Okay, admit it: You sometimes experience this thing called stress while you’re on vacation. As a girl with a type A personality, I honesty feel this on a spiritual level.
If you occasionally get stressed out on vacation, I highly recommend packing things that makes you feel good (or just some things that make you look pretty). I try to keep things fun when I pack for a trip by basically throwing my own dance party. 🙂
I just love packing these travel essentials for self care, and I think you’ll love them too.
Travel Essentials
Travel Essentials List
1. Shower Shoes
If you’re a germaphobe, and like germs are really gross, you’ll never go on vacation without some shower shoes.
2. Cozy Slippers
If you’re staying in the hotel room all day (wink wink), you’ll literally be so comfortable in cozy slippers. And, who doesn’t want to be comfy on vacay?
I use mine all the time when I’m on vacation, and I tell all of my friends to buy them.
3. Compression Leggings
I have been getting a lot of questions about how to prevent leg and feet swelling while flying. I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Compression leggings.
Compression leggings have so many benefits for your circulation. You definitely NEED compression leggings (or socks) for long flights. I’m talking flights longer than four hours.
4. Sleep Mask
Okay sleeping beauties, this one is for you. I seriously LOVE this travel essential so much! Who am I kidding? I love every single item on this list, ha!
If you haven’t packed a sleeping mask yet, you need to right now. You will truly love the feeling of waking up refreshed every day during vacation.
5. Tea
Does anyone else agree that packing tea is a great idea? I know this might sound weird for people who aren’t tea lovers.
I just feel like a cup of tea is good for your soul, and you should always have your favorite teas on vacation.
6. Yoga Mat
A yoga mat is also one of my favorite travel essentials. I know I’m saying that about all of these products.
If you love yoga just as much as I do, you will have so much fun on your vacation with a yoga mat!
7. Resistance Bands
I hate how workout equipment can take up so much room in my suitcase. Literally SO annoying.
I highly recommend that you travel with a few lightweight resistance bands because they aren’t so bulky.
8. Succulent
A succulent. (Totally kidding. I just want a plant.)
9. Portable Steamer
Okay, who also hates breaking out a hotel ironing board?
If you have cute clothes, you will hands down need a portable steamer with you on vacation. It will literally make all of your wrinkles disappear in minutes.
Oh did I mention this travel essential is small and compact? (all the heart eyes!)
10. Hair Dryer
No, but you seriously need a hair dryer while you’re on vacation.
11. Hair Straightener
I can confidently say that packing a hair straightener will set you for success, and by success, I totally mean cute pics! I know that most girls would never go on vacation without their hair straightener, and I am one of those girls.
12. Shower Speaker
I love shower speakers so so much! Okay, I’m not going to lie, packing a shower speaker may be a little unnecessary, but it’s totally worth it, IMO.
13. Liquid IV Hydration
WAIT, this is such a necessary travel essential for my girls who drink. I would feel terrible if you went on vacation without liquid IV hydration. Liquid IV hydration is truly the thing you need on vacation because hangovers aren’t allowed.
14. Portable Electric Kettle
If you’re a tea, coffee, or hot chocolate lover, you pretty much need a portable electric kettle for your outdoor adventure trips.
15. Shower Steamers
Bestie, do you take shower steamers with you on vacation?
Just imagine coming home from a day of sightseeing and enjoying an aromatherapy shower. I imagine that this what heaven feels like.
16. Bath Bombs
When’s the last time you took a long, hot bath during vacation? Let me guess, not recently, right?
Every girl needs some time to herself during vacation, and a relaxing soak with bath bombs are great for that.
17. Silicone Body Scrubber
Silicone body scrubbers are becoming SO popular. If you’re on Tic Tok, chances are you’ve seen them.
These products are really great because they gently cleanse and exfoliate the skin, and that’s exactly what we want. Well it’s what I want, and I think it’s what you want too 🙂
You will also give this product a big thumbs up for being much more hygienic than loofah sponges.
18. Spa Headband
A spa headband is a travel essential if I do say so myself. I use a spa headband every single day of my life (Well, ever since I started taking my skincare routine seriously 🙂
19. Candles
I know this may be extra, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go on vacation without my scented candles. 1000% relatable? Or am I just weird?
Even if I’m staying in a shitty hotel (Schitt's Creek, anyone?), I love using nice-smelling candles to make my hotel bathroom feel more like a spa. They are also the perfect way to set the mood if you’re having a romantic evening with your man.
20. Jade Roller
A jade roller has been my secret weapon product, so of course I’m packing it.
I cannot recommend a jade roller enough because we don’t want puffy eyes, dark circles, and wrinkles when we’re on vacation.
21. Microfiber Hair Towel
A microfiber hair towel has so many benefits: These bad boys dry your hair super fast, prevent breakage, and get rid of frizz. Just so many great things! I don’t want you to go on another vacation without one.
22. Silk Pillowcase
I’ve heard everyone say it…. “Silk pillowcases are the best ever,” but I truly didn’t understand how great they were until I tried them myself.
Ladies, I cannot get enough of silk pillowcases! The fact that they actually prevent wrinkles, get rid of frizz, and stop hair breakage is SO a-m-a-z-i-n-g! A true travel must-have for any vacation.
