How to only take carry on luggage

I've found in my recent packing that I've fit an amazing amount of travel sized items from a chain store in the 1-quart bag that we're restricted to, including shampoo/conditioner combined, lotion, mouthwash and toothpaste, antibacterial cleanser, contact solution and eye drops, etc. You can buy bigger when you get there (I plan to!) Don't look only for 3oz/100ml bottles - buy smaller and you can get all your basics in.

I also got solid body soap and disposable face wash pads (the foaming kind). These things aren't required to be in the small toiletries kit.

Hope this helps - of course, I haven't actually left yet...

One of my biggest secrets...My husband doesn't need most of his zip lock bag capacity. So he goes through the security line with some of my make-up and girl things!

Take only enough to freshen up on your trip and first day. Go to any Pharmacy (near train stations and squares all over Europe). Ask for help buying the things you need for your trip. You'll get interesting products and have a cultural experience as well. If you buy small products you can bring them home as souvenirs.

I flew to Europe this past summer. I got pretty inventive concerning what had to go into that 8 oz bag. If I could find "it" in a non-liquid form, that is what I took in my old toiletry case. I also took a good look at how much shampoo and conditioner I really use in 2 weeks. How? I filled my proposed travel containers with shampoo and conditioner and used them at home to see how long they would last. The other thing I did was make sure that I used every speck of space in that bag, so I took perfume samples instead of a bottle since these would slip in the spaces between round containers, and so on. I also took extra bags in case the plastic zip lock stopped locking, which it did about 3/4 way through the trip. I also planned on tossing empty containers. That's what worked for me.

And don't forget that the rule is that no single container can be larger than 3 oz. I have very, very dry skin and go through a lot of lotion and bring multiple sub-3 oz bottles in that one baggie, have never been questioned by TSA.

Just so no one is confused, it's a one quart-sized bag, not an 8 oz. one.

I consider myself a big "cometics fan".So I like carrying cosmetics but I managed on my last trip to Europe to carry everything in one quart bag.
Here is what I had:
--one solid deodorant-didn't go into the bag.
-powder toothpaste-didn't go
- natural liquid soap used for hair and as body wash as well.
- hair gel--small tub, the one that says cement on it. You don't need a lot.
--face scrub- I had a small round plastic container.It was enought for a month.
-instead of foundation you can use mineral powder or water activated foundation by Maxfactor.It look like pressed powder and you will need the wet the sponge to make it liquid.It works very well.
-hand sanitizer--went in the baggy.

There was some room left in my bag, though.

Over the years, I've worked on getting my toiletries down to only the amount that I need. Now with the liquid restrictions, half of toiletries now go in a quart zip lock. So I now know for myself, exactly how much shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste etc. I need for a few days, 1wk, 2wks. I have saved smaller .5 oz bottles and refilled them. 2 of those with shampoo in them lasts a week if I wash my hair everyday. Smaller bottles fit better in the quart bag.

This is all too easy. I just packed for my trip, leaving on Wednesday. I have room left over in my zip lock. Taking 2 oz shampoo, 2 oz conditioner, 2 sample sizes of toothpaste (one is almost empty, thought I'd use it up this trip) 3 oz eye drops (eyes get tired, need moisture) 3 oz body lotion (for dry hands on the plane) 1 oz face lotion, 2oz face wash.

I MIGHT stick in my mascara, but that's it for make up. My blush and eye liner (pencil) go in my other case with toothbrush, hair brush, meds, etc.

I'm skipping deodorant, I take a shower each morning, skipping the perfume (same reason)

this is enough for 2 weeks, but I'm only gone for one.

If you really want to do it, it's easy. you can get by with less for a week or two.

I'm a total washout when it comes to this "light packing" thing! I really wish I could get it right, but I always end up bringing one more bag home than I took with me. We tend to check luggage and pack a fairly collapsible, very lightweight duffel which we use for dirty clothes, toiletries we buy on the fly, liquids, gels etc. (double bagged in zip locks, of course) & anything we don't mind getting bumped, bruised or maybe even lost in the check in system. It's worth it to me to drag a little luggage (we tend to "do" one area at a time, usually staying in one place for 4 days or a week at a time before going on to the next hotel/condo/etc. rather than "backpacking" from place to place) so I feel comfortable with 4-5 outfits of clean clothes (we DO do laundry during the trip), a couple pr. of shoes & my favorite toiletries. If I feel "grungy," it can make me feel uncomfortable all day & makes it hard for me to enjoy myself. I know, certifiable . . . but that's me!

