I always travel with a baby washcloth. They are very thin, small and dry quickly. I hand wash it after every use and bring a clothespin hook to hang it to dry. So many countries don't use or provide a face cloth.
That is a great tip, thank you for sharing! We have also noticed the lack of face towel around the world. It can be a little annoying for sure. We actually have a PackTowl face towel that I completely forgot to include in this! I actually never seem to use it for my face, but we use it a lot when we are cooking (it makes a great pot holder) and when we are on the beach
Thanks for watching my first ever solo video everyone! Share with me your favourite travel toiletry item! Together I think we can create a pretty awesome list of the best items out there :)
Hey Nicole, try a glass nail file. I've been travelling carry on with glass files for probably over 5 years now, and so far I haven't had it confiscated. I have only ever broken one file in all that time (I now have a little hard case over mine). You can get cute ones sometimes when travelling, and they are pretty cheap. They are great as they never go blunt and you only need to rinse them off under the tap from time to time.
I got the Erase Your Face cloth that's 1/3 the size of yours after watching your packing video more than half a year ago. One side is for cleaning, and the other side of it is supposed to have exfoliating properties. I found that size to be more than enough for me and have been using it at home, and so easy to carry when I travelled. I also use micellar water at home with it. So many cotton pads saved. Thank you for the recommendation! :) I also saw in another video that a traveller finds soap to break into smaller pieces and become less manageable as time goes on. She puts her soap into a soup pouch to use in shower (helps with foaming too), and puts the whole pouch into the Matador pouch. I thought that's so ingenious and may try it in the future. Thanks for the video! I love your energy and laugh, and you hold your own space when doing this video, even if it's your first time! Take care, fellow Canadian :)
That makeup remover cloth sounds amazing! I really miss having an exfoliant of some kind. I've really been enjoying the face scrub I have at the moment, but its unusual for me to have it, so a face cloth that has a side for exfoliating sounds awesome. Also, the idea to put the soap pouch inside the matador is so good! It's cool to hear the soap still dries for the other traveler you watched. Those matador soap packs really are something. Thanks for sharing the awesome tips!
Loved this video!! Very helpful, especially the pouches for the soaps! One recommendation from a fellow world traveler ☺️: cream deodorant (I use the brand „nuud“) is fantastic! You safe a lot of space, it REALLY works + less plastic 👌🏼 All the best from Austria 🇦🇹
Very good and useful video. I have switched to only bar soaps for shampoo and conditioner. love the idea of the matador bag. Mine go in a metal can, but I have to wait until they have dried out. I do have a question about your liquids not being in a liquids bags for TSA? Most of these minimalist videos people have their liquids mixed in with their other items. How do you get away with that?
Hey there! Thanks for watching the video 😊 To answer your question about the clear bag, I haven't had any issues not separating out my liquids for many years. I used to always separate them in a clear bag but started noticing that many others in the security lines weren't taking their out, so I just stopped. So far I haven't been asked to separate them once!
I love using anything that doesn’t have to go in my liquids bag, so I also use powder dry shampoo, shampoo bars, tooth tablets (instead of toothpaste) and tiny packets of laundry soap leaf’s (They have them for dishes, and hand soap, too and got them at REI. So I also carry a small pack of baby wipes in case I don’t have a place to shower, small pack of toilet seat covers in case restroom doesn’t have or are out (I hate trying to get TP to stay put, so these are handy and take up no room-I always keep them in whatever bag I’m carrying). I also take 1 lipstick and a lip balm, blush and a CC or BB cream. Great video and I love how lightweight your daily bag looks. 👍🏼🇺🇸
This is awesome info, thank you for sharing! The toilet seat covers sound like a wonderful addition. If I can find some I will definitely be getting a pack!
