10 space-saving packing tips frequent flyers swear by
Olivia Perl
Sun & holiday
Reading time: 7 minutes
Struggle to fit everything into your suitcase? If you’re a chronic overpacker, these space-saving hacks could be a game-changer
It’s holiday season, which means it’s the time of year when a lot of us are packing suitcases and jetting off for some summer sun.
But packing can be a pain, especially if you’re sticking to carry on luggage that comes with liquid restrictions and seriously limited space. And even with hold bags, 23kg (if you’re lucky) adds up much faster than you might imagine.
So what we all need is some space-saving tips, right? And who better to help than frequent flyers?
We asked make-up artist, Aimee Connelly, along with other high-flyers on social media – from private jet brokers to travel writers who fly on the regular – to spill their packing secrets with us.
From stealthy ways to streamline that skincare routine to a genius hack for consolidating electricals, here are 10 of their best tips to help you pack for that next trip as efficiently as possible, and stay within the weight limit.
Happy travels!
1. Roll clothes
Are you the type of person who likes to have options when they go on holiday (like us) but often find you don’t have enough room? One top tip that a number of our frequent flyers mentioned is to roll clothes instead of folding them.
You’ll find you can squeeze in all the smaller items such as underwear, as well as bigger trousers and shirts that take up more surface area, and still close your case. Magic.
2. Swap out liquids
Whether you’re taking hand luggage or hold luggage, swapping out liquids for solid beauty products is a serious space-saver. Instead of taking regular shampoos and conditioners, consider packing bars. They take up far less room and don't need to be placed in a transparent bag when using a carry-on case.
Plus, they’re an eco-friendlier alternative to plastic bottles. So it’s a win, win, win.
Ethique The Guardian Solid Conditioner For Balanced to Dry Hair
• Size: 60g
• For dry hair
• Up to 120 uses
• Multi-use
• Cruelty-free
Similar to the shampoo bars, this conditioner needs to be rubbed into your strands but then left to work its magic for around one to two minutes. For serious multitasking, you can also use it as a shaving bar and an in-shower moisturiser.
A really great tip is to pack an extension cable to make more efficient use of your electricals
3. Pack an extension cable
Perhaps something you wouldn’t think to do, but a really great tip is to pack an extension cable to make more efficient use of your electricals. When travelling abroad, you often need adaptor after adaptor for all the different cables from phone to laptop and smart watch. But with an extension cable, you only need one. Genius.
Don’t have an extension cable? You can also use a multiple USB adaptor, which is smaller if you’re packing light. And you never know where the plug might be in the room you’re staying in, so it’s worth investing in a long USB lead. It’s the little things.
Go Travel UK - Worldwide + USB
• Three sliding plug faces
• Connects travellers in over 150 countries worldwide
• Two USB ports
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll be glad you packed this handy adaptor. Simply slide out the correct face and slot into the wall plug. Plus, it comes with two USB ports – ideal for charging phones, tablets and smart watches.
Instead of taking your entire bottle of foundation or cleanser, decant them into smaller containers
4. Dispense make-up into small containers
If you’re struggling to find ways to simplify your beauty routine so you don’t have to lug around big bottles, we’ve got some good news. No need to make those hard choices – you can continue to reap the rewards of each of your carefully curated skincare steps AND save previous bag space simply by packing smaller.
How exactly? Instead of taking your entire bottle of foundation or cleanser, decant them into smaller containers. Yes, it’s true, you can have the best of both.
Boots Travel Set
• Contains five containers
• Includes a transparent bag
Store your liquids in these handy pots and bottles that are all 100ml or under. Not only are they the right size to help your hand luggage sail through security, but they’ll save valuable space in your check-in luggage too. Ideal.
5. Use minis
Another seriously popular tip was to buy mini, travel-sized, versions of your most loved beauty products and toiletries (because if we’re really honest with ourselves, we don’t actually need full size products for a two week holiday).
Make-up artist, Aimee Connelly, who travels a lot for work, never goes anywhere without her minis. “Most foundations are under 100ml but minis save on space which is a real gift when travelling light.” Hear, hear.
IT Cosmetics Travel Mini Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF50+
• Size: 12ml
• Colour-correcting
• SPF50
• Available in six shades
• Cruelty-free
Available in six shades, this travel version of the brand’s iconic CC cream is the perfect travel companion at only 12ml. Hydrating and colour-correcting, it’s a great holiday base.
6. Use your own plastic bag
Help speed up the security process, if you’re taking hand luggage, by pre-packing a transparent bag containing your liquids.