Thanks for the great advice! Now just have to endure a Vancouver winter of endless rain before my trip to Italy.

Toothpaste, deodorant, hand lotion, mouthwash and shampoo are all easy to find almost anywhere. If you are having trouble fitting everything into that one quart-size baggie, just take the things that you really need because of your own personal requirements (such as your favorite creams and makeup or hypo-allergenic products) and then plan to buy the rest after arriving. I usually rely on most hotels to provide me with shampoo, but that won't work for everyone. I use an electric toothbrush with a small head, so a tiny tube of toothpaste will last a couple of months. Solid type deodorants don't need to be carried with liquids.

Be realistic. Throughout most of human history, people have not had all these "toiletries"; they are not indepensible. You can do without for a few weeks. At worst, buy a few over there.

On my last trip, I learned to shave using bar soap and a disposable razor. I saved a pound vs. carrying my electric razor. Anyone can do it.

My poor husband had to shave using soap/hair conditioner & a disposable razor after our bags were held up a day (in the UK at the beginning of this month)and the poor guy looked like he'd been attacked by vampires! This is a guy who shaves at 8 AM & looks like Fred Flinstone by the end of the day.
I bought him a lightweight "portable" electric razor AND a gyroscopic razor that works without electricity or batteries for camping/backpacking or traveling where the voltage exchange isn't reliable (Just like this one:
http://www.global-merchants.com/home/shaver.htm). He says it's a small price to pay when he carries them on trips and he ends up shaved without needing a transfusion! Unfortunately, he'd forgotten to include either in his carry-on this time. Oh well, next time he'll remember!

As a prior poster said, test out your usage before you go, you'll be surprised at how little you need. Also consider non-liquid alternatives (bar soap, tooth powder, pre packaged face cleansers that don't count as "liquid"). And also consider giving up most, if not all makeup. Think of the extra time you can spend exploring instead of putting on your face (don't send hate mail, just my humble opinion!)

And yes, you can buy tolietries "over there" but if you have allergies you won't find the brands that work for you. Also, you can't find travel sized bottles anywhere - I have a $20 full sized bottle of sunscreen from Italy to prove this theory (but I love how the smell reminds me of my trip, so I'm not THAT whiny about it).

Most make up is not considered a liquid. I did not pack my mascara in the liquid bag, it was in my purse( and yes they looked in my purse) and it passed fine. The only really liquid makeup is foundation or coverup, and I use a wand type that takes very little room in the baggie. I took two small bottles of shampoo and one of cond ( I don't use much) and one small hand cream, and one face cream jar. I also took two toothpaste samples. Had enough and in fact brought stuff home after 9 days, so could have packed less.
I find it very very freeing to do carryon only, it is a pleasure to walk off the plane and go,, trust me you will never want to go back to checked luggage.Two years ago I bought quite alot of stuff and ended up buying a cheap bag( less then 30 euros) to check on way home.
What ever you pack it will generally be too much and you will tend to wear favorite items over and over, so just hand wash in hotel sink with hotel shampoo .

What do you gal's do about tampons?? I bring my own, but if I run out, is there a good brand to buy in Europe? I know this is a personal question, but can be a problem for us gal's.
Thanks in advance.

The US TSA inspectors don't seem to be consistent on what they allow. I keep a print out of what's allowed in carryone with me (so far, I've not had to refer to it).

Here's TSA's link that lists items and if they are allowed in carry on and checked luggage.

In news reports, it would appear that many countries have adopted the US liquid guidelines.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

All the major brands of tampons, etc. are available in pharmacies.

I put my products in 2 or 3 ounce bottles and give priority to the 1 or 2 items where I am very particular about the brand. You can pretty much find what you need there if you have to. Also, take advantage of hotel shampoo and soaps as you go.

The first ingredient in most liquid toiletries is water, so why not buy a solid version of a toiletry when you find it? A couple years ago I found a small scented lotion bar at a craft fair and bought it for traveling. The first ingredient is beeswax, and you rub it on. I just checked the vendor's web site, and you can now buy a lotion bar roll-up that looks similar to solid roll-on deodorant. I have no connection to this vendor.
http://www.cindylousoaps.com/lotionbars.htm

It is getting harder to take a "only carryon". The last London trip Virgin allowed me 1 carryon + 1 personal item going TO Heathrow. Coming home it was strictly 1 item including personal.