Hi ladies! I wanted to add here if you haven’t already heard of pee funnels. They have disposable ones and reusable ones. They work great!…kinda weird at first but once you do it you’ll never want to use a seat cover again just to pee! 😂
Oh my gosh I hadn't thought about using a pee funnel for regular toilet use! That's genius! For some reason I always associated them with hiking and camping off grid, but this is genius! Thanks for sharing 😊
@@nicoleandmico you’re welcome! Same here but we recently went on a trip out of state and my daughter hates public restrooms especially when they don’t have seat covers. So did some googling and found disposable ones on Amazon! They work so good and you just toss them in the trash when you’re done and they fold up flat. I’ll see if I can find the link 👍🏻
lip balm, a few deodorant wipes, a toner (in mini spray bottle ) really helps me feel refreshed on the go, spf, a sheet mask for mini spa experience, small salve tin, diva cup
I’ve had the Matador soap bags in my “thinking about it” cart for about a week! Pushing the buy button today! Thanks, Nicole! PS: great solo video! Keep ‘em coming!
Male here but I’m now intrigued in that bar of soap thing! I travel a lot for work and am specific with the soaps for my skin. Glad I started watching haha
For menstrual issues, I use Thinx panties. I have 6 pairs. If it is a heavy day and I need to change once while out, after 6 hours. I put it in a soda bottle and stash it until I can get home to wash it. Or you could do a plastic bag or wet swim bag. I have been using them for a year and don't want to use tampons or pads again.
That's awesome! I have heard a little bit about menstrual underwear but haven't tried them myself. Are they able to be dried in the dryer or should they be left out to dry after washing?
Very informative and well done! So much energy! Contact lenses ugh….I wear sclerals which have to have individual vials of preservative free saline inserted into the “bowl”. Not available at any store…so I have a dedicated pouch just for contact stuff. Not a favorite but a necessity. We use the Matador soap case as well…love it! Thanks for the tips….can’t wait to see Mico’s.
Oh my goodness that sounds like quite a hassle! It's surprising how much a medical issue can impact travel when it is something that is fairly easy to manage back home. It's great to hear you love the Mayador soap case as well! It's definitely one of our favourite travel items 😁
I started using powder dry shampoo this year. And not because of travel, it just works better than any aerosol. There is one I get at Target that has a pump on it, just like the volume product that was mentioned in the beginning of the video. And it’s like $14 and lasts so much longer. I highly recommend trying it!
This was such a helpful video! I bought the Matador soap case as soon as you guys showed it! I've been backpacking Europe for 6 weeks now but never knew about this soap case so I've been buying bar soap in every city I visit. So excited to get this soap case so I can save the bar soap and some money!
Beside the small face scrub that I show in the video I don't have anything specific! I do often miss having nice quality skincare products, but it just isn't a big enough priority for me while I travel long-term to find ways to keep it up. Depending on what part of the world I'm in I find it really hard to find god products, so I've just accepted that I wont have any for the time being 😀
I love Ethique shampoo and conditioner bars! I, like you, started using the for travel. Now I use them at home, too. They work so well and they last forever. I am thinking of trying their lotion stick next. Also, can you give us the brand of the secondary bag? I would love a lightweight bag that has interior zippers. Thank you!
I would love to try their lotion stick as well! I have also had my eye on Ethique's deodorant, I have a feeling it would be a great addition. My apologies for not sharing the link for the second bag. I got it from MEC which is a Canadian outdoor store, similar to REI in the USA if you are familiar with them. I'll leave the link here in case you are Canadian (I don't think MEC ships outside of Canada), but if nothing else you can take a better look at the bag! www.mec.ca/en/product/5054-183/travel-light-organizer-pod?colour=Deep+Navy
Oh man a face cleaning brush sounds amazing! One of the hygiene products I miss most since full-time travelling is a nice face cream. I've decided its not worth it while we are on the road and I don't have a lot of space, but I agree with you that face products are so nice to have!
i use a lanyard system with all my soap, facewash, shampoo etc in bottles that hang off the lanyard cos showers often don't have anywhere but on the (often problematic) ground to put stuff in the wet zone. I have a hook on my bathroom bag but don't you find that the hook is often too small to hook over the available hook points? the hooks could be a lighter material (cos the bags aren't *that* heavy) but the diameter of the hooks need to be larger
A lanyard is a great idea! It is so frustrating to not have a spot to put things in the shower. I have actually found the hook on my toiletry bag to be a good size for most options, however, we do also have a HeroClip that has a much wider hook end and when we are in an accommodation where our toiletry bag hook is too small we just use connect the bag to our HeroClip and then attach the HeroClip to the available hook. It has been really helpful for us!
