Toiletries take up 1/3 of the suitcase!
 

In preparation for my upcoming trip to Africa (during which I am allowed one 22" softsided suitcase weighing a maximum of 33 lbs), I am on the hunt for dual toiletries and teeny tiny things to pack. Most samples are too small for 14 days. Anybody come across any great ideas?

I re-use small hotel shampoo bottles and re-fill with my own products. Do a test at home. Do a test at home, you may be surprised how little shampoo (for example) you need for 14 days (hint, it's less than you think).

As far as the samples that are too small for 14 days, simply pack 2 of them!

My other trick is to skip a special toiletries case/bag, they are bulky and take up too much room in a small suitcase. Pack into either snack or sandwich size ziplocks then put those smaller ziplocks into a 1 gal freezer ziplock and lay flat in among your clothes.

For things you need a more generous amount of, purchase empty plastic containers specific for travel from a drug store or travel shop. One 4 oz. bottle filled will take up less room (and make less trash to leave behind) than 4x 1 oz. samples of something.

My trick is to release myself from the normal day drudgery of hair and makeup. It's amazing how much you need (and don't need) when you take a vacation from your normal routine. You are on vacation. Take a break. Also, in Africa, I would concentrate on unscented products.

The basics for me - mini-shampooo & conditioner, small normal size of lotion (I use a lot), noxema to clean face (ok, I'm addicted) deodorant and one lipstick and mascara. Oh, don't forget sunscreen!

I agree with using ziploc baggies.

I'm serious about taking a break from doing hair and makeup. Side benefit? Your traveling companion will appreciate it too. Believe me (from experience on both sides of the story).

I find it easier when I reall have to pack light to take the little packets of liquids rather than any plastic bottles. So for Woolite, I buy the travel packs in little disposable bags, they look like the shampoo and condidtioner samples we used to get with the SUnday paper or in the mail. I can get these at the travel store at the Mall, or the Complement luggage place close to me. And you can buy shampoo and condidtioner travel packs like that too- I can get them at Target and several online travel places have them too. That way they are flat, and the shampoo and condiditoners last for two days apiece, and then you throw out the little envelope it comes in. I know, it isn't the ecofriendly way of recycling containers, but on a trip like you have w/such a small amt. of space and weight allowance, it is an option.

Have you ever seen shampoo bars? I had one from Burts Bee's (I think) and it lasted for quite a while. Another good thing to bring is a multipurpose liquid bodywash (I've used some for soap, shampoo & laundry).

well, i guess maybe tooth powder is an option instead of toothpaste, but i could never bring myself to use it.

That's a good tip about the makeup. When I was in japan last spring I ended up not wearing any the 2nd week- just more relaxing and I also figured what the heck, I'd never see any of those people again anyway so what did it matter. ANd my son who I was with said "Mom, you don't look so spooky without it, so get over it."

bugswife- you can get the photo vest like Rocco did (from the Africa forum) and fill it up with your toiletries! The airlines don't weigh what you're wearing. you're lucky though, on our upcoming Zambia trip, we're only allowed 26 pounds!
Dennis

If 22" is the size limit, I don't think 33 lbs. should be a problem. My 24" normally packed weighs ~27 lbs. packed (and 7 of that is the suitcase itself).

bugs, take a look at this for the packets i was speaking of, and a good stock of personal size items:

www.minimus.biz

www.thecontainerstore.com has a huge assortment of travel bottles and containers. I pack them in zip lock freezer bags. Keep in mind that you should only fill the bottles about 2/3 - 3/4 full to avoid leaking.

You did not say what kind of Africa trip you are doing, but every hotel/lodge that I have been to in Africa provided the basics like shampoo and soap. Some of the better ones even had toothpaste with toothbrush as well as shaving supplies on request.
So, unless you are doing some kind of bush track with camping tents, I would not worry too much about the basics. If you are camping out in the bush (and I don't mean the luxury type of tents), then forget about make-up, hair jells, etc...
Have a great trip!

What?? you mean you don't have a suitcase just for your toiletries? LOL
I second the Shampoo Bar idea, Lush makes one for shiny hair that is great, comes in its own little silver carrier.
Burts Bees is great for small products .
I narrow down what I use (I use Lubriderm lotion for body and face, no seperate face creams) cleanser for face can also be used instead of soap..that sort of thing. One is L'Occitane comfort cleansing fluid, for face & body. Another is Cetaphil cleanser..
Rosebud Salve for lips and any dry spots made by Smiths..
That is all I can think of now, have fun!

