I once read some female travel advice which suggested wearing pantyliners on planes, or while travelling etc. so that when you arrive at your destination, you can whip them off and have clean underwear!!!

Considering how disgusting you sometimes feel after a long journey I thought this was a great idea!!!

Are you joking? No really, a package of sample products for every day of your 62 day hoilday? Oh my God!!!!!Stay at home. How ever will you manage without all your beauty products girls- are you all big haired valley girls too?

To all those replying with your fashion tips-thanks but no thanks? So damn insular. You are going to antoehr continent and can’t even recognise that not everyone know what Tevas are. Not everyone here is American? There is a great big world out there and people who don’t shop at the Gap or JC Penneys or whatever (see at least I know something about the US) who don’t wear "blouses" and the wonderful jeans/sneaker combo that is so spuriously discussed here. I have to keep reminding myself that there are nromal,worldly,fashionable Americans out there- just not you hicks!! Have a lovely day, enjoy your carppy coffee too.

Are you joking? No really, a package of sample products for every day of your 62 day hoilday? Oh my God!!!!!Stay at home. How ever will you manage without all your beauty products girls- are you all big haired valley girls too?

To all those replying with your fashion tips-thanks but no thanks? So damn insular. You are going to antoehr continent and can’t even recognise that not everyone know what Tevas are. Not everyone here is American? There is a great big world out there and people who don’t shop at the Gap or JC Penneys or whatever (see at least I know something about the US) who don’t wear "blouses" and the wonderful jeans/sneaker combo that is so spuriously discussed here. I have to keep reminding myself that there are nromal,worldly,fashionable Americans out there- just not you hicks!! Have a lovely day, enjoy your carppy coffee too.

Have to agree with Nemphis on the bandanna idea—I trick I learned on a real backpacking trip when I was a camp counselor.

I always keep a bandanna tied to the outside of my daypack. It has been useful for numerous things, as mentioned above, but the thing I use it for the most is to dry my hands after washing them when the air hand dryers don’t work or if I’m too impatient to use them

Australians calling people hicks — ha ha ha ha ha!!!

Oh that’s right I forgot we have kangaroos and koalas on our main streets,we wear things and whack another shrimp on the barbie don’t we?
Wow this Internet thingy is a great invention. I wonder how they fit all these people in my computer?

quote:Originally posted by sametova_revoluce:
Australians calling people hicks — ha ha ha ha ha!!!

rosieandlisa—

I’ve had friends who have done the whole pantiliner thing and say that it works great. I plan to spend about 6 weeks in Europe and will probably give it a shot.

I’ve really enjoyed the advise on this thread. Ok, so not all of it applies to everyone, but there are some really practical suggestions. I also wanted to say that unlike some other threads, its been refreshing to see a bunch of women get together and share their ideas without being condescending or devisive—at least up until the last couple postings. Thanks, everyone for sticking to the subject.

My husband and I are leaving in 1 week for a 3 week trip in France, Germany, Amsterdam and meeting friends in Italy. I have traveled Europe before and in Australia for 6 weeks – no there aren’t kangaroos on the streets. Anyway – on the shoe topic – sandals are comfy and can be durable enough for hiking if you buy a sturdy pair, they are also great to wear in the shower so you don’t get any extra friends growing on your soles. I plan to take a black pair of dressy sandals to wear with skirts etc. light and flexible. I can’t make myself lug a pair of hiking boots or tennis shoes – even though my husband insists.
On the use of Instead and the Keeper. They are great to use – invented by a female OBGYN, you can even wear them during intercourse, just don’t reuse them. They are really cheap and easy to pack. Too much risk of vaginitis and other infections. The material is plastic and can create a great enviroment for bacteria. They are awesome to use even for up to 12 hours.
Hopefully I will be able to rough it and get by without a hairdryer and curling iron, I am taking the Velcro rollers that work awesome! Wear the lotions that have sunscreen built in – Lubriderm with 15spf – works great (don’t use on face).
Thanks for the tips everyone! LESS IS MORE/ PACK AND THEN TAKE ONLY HALF OF WHAT YOU PACKED ORIGINALLY. Have a great trip!