@@nicoleandmico Hero clip: excellent idea! I use tons of small carabinas to prevent stuff falling out of my bags (airpod case, key sets, travel sunscreen ... even my tiny wallet gets clipped into my bag) but I haven't brought a larger crab that would hook onto larger stuff. I can see it would also have application for rigging a clothes line anchor point
Yes, totally! Small carabiners are such a great addition to a pack. And you're totally right about the HeroClip helping with hanging the clothesline. We have used it countless times for an anchor point!
Hey there! The second bag I have in the video is from a store in Canada called MEC. MEC is very similar to REI in the states (if you happen to be American or know of REI). I'll leave the link here so you can take a look, and of course, if you're Canadian you could pick it up at MEC! www.mec.ca/en/product/5054-183/travel-light-organizer-pod?colour=Deep+Navy
Love this video! As I'm packing for Colombia, I decided to take the plunge and order the bar soaps and matador bags. Now I'm wondering how you know which soap is in which bag without pulling them all out.
You are so right! 😆 Haha we both laughed when we read this because that is our dilemma with the soap packs!! It's like soap roulette and you never know what you'll get! 😆 so glad you enjoyed the video! In two weeks time we're going to start our Colombia series with a video in Medellin! We absolutely loved traveling Colombia and hope you have a great trip too 🤗
I bought mesh soap bags that help with lather. The ribbons are different colors and that’s how I keep them differentiated. Or, if you don’t want part of the colored ribbon sticking out, I also thought about using colored electrical/washi tape or waterproof labels.
Love this video! One thing that I learned and wanted to share with you is to look for a duffle bag that best fits your luggage and has all the wonderful features a bag can have especially in plane travel use. I'm using Nomad Lane's Bento Bag and it's a good choice.
I just took a look at the Bento Bag, it looks great! I imagine it would be a great choice for anyone traveling with a suitcase as it would sit over the handle really well
That is a great idea! I agree that the bag is quite pricey. The Sea to Summit brand can carry a hefty price tag, but I will say that in the past 1.5 years of traveling their products haven't let us down once. We have been really impressed! If you decide to get the bag I hope you love it!!
Hey there! I have actually not had to use a liquids bags in many years! A few years ago I noticed most people who were going through airport security didn't have a clear bag, so I tested it out for myself and stopped doing it. Since then no one has ever asked me to separate out my liquids. If you are from the USA and traveling within the states the situation might be different though. I am from Canada and nearly all of my trips are international outside of North America. Also, depending on where your trip is, you will very likely be able to get contact lens solution anywhere you are in the world if you do run out. So far, the only times we have had a hard time finding solution was in Nepal and Sri Lanka (we still found some, but it was a bit tricky).
I couldn't access the links. What is the name of the toiletry bag manufacturer? I've been trying to find the perfect toiletry bag and I don't like most of the ones I've seen. My problem is that in my single days I bought luxury goods. Now that I'm married with two kids, they're heavy because I have everybody's things!
Good video, thank you! Are aerosols not allowed for international travel? They are ok within the USA, as long as they meet the 3.4 oz maximum and fit in the quart-sized bag. I will look at that dry shampoo you recommended.
Yes! You are totally right, you can bring aerosols in carry-on so long as they meet the restrictions you mentioned. I think bringing no aerosols at all is an old habit I have. Thank you for clarifying that!!
I just use the Aveeno cream when I need cream, but really I only use it on my hands and sometimes my face. I do really miss face cream, but I find it much less necessary when we are in humid places (which we are for the most part). And for sunscreen I just carry around a regular cream sunscreen and use it on my face when I need to! I know it's nothing fancy, and many people would prefer specific products, but it's working for me for long-term travel. If we had better access to the products I am used to from home I would love to get an SPF cream specifically for my face!
Thank you, I'm so glad you found it useful! We've got all the gear we use for travel linked on our website. It'll have the correct size hygiene kit listed there 😊 nicoleandmico.com/our-packing-list/
Hey there! The face scrub bar is also from Ethique, you can get it here: amzn.to/3KqPIoA Thanks for commenting on it! It helped me notice that I forgot to include the link in the description so I have updated that now 😀
Hey there! The case where I store my jewelry is an old case we had for some wired ear buds. The case came with the ear buds (probably almost 10 years ago!) so I can't find the exact one, but I took a look on amazon and found this which is the closest I can see amzn.to/3U4MP0T Sorry I can't be more help!
