Tips for Packing Light

Last month I took off for Europe and visited four countries with very different climates and only took a carry on. Here’s how I did it:

1. Start by packing bottoms

Bottoms are the items that you will wear the most and can wash the least, so if you don’t see yourself wearing 3–4 outfits with one bottom, leave it at home. Build your wardrobe from there.

2. It’s about growth

If you’re traveling somewhere warm, buy a compressed towel that grows when you put it in water. That way you’re ready to go with a quality towel that won’t weigh your luggage down.

3a. Makeup

Powders and lipsticks don’t follow the 3–1–1 rule, so take as many of those as you’d like. This way the essential liquid product will all fit in your quart sized bag. But also, keep in mind that you probably don’t need four palettes on your trip honey boo boo. Find a simple compact that has both eyeshadow and highlighter/blush. (Hot tip: Tarte has some great ones.)

3b. Makeup Part 2

I never bring full sized products with me and the stuff I do take is usually half used up because then I can just dump it at the end of my trip and free up some weight for gifts.

4. No wrinkles