Our road warrior friends and colleagues are sharing the secrets to packing like a pro. Here’s our packing list of the best travel essentials you shouldn’t leave home without, including bags, cosmetic cases, pillows, and more.
what are the can’t-leave-home-without-it travel essentials right now?
Traveling. Something that can provide so much joy yet produces so much stress. The fun part of planning a trip includes the itinerary — the dinners, activities, outfits, and outings. The tough park? Packing. Depending on the length of the trip, location, and plans, packing can become a stressor for even the most type-A planners.
Experts share their packing list of the best travel essentials.
Our experts are sharing their packing list of the best travel essentials you can’t leave home without including bags, cosmetic cases, and pillows. Read this before you hit the road.
recommended packing list of travel essentials
1. Weis Weekender Bag
Weis’ Weekender Bag is the perfect tote to store everything you need for a weekend getaway. The easy-access tote is designed to take the hassle out of packing and lets you get everything quickly. A separate bottom compartment also stores everything from shoes, toiletries or hairdryers. A zipper pocket on the back becomes a trolley sleeve, fitting over your luggage handle.
BUY NOW – $108.00.
2. Ouai Mini Wave Spray
Bring the beach waves into the evening with Ouai’s Mini Wave Spray. Made for all hair types, the wave spray adds volume and texture to your hair for an unkept, beachy look. Perfect for limited styling tools, the travel-sized spray can pull together your evening look with minimal equipment or effort.
BUY NOW – $14.00.
3. AmoVee Travel Curling Iron, 2 in 1 Mini Flat Iron Travel Hair Straightener
International travel is one of our favorite luxuries, but it’s not a luxury that can be done without planning. When planning to travel to a country with different outlets, it’s crucial to consider the differences in voltage that may not transfer seamlessly when plugging in your straighteners or curlers. AmoVee made a two-in-one flat iron, curling iron combo that provides worldwide use and is compatible with any plug adapter. It’s also more compact than your average device, making packing a breeze.
BUY NOW – $53.95
4. Calpak Large Clear Cosmetics Case
Find everything you need in your cosmetic bag without hassling or rummaging. Calpak’s clear cosmetic bags are designed with two spacious and clear compartments to help keep items separated and organized while providing visibility and ease. The top handle flattens for easy, durable packing…which is always essential in our book!
BUY NOW – $95.00.
5. 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase & Sleep Eye Mask Set + FREE Silk Bag
We found the secret to be shiny and clear skin, Mommesilk’s Mulberry pillowcase, and eye mask set. Keep your hair soft and your eyes well-rested with this two-piece travel set with a drawstring bag for storage. Made with grade 6A mulberry silk and available in six flattering colors, this must-have is easy to pack and necessary for maintaining some self-care on your trips.
BUY NOW – $99.00.
6. Apple AirTag
Notorious for losing your phone and keys? An Apple AirTag is a necessary tracking device that connects with your Find My app and lets you keep tabs on your valuable possessions. Feeling extra fancy? Upgrade to the AirTag Hermes, handcrafted in France and available in heritage Barénia leather or smooth Swift leather with saddle stitching.
BUY NOW – $29.00.
7. Mono’s Compressible Packing Cubes
Compartmentalize your suitcase with a set of packing cubes. Mono’s Compressible cubes will keep your clothes and items organized and compressed and are designed to save space and fit perfectly into your luggage. Mono’s cubes are made with premium materials, and the exterior is constructed with tear-resistant nylon twill and a breathable mesh top panel for easy visibility and access. They even partnered with Magnolia Bakery, whipping up two fun colors – Banana Pudding and Purple Icing.
BUY NOW – $99.00.
8. Comrad’s Knee-High Compression Socks
Long flights call for downloaded movies, a glass or two of wine, and compression socks. Compression socks are made to prevent swelling, improve circulation and provide relief, even after sitting for long periods. Your feet will thank you as you travel in style with Comrad’s ombre hand-dyed socks.
BUY NOW – $86.00.
9. Slip’s Jet Setter Travel Pillow for $99
Rest your head on the world’s most stylish travel pillow. Slip’s Jet Setter travel pillow comes in four funky patterns and colors and is made with Slipsilk™ to provide the ultimate combination of shine, thickness, softness, and durability. Anti-aging, anti-sleep crease, and anti-bed head – a trifecta of reasons why you should switch to Slip.
BUY NOW – $99.00.
10. Tumi’s Celina Backpack, various prices
Keep your friends and valuables closer with the Celina Backpack by Tumi. This quality backpack includes numerous internal and external zip pockets, a padded laptop compartment, a quick-access phone pocket, and more. Water-resistant, stain-proof, and adaptable with TUMI+ accessories, you’ll be exploring town with pride and confidence that your belongings are safely stored on your back.
11. Supergoop’s 3 Ways to PLAY Travel Set
Sunscreen for every preference! Supergoop’s SPF travel kit includes the perfect pint-sized SPF in three feel-good textures – mist, mousse, and lotion. Whether you lather up or spritz some spray, your skin will stay protected from even the most intense tropical heat with this perfectly-portioned sunblock kit.
BUY NOW – $56.00.
12. SK-II’s Facial Treatment Mask
Clear skin for the win. A long dehydrating flight can cause breakouts, bumps, and uneven skin tone, which is why a hydrating mask is an absolute essential for traveling. We recommend SKI-II’s cult classic, which provides solutions for dullness, uneven texture, uneven skin tone, loss of firmness, and elasticity. Packed with a bio-ingredient rich in vitamins, organic acids, minerals, and amino acids called Pitera, the award-winning Japanese sheet mask will perk up even the dullest skin, leaving you fresh-faced, glowy, and ready for vacation mode.
BUY NOW – $100.00.
13. Afar’s Lightweight Travel Size Hair Dryer
Keep your hair intact and your bag under-packed with a lightweight travel hairdryer. Afar’s compact dryer will fit seamlessly within your luggage and has a drawstring storage bag for protection. Keep frizz at bay and add volume without compromising space.
BUY NOW – $179.99.
14. The Nori Press
The Nori Press is the viral two-in-one steamer and iron that requires no ironing board is travel-friendly, and provides a dry-clean finished look. Compact packing often means your clothes have been compressed, rolled up, and contorted and wind up coming out of the suitcase full of wrinkles. The Nori Press was designed to hit hard-to-reach areas and has six fabric settings – poly, silk, wool, cotton, linen, and denim – to ensure that every single garment is getting the attention it needs for a crisp, polished, wrinkle-free look.
BUY NOW – $120.00.
our expert packing list of travel essentials
That’s what our experts have on their packing list of the best travel essentials you can’t leave home without, including bags, cosmetic cases, and pillows. Safe travels, dear reader.