Hey Nicole, great video! I bought the Matador soap bag and it's so good. You mentioned you choose a contraceptive method that means you don't menstruate. Sorry for the personal question, can you divulge more details? Not having your period when travelling sounds like a dream!
It's so great to hear you like the Matador soap bag! And I am totally happy to chat more about how I have managed to avoid getting a period while traveling 😊 I started using a hormonal IUD about 7 years ago (the Mirena brand) which has eliminated my period. I still got my period for about 6 months after getting the IUD, then for another 6-9 months I would have some spotting but nothing like a regular period. And after that my period just stopped all together! I believe about 20% of people who use Mirena lose their period altogether, but from what I understand the other 80% of people will still see a large reduction in flow. I realize that probably doesn't help you too much as my situation is fairly specific! Previous to having an IUD, my doctor once suggested to me to just take my birth control straight through and essentially skip a period while I was on a trip, so that could be an option if you are headed on a shorter trip and feel comfortable skipping a period! Sorry for the super long explanation, but I hope that helps!
@@nicoleandmico Amazing, thank you so much Nicole! I have also heard of someone with an IUD not getting periods, so it is definitely something I now want to look into. Thanks for the travel videos!
I think you have mentioned this before, but - what would you say is the largest back pack capacity to be safe to use as carry on throughout Europe? 30 L?
Hey there! If you can fit everything in a 30L bag that would be best. The max carry on weight is usually 10kgs and from what I hear, lots of airlines in Europe check that your bag isn't overweight (unlike many other regions of the world).
@@nicoleandmico thanks again. Sounds like the cheaper airlines here in Aust. Really strict. I am about to purchase my back pack, so will go for 30L. Appreciate you two and what you generously share with us. Saving me making costly mistakes. Have a a beautiful day - wherever you are in this stunning world
I enjoyed this video - I just don't understand the "no aerosols rule? I know in the U.S. you can bring aerosols in your carryon bag....are you maybe refeering to European laws?
No, you're totally right! Another person commented mentioning that aerosols are allowed in the states, so I looked it up and learned that aerosols are allowed within certain quantity limits. I don't think it's just the US, I think they're allowed all over. I was just mistaken. This whole time I've been avoiding aerosols and it turns out there's no need 🤦♀️
Nice collection of purposeful essentials! I ordered the soap bar case because of the previous gear videos. And I'm going to try it for my face scrubber to see how well it works with a non-soap product. I love how useful my leav-conditioner is and always make sure to have some on my travels. I'm curious how the face scrub bar compares to something like St. Ives. Did you use a face scrub before your travels? If so what brand and type, and how does it compare to the bar?
I'll be curious to hear how your face scrubber holds up in the matador soap case! I have a feeling it will work pretty well, but I'd love to hear back from you if you think of it. Before our travels I just used liquid face wash (I think the brand is Clean & Clear) and I used an exfoliating hand glove to apply it and exfoliate my face. So far I definitely prefer the bar (largely because it is so much better for the environment) but I am finding that the bar si starting to crumble, I think because it was small to begin with. I also can't store it too well because I don't have enough matador soap packs to give it it's own cover haha!
@@nicoleandmico After 7 weeks of trying the matador soap case for more than just soap, the shampoo and conditioner bars, as well as the hair puff I had some great successes and some not so successful trials. The soap case did not work well with my scrubber or other cloth-like luffa scrubber even after I wrung it out, it just still held too much moisture and the case did not have enough air flow to evaporate it effectively. However for any bar of any kind it worked soooo well and it was nice not to have a bulky case or slimy bar to deal with in my bathroom bag. I got the Frizz Wrangler shampoo bar & Curliosity conditioner bar from Ethique and they worked a treat! These bars last a long, long, long, long time and have a nice, subtle fragrance. I have long curly hair that needs some TLC, and these bars are fantastic for replacement travel products for the liquid shampoo & conditioners on my medium length trips. I replaced my dry shampoo with the hair puff and it was a great alternative to the messier version I've been using. I like how compact it is and like you said it only takes a little even with my hair, and it will be a pack essential on the next long trip I take. Thank you for the recommendations and tips for the gear you actually use. I find these kinds of posts very helpful when looking at replacement products and alternatives, and how they are utilized. Cheers, and safe travels!
