How to Pack Your Beauty Products Like a Pro

Ladies, welcome aboard flight TB300 with (hopefully) non-stop service to your long awaited vacation/business trip/visit to see the family. Whether you've had this trip planned for weeks or it was sprung on you last minute, you're going to need to know what and how to pack your beauty products. 

That is, unless you're on your way to be a contestant on "Survivor" in which case the aforementioned beauty products won't be needed. But, for the sake of this story, let's assume you're somewhat normal and this isn't the case, shall we?

OK so packing for a trip can be a tedious task. You ask yourself a thousand questions like: What is the weather going to be like? Will I really need both my peep-toe heels and the paten leather pumps? And what beauty products will I need? Should I carry them in the checked suitcase or in my carry on? Surely the hotel will have a hair dryer, won't it? These are all important questions, especially because what you pack may help prevent your hair from turning into a frizz ball and how you pack may help you avoid having your vanilla-scented lotion burst all over your silk blouse. 

And usually, despite how much actual thought you've put into it, you end up forgetting something important or having your checked bag be just over the weight limit because you figured you'd better just bring everything you own -- to be safe. So to help you figure out what beauty products you actuallyneed -- and how to effectively pack them to avoid bursting, spilling or leakage, we went to celebrity makeup artist Pamela Lljubo-Obrien and Justin Klosky of The O.C.D. Experience (Organize and Create Discipline). Together they offer some invaluable tips on how to pack your beauty products like a pro. Happy traveling. 

Tip 1: Assess the situation

Before you empty your medicine cabinet into your suitcase consider the following:

How long are you traveling for? If you'll be away for more than two weeks, you're better off buying beauty products like shampoo, conditioner, etc. at your destination rather than lugging them in your suitcase. 

What will the hotel provide? Most hotels have hair dryers, shampoo and conditioner, body lotion and soap, but it's always best to call ahead and ask the front desk or concierge, says Klosky. If you have a lot of hair and don't trust the power of the hotel dryer, pack your own foldable travel size dryer likeConair Infiniti Pro1875-Watt Salon-Performance Tool, $40.99, which comes complete with a travel tote. 

Tip 2: Decide what to pack

Things to bring: Your basics (toothpaste, toothbrush, razor, deodorant, everyday makeup, shampoo and conditioner (unless you can make do with a hotel variety), face wash, face moisturizer and a brush. 

Things to leave: Sunscreen (the tubes are usually big and you can find cheap sunscreen at your destination), body lotion and soap (if you are staying at a hotel), makeup that you don't wear everyday (you don't want to risk losing what you've collected, and less is more, says Lljubo-Obrien).

Tip 3: Don't forget the 3-1-1 rule

TSA only allows 3.4 ounce -- or less -- bottles (100ml) of all liquids, aerosols and gels that are enclosed in one quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag per passenger to be carried on board. Which means, unless you are *packing your beauty products in your checked baggage, you need to either buy travel-sized beauty products or get refillable plastic containers like Mini Kittour Just In Case Individuals & Refillables, $5-$8. 

*Keep in mind, if you don't need full-sized products, LLjubo-Obrien recommends packing all your beauty products in your carryon. It's far easier for you to control the movement of your items (read: less chance for spillage).

Tip 4: Get clever with the favorites you can't leave behind

When it comes to items like perfume and nail polish, you're better off keeping glass out of your suitcase. If you're determined to bring your favorite fragrance, don't even try pouring it into a plastic bottle. Instead, go to a department store or Sephora and ask for a sample size of your scent. Most perfumes come in sample sizes and you can just ask the sales clerk for two. 

As for nail polish, bring one bottle of the color that's on your nails when you leave and carry it on the flight instead of packing in your suitcase. You could also instead try nail polish strips like Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips, $12.99 that have no glass bottle and last up to two weeks. 

Tip 5: Pick the right toiletry case

Get a plastic-lined toiletry bag that has a lot of zipper compartments and dividers (at least three), which will come in handy if anything does break or leak, says LLjubo-Obrien. Also, look for one "that hangs on the back of a door for easy access to your products. This is also useful if your hotel has minimal counter space in the bathroom," advises Klosky. Try The Container Store Capri Hanging Cosmetic Bag, $19.99. 

Tip 6: Keep like items together

When packing, skin care, hair products, oral care products and makeup "should be stored by category and separate from each other," says Klosky. That's why you will need a bag with many compartments. If you're short on compartments, just make sure to keep dry items like powders and makeup separate from liquids, says LLjubo-Obrien. 

Tip 7: Prevent leaks

When the air pressure changes in an airplane due to elevation, your beauty products will react. To keep the products in their respective bottles and not all over your suitcase, make sure to release the air from your bottles and quickly close them back up before packing them. Then "tape the tops of your liquid containers to prevent leaking and exploding, and for double protection, recycle old grocery bags and wrap your liquids individually," before packing them away, says Klosky. 

Tip 8: Pack like a pro

In your suitcase, make sure to pack your toiletries bag in between clothes and "not near shoes or anything that can puncture it," advises Klosky. If you are bringing a rain jacket, wrap your jacket around your toiletries bag.