different climate)
- Snacks (ex. protein bars, pepperoni sticks, electrolyte packets)
- Gum
- (In the bottom):
- 1-2 pairs of shoes
- Emergency kit (see that packing list below)
- 1-2 pairs of shoes
- (In the bottom):
- Gum
- Snacks (ex. protein bars, pepperoni sticks, electrolyte packets)
- Extra outfit (if you’re traveling to a different climate)
- Compression socks
- Sweatshirt
- Jet lag medicine
- Makeup bag (if limited space in suitcase)
- Hair curler in silicone pouch
- Light up portable mirror
- Travel jewelry case
- Travel pill organizer
- Headphones
- Sunglasses & sunglass case
- Hand sanitizer
- Eye mask
- Book or Kindle
- Tech organizer (see that packing list below)
- Laptop
- Lip balm
- Wallet
Having the right bags is step one! My mini convertible weekender from Beis is my all time favorite carry on bag. I love that this shoe compartment and lap top sleeve can be removed – only the convertible bag has this feature! Beis really thought of everything when it comes to this back and it makes sense why it is so popular.
Tech Organizer Packing List:
- iPad
- iPad pencil
- iPad keyboard
- Kindle
- Journal or planner
- Pens and highlighters
- iPhone charger
- 3-in-1 charger (iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods)
- iPad charger
- Kindle charger
- Oura ring charger
- Outlet adapter (for international travel)
- Sticky notes
- AirPod earbuds
- AirFly adapter (allows you to connect your headphones to airplane TV)
- AirPod earbuds
- Sticky notes
- Outlet adapter (for international travel)
- Oura ring charger
- Kindle charger
- iPad charger
- 3-in-1 charger (iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods)
- iPhone charger
- Pens and highlighters
- Journal or planner
- Kindle
- iPad keyboard
- iPad pencil
My tech organizer from Calpak is also a must for me on trips. I love how many compartments it has, I keep all of my chords and smaller electronics in this bag. I love to journal, even when I’m on vacation. So I always bring that along with the staple tools.
Emergency Kit Packing List:
- Compact travel hair brush
- 2-3 hair ties
- Rose deodorant wipes
- Blowfish hangover remedy
- White Wipes or Moon teeth whitening wipes
- Wire earbuds
- Extra iPhone charger
- Granola bar
- Electrolyte packets
- 3-4 tampons of various size
- 2 panty liners
- Band Aids
- Hand lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Face mask
- Lip balm
- Advil
- Dayquil, Nyquil
- Cough drops
- Floss
- Travel mouth wash
- Gum
- Face mask
- Photo copy of your passport & ID
- Tide stain stick
- Photo copy of your passport & ID
- Face mask
- Gum
- Travel mouth wash
- Floss
- Cough drops
- Lip balm
- Face mask
- Hand sanitizer
- Hand lotion
- Band Aids
- 2 panty liners
- 3-4 tampons of various size
- Electrolyte packets
- Granola bar
- Extra iPhone charger
- Wire earbuds
- White Wipes or Moon teeth whitening wipes
- Blowfish hangover remedy
- Rose deodorant wipes
- 2-3 hair ties
My friends and family always laugh at how much I pack – however, my emergency kit almost always comes to the rescue at least a few times on trips! My emergency kit is always packed and basically lives in my carry on at all times. I like to have to have extra’s of the essentials, such chargers and earbuds in case I forget to pack one! But my emergency kit also comes in so handy because you never know what you or your travel mates may need. A sickness, an injury and – let’s be honest – hangovers are always potentials on vacation and I like to be prepared! Airports almost always over charge for these items and depending on the location of your trip, it can be hard to find what you need.
A closer look:
