Question for you: Do you pack light, or do you strive to shove the proverbial kitchen sink into your travel bags or luggage?
I’m a notoriously committed over-packer (hey, I like to be prepared), but truth be told…I usually don’t even use most of the things I pack!
I’ve been thinking about this for a couple days because we’re going on a short, few-day trip to visit our family in Hawaii, but rather than stuffing my carry-on luggage to the max, this time I packed all my stuff into a 1) Jansport backpack I’ve had since college and 2) my trusty Rick Steve’s shoulder bag (more on this in a second).
The other day I told El Hub that I planned to try this new packing strategy, and he straight up laughed! Then he said, “Good luck with that.” 😐
The reason I decided to try the new approach was because I realized that my regular luggage bag, which is just a standard soft-shell wheeled suitcase (carry-on size), weighed more than the actual contents inside!
I don’t know why, but I’m so bothered by the idea of luggage that weighs more than my clothes. It really bugs me.
Compared to my luggage, my old Jansport backpack from college weighs virtually nothing, and it also fits my clothes and my shoes.
Everything else — my makeup, hair and skin toiletries, electronic devices — will go in the same shoulder bag I’ve brought with me on every trip over the past decade, the Rick Steve’s shoulder bag. It’s by no means uber-fashionable, but it’s lightweight, has tons of pockets, and the shoulder pad is super comfy. Highly, highly recommended!
Still…knowing me, I’ll probably end up transferring everything into my luggage at the last minute. Haha.
Anywho, that’s all the makeup I’m bringing with me in the picture up at the top. I’m still rockin’ a relatively minimalist makeup vibe…
Vacation Makeup, 2022
- Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara
- NARS Deep Throat Blush
- Ilia Color Haze Multi-Use Pigment in Temptation
- NARS Eyeshadow Duos in Isolde, Alhambra, Kalahari
- NARS Eyeshadow Single in Fez
- Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow in Ray
- Ilia Clean Gel Liner in Dusk
- Eyeko Black Magic Cocoa Edit Liquid Liner
- Chanel Eyebrow Pencil in Deep Brown
- Laura Mercier Lipstick in Nu Prefere
- Sun Bum SPF30 Lip Balm in Pomegranate
- Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Wheat
- Avene Mineral Sunscreen (Tinted and Non-Tinted)
- Hourglass Veil Retouching Makeup in Sand
- Ilia Balmy Gloss in Tahiti
See you on the other side of the Pacific!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Rosie can’t come on this trip, but she’s thrilled to be able to spend some “meow time” with her favorite petsitter/college professor. She practically kicked me out the door!
Good choice on the vacation colors. Just a note (from your friend the former Captain) regarding the bags. You can take one carry-on and one personal item in the cabin. The personal item CAN be a backpack but it MUST fit under the seat if it’s in addition to a carry one bag. (generally, 45 liters is about all a backpack can hold and fit under the seat of planes of any size). If your backpack IS your carry on item, with the shoulder bag being your one “personal item”, then the backpack just has to meet the dimensions of the overhead compartment, which shouldn’t be an issue at all unless you’re going trekking in the Himalayans for a week with it.
Thanks, Captain! I was wondering if you could please recommend your favorite luggage or backpack to travel with? I’m doing my research and want my next backpack or luggage to be lightweight and long lasting.
When I was flying we had company-approved luggage so it would fit in our storage spots. It’s been 20 years since I left the airlines (2001), went back to grad school for my doctorate and now just travel for work using whatever luggage I want (yay!). Both my husband and I love our Monos luggage – it’s not super cheap but it has a lifetime warranty and it’s probably the lightest “hard shell” luggage we’ve used. This is my standard bag. I have enough miles I normally check the bag but they have a bunch of different carry-ons. https://monos.com/products/check-in-medium?variant=30728311013450
It is not the clothes but the toiletries, skincare, makeup and footwear that ruin my light packing intentions!
I here ya! It’s always so tempting to add more and more into the mix.
Karen,
Great tips for vacation packing. Me and my husband are heading down to Florida next week for a few days to visit my folks. I’m bringing the minimum as well since I usually leave a few things at my parent’s place anyway. BTW, I’m enjoying the Avene non-tinted sunscreen.
Have a great vacation!
Hi Jane!
Have so much fun visiting your parents. You’re so lucky to still have them.
Avene is a great brand; I was thrilled to find that my nearby Ulta now carries the line!
I’m a pretty light packer— I always get by with the one free carry-on because I’m too cheap to pay for a checked bag. Once for a week long trip to Disney, our airline didn’t even allow the free carryon, so the four of us (husband snd two elementary aged boys) each took a backpack as our personal item. It worked! We did use some of the space in the boys’ bags for a pair of shoes, I think.
My favorite carry-on luggage is by Kipling. I read an interview with a model once who mentioned it as one of her favorite things, and I bought one soon after— LOVE it. They make soft shell (like a duffel bag with wheels) and combo of hard/soft. I like the soft top at least because you can squish it in overhead compartments easier. I’ve since bought one for each of my family members, and we’ve had them for about 6 years now, and they’re still going strong.
As for packing— I usually lay out a ton and whittle it down by half, based on what fits. 🤣 Packing light doesn’t come naturally to me, but I still never use everything I take, even when packing light.
I used to overpack, but then I had kids and quickly learned to downsize my personal stuff to the bare minimum becaue their toys and things needed all the room. And ever since I get away with packing way less (and still don’t end up using everything).
I’m definitely guilty of overpacking, clothes, makeup, blow dryer AND straightener, and hair and grooming stuff .,.. welllll it all begins to pile up. I’m with you about heavy luggage! Yikes! It’s as if you’re moving rather than taking a vacation!
Hey Karen- is there room in your luggage for me? LOL
I used to be an over packer, especially where makeup was concerned. I thought that I needed everything and the kitchen sink for a weeks vacation. Now I try to color coordinate with my clothes- I bring one nude/pale lipstick, I red lipstick, blush, sunblock and other assorted travel sized skin care items. Why waste all that time applying make up when you could be out exploring?
Have a great trip!! I’ve gotten better about packing too, but I’m getting more minimal and casual in all aspects of my life just because it helps so much with the decision fatigue that parenting (and adulthood, really) brings. ☺️ Also traveling to warmer weather, like when we’ll be in SoCal and Vegas next month, helps with packing light! Highly recommend! 😅
Ooooh! Hawaii!!!!! Have a wonderful holiday!! I haven’t been to Hawaii in about 14 or 15 years.
I’m mixed when it comes to packing. I can fit all my makeup into a 4×6 makeup bag. I usually take one of the Viseart mini palettes with me, one eyeliner, one mascara, a brow gel, one SPF lip balm and one lipstick. I usually take either a powdered foundation or put some liquid foundation in a sample jar. Half the time I skip makeup and just wear sunscreen.
I’m notorious for over packing clothes especially if the weather is going to be uncertain. Although that’s not a problem in HI.