Have you ever been at a hotel and realized there was something you forgot to pack? And I don’t mean the typical items mentioned in these types of lists, because let’s be honest… we all know hand sanitizer is essential now. I mean the items you suddenly wish you had, or never knew you needed.
It’s happened to me so often that I started putting together a list of the things I always pack – so without further ado, here are my 10 favorite travel essentials!
Mercedes
Noise cancelling earplugs
A lot of people pack noise-cancelling headphones (which I also recommend, particularly for longer flights). But I’ve stayed at a lot of hotels with thin walls, a noisy club downstairs, or roommates who snore. 🙂 So, I always go one step further and pack noise-cancelling earplugs. These versions from Amazon are my favorite because they have a travel case, and they’re much easier to sleep with than headphones.
Hand cream
I never used to make space in my little plastic liquids bag for a hand cream. They’re usually pretty big, and seemed silly to bring for short flights. But because all of the sanitizer I’ve been using, I’ve found that my hands are always dry. I like to buy little hand creams when I travel from small shops – this Aesop cream is also a favorite. It’s a bit of a splurge but smells wonderful and moisturizes well. Alternatively, if you want to be more space conscious this travel size shea cream is great.
An eye mask
Most people bring these with them on long haul flights, but I always bring one regardless of where we are going or how we are travelling. Truthfully, I actually hate wearing them… it’s strange to sleep with something covering your eyes, and I don’t like removing it in the mornings to sudden bright light. However, I’ve also been in a lot of accommodations without blackout curtains – AirBnBs, visiting a friend’s house, and even some boutique hotels. So if you’re sensitive to light like me, I highly recommend always packing one.
This thick silk one was recommended to me by a friend and is actually quite cozy. It’s a bit weird to get used to if you’re a side-sleeper, but it doesn’t put too much pressure on your eyes and also muffles sound. My favorite Etsy silk shop also has a great eye mask.
Body wipes
File this one under absolutely imperative. They’re perfect for when you don’t have time to rinse off, but also good for layovers or long-haul flights. I love these lavender scented ones because they smell great, and are also small enough to throw in your purse.
Makeup remover cloths
My adorable niece actually got me into these as a Secret Santa gift, and they are perfect for travel! Not only are they more sustainable, but they save you from having to pack a liquid makeup remover. These microfiber towels are the ones I use. I like that they’re large, so they will usually last a week or two. These silk pads are also nice for eye makeup – they will last a couple of rounds, but you should try to wash them in-between with face soap to eliminate any bacteria.
A silk face mask
Face masks have obviously become a very essential travel item, but I love these silk ones. Anyone who follows me on Instagram knows I’m obsessed. 🙂 Silk is much kinder to your skin, and I love the colors they come in. Plus, it’s good to support small businesses, rather than purchasing a mask from a large-scale retailer. They’re relatively thick, but I like that the shape fully covers my face and doesn’t leave gaps. They ship from the UK and it’s well worth the wait.
She also makes a version with adjustable elastic, but I actually prefer the ones with ribbons. They enable you to fully adjust sizing, and the back loop makes it easy to take them off and wear it around your neck.
A portable phone charger
I never think I’ll need one of these, and I always regret not bringing it. With all of the things we do on our phone – from navigating, to taking photos, to searching for recommendations – one of these is absolutely essential. I like this mini one because it’s small enough to fit in your purse.
Band-aids
For some reason, I always end up trying to break in a new pair of shoes on a trip with lots of walking… and let me tell you, it never goes well. So I’ve started packing these amazing silicone bandages I discovered in Dutch drugstores – they’re perfect for preventing or protecting blisters. They really came in handy on my last trip to Bruges. I found a really similar kind on Amazon for anyone in the US.
Lip balm
Nothing fancy here – old school lip balms work wonders and are really nostalgic for me. My grandma always used classic white Blistex, and my mom always had the Carmex tube with the red top. Having something that really works is even more essential now, as I’ve found that my lips get a lot drier with face masks. A friend recently got me back into Carmex, but I’ve switched to the twist container. If you’re looking for an organic petroleum-free version, this shea butter balm is a good option.
A resurfacing face treatment
I always used to pack a good moisture treatment, either for after landing or sometimes to wear on the plane (much to my husband’s chagrin). Again, wearing mandatory face masks for long periods of time has definitely changed things – so now I also pack a good purifying mask or peel. An aesthetician I trust in Los Angeles always recommended doing a resurfacing peel to remove any gross stuff that collected in your pores on the flight, followed immediately by a moisturizing mask. My favorite peel if you’re in the states is the Arcona resurfacing peel, followed by the super moisturizing wine mask – they’re pricey but last a long time and are all small-batch with good-for-you ingredients. I also like the Tata Harper resurfacing mask or the Fresh Umbrian clay mask, followed by the Summer Fridays Jet Lag mask (all available in the EU!).
Hope you find this list helpful! What are some of your must-have travel essentials?
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