Therese

Ah, now I see your point, Xenos.

The comment about putting liquids in my coat pockets referred to putting all of my liquids in my coat pocket, nicely packed in their tidy little l L/1 qt ziploc plastic bag. They'd only be there during the "weighing of the luggage" ceremony at check-in for RyanAir in Bremen, as that's where I run the most danger of exceeding the allowable weight for cabin luggage. Anything that's actually on my body at that point wouldn't be counted.

As I go through security I'll need (in principle, at least) to present my toiletries for inspection, so having them in my pocket would actually be pretty handy. Once through security I can put them in my suitcase.

The flight out of London to Bordeaux isn't a problem, as it's on easyJet and they don't have a weight limit at all.

As to enforcement of the rules about liquids, U.S. airports vary mostly as to whether you're required to take the ziploc bag out of your suitcase for inspection. ATL (where I live) doesn't bother as long as you've conformed to the 3-1-1 rule, but smaller airports tend to make a much bigger deal about it.

Therese

So, here's my detailed list of "wet" toiletries:

28 g salicylate/exfoiliating scrub
50 mL facial toner spray
50 mL facial moisturizer/sunscreen
14 g undereye moisturizer
14 g undereye concealer
50 mL eye make-up remover
23 g toothpaste
10 mL salicylate spot treatment
24 g antifungal cream
15 mL eyedrops
2 mL anti-inflammatory ointment
3 mL perfume
3 mL perfume
2.5 mL mascara

Have I left anything out? Anybody care to calculate the total volume and/or weight of these items?

Kristina

Hi Therese-
I've been following your packing threads with great interest because I too try to be a light packer (carry on only) whenever possible. The only time I draw the line is when unreasonable (for me) weight restrictions are involved. I travel with more gadgets than you (Digital SLR camera with extra telephoto lens and 2.2 lb laptop plus various chargers and power packs). Still, I manage to go carry-on most of the time.

Like you, I have no problem fitting all my "liquids" in a single small bag and I manage to bring all sorts of things in teeny-tiny containers.
Do you bring shampoo/conditioner with you? I did not see that on your list. I always bring mine and am amazed at how long just a few ounces will last.

BTW, does the total volume/weight of the items on your list matter as long as it all fits in a 1 qt bag?

Therese

"BTW, does the total volume/weight of the items on your list matter as long as it all fits in a 1 qt bag?"

The total weight counts because I'm dealing with Ryanair's total weight allowance of 10 kg/22 lb. A 1 L/1 qt ziploc could theoretically contain as much as 1000 mL of liquid, and if you assume that the liquid is all water then that would be 1 kg/2.2 lb. And that's a considerable chunk of my total allowance, isn't it?

Now in fact it would be pretty difficult to get the bag to weight a full 1 kg, as part of the bag's volume is occupied by packaging for the various items, and also because many of the toiletries we use actually weigh less than 1g per mL, as they're made of combinations of oils and alcohols and water instead of just water, and those ingredients are less dense than water.

If you look back at my list of toiletries you'll notice that some are listed by weight (in grams) and some are listed by volume (in milliliters). So I'd have to know the densities of these items in order to give exact total weights or volumes. If I err on the heavy side, the total weight would be 288.5 g. Some of the containers aren't full, and some of them actually weigh less than 1 g per 1 mL (as explained above), but I'll assume that the weight of the packaging makes up the difference. Let's say it's 300 g and call it a day.

Therese

As to your other question, Kristina, I no longer travel with liquid shampoo. Instead I use one of the Lush solid shampoos that's called Shine. The bar weighs 50 g when it's new and it lasts a long time. Much cheaper than conventional shampoo (even though the upfront cost seems a bit high for something so compact, at $9.25 per bar) and great for travel.

I don't use a conditioner, as I don't wash my hair every day. I straighten it (with a flat iron) and then use dry shampoo for the next two mornings (or even the next three if the weather's cool and dry). I use Oscar Blandi's non-aerosol version. A great time saver when I'm traveling, whether it's for work or leisure.

