7 Ways to Use Reusable Travel Toiletries

Are you tired of spending a small fortune on those cute but costly travel-size products every time you pack for a trip? Well, fellow travelers, it's time to break free from the travel-size trap!

As carry-on only traveler, I’m always on the hunt for hacks to maximize my packing. I also love to save money when possible. When these two goals align, magic happens! In this blog post, we're diving into smart packing hacks that will not only save you money and luggage space, but also make you the envy of every seasoned globetrotter.

Say goodbye to those overpriced miniature shampoos and hello to a more practical and sustainable way to travel. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a journey of reusable travel toiletries that will change the way you pack forever!

In this article, I will be sharing products from Amazon, but feel free to shop wherever you can find these items or get the best price! I will include keywords that will help you search for these items on other websites. Some of these links may be affiliate links, which means that I will make a small commission at no cost to you. If you don't like affiliate links, no problem. You can easily find all of these items with a quick search on Amazon.

Tip: Some of these items are sold in packs. Consider using the extras to make little travel kits for friends and family! What a useful and thrifty gift 😎

Now, let's get started!

1. Rethink Your Routine

First off, take a good look at what you usually pack for a trip. What is the bare minimum that you really need? How can you simplify your skincare or makeup routine? Can you get away with not having a hair straightener or curling iron? The answer will be different for everyone, but you can usually pare down a lot at this stage.

Here is an example:

Instead of traveling with a curling iron, I learned how to do a few simple hairstyles that work well while traveling. Now, I can whip my hair into a updo in 5 minutes. This has saved me so many times! In addition to this, I also travel with a hair accessory that matches all my clothes, such as a small hair clip, scrunchie, or bow.

2. The ultimate reusable travel toiletries

Now that you have your essentials, let’s save space by repackaging them. No more buying mini versions of your favorite products for trips. Those are way too expensive!

We’re also not squeezing your essentials into the hard 3 oz. containers you can buy in the travel section.

So... what the heck do you do put your liquids in? Lip gloss tubes.

These containers are seriously undervalued! They hold a lot of liquid, are very squeezable, cheap in bulk, and space efficient. What more could you want?

Simply pour any liquid, such as shampoo, into a tube. Double points if you use a shampoo/conditioner combo. Look at you saving even more space!

If your liquid is thick, leave off the applicator cap with the hole in it. Just use the tube and the main screw on cap.

After you fill a tube, you’ll want to label it somehow. That’s how you avoid washing your hair with face lotion. I use this label maker. You could also use a permanent marker.

Tip: Keep these liquids in a separate bag in case they leak.

Liquids to use in lip gloss tubes:

• Shampoo/Conditioner

• Body Wash

• Hair Gel

• Sunscreen

• Face Lotion

• Body Lotion

• Toothpaste

• Mouthwash

• Hand Sanitizer

• Laundry Detergent

When searching for these on Amazon or other stores, search for: "15 ml lip gloss tubes". That is .5 oz and works great for me. Larger sizes are available if you need them, or just fill two tubes with the same product.

Here are some examples:

• 9 pack of lip gloss tubes

• 20 pack of lip gloss tubes

3. Use Small Jars for Creams or Powders

Need to take a liquid or gel, but only a super small amount? Tiny plastic jars are the solution. These are perfect for items like concealer, eye cream, cream eye shadow, saline gel, hair gel, etc. This can also work for loose and compact powders or eye shadow.

To get compact powder into the container you will need to break it into pieces. Save a broken face powder or blush for this purpose. Just pour the broken pieces into your jar and pack down with a tissue. You will probably want to pack some type of applicator, such as a small makeup brush.

When searching for these on Amazon or other stores, search for: "cosmetic jars". I use ones that are 3 g for very tiny amounts of liquid and 10 g for things like a compact powder.

Here are some examples:

• 25 pack of 3 g jars

• 10 pack of 10 g jars

4. Use mini spray bottles

For liquids that need to be sprayed, such as hair detangler, hair spray, or fabric deodorizer, you can get super small spray bottles! Say that five times fast.