23. Travel Makeup Mirror
Can we all acknowledge the fact that hotel lighting just sucks? It’s almost always terrible.
Bringing a makeup mirror on vacation is such a game changer! I know every girl is using that word lately, but it truly is a game changer.
Okay, listen: This is certainly a luxury but having a makeup mirror with you makes putting on your makeup so much easier. Many girls do not even know they need one on their vacay. Facts.
24. Facial Steamer
My bestie on TikTok recommended a facial steamer, and I had to share. I know this product may seem pointless, but I swear that you will be super impressed by how effectively it hydrates your face. You cannot go on vacation without one.
25. Small Speaker
Umm, did you know that you need to bring a small speaker? I think that packing a small speaker will make things really fun, especially if you’re going on a girl’s trip.
26. Wine Canteen
A wine canteen is truly the perfect travel essential because you’ll be able to bring wine with you virtually everywhere. Because they’re so pretty, I’m telling you wine even tastes better!
Travel Essentials Travel On
27. Sleep Apps
If you’re serious about getting your beauty sleep while on vacation, sleep apps are a must. I promise that they actually work!
28. Neck Pillow
Super soft, affordable, and the perfect travel buddy: A neck pillow is an obvious travel essential, duh!
I never ever travel without one, and you won’t either when you discover how great they are.
29. Blanket
Does being cold on planes make you irrationally angry?
I am always cold, so I know the feeling. I freakin’ love my travel blanket so much.
For those cold flights, I cannot recommend a travel blanket enough!
30. Reusable Straws
I am such a huge fan of reusable straws. They make being environmentally conscious really easy while you’re on vacation. They’re super simple to pack, and they come in many super cute colors.
31. Sunglasses
If you don’t pack sunglasses, you have basically committed a crime. I don’t know who needs to hear this but sunglasses are great at protecting your eyes and preventing wrinkles.
32. Scrunchies
Scrunchies are back, and they are even better than I remember.
Okay, serious question, isn’t it normal to pack like a hundred scrunchies? By the way, there is a wrong answer to this question 🙂
I know I’ve mentioned scrunchies like 14879 times before, but I just love that they’re really gentle on your hair. You obvi need to bring these on your vacay.
33. UV Sanitizing Wand
A portable UV light sterilizer is kind of a big deal, especially for germaphobes like myself. I love this product because it can get rid of icky germs anywhere you.
34. Hand Sanitizer
I love packing a lot of hand sanitizer because I am the world’s biggest germaphobe. I definitely feel like I take way too much hand sanitizer with me, but every girl should be bringing some hand sanitizer with her on vacation.
35. Reusable Water Bottle
When packing for your vacation, you definitely can’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle.
I promise you will drink 34859X more water on your trip with this gem.
36. Healthy Snacks
I love snacks more than life itself, so you will never catch me on vacation without some.
I know the right thing to do is to encourage you to pack healthy snacks, but calories don’t count when you’re on vacation, right?
If that’s the case, no one’s going to judge you for bringing your favorite junk food! Ladies, we deserve to indulge every now and then!
37. Books
Books are definitely the travel essentials that I am the most excited to mention. There’s nothing that makes me happier than books, and I honestly can’t go on vacation without a couple of them.
38. Kindle
Every book lover I know recommends a kindle. I actually gave my best friend a kindle for her birthday, and she looovvveess it! Just call me best friend of the year. 🙂
For the book lovers out there, you will love that this product makes it so easy to read while you’re on vacation.
39. Coloring Books
Coloring books just make me happy. I’ve talked about this with many of you before, but coloring is one of my favorite relaxation activities.
I think that coloring books are AHH-mazing for winding down after a long day of walking and sightseeing.
40. Journal
I travel a lot by myself, and sometimes my anxiety can be off the charts. Can any solo female travelers relate? I like to travel with a journal because writing my scattered thoughts on paper really relaxes me.
If you don’t suffer from travel anxiety like me, you will still love traveling with a journal. A journal is perfect for writing about your travel experiences or basically anything you want.
41. Airpods
Obvi, airpods are absolute travel essentials. Can I get an AMEN?
42. Claw Clips
I’ve been seeing the claw clip trend all over social media, and I definitely don’t hate it.
The thing that I really like about claw clips is that they can create a really fun hairdo while you’re on vacation. You gotta look cute for those pics!
43. Portable Soap Dispenser
A portable soap dispenser is my new favorite thing. I love taking it with me whenever I go hiking, camping, and any outdoor adventure.
I also love how cute and small this thing is because you can easily toss it in your bag.
44. Portable Fan
A portable fan will blow your mind. Seriously!
I like to use it while waiting for lines at attractions, and let me tell you friends, everyone around you will be soo jealous!
45. Travel Mug
I thought I’ll mention a travel mug because I just know you’re going on a road trip this year.
International Travel Essentials
46. Hotel Door Lock
A hotel door lock can literally save your life, so you should always pack one whenever you travel.
47. Water Purifier
When traveling to certain countries, always, always, always bring a water purifier. You’ll thank me later!