Cetaphil is really good for face. I filled a small bottle my last trip to Europe for two weeks and didn't use it all. You might try to get a small bottle or Prell shampoo. I have seen travel size and if not, fill a small bottle. That is NOT my regular shampoo, my SO uses it, but the thing about it is, it is incredibly concentrated. I have short hair and a blob about the size of a dime makes suds for days and you can use as body wash also. I DO sometimes take it for travel. It does have a scent however but not a very strong one. I found that two of the small travel tubes of Crest Toothpaste lasted me perfectly for the two weeks and I brush my teeth twice a day. It was plenty. I didn't realize how much toothpaste I wasted at home until I was getting these tubes to go for the two weeks. As far as the makeup etc. I think I agree with the other poster, keep it simple and basic..me? I MUST have my eyebrows..I always think of Shirley McLain in Post Cards from the Edge...she was begging Meryl Streep to promise not to bury her without her eyebrows!!!(:

Most conditioners have cleansers in them in addition to conditioning agents. Unless your hair is extremely dirty, you could get by with only conditioning most days, and just take a tiny bottle of shampoo to use a few times during your trip.

What list of items are you looking to bring? You can definitely find small toothbrush, dental floss, toothpaste, contact lens solution, etc.

Great ideas. I like the idea of a cleanser that is good for body & face instead of 2 separate ones. I am just trying to make a list of what I have to have and what I can live with out. The first hotel has a few toiletries. I am not sure about the permanent tent camp or the mobile one in the Serengeti. Which brings up another question--does anyone know of a body wash that rinses off easily? The bush shower is like a bucket overhead where you pull a cord, get wet, soap up, and then pull the cord again. Limited rinse time, and I am sure no amenities.

You might try those disposable facial wash pads. I've seen (and tried) a few of them. I think Dove and Oil of Olay have them. They are very convenient - usually come in an "envelope" type bag that is resealable.I often put them in another plastic bag or two to make sure. Plus, you have the extra bag if necessary. I have an off/generic brand as well that I take camping.

When I travel, instead of taking my foundation and facial moisturizer, I mix them together and take them in a very small plastic travel container - about the size of a Carmex jar. You can also take 2 or 3 of the small travel size toothpaste. When you finish one, throw it away.

Austin, if you are using the face cleansing pads that foam up w/water, I cut them in half and use only 1/2 one each day when I travel. It is just enough for one wash and cuts down the amount I take by 1/2.

emd - great idea to cut in half! love it. I think that is what I will do for those.

Once all these tricks are put into use, still there is a certain amount of room that toiletries take up in a suitcase, it's a law of nature -LOL. You can move on to tricks to make your clothing smaller, like a couple tshirts into a ziplock bag that you sit on to get the air out the zip, to keep things organized and compact. And condensing things like bandaids (no need to take them in their box).

Unfortunately she has a weight limit also. With weight restriction, you have to be careful about using the tricks to make your clothes smaller (like the vacuum pack bags) because although you are making it smaller, it doesn't reduce the weight. No one has figured out a way to reduce the weight yet, but if they did there would be one heck of a market for it.

Scarlett - I have just what you mentioned. When we travel I have a medium sized suitcase in the shape of a duffel bag but in a heavier nicer material. All I pack in there is toiletries and shoes. You weren't too far off base. LOL!

emd, Yes I realize that and usually post the same caution. But 33 lbs for a 22 inch suitcase is a resonably generous weight allotment. for bugswife1, you can use your own bathroom scale to get an idea what your case weighs.

Just a couple of other thoughts... if you are taking products (like shampoo/conditioner combos, or a different facial cleanser) that you don't usually use at home, be sure to try them out before you leave. If you take them with you untested and find out that they make your skin or hair feel awful then you've just wasted that space and weight in your suitcase. Also, I always put together my own first aid kit packing a selection of things I might need in zip lock bags. I find them less bulky than store bought first aid kits. Unless you will be visiting large "Westernized" cities, don't count on easily finding bandaids, antibacterial ointment, imodium, antihistamine or tylenol. Don't take any boxes. If I need the directions for something - or want to make sure it is properly identified in case someone asks - I cut the directions off the box and slip it into the little ziplock with the pills. And if you're not feeling well, or have blisters the size of quarters, you'll be glad to have the stuff with you rather than having to go searching for it, or a substitute, locally.

"Anybody come across any great ideas?"

Umm, shave your head and buy a wig.

Pack eyeliner and lipstick - only makeup you need. Why do you think they call it "makeup" anyway? To make up for beauty.

