I always wanted a job where I could travel, see new places, have exciting experiences and meet unique people. Now that I have a fantastic job that I love and allows me to have fun while on the go, I’ve learned a thing or two about myself — namely that I was absolutely terrible at packing, which made traveling a lot harder.
But I finally saw the light and it has changed my packing game all together. I’ve been traveling for work for almost four years now, and it’s so much easier than when I first got started.
Because we all know sharing is caring, here are my top tips for a woman on the go who wants to travel sensibly, but also in style. Oh, and fire up that Amazon Prime account, because the two of you are about to spend a lot of time together.
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1. TSA Pre-Check
I’m starting with this because it is by far the most important thing you will do before you even back your bags. More than once I have left a seminar, making a mad dash to the airport, and TSA Pre-Check has saved me. The TSA website gives you all the information you need to obtain that beloved Known Traveler Number. The fee is minimal, and some credit cards even cover the fee for you, or allow you to use points to cover the cost.
If you travel more than once a year, it pays for itself. Click the link above and don’t waste any more time standing in lines when we all know you ain’t got time for that.
2. Packing Cubes
My brother and I do this really cool, non-nerdy thing where we exchange new products we’ve used to help make traveling easier. He also travels a lot for work and has come to many of the same conclusions I have, one being that space saving in a carry-on is crucial.
Enter: the packing cube. These cubes come in several shapes and sizes, compact your clothes and keep them organized, freeing up more space in your suitcase for whatever else you may need. Machine washable and oh-so-light, these puppies make your travel bags Instagram- (and overhead compartment-) ready.
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3. Spanx Leggings
Next to the TSA Pre-Check, this is the second most crucial item on my list. I don’t know about you, but there is something so satisfying about looking real cute while traveling, but secretly, deep down, being wildly comfortable. These Spanx Leggings have changed my life and bring a whole new meaning to the term “athleisure.” They come in several styles, making them an extremely easy transition piece from casual to dressy.
The holidays are upon us, ladies! Tell Santa you’ve been really good this year and put a pair or two on your list. The leggings are available in petite, regular and tall, meeting all your “hitting that perfect ankle length” needs. I’ve had my current pair for more than a year and they have no signs of wear or tear. Be sure and read the sizing chart carefully and order accordingly.
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4. Mark & Graham Commute Clutch
In an effort to not be the person digging through their bags and holding up the boarding line, I found this clutch by Mark and Graham that has solved all of my problems. It comes in three sizes, multiple colors, plus you can monogram it if that’s your style. It fits perfectly in my purse so I can find it with ease. In this little bag, I put all my cords, my Kindle, headphones and spare chargers, which brings me to the next item on my list …
5. All the headphones. All the chargers. All of them.
There is nothing worse than being stuck in an airport with a dead electronic device. Or being on a plane and watching movies with subtitles because your fancy new Bluetooth headphones serve you absolutely no purpose. This is why I pack a spare phone charger, a backup portable charger, Bluetooth and old school headphones, e-reader chargers and a laptop charger. You can thank me every time you walk by one of those vending machines that sell $50 phone cords and spend your money on another item on this list.
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6. ABLE Debre Wallet
My job requires me to save all kinds of receipts, and because smartphones can sometimes be untrustworthy, I often print my boarding passes. This slim wallet takes up no room in my purse, but makes finding important documents painless. There’s plenty of room for credit cards, cash and your passport, and, once again, you can personalize their products by adding your monogram.
Bonus: ABLE is an ethical fashion brand that provides jobs for women as a solution for poverty. How great is that? I can honestly say the products are top-notch and durable, making them worth every penny.
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7. Grace & Stella Collagen Eye Masks
Nobody likes baggage, especially under the eyes after a long day of travel. I found these eye masks on Old Faithful Amazon, and I keep at least three or four in my toiletries bag at all times. They are anti-wrinkle and collagen-packed, which basically makes these masks the Ghostbusters of eye puffiness.
I put them on first thing in the morning when I wake up, leave them on for 10-15 minutes and massage any residual product gently with my ring fingers into the under-eye area. Bags be gone!
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8. LUNA London Travel Lighted Mirror
Not to offend anyone in the hotel industry out there, but hotel bathroom lighting is the worst. Never, in the history of ever, has anyone disputed this statement. Although some (read: very few) hotels are now designing bathrooms with bomb lighting worthy of a selfie, not all are created equal. This slim, portable mirror fits easily beside your packing cubes, taking up no space at all in your bag. It comes with a cord, but also uses batteries. The LED lighting is ideal for applying makeup like a Snapchat filter did the work for you, in my professional opinion.
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9. Love Home and Planet Rewear Dry Wash Spray
We all love dry shampoo, right? Well this is dry shampoo, but for your clothes! Part of traveling light is being willing to wear some articles of clothing more than once. I found this product on my most recent trip when I spilled something on a top I needed to wear the next day to a seminar.
To use, lay your clothes out flat or on a hanger, spray, smooth out any wrinkles or stains and let it air dry. By morning, you’ll be ready to go. It comes in a few different scents, and is about the size of a can of hairspray, which makes it slim and easy to pack. The only thing that would make this product better is if it came in a TSA-approved travel size!
10. Foldable Flats
Once again, I learned the hard way that you can’t wear heels through TSA Pre-Check due to the metal in the heel of a shoe. After having to slow down the line and take off my shoes only once, I got to my gate and immediately searched Amazon for the perfect pair of foldable flats, finally landing on these. They roll up easily and are surprisingly comfortable. I keep them in my carry-on and can quickly change out of my heels and into these puppies. They are also great for running from TSA to your gate. Just trust me on that one.
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11. Cabeau S3 Travel Pillow
I used to be the person who could not sleep on a plane — like, not even a 5-minute nap doing that weird, head-bobbing thing — but I quickly realized that even a power nap was crucial for being functional the next day. This memory foam pillow rolls up and can be packed away easily, the cover is machine washable and it keeps your mouth from falling open while you’re dozing. I’m not even joking about that last part. *clicks add to cart*
12. Toiletries Bag
Last, but certainly not least, is the ever-important toiletries bag. I keep mine primed and ready to go at all times. Having everything I need already prepped gives me one less thing to worry about when getting ready for a trip. Plus, who doesn’t love the tiny version of mouthwash and compact bottle of Advil?
In an effort to not spend all my money on tiny, cute, little bottles, I have made the transition into buying the reusable travel-sized bottles and filling them up with the products I use at home. I also bought this precious little pill case to keep any medications I might need on hand, which also doubles as a jewelry carrier.
And since I’m a good little Millennial, I plan my hair washing days so I usually don’t have to wash while I’m on the road. This means dry shampoo is the No. 1 product in my toiletries bag. After that, it’s the basics.
Juli Waits is a hairstylist at Red Beauty Lounge in Little Rock, a traveling educator for Schwarzkopf Professional and a full-time shameless tourist. Follow her on Instagram at @hairbyjuliwaits.
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