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What Are Travel Cosmetics?

C. Mitchell
C. Mitchell

Travel cosmetics are toiletry products packaged in small bottles and jars, which make transportation easier. Most of the time, travel cosmetics are little more than smaller sizes of ordinary products, particularly lotions, makeup supplies, and shower essentials like shampoo and conditioner. Their packaging is often the same, but their contents are designed to last only a day or two. This way, travelers can bring along all of their favorite supplies without using up luggage space and can often discard the products at the end of a trip once they have been exhausted.

Most travelers strive to pack only the necessary elements when venturing out. Bringing along all of the cosmetic products used in a day can help a traveler feel at home but can also take up a significant amount of suitcase space. Purchasing smaller versions of staple products helps keep bags less bulky.

Travelers within the United States must adhere to strict Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules that mandate what can and cannot be carried aboard an airplane.
Travelers within the United States must adhere to strict Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules that mandate what can and cannot be carried aboard an airplane.

The same advantage carries to people, particularly women, who use cosmetics on the go. A travel compact and other travel-sized makeup fits nicely into most purse and briefcase pockets. Many people who are in the habit of applying beauty products away from home, be it in the office or on the train, often seek out travel cosmetics in order to carry their essentials more efficiently.

When flying, its important to check TSA regulations regarding aerosols packed in a carry-on.
When flying, its important to check TSA regulations regarding aerosols packed in a carry-on.

Travel cosmetics are often packaged as product samples and are frequently sold at a much lower price than full-sized products. They are sometimes also given away outright as promotions. Savvy shoppers are often on the lookout for travel-sized types of makeup and designer cosmetics as a means of snagging a good deal or trying out something new without having to commit to a lot of something that may not be a good fit.

Many people buy travel-sized bottles of shampoo and other hair-care products that can be taken aboard an airplane.
Many people buy travel-sized bottles of shampoo and other hair-care products that can be taken aboard an airplane.

Airline travelers in most parts of the world must also seek out travel cosmetics if they wish to bring almost any liquid, gel, or aerosol onto a plane. Most airlines do not restrict the cosmetics that passengers pack into checked bags, but tight requirements pertain to carry-ons. In most places, passengers traveling with cosmetics are limited to a small number of 3.4 ounce (100 mL) bottles or jars. Larger volumes are usually subject to confiscation.

Cosmetics users need not always purchase specific travel sizes of their favorite cosmetics in order to be travel-ready. Many manufacturers sell empty plastic bottles and jars specifically for travel. These types of containers are often reusable and can be filled with a variety of different cosmetics or combinations thereof. Storing cosmetics in personalized bottles or in a dedicated travel case can cut down on cost as well as reduce overall waste.

Discussion Comments

Rotergirl

The last time I flew, I just took a lot of my toiletries in empty plastic bottles, along with a couple of travel size things from the local discount store. I also save shampoo and soap from hotels to take with me on a plane, since these are almost always under the 3.4-ounce limit and they're labeled.

The whole toiletries in small bottles in a ziptop bag thing is just ridiculous. It's just so TSA people will have a job, since they can make life pretty hard on people who don't follow the rules. I haven't flown since 2007 and with what I'm hearing from people about flying restrictions, I don't think I've missed anything.

But the travel size aisle in a store has the best bargains, and you can usually find anything you're out of, or that you want to try. I always buy travel sized toothpaste tubes, shampoo and conditioner there for when I'm taking a trip.

Pippinwhite

There are a lot of makeup manufacturers that sell these kits that are kind of all-in-one, one-stop makeup palettes. These will usually have some kind of base, a powder, blush, complementary eyeshadow colors, an eyeliner and maybe even a lip gloss. These are great for traveling, since the woman has everything in one case.

Companies often make them to promote their new or seasonal products, but they're also great for trips, or for people who don't really know much about putting together a makeup palette. The colors usually match each other and are appropriate for all seasons. Just change the lipstick to change the season.

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    • Travelers within the United States must adhere to strict Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules that mandate what can and cannot be carried aboard an airplane.
      By: Pavel Losevsky
      Travelers within the United States must adhere to strict Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules that mandate what can and cannot be carried aboard an airplane.
    • When flying, its important to check TSA regulations regarding aerosols packed in a carry-on.
      By: m_dinler
      When flying, its important to check TSA regulations regarding aerosols packed in a carry-on.
    • Many people buy travel-sized bottles of shampoo and other hair-care products that can be taken aboard an airplane.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      Many people buy travel-sized bottles of shampoo and other hair-care products that can be taken aboard an airplane.