You're at the airport.
TSA is weighing your carry on, and you see the scale.
Your bag is 1lb over weight.
Now you have to pay a checked bag fee.
Every ounce counts when traveling.
How can you reduce the weight of your travel bag?
Free up space in your Dopp Kit.
Bottled liquids, gels, and aerosol sprays can be the most difficult items to pack.
Grooming products are essential but bulky, heavy and prone to leakage in their original packaging.
And  a security concern.
With a little forethought and planning, the majority of these liquids can be eliminated or significantly reduced.
The biggest challenge is to find the perfect travel-size container and to store them in a separate toiletry bag.
Why consider lightening your toiletry bag?
- Offers great organization for travel.
- Separate compartments for different products.
- Easier to pull out a separate small bag for inspection at TSA security.
From toothpaste to shampoo/conditioner, from facial cleanser to moisturizers and perfumes, staying on the move and maintaining grooming standards is simpler with these 5 tips…
Want a full guide to men's skincare?Â
#1 Pack Small-Sized Bottles
Every holiday or work trip you plan can be taken without the need to pack full sized bottles of grooming products.
How often do you wash your hair?
If you find yourself carrying a big bottle of shampoo for a 5-day trip, you are contending with the risk of spills and leaks.
Regular bottles of shampoo and other hair products are not designed with travel in mind. The bottles are bound to leak under pressure up in the air.
What’s the alternative to packing regular sized bottles of products when you travel?
It is wise to pack the smallest size bottles and containers for your liquids in your carry-on bag. You can purchase these sample-sized containers in advance and leave them in your carry on bag in preparation for your next trip.
The smaller size also means there is less chance for a huge disaster in case one of the bottles explodes under pressure.Â
A smaller toiletries bag stops us from filling up on products we are tempted to take but don't really need. No more struggling to close the zipper on your dopp kit because you packed unnecessary items.
#2Â Plan Ahead To Save Space In Your Travel Bag
Packing toiletries that are unsuitable for the weather conditions at your destination?Â
Are you traveling to a destination that has warm, tropical climate? You may not require a moisturizer. Packing one could easily add to the weight and space in your travel bag.
Does your accommodation choice include a hotel which provides basic amenities? You may leave out the shampoo and conditioner from your bag.
If you are traveling with just a carry-on bag, your liquid toiletries should be packed in a separate bag to avoid delays at the airport security gates.
A tiny bottle of perfume, like the samples they give away at department stores will last you for a few days and save you the effort of carrying a heavy glass bottle that could potentially break.
#3 Pack Toiletries In Leak-Proof & Robust Containers
Anxious that a bottle in your dopp kit might leak?
Liquid toiletries can cause a lot of stress. An accidental spill can ruin your travel clothes and leave you with more work to do on your trip.
Place your liquid products in travel-sized and leak-proof bottles. It is recommended to pack them in a separate toiletries bag.
This helps to compartmentalize your belongings while creating a protective barrier for the rest of your gear in case of leaks.
Secure your grooming products in a zip lock bag for additional peace of mind.
#4 Store Toiletries In A Separate Bag
Compartmentalize your toiletries to help you stay organized. Store them in a separate bag.
A dopp kit, containing all your toiletries is easier to access than stray bottles of products all over your travel bag.
When packing items in your toiletries bag, ask yourself – do you absolutely need it?
I am ruthless in cutting out non-essentials in my travel bag. Old habits from my service days 🙂
Survey the list of products you are carrying and remove any that are ‘nice-to-have' but not essential.
The more items you carry in your toiletries bag, the more things can go very wrong.
What are some items you can do without while traveling? On short trips, you can leave the hair conditioner, mouthwash and any other items you would use once a week.
#5Â Repackage, Reuse Containers
Want to transfer the contents of a bigger bottle into a smaller, travel-friendly sized container?
Repackage your products into special travel bottles.
Repackaging your liquid products (gels and creams included), has two benefits – it cuts down on space and weight usage, while keeping the contents safe from leaking on to your other belongings.
Sample-size bottles of most products are readily available, but an economic option would be to transfer the contents of the bigger bottles you keep at home into reusable smaller-sized containers.
For frequent travelers, it is wise to invest in mini leak-proof bottles. While packing, transfer the amount you will need for the duration of that trip.
Note – These travel sized bottles must not exceed 100ml or 3.4 sources.
For short-duration trips of a day or two, consider storing your lotions in a contact lens case. They are inexpensive and handy reusable containers for small amounts of liquids.
Want a full guide to men's skincare?Â
In Conclusion – Free Up Space In Your Toiletry Bag
A simple alternative to repackaging bottles is to buy the products at your destination. It could work out much cheaper, especially if you are traveling to a different country.
The idea of compressing your shower, hair and skin regimen into a couple of tiny bottles can be daunting. Companies like Squeeze Pod have introduced pre-packaged toiletry kits so you won't be left in a lurch on your next trip.