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-   -   Travel Light: toiletries (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/travel-light-toiletries-559478/)

bellastar Sep 20th, 2005 09:31 PM

tiaw, I really emphathize with you!

I have allergies to many types of perfume (actually to the formaldehyde that is used in some of them) and suffer terrible reactions (often in the morning, when people have just applied various scented prodects) in elevators, and on public buses, or at the gym when people use perfumed spray products in the confines of a dressing room. It's a hassle, for sure!

On my last trip, I got some empty compact containers from Sephora, and put my various lipsticks and foundation in those. This was the first time I tried these, and I liked them because it cut down the number of loose objects I needed to keep track of.

I always bring any lotions, shampoo, etc in same size multiple plastic bottles inside of ziplocks. I throw things away as they are used up. I don't worry much about supplies (I don't know about Germany, but in Italy, it's so easy to find anything I need in the pharmacies, and it's fun shopping for these incidentals there)

matnikstym Sep 20th, 2005 09:39 PM

HAHAHA to fainaagain and loveitaly... where is that other thread?

Worktowander Sep 20th, 2005 09:40 PM

Re: Cleansing issues - I like the Pond's cleansing towels because you can get them in a nifty "purse pack" of five. They're pre-moistened with cleanser and you just pull one out and use it. The packs are flat foil and resealable, and they take up next to no space. The towels are great for cleaning up on the plane or in an airport between flights after a trans-Atlantic.

And if you're going to Europe, it saves the whole "take your own washcloth" hassle, too.

J_Correa Sep 21st, 2005 07:56 AM

I use the Olay face cloths, which work great for me.

I especially like them after a nap on the plane or to wash my face during a lay over.

tiaw Sep 21st, 2005 09:06 AM

Are baby wipes good enough for cleaning make up? Or does it need to be something made specailly for face

elaine Sep 21st, 2005 09:39 AM

some baby wipes have baby oil in them, not what I'd want.
Buy a pack and try them at home, but I wouldn't bring those when I can use the hotel's soap or bring my own bar.
Hand wipes DO come in handy throughout the trip though, but that's not how I want to clean my face at night.

lucygirl Sep 21st, 2005 09:57 AM

I like dual use items.

Dove cleasing cloths with a touch of shower gel can be used as a body washcloth.

Hair conditioner can be used for shaving legs.


tiaw Sep 21st, 2005 10:06 AM

shaving! With all the headaches regarding the electric tooth brush which has nothing to do with teeth I completely forgot about this. I guess I have to check the razor along with all the toys.

g33kgrl Sep 21st, 2005 10:41 AM

Unless you shave with an old-fashioned straight-edge razor, you don't have to check it. Safety razors are fine.

flygirl Oct 12th, 2005 11:41 AM

why not just take little "starters" of everything and buy more when you are there? less to carry on the plane...

BTilke Oct 12th, 2005 12:03 PM

Since you are going to Germany, just take what you need for the first day or two and then pop in to a DM store (they're in almost every town with a popular of over a few thousand) and pick up something there. They have a good selection and carry a lot of items in travel sizes. Their house brand (Reelle) shampoo and conditioner are good and inexpensive (2.95 euros for a full size bottle of each). Guhl is another good quality, moderately priced shampoo and conditioner (their Rose shampoo and conditioner are actually very good for colored hair)--about 6 euros per full size bottle. DM also makes some very nice skincare products at excellent prices--less than euro for a bar of soap, for example.
And if you're traveling cold, dry weather and need a rich body lotion, the best I've found so far is Nivea Vital's Intensiv Pflegended Korpermilch with Traubernkernol (Grapeseed oil) and Q10 (whatever that is). I used it last winter in Vienna when it was exceptionally cold, dry and windy and it really did the trick. 6.25 euros for a 250 ml bottle (will last 3 weeks).

BTilke Oct 12th, 2005 12:05 PM

Oops, population, not popular.

KESinMN Oct 13th, 2005 04:36 AM

Forget shaving while on vacation!!! It's no fun at home let alone attempting that act in some very small facilities.

I set up an appointment to get waxed about 2 days before my flight out. Granted the 2 week "prep" time is a drag, but not having to worry while on vacation is great. This doesn't save too suitecase space however there are other benefits!!

I too have brought with those disposable facial clothes. They were very handy! You can use them for a regular washcloth after all facial product is used.


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