27 THINGS FOR ANYONE WHO JUST DOESN'T BELIEVE IN CHECKING A BAG
1. A portable gel lint roller so that you don't show up to that business meeting covered in pet fur — because hundreds of thousands of miles away and their white hairs still somehow remain on your black blazer.
Promising review: "I travel frequently for work and keep this in my suitcase. Works great, I no longer carry a lint roller." —Liza Przekop
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors).
2.A water-resistant weekender duffel roomy enough to fit the essentials (no fewer than 63 outfit options and seven pairs of shoes). The back strap fits conveniently over suitcase handles, plus it's water resistant and really darn durable.
3. A 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charger so you can juice up your iPhone, AirPods, *and* Apple Watch at the same. damn. time. Imagine all that saved space. Let's all give a collective sigh.
Promising review: "Def one of the most used tech item I used during my trip to Europe. I did not need to carry so many different cables and dongles and just brought this cool little charging station and I am set!" —Sofia Minero
Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in six colors).
4. A vacuum-free space-saving compression bag so you don't feel compelled to check a bag, i.e., don't have to wait at baggage claim for an extra 30 minutes after having already traveled several hours for an IRL meeting that very much could have been an email.
Promising review: "I travel monthly for work, usually gone for 4–5 days. Before these, I would have to check a bag. Dress shirts and pants roll up nicely and stay wrinkle-free. It's tempting to want to over-stuff these, but if you're packing golf shirts or cloths with 'slippery' fabric, they slide out of the top of the bag as you get close to the end. The clips take a minute to get used to, but after a couple of times zipping up the bags, it's pretty easy." —BigSkinny
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $15.48.
5.Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF40 for keepinng not-reapplying- sunscreen excuses at zilch. This teeny bb contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and niacinamide for an immediate sheen of glow and light coverage.
6. A travel backpack here to make like a Marvel character and save the day (by which I mean you won't have to check a bag). This has two laptop sleeves, a shoe compartment, a USB charging port, and an anti-theft pocket for valuables in addition to a plentiful amount of space for clothes, accessories, and toiletries.
Promising review: "Lots of space. I bought this for a business trip so I could carry my laptop and clothes for two nights and not check a bag at the airport. This worked perfectly and looks nice." —Angie Jones
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in five sizes and 39 colors).
7.Packing cubes capable of helping you fit your entire 👏 friggin' 👏 wardrobe 👏 inside your carry-on. Plus, this keeps everything lookin' niiiiice and neat.
8.A Rockland two-piece set with a carry-on that'll fit perfectly into any overhead bin and a smaller bag you can comfortably stuff under the seat in front of you. That's right, folks — no more sharing legroom with your slightly too large backpack.
9.A mini Gillette Venus razor so you can shave whilst traveling without having to bring bulky tools. Just stow this palm-sized bb into whichever corner of your messy carryon; rest assured that the blades won't snag on any of your beloved clothes (all thanks to the case it comes with).
10.Frange Puff that's a dry shampoo with a powder formula, one that's *far* superior to the ghosts of aerosol's past. A brush applicator makes it easy to refresh your scalp — all without having to battle a) white residue caked onto your fingertips or b) needing to break out the paddle brush. Plus, it's compact enough for any carry-on.
11.A TSA-approved transparent organizer so you don't have to fish around your suitcase for liquids (and then stuff them in a clear plastic bag) while going through airport security. Flying is nerve-wracking enough. Let's not be panicking about whether or not our favorite moisturizer will be unjustly confiscated.
12.Cable ties because tangled charging cords and headphones are the second most frustrating thing on the planet. (Forgetting said charging cords and headphones at home is #1.)
13.A large travel wallet because there is NOTHING WORSE than losing a connecting boarding pass while on a plane. Is it underneath your seat? In the carry-on you stored in the overhead compartment? DID YOU DROP IT EN ROUTE TO THE PLANE? I don't know, I'm tired — just get this and save yourself the potential headache.
14. An inflatable wedge pillow you can slip on over your hand for deep sleep that feels genuinely restful (no small feat amidst turbulence). Prop open your tray table, rest your hand, then rest your head. The best part? Deflate when not in use for easy storage.
