Question for the Travelling Divas (...or Divos)

Make sure to continue to moisturize and protect your skin with sunscreen. Otherwise I drop the makeup routine, shower daily...LOL!

Hair conditioner. Otherwise its a rat's nest. Nice night cream. Everything else, nada. Minimal if any makeup, no hair dryer, wash and go. Even in Winter. No pedis or manis. Totally a carry on traveler. So over the years have learned what I REALLY need as opposed to what I think I REALLY need. In the pack light scheme of things it is totally amazing what you can live without. That's my personal comfort level. Everyone is different.

I can (and do) downsize my clothes to a great extent - we usually stay in apartments and try to ensure they have washing machines. I would usually only take 2 prs of shoes - one on, one off, even for longish trips. I rarely take anything formal or dressy and no pyjamas, dressing gown, slippers, flip flops for bathroom etc. Unlike many I would always take or wear jeans. However, I don't make much effort downsizing hair and makeup other than taking minimal makeup and small sizes/pots of things and buying larger there if necessary. The one thing I will not sacrifice is most hair related stuff as if my hair does not look OK, I do not feel OK. For the same reason I would generally take my own travel hairdryer. I only ever take minimal jewellery - usually what I am wearing plus one change. I never take another handbag. We are also not that committed to 'carry on only' which helps. Since the restrictions on liquids, to me it is all too hard as I don't want to spend time and money on things like moisturisers, shampoo and conditioner, which I am fussy about. For me, toiletries are the killer, but for me I have to have the things I am comfortable with.

I'm like Liz. I can wear the same things over and over. Toiletries - all my prefered brands from home. Most of them I put in reusable 3-oz. containers so there's less to haul around. And I buy sample sizes of my faves for traveling. I usually take 3 pairs of shoes. Sandals, hiking shoes and sneakers, wear one, pack 2. I hate sink laundry, so I take lots of socks and undies, but they don't take up a lot of space or weight.

My high-maintenance non-negotiable is that I must have 2 pints during the evening. Hey, you opened this up to men, so there you have it.

I make sure to bring my good moisturizer and sun screen but not much else. I use very little make-up so I don't worry about that too much. I take travel size shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Other than that, I only take clothing that can be mixed and matched. Donna

LOL @ "2 pints every evening". Hey - do what you gotta do! I love getting my nails/feet done, but have practiced the past few months going without that and realized how easy it was for me to live without it. So in that area, I'm set. I'm a ponytail girl, so hair products won't weigh me down.
For me, it's the make-up. I love doing make-up (as in I want to be a make-up artist for a living) and it's hard to make sacrifices in that area, especially considering I love certain brands and certain products. This trip I am staying for 90 days, and I've alloted space in the luggage for 2 bottles of liquid make-up, 2 pressed powder compacts, 2 loose powders, 5 eyeshadow quads, 3 black eyeliners and a few in other random colors, 3 mascaras, 6 lip glosses, a blush, and of course the needed tools to apply everything. I thought I was doing ok (it IS 90 days) but now I feel like a fool haha. I can't leave them behind!!!

I think if you left half of that at home you would end up not missing it and being glad you did. Donna

I took along 2 pairs of shorts. My 4 tops would mix and match the shorts plus also I had a skirt that could also go with the tops and I only wore sandals. One of my tops cover my shoulders because when you went into Churches and certain Museums you had to be cover -shoulders and knees. The feet with sandals were fine. Also there was a laundry place in Sorrento. Rough it up you will be thankful.

2 things I always bring with me - hair conditioner and facial moisturizer. I can get away with using hotel soaps and shampoo, so no need to bring that. I always leave my travel hairdryer at home, due to space and coverter issues, and use the one at the hotel. When traveling I use MAC Studio Fix powder, which has awesome coverage so no need to bring liquid foundation, concealer, etc. One sample-sized mascara, the end of my last eyeliner pencil, one eye-shadow compact with 2 colors and 1 neutral lip gloss and I am good to go. I used to always bring nail polish and remover, to maintain nails and toes, but now that I have discovered Shelac nail polish, they stay at home!

Donna - I agree with you. I am trying to really cut those numbers in half. But I have made great sacrifices in jewelry (my other love) and shoes (my other other love) so sometimes when you have made drastic concessions in some areas, you are free to splurge in another. At least that's what I tell myself to help me sleep at night... Are you ladies that don't wear make-up those naturally gorgeous type, because although my amounts seems excessive, I feel I would cause an international incident if I were to allow the Europeans to see this face without cosmetic enhancement...

Oh and EKC - please share the Shelac nail polish secret!! I hate reapplying polish on my fingers and I almost suffocate in my own cleavage when I try to do my toes.

"I almost suffocate in my own cleavage when I try to do my toes" hahahahaha! I hear ya sister! Shelac is a new type of nail polish that lasts for a very long time without chipping - I have one friend who made it a month! The only downside is it is only available at salons, because there is a special UV light that is used to dry the polish. So it is a little more expensive, but worth it for me not to have to worry about my nails. One reason for not bringing alot of toiletries (aside from space issues) is to have the opportunity to shop for products in Italy!

Yes you caught on to "I made great sacrifices in jewelry and shoes" is actually code language for "I am leaving room in my luggage for the jewelry and shoes I will buy when I get there" :) I will definately look into that polish. Even if it's pricier, it will be worth it! Thanks!

I spent 11 weeks in Italy with an RS daypack and a carry-on bag. I took lots of underwear and socks, which I threw away to make room for things I bought. In fact, I took some t-shirts and pants that I knew I wouldn't mind leaving behind, and did. The Customs Agent at the Detroit airport was amazed.

Zoe I'm amazed too but good for you! :) Reading the various replies made me realize something about myself: I'm "middle-maintanence". The honest truth is I have no desire to be an extreme minimalist. I enjoy make-up and jewelry and waredrobe variety. And I really don't mind having a suitcase in addition to a carry-on.
My first trip was amazing but I learned a HARD lesson about not over-packing. Last year was MUCH MUCH better. A previous poster said regarding her hair that if it doesn't look OK, she doesn't feel OK, and I feel that exact way about myself as well. I'd rather have a suitcase in tow, then try the minimal method which isn't really me, and end up being miserable because I feel like a hot mess. I guess I just want to make sure that I practice moderation. Is "diva in moderation" an oxymoron?

Reminds me of my favorite Budhist saying: "Everything in moderation, including moderation." As for packing, I'm not an extreme minamilist but I do know that I can do - and have done - without a lot. So I tend not to stress about what I shouldn't pack, what I forgot to pack, etc. If I absolutely have to, I know I can brush my teeth with my finger. I can wash the same pair of underwear in the sink with bar soap every night for weeks. I can shave with a razor no more sharp than a butter knife. I can hike in my Chuck Taylors. I wouldn't chose to, but I can if need be. Most importantly, I can do all these things and STILL have a great time (in fact, it can be quite emotionally liberating). I think it's important to remind ourselves that the world won't come crashing down if we give up our creature comforts for a time. There is Life and then there is "stuff". I try not to let the latter become more important than the former.

That's great insight Bob!
I agree with you. It's good to be able to leave some things at home and learn to live without them and having alternate ways to get things done. A person should always cultivate the ability to "do without'. When I make that 2-month trek throug the Amazon, sleeping in trees and wading through crocodile infested waters, I'll be glad I learned how to live without needing to polish my toe nails every day. Or in a more realistic scenario, when my luggage gets lost... As it stands now, I don't think bringing some lipgloss options is necessarily bad thing. But I'll also be perfectly fine if I only bring 1 - see maybe I did learn something :-)