However, when I used Delta, I was able to take my carry on luggage + my school size backpack both ways.

For the liquids, many places offer liquid alternatives like www.basin.com. They have bar shampoo for instance. A quart bag should hold the essenstials. Mine are
1) travel size contact lense solution
2) Toothpaste 1 oz tube
3) Deodorant, travel size
4) travel size Reddken hairspray

I trust that the hotel I'm going to has shampoo. If not, I will buy it there. Many places, including the airport, has shops where you can get a small bottle.

Hi Leslie

(Sorry it took so long to PM you. Been away...without my Mac...)

Try a search for free Cdn samples. Dollarama has 2 oz sanitizer (2pk for $1) clear bottles with flip tops that are strong and can be reused for other liquids. Used mine many times for a year now with no probs. Just keep 'em in a ziploc just incase. Dr Bronners soap is multipurpose. Even put in a few drops and mix with water later. If you might be allergic to the hotel's toiletries bring your own. Sure, you can buy stuff there, that can be fun too...If you have the time to look for stuff, which I often don't.
S/t hotels will refill those toiletry bottles with cheaper fountain style soaps, lotions etc and reseal them. So what the label says may not be what's inside. I know this from running FO@Worldwide 4 star hotel. I didn't like it but that's what HSKP was into. Apparently it's standard practise. So if you're wondering why brand XYZ suddenly seems thin or an odd scent, that could be why...

Ellen,
Have you tried the reusable unscented rock antiperspirant? You get it at Health Shops. It's great! You can stuff it into a snack size baggie without any applicator. It's good for the feet also.

Lisa,

Try Diva cup. Google it. It's reusable. Some women like it. I like Seasonale meds better. Or taking BCP consecutively. That eliminates the need for products except once or twice a year. Awsome!

You can get Tampax pretty much everywhere. Non-applicator type are a little smaller to carry. You can get a small plastic carrying case, too. Keep the box, they are great cases to disguise a cloth jewellery case. (Not for good stuff, of course, just costume stuff and an inexpensive watch etc...)
Sorry guys...Did I loose you?

Leslie,

You can get a clear, zip top pencil case at Dollarama that works instead of the ziplok they give out. The bottles I mentioned fit in them upright so they are always ready to present at security. It's also good for storing meds. It's transparent so First Responders can easily see/find your meds. It's sturdier than a regular baggie.

(I've never had any problems with it. I'm often asked where I got it.)

You can also get these little 1 1/2 oz pot like things with a screw top lid. They are ok for things like vaseline etc.
I use baking soda rather than TP. I use fluoride free TP anyway so I don't miss the Fluoride. My Dentist says it's ok to use Baking Soda short term since Fluoride comes from other sources.

I carry salt packets from fast food places. The saline mixture works and doesn't contain root drying alcohol which some rinses do.

I use 2 in 1 shampoo. I deep condition at home. I use the hotel soap to wash my clothes if I'm stuck. I jump through hoops when I find Woolite samples in the WC! (Always ask for extra, even if you don't use it that day.)
Some things you might use more of than others. The suggestion of trying it ahead of time is excellent. It really helps!
Shaving oil is the way to go. Summersets makes it in a tiny nail polish style bottle. If you don't like liq soap try soap leaves. Less messy to carry.

another seller of all sample/travel sizes for cheap is www.mnimus.biz - they have all the stuff your loacl riteaid may not. Take a tiny shampoo bar or two for places that dont have it in the hotel (most of the ones I did last couple years over europe did).

also - you can get your wash packets - but the "all purpose" soap works fine too. Camp-soap - concentrated small bottle - is not only environmentally friendly - its good for hair, clothes, dishes, kids and the DOG! small bottle goes a long way. I take a few of the cold-type caplets too just incase. A small tube of tooth paste latst 1 week + for me - so 1 -2 is small and enough - and easy to buy there (they seem to have funny flavors tho - like licorice!)

Leslie, I don't know if Italy is your only destination, but other countries have lots of small containers of toiletries. In France you'll find most items we have in the US, and Heathrow has a drugstore (forget the name) that has travel things I can't find here.

Leslie, I have used BareMinerals for several years and it really helped on my first trip to Europe. There are no liquids to carry. Also, a little goes a long way, so on a three week trip I managed very well with very little. And to repeat what has been said here...you CAN buy it over there.