We’ve all been there. You get off the plane and steel yourself for the unpleasantness of the baggage claim, crossing your fingers in hopes that the airline didn’t lose your toiletries. Then you seethe with envy at the woman who effortlessly heads out the door, carry-on trailing behind her. You vow that next time, you’ll cram everything you need for the weekend into that teeny-tiny bag. But you can’t even fit your shampoo into a little plastic bag.
So what to do? Find a loophole. These products will help you breeze through the airport without making a stop at baggage claim. They’re all carry-on safe, and none of them have to fit in a Ziploc.
Solid products
Solid shampoo, conditioners and lotions are a good alternative for travel. Before repacking, set them out to dry.
– Flat, round discs or squares made by Lush Cosmetics left hair soft, shiny and smelling great. The conditioner works the same way. $8.75-$14.50 for 1.9 to 3.5 ounces at usa.lush.com.
– Susan’s Soaps & More sells 4-ounce shampoo bars in scents such as bay rum. They leave hair soft and shiny. Get them for $5.50 each, plus shipping and handling, at susansoaps.com.
– Susan’s Soaps & More makes a solid lotion bar in scents such as almond and vanilla. Rub the bar on your skin, and the warmth from your body melts it slightly. (Caution: Don’t store this in the heat or it will get gooey and runny.) Get the .75-ounce bar at susansoaps.com for $5.50 plus shipping.
– Surgeon’s Skin Secret beeswax moisturizer makes a special .78-ounce stick moisturizer that’s perfect for travel. It works like shea butter — rub it on or put it in your hands, add some friction and it thins out enough for spreading. Bonus: This one won’t melt in the heat. Get it for $5.49 for a .78-ounce twist-up stick at jamarklabs.com.
– Jordan Essentials has a solid lotion that comes in its own tin. Like other solid lotions, it can be greasy at first, but it soaks in. Get a 1.5-ounce bar for $7 at jordanessentials.com.
Toothpaste powder
– Toothfresh toothpaste powder tastes a little funky. But it left teeth feeling smooth. You can get it in a small bottle or in a plastic pouch for easy packing. $5.95 at amazon.com.
Mineral makeup
– For lighter coverage, Sephora and Ulta sell several types of mineral makeup for $10 to $25, and Target sells several brands for $10 to $15.
– Women who find that mineral makeup doesn’t cover patchy skin or blemishes can try a pressed-powdered version by Me’Roz Cosmetics. The compact, which includes an application sponge, evens out skin tone as well as a liquid foundation. $32.50 at merozcosmetics.com.