There are plenty of bags that aren’t compliant with the restrictions but the clear one in this travel set is generally accepted at most airports (although do check your local airline policies before flying to be safe).
This hack came up a few times with our frequent flyers because it takes the stress out of finding out whether all of your liquids will fit once you get to security. If you need to leave something at home, you’ll know before you set off for the airport.
The easiest way to save suitcase space is to use packing cubes or travel organisers
7. Use travel organisers
Perhaps the easiest way to save suitcase space is to use packing cubes or travel organisers. Many of our frequent flyers mentioned them. Not only can they keep T-shirts separated from skirts, they also compress everything, meaning more room for souvenirs.
My Little Coco Beach Bum Case Chaos Travel Organisers
• Set of five travel bags
• Large to small organisers
For keeping your clothes and toiletries neat, tidy and easy to find, these travel organisers are a must. With five bags in a range of sizes that cover everything from clothes to underwear, a sun cream bag, a swim bag and even a snack bag, this is one organising hack certain to spark joy for the whole family.
8. Prioritise multi-use products
Another one of Aimee’s top beauty packing tips is to pack multi-use products. It can seriously cut down on the amount of stuff that ends up flying with you.
“Whether it’s a bronzer you can use as eyeshadow, a primer that’s also a moisturiser or a lippie you can double up as a blush – the more you can get out of a product, the more valuable it is when travelling,” she says.
Benefit Benetint Rose-Tinted Lip and Cheek Stain
• Size: 6ml
• Natural finish
• Smudge-proof
• Longwear
• Buildable sheer formula
A cult multitasker for a reason, this stain can be used on both lips and cheeks for a quick and easy pop of colour on-the-go. The sheer formula is buildable so you can create different looks to suit any occasion, whether it’s a day of sightseeing or cocktails by the beach.
9. Pre-pack a travel washbag
If you have a few trips coming up, then Aimee says a good idea is to invest in a second, travel specific make-up or toiletries bag.
She says, “Because I’m always on the go, I have everything I need doubled up and in its own make-up bag. That way, I’m never forgetting anything or rushing to pack everything up. Simple grab and go!”
Such a useful tip to make travelling that much easier – do the hard work just the once!. Plus, it will really force you to choose products that you truly need.
The Flat Lay Co. Open Flat Box Makeup Bag in Pink Leopard Print
• Box bag that opens out into a tray
• Machine-washable
Perfect for setting aside just for travel, this make-up bag packs small when zipped up, opening out to a tray to really make the most of the space inside. Pop in your second beauty products and just pick up and go when it’s time to fly.
Think about what your skin will need when travelling – hydration, cleansing, sun protection and a little R&R following the flight.”
10. Streamline skincare
On a similar theme, Aimee suggests curating your must-have skincare products to take away with you if space is particularly tight. “Keep it as simple as possible. Think about what your skin will need when travelling – hydration, cleansing, sun protection and a little R&R following the flight.”
So with that in mind, leave the 10-step skincare routine at home and just look to pack your cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. Simple.
Bonus tip: You might also want to pack yourself a little skincare treat for an onboard pamper. Aimee’s a big fan of a sheet mask mid-flight because it doesn’t take up much space and can slip into your hand luggage with ease.
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
• Size: 50ml
• Suitable for all skin types
• Gently exfoliates
• Removes make-up
• Cruelty-free
This creamy cleanser wipes away make-up while also giving your skin a thorough but gentle clean. There’s a good chance you’ll want to upgrade to the full-size version when you’re back home.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion
• Size: 15ml
• For very dry and combination skin
• Hydrating
• Lightweight
• Non-greasy
No skincare routine is complete without moisturiser, so this mini is a great addition to a scaled-back regime. Non-greasy and lightweight, it locks in moisture for long-lasting hydration.
Garnier Ambre Solaire Mini Sensitive Hypoallergenic Sun Protection Cream SPF50+
• Size: 50ml
• Protects against UVA and UVB rays
• SPF50+
• Water-resistant
• Cruelty-free
Sun creams — while a holiday essential — can be a space zapper when travelling, but this handy mini from Garnier is perfectly sized. Formulated for fair, sensitive and sun-intolerant skin, it protects against both UVA and UVB rays and doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue.
Prepping for your holiday? The Boots Travel Vaccinations & Health Advice Service can help you work out which vaccinations and antimalarials you may want to consider for your trip and can offer advice on how to lower your risk of getting a disease while you’re abroad.
Use our Travel Vaccinations & Health Advice quick check tool to find out which diseases are found in the countries you’ll be visiting.
