Whether you’re hitting the road or flying across the country, you’ll need to pack smart to save luggage space and avoid buying necessities at a premium price. It’s not always easy to find travel size versions of your most-used toiletries, beauty products and other essentials, but the good news is, you don’t have to.
Certain travel accessories are absolutely necessary to bring with you, but you can save some cash while traveling by using those offered at your destination instead. Here are some tips and tricks for which travel size products to pack and which to skip.
Hair Products and Body Wash: Skip
Shampoo, conditioner and body wash are all probably essential parts of your bathing ritual, and hotels know it. That’s why they almost always supply miniature hair product bottles and bars of soap for your stay. Most will even refill these amenities every day if you end up using them all.
If you’re a stickler about using hydrating shampoo or specialty conditioners to keep your mane in good shape, contact your hotel in advance to see what kind of products they offer. You might be surprised at the quality. For example, Hilton Hotels & Resorts provide Peter Thomas Roth’s Mega-Rich collection of skin and hair care products complimentary for all guests.
Face Moisturizer: Pack
Unlike most other toiletries, facial moisturizers don’t usually make their way into the amenity lineup at the hotel — typically you’ll only get a bottle of hand lotion. If your skin has gotten used to a particular brand, you’ll need your own supply for the trip.
Avoid paying a premium for a travel size version of your brand name face moisturizer by packing a portion of your existing supply in a reusable container. You can buy a set of TSA-friendly travel bottles at your local Walmart or CVS for less than $10, which you can use again and again on future trips. That’s a much better deal than forking over $3 to $4 to buy a new bottle of travel size moisturizer every time you leave the city.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste: Pack
If you’re used to whitening toothpaste or an electric toothbrush, plan on taking your own for the road. Otherwise, you might be compromising quality dental hygiene.
Some hotels might offer complimentary toothbrushes to their guests, but if you bank on this and come up short, it could cost you. Electric toothbrushes can be especially pricey at area grocery stores or convenience areas inside a hotel, so it pays to plan ahead.
To save on toothpaste, try signing up for free samples in the mail. You can stock up on samples in the weeks leading up to your trip so you have enough to keep those pearly whites in good shape while you’re away from home.