What a great subject!!

After living out of suitcase for 4 1/2 months in Europe I learned (the hard way of course) some great tricks to packing.

FIRST: Ziplock baggies are a godsend! You will be suprised how handy these things can be! Any toiletry I had that could potentially spill (perfume, lotion, sunblock, toothpaste, etc…) I would wrap in toilet paper for cushioning and absorption and then seal in a ziplock. The TP is great for protecting anything breakable, and sometimes can come in handy for other things (if you catch my drift!) If you have something that is smelly or has gotten wet, you can store it in the baggy until you are at a spot wear you can set it out to dry.

Second: The terms ‘less is more’ is key in Europe.
Simple makeup, if any, is best. Sample sizes are great. Combine your sunscreen with your favorite moisurizer (one less thing to carry, one less thing to apply). Pack clothes that are simple in design. Stick with simple muted tones that can mix and match, ie: greys, black, tans, khakis, beige…. not only will they all mix well, they are considered very classic and chic in Europe. Avoid bulky clothes, not only do they take up space, they are hard to match and often cumbersome to wear.

THIRD: The little black dress. Never leave home without it. You know, that simple, lightweight, non-wrinkling dress that is suitable for most occassions. You may not use it, but if you don’t have it and want to go somewhere nice, you’ll be bummed. Something as simple as a pretty lightweight scarf can dress up a simple dress.

Fourth: Plastics! I bought a faux leather, slim fitting (but roomy enough to wear a semi-thick sweater underneath), black jacket with detatchable fake fur around the collar and a pair of ankle heighth black faux leather boots with very kooshy souls for my trip. They were the cheapest things I bought for my trip and the things I wore most! The faux fur and the vinyl had an amazing insulating effect! I could wear a lightweight knit top under the coat in the dead of winter in Norway and stay warm! The plastic holds your body heat in like crazy (the key is that it wasn’t too tight and wasn’t too loose) and when it would start raining or snowing I did not have to worry about leather being damaged or getting soaked. Then once inside I was comfortable in something lightweight and didn’t have to lug a big coat around. Same with the boots. The soles were high enough to tromp through snow and they were completely waterproof! The best part of all, is that they were very fashionable and went with everything I brought! I absolutely recommend the boots because they can be worn with skirts or pants. (P.S. Payless shoesource!)

FIFTH: Buy your power adaptors here! They are very expensive and often hard to find in Europe. Radio Shack is your friend!

SIXTH: The travellers replacement for the iron. After you take a shower, take your damp towel and lay it on top of your wrinkled article of clothing. Make sure the clothing is laying nice and flat. Press down gently all over the towel to tranfer some of the moisture onto the garment. Repeat on the other side of the garment. You want it to get a slight dampness, not wet. Either put it on right away or hang it up right away. I swear by this! For people like myself who hate to iron this is a great trick and can be used at home too!

SEVENTH: If you are going to cold country, (October, November and December can be very cold in some regions), take a cashmere or cashmere blend scarf. You won’t regret it! Wool is too itchy and not nearly as warm. My scarf was my friend. It felt good against my skin, kept me very warm, went with everything (black), worked as a pillow on the bus. One of my biggest fears was that I would lose it! Everytime I took it off I tied it to my shoulder bag. I used it so much it had holes in it by the end of my trip!

FINAL: Don’t forget your journal! Even if you don’t have time to write your thought, be sure to jot down the names of the places you went to. (Restaurants, museums, etc…) You will be grateful when you get home and can’t remember the name of that awesome little restaurant in Florence! Find one that is thin, small enough to fit in your shoulderbag, and easy to write in. I kept mine in a baggy to protect it and to hold little momentos, ticket stubs, receipts, etc… It is also a great place to jot down the names of buildings, sites, etc… that you take pictures of.

Bon vouyage!

back on the topic of hairstyling…

One of my travelmates brought her curling iron and lived to tell about it. She had one of those insulated carrying pouches so she could pack it even if it was still warm without melting anything.

[This message has been edited by Emilia (edited 22 July 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Emilia (edited 22 July 2000).]

Scarynat,
It seems as though this post is not for you. Perhaps you should have noticed the title and skipped to the next thread. In case you didn’t notice, however, there are quite a few of us who have found the topic useful. So please be tolerant and spare the hostility. There are plenty of other threads where you can voice the tiresome "Australian vs. American" debate.

Cindi,
How did the permanent makeup thing go? It sounds convenient but kinds scary.

kellieirene, love the tips!

Kristen

…Pantyliners are GREAT! Also, I brought CK (Target has a brand too) Lycra Spandex Undies that could be easily washed and dried overnight! I washed them with my shampoo in the bathroom sink and hung them on the bed post. Black is the Color to wear…shows LESS Dirt, Wrinkles etc…and it’s also very Chic and Flattering. I had a Pint of Guinness spilt on me one night- and because of my Black Outfit, I was able to DAB dry and carry on!

Take a Purse- I ended up leaving my DayPack and bought a small black purse to carry my Camera & stuff while I was touring during the day.

Tiny GERM Killer bottles- they are 2" big and are GREAT to stick in your pocket or purse. It’s so much easier to dab a bit on your hands instead of washing and drying at the sink.

Bring a Small Kitchen size trash bag for dirty clothes…also a FEW dryer sheets help "Freshen Up" your pack and clothes (especially if you aren’t a smoker)…Throw one in the trash bag with your dirty clothes and you can get another day or so out of them.

I brought a Small Memo Pad to use as a journal…unfortunately, I NEVER found time to write…but I did take a Glue Stick and stuck Mementos from the Day in there…Restaurant Card/reciepts…Little Maps…Bus/Train Tickets…Wine Labels…It ended up being a Neat Little Book!

Happy Travels…and bring EXTRA Underwear (You will be SO glad you did!)

Cheers,
Jude

hey wimmin – thanks for all the GREAT advice – and thanks to kristin for starting the topic. as the poster above noted, not all of this applies to everyone, but we can all take something from these postings.

in response to the snotty posts above, if you have any suggestions, why don’t you post them? isn’t that what this site is supposed to be about? my own packing list (developed through trial and error from multiple trips in europe and other areas) has over 100 items on it, all of which fit remarkably well into my 2,300 cubic inch pack. i often end up helping out other travelers with much larger packs but who have run out of aspirin, film, band-aids, etc. traveling is about sharing.

Neutrogena tinted moisturizer/sunscreen is a lifesaver…put it in a film canister to save space.

Here’s another option for those days when you can’t take a shower. Use face powder, loose or pressed, and brush it (with a face brush) into your hair line. It works wonders for me, and my head is not white from baby powder.

I don’t know why, but i’m really not concerned at all about fashion etc for when i travel. I’ll probably change my mind though when i get there!! Its a few months off yet so i haven’t thought about packing in depth at this stage, but i always thought that maybe some tinted moisturiser (15 or 30+ sun protection) would be ideal for the face, and just some eyeliner/mascare. I suppose every girl’s needs are different.

Reading cindi’s input, getting eyelashes tinted and maybe eyeliner tatooed previous to depature seems like a really good idea! Saves having to put on/take off makeup all the time (when i can be bothered that is.) I just can NOT go without my eyeliner!

But i do have one very serious question/problem. I have extremely dry skin as a result from severe excema as a kid, and now i HAVE to moisturise every day, and after every contact with water (shower, swimming, washing face/hands). Its not just some petty cosmetic or comfort issue, its a definate must.

I don’t want to have to lug around a 1kg bottle of sorbolene, but how else am i going to do it? How expensive is your basic body moisturiser in Europe? Should i sacrfice other weight/space in my backback for my cream? Or should i buy as i travel?

maybe use snap lock bags with my daily amount? But that seems like a serious waste of plastic.

One more thing, weight issues! I don’t want get all plumpy when i’m over there because i can’t stick to my usual exercise routine (i’m a bit of a fitness fanatic.) I put on weight TOO easily and have to be very careful. If i watch what i eat and try not to drink too much i should be ok. But what about other fitness activities? ie. skipping, going for jogs/runs, doing some crunches and leg exercises etc. Would other people in hostels etc think i’m mad? Or should i just go blubber for my holiday?

Thanks peoples

I don’t know why, but i’m really not concerned at all about fashion etc for when i travel. I’ll probably change my mind though when i get there!! Its a few months off yet so i haven’t thought about packing in depth at this stage, but i always thought that maybe some tinted moisturiser (15 or 30+ sun protection) would be ideal for the face, and just some eyeliner/mascare. I suppose every girl’s needs are different.

Reading cindi’s input, getting eyelashes tinted and maybe eyeliner tatooed previous to depature seems like a really good idea! Saves having to put on/take off makeup all the time (when i can be bothered that is.) I just can NOT go without my eyeliner!

But i do have one very serious question/problem. I have extremely dry skin as a result from severe excema as a kid, and now i HAVE to moisturise every day, and after every contact with water (shower, swimming, washing face/hands). Its not just some petty cosmetic or comfort issue, its a definate must.

I don’t want to have to lug around a 1kg bottle of sorbolene, but how else am i going to do it? How expensive is your basic body moisturiser in Europe? Should i sacrfice other weight/space in my backback for my cream? Or should i buy as i travel?

maybe use snap lock bags with my daily amount? But that seems like a serious waste of plastic.

One more thing, weight issues! I don’t want get all plumpy when i’m over there because i can’t stick to my usual exercise routine (i’m a bit of a fitness fanatic.) I put on weight TOO easily and have to be very careful. If i watch what i eat and try not to drink too much i should be ok. But what about other fitness activities? ie. skipping, going for jogs/runs, doing some crunches and leg exercises etc. Would other people in hostels etc think i’m mad? Or should i just go blubber for my holiday?

Thanks peoples

I don’t know why, but i’m really not concerned at all about fashion etc for when i travel. I’ll probably change my mind though when i get there!! Its a few months off yet so i haven’t thought about packing in depth at this stage, but i always thought that maybe some tinted moisturiser (15 or 30+ sun protection) would be ideal for the face, and just some eyeliner/mascare. I suppose every girl’s needs are different.

Reading cindi’s input, getting eyelashes tinted and maybe eyeliner tatooed previous to depature seems like a really good idea! Saves having to put on/take off makeup all the time (when i can be bothered that is.) I just can NOT go without my eyeliner!

But i do have one very serious question/problem. I have extremely dry skin as a result from severe excema as a kid, and now i HAVE to moisturise every day, and after every contact with water (shower, swimming, washing face/hands). Its not just some petty cosmetic or comfort issue, its a definate must.

I don’t want to have to lug around a 1kg bottle of sorbolene, but how else am i going to do it? How expensive is your basic body moisturiser in Europe? Should i sacrfice other weight/space in my backback for my cream? Or should i buy as i travel?

maybe use snap lock bags with my daily amount? But that seems like a serious waste of plastic.

One more thing, weight issues! I don’t want get all plumpy when i’m over there because i can’t stick to my usual exercise routine (i’m a bit of a fitness fanatic.) I put on weight TOO easily and have to be very careful. If i watch what i eat and try not to drink too much i should be ok. But what about other fitness activities? ie. skipping, going for jogs/runs, doing some crunches and leg exercises etc. Would other people in hostels etc think i’m mad? Or should i just go blubber for my holiday?

Thanks peoples

I agree. Great topic. I used this advice when I went on my first trip to Europe two years ago, and I’m using it again for my Oct. trip.

Dark clothes, extra underwear and socks and ziploc bags are a godsend. For shoes, I recommend Docs. I bought a pair of three hole ones (there called something cheesy like jazz or something), and they were the best things ever. Walked EVERYWHERE in them, no blisters, feet never hurt. best of all, they looked great with a skirt, so I could dress ‘em up. One pair of shoes cut back on the bulk.

As for hair, I know it’s frivolous, but you want to look nice when you’re schlepping around. Experiment with airdrying before you go. It really is a pain to carry around a blowdryer, and you really don’t want to spend a ton of time getting ready every day. If you find a low-maintenance style you like before you leave, you’ll be much happier.

Happy travels everyone! Cheers.

Scarynat->
I know you are just trying to stir up trouble. I didn’t know what Tevas were either (and I’m American) and I know the first time I heard of them was from a Canadian. So, your narrow minded American crap is lost on me. (Oh, and if you don’t like American coffee, don’t buy it! I don’t!) And even though I didn’t know what Tevas were, I looked it up on the internet. (Wow! And, we are smart, too.) You remarks do nothing but show your ignorance. You are the kind of person that would complain about not knowing the meaning of a word when you are standing next to a dictionary.
Oh, and you misspelled about 4 words in your posting. Could you at least try to not look like a complete idiot?
And not everyone is as stereotypical as you to think that you all &quotut a shrimp on the barbie".

(But, I have to agree about the 62 samples thing. That was a little over-board.)

Just a tip, if you are going to belittle people on the internet, you should at least appear intelligent!

Scarynat->
I know you are just trying to stir up trouble. I didn’t know what Tevas were either (and I’m American) and I know the first time I heard of them was from a Canadian. So, your narrow minded American crap is lost on me. (Oh, and if you don’t like American coffee, don’t buy it! I don’t!) And even though I didn’t know what Tevas were, I looked it up on the internet. (Wow! And, we are smart, too.) You remarks do nothing but show your ignorance. You are the kind of person that would complain about not knowing the meaning of a word when you are standing next to a dictionary.
Oh, and you misspelled about 4 words in your posting. Could you at least try to not look like a complete idiot?
And not everyone is as stereotypical as you to think that you all &quotut a shrimp on the barbie".

(But, I have to agree about the 62 samples thing. That was a little over-board.)

Just a tip, if you are going to belittle people on the internet, you should at least appear intelligent!

I suggest a revitalizing protein bath. Does wonders for the skin.

This is a great thead, very helpful.

For toliteries I’d recommend Body Shop products. I find most travel sizes available in drugstores to be too small for longer trips, but the regular bottles are too big. The Body Shop’s stuff comes in a variety of sizes so you can get the one that fits your needs best. I know it’s a bit more expensive then drugstore brands, but for convienence it’s worth it, in my opinion. Plus if you do run out they have Body Shops all over Europe (it is a British company, after all) where they will refill your bottles for you at a discount.

I’ve heard that it is very difficult to get tattooed eyeliner removed.

This board offers some really great advice! However, I think that it’s important to remember when packing is that….Europe has stuff too. Instead of buying a bottle of moisturizer here…why not buy it there if you need it.

Replying to an old post here…

Scylla, if you’re like me you’ll find that when you’re travelling you tend to walk around much more than you would at home. I’m never bothered by my weight when I’m in Europe (being an Aussie, I tend to travel in northern winter so I spend the whole trip rugged up in three or four layers) but when I get home I’m always amazed to find that I’ve actually lost weight, because of all the walking I do when I’m in strange cities.

The important thing while you’re travelling is to try to eat reasonably well. It’s easy to get by on coffee and chocolate when you’re on the move, but if you do this for too long you’ll find yourself getting tired, grumpy and miserable, and you’ll be more susceptible to any bugs that are going around. Try to get in at least one decent meal a day (salad, fruit and vegies are your friends!).

Jemma

Anybody know of a good, all-in-one powder foundation? Got to have a REALLY good coverage (I wear heavy foundation and powder at home but don’t want the hassle abroad) I have tried loads but can’t get one with good coverage.Any ideas welcome (but not, ‘don’t wear any then!!)

Yes, ladies TAKE pantyliners!!!! Also, take ziploc bags!

I can see packing some eyeliner and maybe a lipstick, but more than that seems like so much maintenance. It is enough for me to shave my legs and keep my face and limbs moisturized. In Spain, I found the water to be incredibly hard. Within minutes of washing my hands, my skin would feel so dry.

I have to say: curling irons?! Heavens! Why not try those twisty things you put in your hair at night? Then your hair is curled as you sleep. They have the ones that are cloth covered, they do not take up much room; you can store them in … a ziploc bag!

Scylla, unless you are a weight lifter or Olympic athlete, I wouldn’t worry about missing out on your routine for a couple of weeks. If you’re like me, you’ll be walking a good 8 to 10 hours per day. Maybe you’ll want to do some crunches or push-ups in your room in the mornings or evenings, but I think the walking will be all the aerobics you need. Carrying your backpack around will keep your arms and back in shape.

And a reminder to everyone: before setting out in the morning, do some stretching. It is very easy to learn a simple 10 minute stretching routine before you go.

I don’t think I ever lost more than a few pounds while traveling, but that is because I have a weakness for breads; they are so delicious and filling and there are pastry shops all over the place (especially Spain). Beware the Bread!!!

I plan on traveling to India to live once I graduate, and I’ll be working in the House of the Dying Destitutes. Is there anything special I should take? All I plan on taking are a few sets of clothes, soap, food, and money. Also, every year I go to a summer camp (so I’m 15) and I have to lug this huge plastic rubbermaid storage container full of clothes and makeup, plus my comforter (I hate sleeping bags), pillow, sheet set, etc. this is just for one week. I’d love to pack less but I need enough tshirts to change everytime I get sweaty or wet, (which is alot), and I only wear jeans, not shorts, it’s freezing in the morning, at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and we wear formalwear at night. I wish i could take it all in a backpack. Any suggestions??

On reading the whooole topic, some loose replies (yes they may be to very old questions)

General observation: Europe is a big place. We have lots of different climates over here, so be sure to pack for the right place! If you travel all over Europe make sure you have lots of layers.
It’s also very easy to say "I’ve been to Europe, it was such-and-such" but it doesn’t work that way. I’ve recently moved from the Netherlands to UK and even on this little move the differences are still stunning.

Good God, what a things some of you take! curling iron, bags of make-up, bags and bags of cosmetic samples.. Some things really seem over the top to me (but then again, I am talking about ‘on the move’ travelling)
Why would you want to spend time and thoughts on make-up? A bit of powder and a stroke of eyeliner, OK. But I just saw someone talk about full coverage..
In generally that is very unusual in Europe – during daytime. I can see that you’d want to use a bit more if you’re going out, but during a normal day of travelling/sighseeing, why bother with all that?

On fashion in Europe:
I wouldn’t bother trying to pack for fashions, just try not to stand out to much. Dark colours work best usually. Bright yellow or red outdoor goretex stuff is a dead give-away, so if you want a coat/fleece or something like that, see if you can go for dark green or blue.

Length for an all-purpose dress or skirt would be a good 10 centimeters (about 4 inches, I think) about your knee. If you’ve got long upper legs then a bit shorter, but test if you can sit down in different (height) chairs with your legs crossed without people being able to see all the way up.

Important point:
We actually do have shops over here, by the way. Absolutely no need to lug loads of stuff around you might as well buy over here. Some brandnames may differ, but we quite manage to survive without those specific brands, so you should be able, too.

Cheers,
Dark Angel

[This message has been edited by Dark Angel (edited 22 January 2001).]

It’s been almost four years since my big backpacking adventure, and since then I’ve spent my summers working in a youth hostel and going on two study abroads. Lucky me! But I’ve learned a ton:

For fashion advice, I definitely like the point in the last thread that there ARE shops in Europe, and they’re not all super-expensive. You can find some VERY cute and VERY inexpensive stuff at H&M (which is EVERYWHERE in Europe). Every time I come back to the U.S. I experience H&M withdrawal!

Someone asked about a colorful top or two to go with all her basic black. I don’t know about now, but last summer, this was a big thing in many European clubs, at least the ones I saw in Germany and Denmark. My Icelandic roommate had a wardrobe that was 50% hot pink. She is very easy to find in a crowd!

