Toilettries in Ziplock question

All the TSAs I have dealt with make us close the bag. I only had a problem once and had to dump a bottle to make it close. That was over a year ago. I have made it a point not to over stuff my ziplock since. There are 2 different kinds of ziplocks, I have found that the ones that are wider and shorter work better than the ones that are taller and more narrow, but that could just be me and the things that I bring.

Melanie, You have to be able to close it. I switched from a liquid make-up to a mineral powder-based make-up that does not have to go in the baggie. That has been a big help.

It needs to close. At travel stores or travel sections in stores you can get small bottles to put your stuff in.

The new limits bugged me when I first saw them. Now I'm thinking, "Why would I want to pack more?".

I pack lotion, woolite, toothpaste, purel hand sanitizer, chapstick, fabreeze, and hotel size shampoo and conditioner. If (when) I run out, there are stores everywhere.

Seperately I pack a toothbrush, small hairbrush, disposable razor, travel size stick deoderant, a hotel sewing kit, floss, some band aids, safety pins and a travel clothesline. I have used Rick's small shave kit but I'm looking to downsize from that.

I've actually been surprised at how much the ziploc bag can hold! Even with more than one little bottle of shampoo, conditioner, lip gloss, hand lotion, etc., I've never had trouble closing it.

Not only do you have to close it, none of the liquids or creams in the bag can exceed 3 ounces each. Watch out for those large hair spray bottles or large tooth paste tubes, etc. They won't make it.

I switched to LUSH shampoo and conditioner. They are bars and I don't have to put my shampoo and condit in my bag. It has really worked for me when I travel. I also now use the mineral make up, but the last time I went to Europe I was using regular make up and took it along, it was so hot and humid in Rome that I never used it because it melted off. What a waste of space in my zipplock.

I am not sure how people have trouble limiting themselves,, my bag is usaully almost empty.
Small bottle of hair shampoo and cond. , and if I check a bag, I don't even have to put that in the ziplock.
That leaves small tube of tooth paste to brush teeth on arrival, small hand santizer, and my make up , which is a small bit of concealer, no bigger then a mascara container, mascara, and a hotel size hand cream ( planes are so drying). If I am not checking a bag I also put in my face soap which I put into a smaller container.
When in europe I just buy more stuff like shampoo etc.

Melanie,

You can buy TSA Approved bags by "Hefty" at Dollarama. You get 7 in a pkg for a buck. Buy some so you can fill your bag up at home and be sure it will all fit.
They are definately single use bags but aren't too bad for the price...

Safe Travels,

F/A

I did a volume type seal and I have just finished packing my Back Pack, weight is 36.7 lbs or 16 kg. I used gallon sized ziploc bags/sandwhich ziplock, with my clothes and underware, I then sqeezed/folded all the air out and then ziploc bag and close, reduces the amout of room in the back pack. I also use sandwhich bags for my small tolettries and etc..... (individually wrapped) and then put all into the gallon size as a double bearer for leakage, pressure release, or just leak out while in flight. Simple beacase I was packing everthing within the back pack, to include my journal, books, note pad. But my back pack will be checked. I am hoping that my back pack will arrive with me in Germany. If TSA or customs need to see, everything is in clear very flat sealed ziplock bags. I broken my tolletres into several catogrory: 1=daily/2=cosmetic/3-medical/4-laundry-tolet-Antisept/5=silverware-dish/6=camera-related camera items. I strongly recommend that you close and seal all items.
Lee

Hi Melanie,

Yes, you have to be able to close it. I have v. allergic skin, so I take the mini-sized kitchen sink with me. Some ideas that have helped me:

Powder detergent vs liquid. I take my own Forever New powder. I put it in a 2 oz plastic bottle & use the cap to measure it in to the sink. Works great & doesn't have to go in the zip.

Aquafresh toothpaste is taller, slimmer than its Crest cousins. Fits any spot in the zip.

Powder makeup vs liquid. I take a small (teeny sample size from MAC with SPF) & powder, but the sample is tiny & takes up no room in the zip.

Are you trying to take concealers, highlighters, etc.? I took a sample size (same as MAC) & crazy-glued dividers inside to make it a four-section jar. Easy & zip-friendly.

Hit up your favorite makeup counter for a mini mascara. You may find a new fave!

Solid deodorant, soap, shampoo & conditioner. I like LUSH solid conditioner & shampoo (not the bars, tho).

Lipstick & balm vs gloss. No zip.

Ciao!

I found the quart size Ziplock holds plenty, especially if you make a few product changes that will help you bypass having to put the stuff in a Ziplock in the first place.

Good ones mentioned above. Also, switch to a solid deodorant (if you use gel base or roll-on) and instead of taking several bottles for eye AND face make-up remover, switch to one of the cloth sheets (like Olay Daily Facials) that you just run under water to activate the cleanser. These things are great - especially since the sheets are pretty large, you can cut them in half or even in quarters and still take off all your make-up.

Department store skincare/makeup and perfume counters always give away free sample sizes of products in tubes that are much smaller than 3 oz.

Thanks everyone. Finding out that I can take my solid deoderant without putting it in the bag is great. Maybe I'll switch to powder detergent too. I don't use face makeup so that's not a problem.

Thank you

Like Cristina said, I also have started using LUSH products. They have solid shampoos, conditioners, body butters, and soaps. Here is the website http://usa.lush.com/ Look under haircare to find the solid items. Their products are also earth-friendly which is nice. I also use Crystal deodarant so that doesn't need to go in. The only thing going into my ziploc is extra contacts, toothpaste, toner, and RS clothes soap.

Are we allowed to take lipstick in a handbag or must I put it also in the ziploc bag? What about Vaseline lip therapy? That's the only one I am not allergic to.

Eli, Vaseline is gooey (liquid-y) so has to go in the zip bag, I think. I don't think lipstick does, although better safe than sorry, right?

Happy trails, everyone!