Packing Tips :
~If you have a top-loading backpack make little lightweight bags out of old sheets/pillowcases to separate clothes into categories- it saves so much time when you are hunting for a certain item. You can label them for easy access, they’re lightweight, and it helps when you don’t want your dirty smelly clothes or grimy shoes touching clean stuff.
~Safety pins, duct tape wrapped around a pencil- not the whole roll (great for securing backpack straps for flights), a cable lock (try Magellans) for when you can’t be next to your bag/suitcase on the train, ziplock bags (for souvenirs and other stuff), a small paperbook book, a swiss army knife (don’t carry-on) a deck of cards,and a PEN.
~A little black dress… mine is knee-length tank, v-neck (just a little sexy), with a built-in bra. I got it at a j.crew outlet for $25!
~Cut out or copy pages from your guidebooks, don’t lug the heavy things around when you’ll only use some pages.
~Photocopy the first page of your passport and other important documents and keep them with emergency phone numbers complete with dial codes and info (credit card cancellation info, relatives in case of emergency, consulate). keep them separate from the originals.
~Sunglasses, a bandana, flip flops (ooh Reefs are the best) and your favorite hat.
~a journal- don’t risk forgetting that strange man with purple in a poncho and nothing else!
~

Multi-functional beauty products (tried and tested, some I’ve seen on this thread before):
~Benefit Benetint- the best… doubles as a blush and lipstain, not greasy, small bottle and the color looks great on everyone i’ve seen. expensive, $25, but worth the splurge- i think Target sells a cheaper one under the Sonia K. brand.
~Curel Original Lotion- works for sensitive skin too, unscented, not greasy, soaks in on face and body. Overall the best lotion ever!(thanks Kel!)
~Johnson’s Baby Powder- keeps you from getting sweaty and smelly on feet and body… awesome in high temp climates or when you’ll be walking a lot. I’ve heard people say that you can put it on your roots to soak up grease when you can’t wash your hair!
~Rosebud Salve- the best lipbalm EVER! smells/tastes awesome, clears away minor blemishes and scrapes and tames unruly brows. If you like a stick, Burt’s Bees is great too.
~Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soap- Someone else on the thread mentioned this too.. I like the aloe vera baby kind, but there are lots of varieties… works on hair, face & body, even teeth, and doesn’t melt like bar soap.
~Clear nailpolish, dental floss (so many uses for both), Nalgene (the best water bottle company in the world) now makes travel size, unbreakable containers for toiletries! I got some, and they’re awesome!

Happy Travelling!
Paige