Try minimus.biz. They have a ton of small, travel-sized products. (I posted this yesterday but Fodor's is having some issues me-thinks.)

Carry a big handbag. Don't waste space in it with non-essentials but put as much of your make up, nail clippers,etc in it as you can.

There are new wipes from "Off" for bugs--no need for bottles of spray, just tear open a wipe. I agree about makeup--if you must, mascara, tinted lip gloss? There are lots of products for whole-body use, skin to hair. But, the less junk you put in your hair, the less you'll find you need to wash it!

Just shave your head. It will grow back.

And the less junk you put in your hair - and on your body - the fewer problems you will have with bugs...and other creatures.

You are going to Africa. Use unscented products. Not smelling tasty is a good thing.

Buy what you need when you get there & discard any unused product before you leave.

I assume you'll have access to laundry facilities. Just bring the basics.

EMD, lol!

Author: fehgeddaboudit
Date: 10/02/2005, 04:33 pm

"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.

bugswife, I had the same delimna for an almost two week trip to Europe. One 22 inch pullman carry on and my handbag.

I then had a backpack handbag that was quite large but have since traded for a messanger bag. I put all my makeup (including a tinted moisterizer instead of foundation or moisturizer) in my handbag and used the following:

Bar of Soap: body, face, and hair.
Razor
Conditioner
toothbrush/toothbrush
comb
gel
moisturizer
backup contacts/solution

Also, packing in those spacebags helps but I just wore all black. I packed less and everything matched.

...I also recently had to pack in a carry on for 12 days and used a few little plastic film canisters of my shampoo, cond, wash, etc, and took just enough for the trip and just threw they out before coming back. It made room for a few things to bring back....also found a half size deoderant in the travel section at Target, they have a wall of teeny sample size stuff.

If you and your husband are scuba buddies, only bring one computer.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...e=TC&fid=1

Here is the link to my post on our three week trip to Africa with my packing list. The bottom line is this....you won't need nearly as much as you think you'll need. Make-up is useless in the heat, hair products are useless because most places don't have an electrical outlet anywhere near a mirror so "doing" your hair is a joke, if you stay in any of the hotels or camps they will provide the little toiletries just like hotels at home. Get a hairstyle that is maintenance free, take a couple of pretty scarves and a cute hat with a big brim. Take your favorite tinted moisturizer, a lipstick, blush and mascara -- that's it for make-up.

You will be pleasantly surprised at what you can and cannot purchase in Africa. Its not quite as outpost as some may think. Yes...if you run out of sunscreen, it will cost a bit to replace, but its not impossible.

FYI: checked luggage is weighed, carry-on is not. Carry you dive computer or check it at your main hotel. We left lots in our hotel in Nairobi while on safari and then collected it to travel onward.

Re shampoo bars -

anyone have a favorite? I've checked out Burt's Bees and Lush online.

I'd like to try this option.

CD player for music in diners

Because it's a liquid, this may weigh more than the shampoo bar option, but Neutrogena Rainbath body wash works great as a shampoo. I often use it this way at home, too, not just when traveling. I also use it in place of shaving cream for my legs and it works well....have your husband try it before you go, you may be able to eliminate the need for shaving cream. The only drawback is that the bottles are fairly large, but you could put it into smaller travel sized containers. I'll probably get flamed for "grossness" on this one, but if you're willing to share a razor you can save some suitcase space (bring two blades and trade them out depending on who's using it). I've also found that most hand lotions can double as conditioner. Just take about a quarter-sized dollop and run it through your wet hair - don't rinse it out.

I have seen a new toothbrush (can't remember what brand) that holds toothpaste in the handle, you squeeze it up as needed. Looked like it holds more than enough for two weeks...

Space-wise, I have always found that using small bottles and keeping the toiletries loose in the suitcase takes up less room overall - put all the clothes in first and then tuck the toiletry bottles into all the little nooks and crannies. Inside shoes is a great place. I just make sure the lids are screwed on securely and put a piece of tape on any items that could accidentally open if bumped around (masking tape is reusable). I have never had a problem.

Finally, try to find one sunblock that you can both use for the entire trip instead of taking several specialized ones. Take the most heavy-duty one you will need depending on your activities (sounds like you'll need waterproof). On the other days you may be over-protected, but you'll save space.

I recently went on a 4.5 week trip and toiletry packing was a big issue!
The biggest tip is that my husband and I shared everything. Same shampoo and conditioner, moisturizer, face wash, shaving cream (get a travel size), deoderant, etc. We share none of these things at home, but while traveling it works great.
We got travel toothbrushes whose covers become the handles (so they are about half the size).
For sunblock, what works for us is to bring a big bottle of 30, plus a tiny sunblock stick. I love the Neutragena one - 30 for faces. It's perfect for throwing in your day bag so you always have it.
Leave the mouthwash at home. Floss is much smaller. Nail/cuticle things? Just one emery board will be more than adequate for 2 weeks.

You asked about soap that will rinse off easy in a bush camp. Try a camping supply store or website. I like campmor.com.

If you must have mouthwash, why not bring those "breath strips" and dilute in a small amount of water?

Ummmmm, bugswife, have you shaved yer head yet?

rofl. no head shaving. my hair is easy--shampoo, conditioner, rubberband. it is skin care that is always the issue--sunblock for face & body, moisturizer for face & body, night moisturizer (can you tell I have dry skin?), cleansers, toners. I know, I can do without some, but I really just love taking care of my skin. I will get by though. The tips on this thread were very helpful.

I went to cosmetic counters (at Macy's etc), & asked for "samples" (sample foundation, lipstick, mascara), very small, like the kinds you get in the Clinique & Lancome (etc), "gifts w/ith $25 purchase". (Only they weren't having the "gifts" at the time, I just said I wanted a sample of foundation, etc. (they were small, but more than enough product, & as mentioned before, put them in a baggie & stuff into shoes, & other nooks & crannies. good luck. (i'm learning to travel light). If you use curling iron, buy the cordless that operate on butane,works great, & disassembles into small sections.