Therese

This brings us to my "dry" toiletries, the first two of which I've already mentioned:

shampoo (solid)
shampoo (dry)
soap
deodorant (solid)

I also bring prescription and OTC meds (all in a single prescription bottle---theoretically this could be a problem, but in practice not really), a toothbrush, razor, q-tips, feminine hygiene items, dental floss, eyeliner sharpener, hairbrush...hmm, that's all I can think of at the moment.

There are several things (conditioner, hair styling products, liquid make-up) that I don't bring that some of you may need, and rest assured that a sufficient quantity would be accomodated by the space left my ziploc bag. I've left them out because I don't use them, not because I don't have room.

Therese

I remembered a couple of additional toiletry items ("dry&quot to include on my list: nail file and nail buffing tool. Both of these are non-metalli, with nothing at all like a point on them, so not even remotely threatening in appearance.

But the big news is that my groovy little wallet-on-a-string/purse has arrived from eBags.

I'm going to go open the package now. Oh, the anticipation...

Therese

First impressions of my new small purse (which you can view here if you'd like--- http://www.ebags.com/buxton/check_cl...m?modelid=1187 )...

Well, it's awfully light, and although it's reasonably well-made it still seem, well, flimsy, and...

Oh, hold it, that's why I bought it in the first place, isn't it? In fact, I considered getting a microfiber bag in the interest of saving weight, but in the end decided I needed something less casual. So it's just what I was looking for, and I've already stocked it with:

1. euro (bills and coins)

2. pounds (bills and coins)

3. dollars

4. passport

I've got room for my make-up and my cell phone (which reminds me, I need to call about roaming, and I need to notify my credit cards and bank about my upcoming travel as well).

I also checked to see whether it fits in the pocket of my raincoat. It does, though it does detract a bit from the otherwise smooth line of the coat.

Therese

Remembered a couple more "dry" toiletry/grooming items:

cotton hair band (for keeping hair off my face when I'm in the shower and when I wash my face and/or brush my teeth)

hair clips (for keeping my hair up in the shower)

I used to use a shower cap, but find that the hair band/clips combo actually keeps my hair dryer (so long as I don't actually dunk my head under the shower spray, of course, but then a shower cap doesn't work very well under those circumstancs either).

Probably the single heaviest item that I'm bringing on this trip is my flat iron. I bought it in Portugal, so it's compatible with the electric current everywhere in Europe. I'll need an adapter if I used it in London, but since I'm in London for only two nights I'll probably just wash my hair my last morning in Germany and then not do it again until I'm in France.

Kristina

Therese-
What about first aid items?
I always bring a small ziplock with Bandaids, antihistamines, anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotic ointment, etc.

Therese

Sometimes I bring first aid sorts of stuff, sometimes I don't. I find that I don't use Band-Aids even if I pack them, because the situation in which I'm likely to use them is for a blister, and they don't really do much for me if I've got a blister except rub off and rattle around in my shoe. So these days I exercise blister prevention, which is mostly just making sure my shoes are nicely worn in. Antibiotic ointment is mostly for blisters as well, or perhaps the occasional paper cut, so I don't bother.

If you look at my "wet" toiletries list you'll see antifungal ointment (combination of stress and not changing clothes as often on the day of travel work their typical magic), anti-inflammatory ointment (eczema tends to flare with stress and lack of sleep), salicylate spot treatment (shouldn't I be too old for acne? apparently not), and eye drops (for dry plane, but also helps with cigarette smoke and allergen exposure).

As for meds by mouth, I'm bringing a sleep med for the plane (Ambien) and psssibly another night or two if I have trouble sleeping, as well as ibuprofen. I already take an antihistamine every day (Zyrtec), as well as antileukotriene inhibitor (Singulair), so am pretty well set from that perspective. I should probably throw a few Sudafed in there, just in case. I've never used antidiarrheal meds and over the years have stopped bringing them. I did once use Dramamine in a situation where a lot of air turbulence was anticipated, but I found that it gave me pretty bad abdominal cramps.

I do sometimes bring Metamucil wafers with me, as work/restaurant diets tend to be low fiber. Lately I've just avoided eating so much in restaurants, and make a point of keeping fruits and vegetables in my room for snacks.

hazel1

I personally would never use a purse like the one you've chosen - it looks WAY too unsecure and far too easy to pickpoket.

travlsolo2

I agree with you, Hazel. I definitely would not use it with any important cards in those slots under the flap.