The advice about experimenting with no-hair-dryer styles is very good. I have very curly hair, but I’ve discovered that if I wash it at night, put my towel over my pillow and let it dry overnight, it does not get flattened and stays surprisingly unfrizzy the next day. Also, my just-got-out-of-the-ocean-and-my-hair-dried-all-salty look is fabulous! Long ringlets that I’m unable to achieve with styling products, but not a good thing long-term, as the salt can get kind of itchy. (ewww!)

Oil of Olay has made a moisturizing foundation forever, and have just made a new version including sunscreen. 3-in-1!

Happy travels!

julia

This is a great topic and I’m glad so many are dedicated to keeping it near the top.
My question is a little different because I’m planning on travelling in Europe for about a year, backpacking and hosteling mostly. I’m curious about hairremoval suggestions. Right now I shave my underarms and legs but am thinking about waxing as an alternative to taking razors, shave gel, etc with me. How common and expensive is waxing in Europe?

Wow, this board is heaven! Had I found it a week ago, I could have saved hours of searching. The only thing left to ask(and I skipped page 2) will I need warm or rain clothes in France in July? Paris to Cannes. I was sure it would be hot, but now I am freaking out.

I know this subject was a way back, but it is near to my heart. I have always had "roll on the floor and cry" cramps. My whole life had to revolve around my period. I read in In Style magazine to take 4 Tums a day to alleviate cramps. Half the time I only take 2 or forget altogether, but I went 6 months with my periods coming and going without a single cramp. I ran out last month and didn’t buy anymore, and this month was murderous. I started taking them again.

A brand that has been popular for years in Europe is Nivea-they make a great lotion,bath gel etc.I know it’s available in the States but just never became as popular-I don’t know why but it is a standard in Europe,great quality at a good price and well packaged.

Has anyone checked out the manifesto range of makeup?… it looks like it would be perfect for travel.

I’m a pretty good little packer, (even if I do say so myself) but I still haven’t got the travel makeup thing perfected.

I would love to be one of those people that can just go without any makeup, but hey I’m just not! ..and I’m not so sure that European women don’t wear it, I think they just wear it so that it looks more natural.

Anyway, I’ve been reading about the manifesto range and it looks great. The foundation, powder and blush compacts are all stackable. The bottoms are mirrored. There are even tiny mirrors on the tops of the lipstick tubes.

Has anyone used their products, or do you have any good travel make-up recommendations?

Currently I’m using bobbibrown… great products but everything is so bulky there is no way I could travel with it.

Thanks in advance!

This is an awesome thread!( a little redundant, I know…but I thought I should share the love Anywho…just wondering what the weather in Northern and Southern Italy and Switzerland is like during the second half of March?
~ oh, and a tip…empty tampon wrappers and applicators can hold quite a bit of paper money, and saved my butt when a fellow backpacker (for shame!) went through all my things while I was in the bathroom….I kept my money in some empty wrappers, and even though the person took some other semi-valuables, they didn’t touch the wrappers!

As far as make-up, my advice if to use anything dual purpose or stick. Takes up less space and it’s easier. Stick foundation is the best, easy and natural looking, just to even out the skin tone. Lip glosses (with a wand) in various colors, rather than lipsticks. As for anti-wrinkle advice for the clothes, pack your clothing in plastic bags that your dry cleaner uses. Wrap your clothes in that, and you shouldn’t need any ironing.

Hey gals, I just got back from a trip to India and wanted to add an important piece of advice to those of you travelling to less developed areas – pack your own tampons! I thought I would buy some there and to my dismay they are not sold in India. But I sure had fun trying to explain what I was looking for using hand motions to a local retailer. She had no idea what I was talking about!

Also, if travelling to India, take enough toilet paper for the whole trip.

