Minimalist Travel Toiletries List for Women

What should be on your travel toiletries list as a female traveler? Well, every woman has their own take on what their essential travel items should be.

As a digital nomad who is frequently traveling, I have whittled down my own essential travel toiletries list, which I hope will be helpful for others preparing for their own trips.

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My Travel Toiletries List

I’m somewhat of a minimalist by nature, so there’s actually little variation between what I keep in my toiletry bag on a regular basis and the items I pack for travel. In fact, my toiletry bag is always ready for travel – I can just grab it and go.

Updated: 2023. Originally published: 2019.

Women’s Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag

My toiletry bag is one of the few things that’s gone absolutely everywhere with me.

This toiletry kit was given to me as a gift about two decades ago, and I’m sure I’ll continue using it for many years to come. (It even made our Surprisingly Useful Gifts for Travelers list!) 

Why is this the best toiletry bag over time?

– For one, it’s top quality. The material is super durable and waterproof. 
– The material is also easy to wash out when spills happen.
– It’s versatile. It can hang up or sit, roll up or lie flat.
– The bottom compartment detaches, in case I need to further downsize my minimalist toiletries.
– It’s not boring. Not a style I would have chosen for myself, but I love that it’s bold and fun.

Unfortunately, Fossil no longer makes these toiletry cosmetics bags. So I did some research on alternatives.

For a durable, high quality hanging toiletry bag, I highly recommend looking at REI. You might find cheaper options elsewhere, but REI brands are more dependable and likely to last much longer.

Check out the REI Co-Op Shower Roll dopp kit >>

Check out the Sea to Summit Traveling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag on REI.com >>

Looking for something more stylish? The SCOUT Beauty Burrito is a cute hanging toiletry bag for women. It comes in a variety of fun patterns on water-resistant fabric. 

Like my own toiletry bag, the SCOUT Burrito has three compartments and is able to both hang from a hook or sit up on its own when rolled up.

One difference: the large compartment on the bottom does not detach.

Check out the SCOUT Beauty Burrito Hanging Toiletry Bag on Amazon >>

Travel Essentials for Women

As I mentioned, essential travel items for me may be different for you. These are the important things I always keep in my toiletries kit, whether we’re traveling or not:

Main compartment:

– Round hair brush (I’ve had it since middle school!)
– Waterproof mascara
– Emani natural vegan lipstick
– Mineral powder foundation with SPF
– Schmidt’s Rose-Vanilla natural deodorant (more on my quest for an effective natural deodorant here)
– Blush and compact mirror (I mostly use it for the mirror)
– Prescription medicine – I transfer this to my carry on when checking my bag
– Bite splint/night guard (for TMJ/clenching teeth – obviously, this is not essential for everyone!)

Middle pocket:

– One nail polish (for touch ups)
– Feminine pads (more depending on the timing)
– Lactaid pills (for lactose intolerance)
– Eye mask (I sometimes bring this in my carry on instead)
– Nail file

Top see-through pouch:

– Preserve re-usable 100% recycled razor 
– Hair ties and bobby pins
– Scissors/trimmer set
– Tweezers
– Mack’s slim fit foam earplugs

Not pictured:

– Electric toothbrush, toothpaste, floss (not pictured because Jedd carries it. Lucky me!)
– Advil (it stays in my carry-on/laptop bag)

Other Important Items Depending on the Trip

Occasionally, I do add a few optional items, depending on whether I’m going on a weekend getaway vacation or a long-term trip. Destinations are also a factor – certain items are more useful in Southeast Asia or South America that aren’t necessary in Europe.

Those optional toiletry items include:

– Bug repellent (from heavy Deet spray to the milder Off Active or the alternative Picaridin lotion)
– Waterproof sunscreen (see reef-safe options here)
– Over-the-counter meds (may include anti-diarrheal, allergy meds, etc.)
– A few bandaids
– Travel size wipes
– Small sewing kit
– Change of earrings (if I’m attending a formal event)
– Tampons
– Compact nano-dry towel
– Travel-sized squeeze bottle (if we need to bring our own shampoo)
– Ear plugs

And here’s a checklist of a few remaining travel essentials for women to pick and choose from:

– Chapstick/lip balm
– Q-tips
– Menstrual cup
– Curling or straightening iron
– Blow dryer
– Comb
– Nail polish remover
– Hand sanitizer
– Moisturizer
– Body lotion
– Hair spray/gel
– Mouth wash
– Shaving cream
– Face wash and other skin care
– Body wash
– Wash cloth/loofah
– Glasses/Contacts & Contact solution
– Shampoo & Conditioner
– Facial wipes
– Eyeliner/Eye shadow
– Concealer
– Other favorite beauty products

How to create your own minimalist toiletries packing list

There are two strategies you could take to make your toiletries checklist:

1) Use my list as a starting point. Add or subtract your own essential items as needed.

2) Lay out the products you use on a daily basis along with an empty toiletry bag. Pull out the items you absolutely need and pack them!

Some quick tips for downsizing and choosing toiletries

– Your hotel or other travel accommodations may provide shampoo, soap, hair dryer, and more. Consider leaving these behind.
– You can buy comparable toiletries in almost any country, so if you leave out something you need, you can always buy it.
– Pack multi-purpose products. For example: wipes that can be used for removing make-up, face scrub, and cleaning hands.
– Aim to bring just the right amount of product for the length of your trip. Fill travel-sized containers from your products at home. 

Taking toiletries on a plane: Packing tips

We typically like to check a bag each on most trips. In this case, it’s not a problem to pack any toiletries in checked luggage. Nevertheless, my toiletries are nearly all allowed in carry on bags (a.k.a. hand luggage) as well. 

The big issue taking toiletries in a carry on bag is going through TSA airport security. Two main concerns are:
1) liquids
2) sharp objects

Containers with liquids, gels, pastes, or creams larger than 3.4 ounces must be packed in a checked bag. Yes, toothpaste is considered a liquid by TSA. Stick deodorants should not count as liquid if they’re solid or powdered.

For a short trip, you can simply get travel size toiletries and put them in a ziplock bag in your carry-on luggage. For a longer trip where you’ll need more supplies, pack toiletries in checked luggage or consider buying them at your destination.

Things like tweezers, nail clippers or mini scissors, disposable razors, etc. are usually fine to carry on. Check the TSA What Can I Bring? page to be sure.

A note about traveling with liquids

Because things bounce around when you travel, plus the cabin pressure changes during flights, liquid toiletries are prone to leak. We always reuse plastic Ziplock bags to ensure any messes are contained.

Another great trick is to put a small piece of plastic wrap over the mouth of bottles or tubes and secure the lid back on over it. This essentially creates a seal to prevent leaks, as long as the container isn’t over-full.

What essential travel toiletries for women do you pack in your minimalist toiletry bag? If you have your own recommendations, please share them in the comments below!

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– Long Term Travel Essentials: Clothing Recommendations
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– 12 Items We Take With Us on Every Trip
– Best Women’s Laptop Bags for Work & Travel