Carry on Luggage & toiletries

Last September I did my first successful carryon trip. 2 and 1/2 weeks in Italy and Austria. I bought 85 ml toothpaste for each of us (needed to buy one additional before the end of the trip), a small trial size hairspray (lasted the whole time), small shaving gel for the hubby. I decanted my eye makeup remover and moisturizers into a small container. I use the LUSH solid shampoos. They are rich enough to use for shaving your legs as well. A regular razor is carryon friendly. LUSH also sell soaps with scrubby bits in them which work well if you like using a facecloth, which you rarely get in Europe. They have gentle facial cleansers that have exfoliant in them that also negates the need for a facecloth. Deodorant is fine, even if you use a gel-type one as they are generally under the 100 ml limit. Truly, if I can do it, anybody can. (I'm embarrassed to say that on one of my first trips to Europe I had two pieces of luggage and one was the size of a hockey bag).

My husband and I have been to Europe eight times and will be leaving again for Italy on 9/14 for four weeks. We have always traveled with only one carryon each. I take a large purse only for air travel. The last time we were in France for 3 1/2 weeks and didn't even wear everything we bought. So I can easily be done. I have also been able to buy whatever toiletries I need at the pharmacies.

I put all of the following in my 3-1-1 bag: Toothpaste, I use the toothpaste that the dentist "gives" to patients. I take my shampoo and moisturizer in a 3 oz plastic container purchased from Target, even with a three week trip I have never run out. I also have a travel size hair spray. My deodorant is the cream kind, I put it in the bag. I take a tube of Burt Bee's tinted lip balm.
I use Bare Mineral make up. It is what I use on a daily basis and it doesn't have to be in a 3-1-1 bag.

I also fit everything into the 3-1-1 bag: -1-oz toothpaste tube (one you get at the dentist) -2 3-oz bottles for shampoo and facewash (each bottle lasts me 3 weeks, washing shoulder-length hair once a day and my face twice a day) -1 2-oz bottle for conditioner (lasts 3 weeks, once per day) -1 travel-size shave gel can -Smaller items include hand sanitizer (maybe 1.5 oz); a tiny bottle of lotion (1 oz)

You can do it cynthia! A 1 or 2 oz container of moisturizer goes a long way. I easily make it 3-4 weeks on 2 oz of facial moisturizer. I converted to mineral foundation a couple of years ago so I could avoid liquid makeup and I love it. A trial size deodorant will also last you 2 weeks. Use Purex sheets for laundry. They are dry soap and softener combined. Cut a few into small pieces for sink loads. Use a trial size mascara (beg one at Nordstrom); skip the cologne. It's so much easier when you go light.

Not sure if it's right or not, but I've just started putting my toothpaste with the rest of my "stuff', not in my 3-1-1 bag. Mostly within Europe with the occasional trip to the US tho. Try to get some sample plastic bottles from a makeup counter/walmart etc for your moisturizer. I usually just put my chapstick in my purse. I use a solid deodorant so that's ok with my "stuff" too. Use some of your husband's space! You can buy stuff in Italy but it will be pricier than the US, and they don't always have sample sizes in touristy areas. I've got my toiletries down, now if I could get the electrical equipment/cords/adapters/bandaids/meds etc down!!

Here's what I fit into two zip locks for up to two weeks: 1) eye drops for dry eyes....two very small bottles 2) 3 oz ponds cold cream 3) two 12 hour lip paint things...w/o the boxes 4) 3 oz shampoo 5) 3 oz creme rinse 6) 3 oz medicated shampoo 7) travel size tooth paste 8) one bottle nail polish (use pads for nail polish remover) 9) travel-size shaving jell 10) travel size metholatum 11) extra cream lipstick 12) two little hand sanitizer little bottles 13) a small bottle of liquid make-up 14) two travel-size sunblock tubes
15) two 3 oz. pump style hairspray bottles 16) tiniest travel size solid deodorant It's tight, but it all fits.....it's like a jig saw puzzle fitting all the little parts in so they all lay flat, but it works. Been there/done that at least 10 times, no problems. If I had to delete certain items, it would be to leave one sunblock tube home (unless beach trip) and leave out the liquid make-up. All the rest are must-haves for us. Also, if Caribbean beaching, the make-up and one hairspray bottle are deleted to make room for hubby's disposable contacts/solution, etc. for swimming. You'll amaze yourself once you start jig-sawing your stuff into the bags. You'll love the freedom of carry-on only. I also take a canvas tote each as our "personal item" into which go the purse, netbook, camera, cell phone, zip locks, travel pillows, pills, reading material, etc. Once thru security, the zip locks go into the suitcase to lighten up the tote bag. If I happen to take a non-crushable hat (prefer crushable in suitcase), I wear the hat thru security and onto the plane, then put it into the tote afterward.