Can't sleep while traveling? No worries, because this gem also doubles up as a backrest for optimal comfort.
Promising reviews: "This is the perfect travel companion for frequent travelers. I frequently travel by plane for business and was searching for an alternative to the traditional neck pillow, I'm glad I found this product its allowed to me to get quality sleep on long flights. The little travel bag is very handy, once the product has been deflated allowing for easy storage." —veronique
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
15.Batiste Dry Shampoo capable of making your 'do look freshly washed when, midway through your birthday dinner, your hair starts to look — how do I put this — stringy. Grease? You don't know her.
16.An Away carry-on luggage designed with a hidden laundry bag, a TSA-approved combination lock, an ejectable battery to charge your ever-dying cell, and 360-degree wheels. It even has an interior compression system to let you pack. more. stuff.
17. A luggage strap for folks who avoid bringing a slew of necessities (neck pillows, light jackets, the wide-brim hat you specifically bought for a sunny trip but never pack, etc.) for the sake of easy transport.
Promising review: "Love this little gadget. I used it to attach my jacket and computer bag to my luggage on an extended business trip. It made my airport walks so much easier. Now that I'm back home, I've used it daily to attach my jacket or cardigan to my work bag or purse. Love it!" —Michele
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in six colors and in packs of two).
18.An anti-theft belt currently moonlighting as a fashion accessory to help hold up your mid-rise jeans when, in fact, it functions as a secret purse. This is actually equipped with a "secret" wallet for storing valuables whilst walking through a new city.
19.I'm Meme Multi Cube 3 — a pigmented vegan palette with four eyeshadows *and* a blush, making this the ideal all-in-one for fancy occasions that call for tiny clutches with no space. Wedding accessories = the bane of my existence.
20. A Trtl neck pillow, i.e. a pillow-scarf hybrid that prevents sudden upright jolts the second you start to doze off and hunch over. Post-nap airplane neck pain? Say goodbye.
Promising review: "I've worked for a major airline for the past 20 years, so I travel a lot for business and leisure. I feel like I've tried every kind of travel pillow there is. None have worked. I cannot stand those horseshoe pillows that push your neck forward or the micro-bead pillows that don't support your head well enough/high enough when you lean your head sideways. For once in thousands of miles that I've flown, my neck lolling about with no place to comfortably rest was NOT the problem. I think the Trtl is the style of travel pillow that makes the most sense and is the most ergonomically correct of any travel pillow I've used. I'm going to be taking this on every long-haul flight I have from now on." —BethanieKay
Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in four colors and in a breathable style).
21.Silicone travel bottles because — regardless if you're staying in a 10-person hostel or five-star resort — complimentary shampoo is almost exclusively trash. These bottles come with pre-printed labels that allow you to bring your favorite hair and body products along for the trip.
22.Hair Finish Stick tames baby hairs and flyaways with a plant-based gel formula. The best part? This formula is non-greasy, completely transparent, the mascara wand makes it super easy to apply, and it's a *lot* smaller than lugging along a tube of gel.
23.Hero Cosmetics Hydrocolloid Mighty Patches prevent picking and ~drain~ those zits at maximum speed — because what do we want joining us on our beach vacation? Not a pimple. Slap this transparent sticker on during your flight to reduce painful pimple swelling, stat. It's as thin as a sheet of paper and won't be flagged by TSA.
24.Storage bags for your shoes, ones that keep smelly odors away from your fancy clothes *but* have clear windows — that way you can pull the pair you're looking for without having to play the guessing game of "which pair of heels did I shove into this nondescript plastic bag?"
25.BPA-free covers if you've gotten into the habit of flinging your toothbrush into your foundation-covered makeup bag and calling it a day. When you think about it: ew. This tiny gadget keeps grime off the bristles that are intended to disinfect your mouth.
26.A ruffle bodycon you'll want to pack for that destination wedding. Gorgeous design aside, this is thin enough to pack (without being see-through and/or prone to wrinkles) despite the ruffles.
27.A tiny laundry bag to keep your dirty socks and wine-stained tops away from all your clean, fresh clothes. And when not in use, this folds up into a tiny compact bag you can attach onto your carry-on!
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.