Buying toiletries in Venice?

I'd bring at least the necessities to get started, then you can replenish there if you're not picky about brands, etc. You may end up with larger sizes than you'll want to have to then carry around with you for the rest of your trip (typically my problem with toothpaste), but usually you can find smaller sizes of products. Poke around - lots of very small stores carry the daily necessities. The locals need shampoo, too ;-) I'm talking about packing travel-sized bottles - 3oz/100ml or less, not full-sized containers! Especially if you're staying only a week or two, I'd suggest just bringing what you need and being done with it - your 3-1-1 bag shouldn't be that heavy. If staying longer, then bring some to get started (and leave some in case you need it for the trip home), and buy some there...AGAIN with the caveat that you may be forced to carry around larger sizes of everything.

Yes, products in Venice cost more because they all have to be shipped in by boat and handtrucked to their final location. But you're not talking about buying a car, just some toiletries so I wouldn't factor in cost as a consideration. Eileen points out what you should actually be concerned about.

IME it is cheaper and easier to buy branded toiletries in supermarkets rather than pharmacies. This site lists and maps (towards the bottom of the page) supermarkets in Venice http://www.viewsonvenice.com/about_Venice/index.html

Excellent website Linda. Thank you!

Go to Target to the trial size area and buy what you need. If you think you need more shampoo, take two. All that stuff in a quart zip bag weighs about a pound, and will cost you about $10. Really, it all does fit in a quart bag. Then you're done, and won't have to worry if you're buying toothpaste or antibiotic ointment. Btw, I've completely converted over to zip bags for toiletries, and no longer have any other kind of bag for such stuff. I've taken a few losses due to a hot curling iron, but always have a few extra.

Thank you all. I probably will bring toiletries from home. I had a bad experience with exploded shampoo in my suitcase in Shannon Airport, Ireland and I had read Rick's idea about shopping for toiletries upon arrival. Hopefully this time there won't be any issues:) Thank you for your thoughts.

There's a Coop supermarket in Piazzale Roma if you need anything.

Aaah, exploding shampoo... There is another way to get around that and that is with shampoo bars. They look like a bar of soap and do not need to go into the 3-1-1 bag because they are solid. In the shower you wipe them over your head a couple times and they lather beautifully (and I have long, thick hair). They last a long time (several weeks) and I can't imagine ever traveling without them again. I really like Basin's shampoo bars (and conditioner bars): http://www.basin.com/shampoo-bars/ I've also tried the bars from Lush but they tend to be overly fragrant for my taste: http://www.lushusa.com/Solid-Shampoos/solid-shampoos,en_US,sc.html

I think its fun to purchase toiletries from other countries, but it can be expensive, a disappointment or just plain wasting time. The one thing I have never understood is the theory of 'travel light' then buy the toiletries when you get there. So...you travel light on the plane, then you load up your bag when it is really critical for it to be light as you haul it all over Europe. Miss the point on this one. Just buy what you need at home and only replenish it if you run out.
Have to try this 'shampoo bar' ... if it rinses out good it sounds perfect.

Further to Angela's comment about the Lush shampoo bars, they are also perfect for shaving legs. I decant all my liquid necessities into carryon size containers.

I never bring soap and shampoo. I make do with the hotel's offerings. If the hotel doesn't have it, then I just buy it from a supermarket and NOT from an expensive pharmacy. A 3 oz or less deoderant, toothpaste and shaving gel is enough for two weeks. But these items can easily be found all over Italy. Not to worry.