Therese

You both make excellent points about the design of this purse and it's pickpocket accessibility. My usual purse, for instance, has the same "flap" design, but my wallet containing cash and credit cards is contained inside another zippered compartment that's inside the main compartment. So a pickpocket would have to get inside the flap, unzip the inner compartment, and then take out the wallet. Sounds pretty secure, right?

Well, not necessarily. What really makes your purse secure is your constant and undivided attention to it. My purse is literally never carried in such a way that the flap could be opened (and so, consequently, the zippered compartment accessed). I wear it across my body and my hand never leaves it. Ever.

The other thing that makes your purse secure is avoiding places that attract pickpockets. This particularly trip is very low risk, as there's essentially no touring involved, just work.

Finally, just because a purse has credit card slots doesn't mean that you have to use them, does it?

crckwc1

Here's my 2 cents: To deal with limited weight in carryon luggage, and especially when you're limited to only one piece of carryon, I wear a vest (ScottVest) with 29 pockets into which I place everything I would carry in a purse, plus several other items that would add weight to the carryon. The vest goes through the scanner and has never been weighed. Yes, I look like a snowman but I love the freedom of not having to keep up with a purse.

Speaking of purses, I use (not on the airplane) a small-ish bag I got from Magellans which has a cable in the strap which prevents a thief from cutting the strap and running off with your purse. The zippers and flaps are very secure.

LoveItaly

I have posted before but will post again, straps on purses that have a steel cable can be dangerous. If a thief tries to grab your purse, expecially if they are on a motorcycle or scooter, you can be knocked to the ground and seriously injured. It has happened.

Therese

Oooh, found the Scottevest (there's an "e" in the middle) web site. Here's a link to the version for women (which is apparently a new option): http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/N...st_Women.shtml

Quite cute, actually, with a tapered waist and vertically-oriented pocket openings/zippers, cute enough that I wouldn't feel particularly ridiculous wearing it, though since I travel in dresses (for comfort) rather than trousers I'd have to think that through. Nice stretchy trousers would work, and the vest comes down far enough that it would actually make the silhouette fairly slimming.

I won't be using it on the trip, as (a) I'm working rather than touring, and (b) am already bringing a rain coat. As it turns out my rain coat is not too different in style from this vest, as it's a tapered black microfiber that zips up the front, and has two very roomy pockets that zip vertically. And a hood, so I won't take an umbrella, and it looks normal when worn with a dress.

But definitely a consideration for the future.

Therese

I tend to come down on LoveItaly's side of the question when it comes to steel cables in my purse strap: if somebody wants my purse that badly they can have it.

Another means of carrying your purse is in your hand, with a wrist strap (the small one I just got has a built-in one that slides into a little slot when not in use). You don't let it dangle from the strap, of course, but actually keep it clutched in your hand.

Therese

Cosmetics.

I've covered all the various moisturizers and so forth upthread, and will limit myself here to "colors" sort of items. Apart from the mascara (which I included in my "wet" toiletries bag above), everything is either compact powder or solid, as noted.

powder foundation (Lancome's Dual Finish, a great product)

powder blush (Maybelline, comes with its own stubby applicator brush)

eyeliner (true pencil style in dark brown, not sure of brand at the moment)

eyeshadow (a Lancome quartet that includes chocolate brown to shimmery white)

eyeshadow brush (Lancome, standard chubby brush)

lipstick (usually Lancome, always solid, usually no more than one or two tubes)

eybrow/lash brush/comb combo (Lancome)

Many of you likely use liquid/gel formulations of one or more of these products, or use other products that I haven't listed like a lipliner or eyebrow pencil. All of it will fit, but you'd have to put the liquid/gel items in your "wet" ziploc. And yes, there's plenty of room.

I carry all of these items in my purse, every day. I've got very oily skin, so use blotting papers during the day. I've tried lots of brands, and far and away my favorite is Clean & Clear brand. It's very effective and doesn't muss your make-up as much as the other types I've tried, mostly because the sheets are plastic rather than paper.

rickmav

I'm sure many people will find this very helpful. But I am definitely going to refer my family and friends to this post when they accuse me of being anal-retentive. Yikes.