For hair spray, make sure to buy the kind with a removable top. These are in a bottle, not a can.

I always travel with a small bottle of Downy Fabric Refresher. It’s the ultimate hack for smelling fresh while traveling. Plus, it removes static and wrinkles! Also, why are you packing clothes that can wrinkle? Don’t do that.

When searching for these on Amazon or other stores, search for: "mini spray bottle". I like to use the smallest size possible, which is the 2 ml.

Here is an example:

10 pack of mini spray bottles

5. Make a mini deodorant

Okay, let’s really blow your mind. Did you know that you can repackage deodorant... into a chapstick tube! A full-size deodorant takes up major real estate in your bag. This hack alone saves so much space and you’ll never have to buy a travel size version again.

Now, you might be thinking, “Um... There is no way a chapstick tube is enough deodorant for my trip.” I’ve had many fellow travelers balk at this hack. But I can say with confidence that I can survive on a single full chapstick tube of deodorant in the Texas summer for at least 10 days.

If you’re so worried, take two tubes. It’s still smaller than the store-bought option.

Start with an empty chapstick-sized tube. You can buy them in bulk. Alternatively, you can buy a mini deodorant container. Use a tiny spatula or knife to remove small amounts of deodorant from your stick and push it into the tube. Keep packing it down until you are satisfied with the amount.

This is a great way to use up an empty deodorant. So much of it is wasted!

Tip: This may not work for everyone, but I’ve found that men’s deodorant is stronger and works better for me. The stronger women’s deodorants are way more expensive than regular men’s deodorant.

When searching for these on Amazon or other stores, search for: "chapstick tube", "empty chapstick tube" or "mini deodorant tube". The chapstick containers are cheaper and easier to find.

Here are some examples:

12 pack of chapstick tubes

10 pack of mini deodorant tubes

6. Replace face wipes with a mini reusable makeup remover cloth

Ditch those disposable makeup remover wipes! Just bring one or two of these mini cloths with you and you’ll have that eyeliner off in no time, using only water. No soap required!

Simply wash them with your laundry and reuse. It’s not a substitute for washing your face, though I am guilty of using it in that way. I’m only human.

When searching for these on Amazon or other stores, search for: "makeup remover cloth". The small sizes are best for travel.

Here are some examples:

12 pack of mini makeup remover cloths

7. Reduce the size of bulky items

Finally, let’s look at what is left. What about the items that can’t be repackaged? Such as your hairbrush, razor, mascara, etc? Well, you can find smaller versions. That’s up to you.

I can get by with a tiny hair brush in a pinch. Do I have Princess Diaries moments where the brush gets caught in my hair? Absolutely. But most of the time it works out great and I can save all that space.

Here are a few ideas:

Buy smaller versions of your makeup. Look for small eye shadow sets, mini mascara, etc. Sample or trial sizes are also great if you can get them. Don’t overspend on this category just to save space. Smaller versions can sometimes be wayyyyy overpriced. I’m looking at you, Ulta travel section.

Get a travel-size razor. They use the same size blades but have a smaller handle.

• Keyword: "travel razor"

Find a smaller hair brush. You don’t really need a large handle. Hold it by the brush itself. The hard ones work best. The ones with cushion backing will pull out of the brush if you hit any tangles.

• Keyword: "mini hair brush"

Use a travel toothbrush. These will not be the ultimate toothbrushing experience, but it’s for a short time. I believe in you. Alternatively, just use a small cover for the brush part of a normal toothbrush.

• Keyword: "travel toothbrush"

  
  

Put vitamins and medicine in small bags. It’s probably best to keep any prescriptions in the bottle, but vitamins and over-the-counter medicines can be put into small plastic bags. Write on the bag or use a label maker. Take pictures of any instructions on the bottle. Keep refilling the bags with the same medicine for as many uses as you can.

• Keyword: "small plastic bags" or "pill bags"

And there you have it, savvy travelers! Whether you're jetting off for a weekend getaway or embarking on a month-long adventure, these tips will help you travel lighter than ever before. Safe travels, bon voyage, and may your adventures be as incredible as your packing skills! 🌍✈️🧳