Let’s Talk Hotel Toiletries.

I’m a tad picky about my soap and shampoo. Hotel room toiletries are generally not my jam.

Anything I’m literally rubbing into my pores needs to be of top quality, non-drying, non-irritating, and without icky residues or scents.

Unless the hotel I’m staying in is Fuh-AN-CY (hello Le Labo for Edition Hotels. More please.) I can almost guarantee that I’m not going to be into the free hotel room toiletries. Sure, in a pinch- they do the job, but if I can avoid the chemically scented sticky goop in the tiny wasteful plastic bottle, I’m going to.

This, in turn, can pose two problems:

1. It’s hard to travel with liquids. With security at airports, pressurized luggage holds, bags being smashed and bashed by careless handlers, and good old-fashioned bad luck, a bottle of shampoo in your bag can become a nightmare case of suitcase soup.
   
2. Very simply: Long trips require a lot of product if you’re washing your hair and body daily. Even if the hotel toiletries are good products I don’t mind using, those tiny bottles don’t cut it for quantity and I’m not going to call the front desk for more product every day.

Luckily, I’ve developed solutions for both issues. (of course)

Solution #1:  Control your liquids and go solid whenever you can.

There are lots of options for solid shampoos, conditioners, and lotions that will keep you TSA-approved and leak-free (also plastic-free!). I know several people who have tremendous luck with these options. Using the product properly is EVERYTHING, so be sure you’re reading any instructions that come on the packaging. That said, these solid options aren’t ideal for everyone.  (definitely test it for yourself before you leave home)

Using a soap case for each of your solid products is a great way to keep them packing-friendly and separated (the horror of accidentally using the lotion bar as shampoo is a real thing). A reusable zip bag is also a great option if the soap case isn’t for you. Just label the boxes or bags with a permanent marker to ensure you’re using the right product in the right place.

Long hair & specific hair & skin needs may require that you only use certain liquid hair & skin products. (hi, me!)   

---

If you simply must travel with liquids such as shampoo and facial oils (and yes darling, I must have my oils):

1. Remove the product’s top.
   
2. Place a piece of cling wrap* over the mouth and around the bottom of the bottle (effectively sealing the open bottle in plastic wrap). *I like to use an eco-friendly type to avoid plastic waste.
   
3. Replace the bottle’s cap on top of the plastic to further secure the plastic into place.
   *If you need to secure a pump-type bottle with a ‘straw’ inside, make sure it’s closed/sealed/capped in the way it’s designed to be, then wrap the entire thing in kitchen wrap. This way any explosions are at least contained to the wrap.
   
4. After the bottle is sealed, place it into a reusable leakproof zipping bag to be doubly sure that any possible liquid explosions are contained.

VOILA! Your risk of leaky bottles and ruined outfits is greatly reduced. 

(I learned this lesson from hard stained earned experience. Trust me.) 

This goes for full-sized bottles I pack in my checked luggage as well as small versions I have in my carry-on kit for carry-on-only trips (and just in case my checked luggage is late or lost.)

---

HOT TIP: leave your liquid body wash at home and bring a bar of fancy soap in a soap case with you.  Having a special, luxurious bar of soap in your kit can elevate a mundane hotel shower to a lovely spa experience and avoid a body wash mess (and plastic waste!) in your bag.

---

Solution #2: Say it with me:  Dry. Shampoo.  

I have long, thick hair that tends to go oily a day or so after washing.  That said, I’ve been known to go days..ok more than a week… without washing my hair, all thanks to the wonders of dry shampoo. 

This. Shit. Is. Legit. 

I have very strong feelings about dry shampoo. It can really reduce your load of liquids and also save you TONS of time getting ready so you have more time to relax and enjoy your trip (while still looking fabulous). 

This is my personal favorite brand (I typically get them in a case of 6). I’ve used this stuff almost every single day of my life for a literal decade. They also come as a little travel-sized gift from God.

Get some.

SHOP THE POST

_{Quick Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Meaning, if you make a purchase using one of the links in this post, I’ll get a tiny cut of Amazon’s profit (at no additional cost to you) to help keep Aurora Bird’s Travels up and running.  Thank you.}