Great thread..I will be in London for 2 weeks in June.
Planning to wear jeans, cotton shirts, and RM William boots (riding/dress boots) for my day trips.
I wore similiar clothes in 97 and got into all the nice shops, restaurants etc.
At night I wore the little black dress with a shawl for a coverup.
I then travel to Italy for 1 month. Plan to wear capri pants, leather slip ons and solid coloured cotton polo’s.
My short wavy hair is always a problem..so this time I have grown it to wear in a classic pony tail! Also had my hair straightened with success!
I take underwear that dries quickly. No one else will know how many times you have worn the same outfit as long as you wash it!
On my last trip, I could actually smell my clothes on the plane home to Sydney. My clothes were clean but after washing them in laundomats and dryers for 6 weeks they needed a good dose of sunshine!

you girls are the BEST!! up, up, up!!

Just to bring up the fitness thing again…I agree, walking around Europe is plenty of exercise but if you are a true fit-nut, try taking a morning run. It can be 20 or 30 mins long… you will feel great about starting your day that way and think about it, you’ll be exploring while staying fit!
Also, a note about stretching… DO IT. If you are not the running type of gal, stretching is another great way to promote your health. Do it first thing in the morning or before going to bed for 10 mins. It sounds kinda strange but it will make you feel great.
Once again, GREAT THREAD! Congrats Kristen!

Just to bring up the fitness thing again…I agree, walking around Europe is plenty of exercise but if you are a true fit-nut, try taking a morning run. It can be 20 or 30 mins long… you will feel great about starting your day that way and think about it, you’ll be exploring while staying fit!
Also, a note about stretching… DO IT. If you are not the running type of gal, stretching is another great way to promote your health. Do it first thing in the morning or before going to bed for 10 mins. It sounds kinda strange but it will make you feel great.
Once again, GREAT THREAD! Congrats Kristen!

great thread!!

This thread is great – the advice has been really handy. I’m off to Europe at the end of this year to work and travel for a while, and was stressing out a bit re having decent clothes for office work while still keeping my packing light. I’m a pretty light packer though and thought I’d pass on some things I’ve learnt… You can use your shampoo as shower gel (esp the Paul Mitchell ones, they’re great), which saves on an extra bottle. Also cannot say enough good things about Clinique City Stick foundation – it’s compact and multipurpose AND is SPF15.

I’m not going to take a hairdryer with me, I figure I can always get one later on if I really need it. Also nobody has mentioned this, but if you hang up clothes in the bathroom while you’re taking a shower, the wrinkles drop right out.

As far as clothes are concerned I’ll be taking loads of black! Hides the dirt and instantly looks dressy. I’m wondering though if I should bring my leather jacket? It’s great and warm, keeps out the wind and rain (contrary to popular belief, water doesn’t damage leather – cows have to stay outdoors in the rain, y’know), is durable and instantly makes an outfit look trendy. In other words I’m practically surgically attached but will it be too bulky and target me for theft?

just wanted to keep this thread active—it’s been almost 30 dys i think since someone posted, and it’s about to get knocked off the "show topics with posts in the last 30 days" list . . . so, here it is again. there are some really great ideas in here.

has anyone noticed the Body Shop’s new make-up range? It is so perfect for travelling, and many of the products are great copy-cats of much more expensive brands.

You guys this is such an incredible thread!
Mainly just trying to keep it active but I want you to know I have a whole page of new ideas and I will be so organized for my first eurotrip!!! Wish me luck!!

Hey it’s me again,
I’m going to be going to Europe for three weeks(London,Paris,Italy)in August. I will be staying in hostels. What kind of sleeping attire is comfortable but nice enough to wear on your way to the washroom down the hall( if that’s where it is). I want to be cool enough to sleep but I don’t want to change evertime I have to go to the bathroom!!
Any ideas would be appreciated!!

How about flip flops- I live in mine at the moment and did plan to take them but am now worried that am going to look far too girly to be travelling (a bit of a worry already). Also do I need heavy jumpers (just going around Europe)? I also do not do shorts- not because I am English I don’t think but again because they make my bum look huge and legs look fat. Give me a little summer dress or skirt anyday.