Thanks everyone, this is a help. I always thought you were only allowed 3, 3oz bottles put in a quart bag. Obviously, some of you are cramming a lot more in that quart bag!

Cynthia You are allowed as much as you can cram into the quart sized bag and still close it without splitting it. Solid stick deodorant does not need to be in your 3-1-1 bag. I carry a tiny pot of moisurizer, small liquid make up, mascara, toothpaste (1 100 ml tube last two of us at least 4 weeks), hand sanitizer, small spray sunscreen, small hairspray. My husband carries hand lotion, prescription eyedrops, shaving oil (1 small bottle good for about 100 shaves so I can use it too!), bottle of woolite or something similar for sink laundry. We also use the lush shampoo bars.
We are committed one-baggers, and with every trip even though the trips get longer the bags get smaller!

I was worried about the toiletries so was glad to read all the help everyone commented on! I did a practice run the other day with all my stuff in a carry on and a small tote bag. I was amazed at how much I got in there and the luggage wasn't even heavy! I will be going for a month and vowed not to over pack.

I was worried about a 3 oz container lasting me for 3wks but surprisingly, I still had extra when I got home. I experimented a few weeks before my trip by putting the stuff I use in the travel containers that I was going to bring because I wanted to make sure I would have enough. You'd be pleasantly surprised at the amount you end up using.

Ok, I am going to give it a try, have other people been able to get through security with one- 1 quart bag, crammed with as many 3oz or less bottles? If so, I have been wasting a lot of money checking my bags!

Yes, with practice and continually reevaluating what you need and how much, you can fit it in 1 - 1 quart zip lock bag. Don't forget antibiotic cream. And as others have mentioned, try 2 ounce containers for some items. My advice is to use a heavy duty (frozen) type plastic bag, so it doesn't split at the seams when overstuffed. Not that that ever happened to me! Also consider using a zip lock bag or small see thru cosmetic bag (drugstore) for your other toiletries or first aid items (woven bandaids) or whatever . In fact, use one for bras, another for underwear, scarves, socks or hose, etc. Push the air out and pop them in the suitcase. You can see what is in the bag and so can TSA. If you are searched, as I always seem to be, your small items will not be hanging out and it is easy to put them back. Also easy to unpack! You can do this!
Bobbie

In addition to solid shampoos, LUSH sells a solid conditioner that I really like. They also introduced some tooth"paste" tablets that I plan to take with me next time. Independent of TSA requirements, solids generally weigh less than their liquid counterpart, so I use as many non-liquid products as possible.

Sherry,
Several people have mentioned this LUSH brand, where do you get it? We are leaving Tuesday night, so I hope it's not mail order! Thanks for your help! Cynthia

Cynthia, I've gone to local shops (CA), but looking at their website, they also have a shop in DC (Georgetown) and one shop in McClean VA. Hope that helps.

Thanks everyone for your help! We packed yesterday, and still have room to spare! We are looking forward to not being slowed down by too much luggage!

Cynthia, my husband was skeptical about my family of four taking only one Rick Steves Carryon Backpack Suitcase each on our 6 week trip to Europe. Now that the trip is completed; he is a believer! It is really the way to go. My sister-in-law and her husband came on the trip with us; they checked their full size bags and the airline lost both bags (on a direct flight, no less) It took five days and a trip to Rome airport to get one of the bags; and about 2 weeks and a trip to Naples airport to pick up the other. The airline "Alitalia" was useless!!! Made us really happy that we only had carry on bags.

ok very rimpressive hints for liquids but how about for 2 months? I thinking to check a small bag with toiletries so I wouldn;t have so much stress as to liquid/solid etc. and keeping the larger carryon with wheels with me. Any thoughts about that? Going in a week and my friend wants me to bring 13 oz of vaseline. Dont they petroleum jelly in Italy?