My mother told me once that I looked like I had a vitamin deficiency without makeup. No matter what part of the world I'm in, I wouldn't want others to look at me and think to themselves, "that woman needs to take a multi-vitamin!" Happy travels to Africa no matter what your personal hygiene is like!

thanks one and all. i am using the Rick Steve's soft sided Back Door Bag that weighs about 3.5 lbs. It was recommended on another thread. I don't use really any hair products, just a bit of shampoo, conditioner, and a rubberband. And since the Lasiks--no glasses, contacts or solutions either!

then, what is taking up 1/3 of the suitcase?

oh, all the other crap-soap, shaving stuff for husband, nail/cuticle utensils, toothbrushes, mouthwash, deodorant, sunblock of all kinds, qtips, cotton, etc. etc. You know, all the stuff you just couldn't possibly do without for 2 weeks!

Mouthwash really isnt needed..and it's mostly water. I like some of the Aveda shampoo products for multipurpose soaps, most of them rinse out well and are concentrated. But the shampoo bar is best because it has no water so weighs less. I also use it for laundry.

Also, there's a solid stick sunscreen that is great for traveling/camping. Can be used on lips as well as skin.

I have a 22" suitcase that weighs in at around 7 pounds. There is almost no way I could make it weigh 33 pounds fully loaded unless it was with rocks. Have you done a dry run yet? I think you'll be surprised at how much weight allowance you have left over after your clothing. If you do, I strongly suggest the vacumn packing bags, or 2 gallon ziplocs with all the air rolled out. I'm not sure I would want to travel with a 33 pound suitcase, as it is "every man for herself" in our family where luggage is concerned. If you're up to toting it, though, you shouldn't have to do without anything with that weight allowance.

And I think the idea of carrying toiletries in a safari/photographers' vest is something only a man would think of! :D

Oh, we will hit the 33 easily because we need some different items for Zanzibar for scuba/diving, etc. We will rent whatever we can, but not the computers. Those we will have to carry and they are heavy, so the last thing I want to do is be carrying shampoo in my pocket too!

In two words-permanant make-up (or is that three?)!!! You wouldn't want to go to that extreme just for a trip but I have had permanent eyeliner for years and it is wonderful. Even without mascara, I look ok. A little lipstick and I am good to go.

If you don't want to give up make-up for the trip but want to make things as simple as possible, you might consider having your eyelashes dyed. It is not expensive and, not only would you not have to bring mascara, you wouldn't have to put it on in the mornings and wash it off at night. Eyebrows can be dyed too if that is an issue.

I realize that this may sound rather frivolous and vain but I just enjoy myself more when I feel good about my appearence.

We simplify what we need, then load up on the miniatures and stick em in shoes, pockets, etc. If we're really needing extra room, we just purchase our toiletries at our destination. Even if hotel doesn't have stuff, I can't think of anyplace one would want to visit where the locals don't wash their hairs or brush their toothies. Have a great trip!

Take a good hard look at what you have there! Personally I would never bother with stuff like mouth wash when traveling. And as to the sun screen, 2 people in 2 weeks can only use so much. What is cotton for? Count out the qtips to exactly how many you need by day. Like that, you can get tough and lighten up that load, yet still have what you really need.

I would never skimp on packing sunscreen when going to a sun-blasted place, especially one where purchasing additional goop might be impossible. And 2 people should use a lot in 2 weeks in the sun--recommended amount is something like a shot glass per person per day, more if it gets sweated, rubbed, or washed off.

There's no magic solution, sad to say! Deodorant, shaving cream and toothpaste you use so little of that travel sizes should suffice; use all-in-one shampoo and conditioner in the smallest bottle you can fill yourself; bring one all-purpose hair product for the two of you; dump the makeup, keep one small nail clipper; don't forget immodium, aspirin, etc. IMO, that's the best you can do!

Good luck, and have a great trip, sounds like heaven to me!

Sorry, I didn't mean be skimpy with sunscreen, I know it's important. But with every single product to be generously realistic about how much you will need in a 2 week period of time.

I've toted stuff like Listerine, hand disinfectant, Olay pre-soaped face cloths several times but never used 'em, so don't pack stuff like that any longer. That said, I always have bandaids, small packets of kleenex, a few OTT meds, etc.

What about "packing" for 2 weeks while you are at home and actually see how much (or little) shampoo/conditioner/qtips/etc. you'll use during those 2 weeks.

I agree with not packing water-based products (mouthwash) as much as possible so you are not packing and carrying the water weight. The shampoo bar sounds very interesting to me.

Molton Brown products are more expensive but you only need a teaspoon ful using a applicator so can last a long time. How about sachets rather that bottles?