Hey there! Many years ago I used to put my liquids in a clear bag for security but I stopped quite a while ago (just tested the waters at first) and no one has ever asked me to take my liquids out separately or have them in a clear bag. Maybe it depends where you are traveling though. Most of my trips are international and I am from Canada
Ah yes, I do have sunscreen but just the basic kind. Nothing fancy for my face or anything, I just use whatever we have on us 🙂 I definitely miss having nice face items like face cream with SPF, foundation, toner, etc. So glad you love the Matador too!
Thanks for the compliment! It's great to hear you've enjoyed the videos 😁 I don't have a brand of sunscreen that I typically go for, we just pick up whatever we can get our hands on that isn't expired! We have found that lots of shop keepers around the world like to sell expired sunscreen and even go as far as to take the expired dates off the bottles or scratch them out so you won't notice! We fell for that trick once and won't again after the terrible burns I got haha
@@nicoleandmico Yikes! Another reason to carry my own. Some brands sell sunscreen in a solid format. I heard the solid format is great for around the eye area if your usual sunscreen stings your eyes.
Solid sunscreen would be such a great item to bring traveling! That is an awesome idea. It would be especially helpful for carry on. Thank you for sharing!
Yes! I have a hormonal IUD called Mirena. I've had a hormonal IUD for about 6 or 7 years (each one lasts 5 years) and over time I lost my period all together. It took about 18 months to lose it completely, but it is quite a treat to not have it while traveling!
The disposable razors don't have a removable razor blade component. Even if you broke the razor heads and some how loosened the "sharp" bits, you can't hold them like a safety razor blade. If you use a safety or a straight edge razor, they will confiscate it.
I actually never do! I used to be diligent about keeping my liquids organized and separate, but no one ever seemed to care. So for the past few years I haven't and I've never been asked to separate my liquids going through airport security
@@nicoleandmico To be honest I use my shampoo for that. I have been thinking of getting a dedicated soap though and it will probably be added some time in the future.
Okay we understand the bar shampoo and conditioner company is “sustainable” and woke and whatever… but does it work well? That should be what counts, I don’t want it if it’s no good.
Great video! I agree that a hook is the best thing on a toiletry case haha. Those Matador pouches seem awesome. I've found a solid facial wash which also doubles as makeup remover even for waterproof mascara, it's so good. 🤌🏼
@@nicoleandmico it's a Finnish brand called Luonkos but I don't think it's available elsewhere unfortunately! If you can get your hands on that brand, I can def recommend it. 😍 I know Ethique also has some solid cleansers, and the SuperStar solid cleanser apparently removes waterproof makeup as well ☺️
I always travel with a baby washcloth. They are very thin, small and dry quickly. I hand wash it after every use and bring a clothespin hook to hang it to dry. So many countries don't use or provide a face cloth.
That is a great tip, thank you for sharing! We have also noticed the lack of face towel around the world. It can be a little annoying for sure. We actually have a PackTowl face towel that I completely forgot to include in this! I actually never seem to use it for my face, but we use it a lot when we are cooking (it makes a great pot holder) and when we are on the beach
Thanks for watching my first ever solo video everyone! Share with me your favourite travel toiletry item! Together I think we can create a pretty awesome list of the best items out there :)
SUNSCREEN 😊
Hey Nicole, try a glass nail file. I've been travelling carry on with glass files for probably over 5 years now, and so far I haven't had it confiscated. I have only ever broken one file in all that time (I now have a little hard case over mine). You can get cute ones sometimes when travelling, and they are pretty cheap. They are great as they never go blunt and you only need to rinse them off under the tap from time to time.
I got the Erase Your Face cloth that's 1/3 the size of yours after watching your packing video more than half a year ago. One side is for cleaning, and the other side of it is supposed to have exfoliating properties. I found that size to be more than enough for me and have been using it at home, and so easy to carry when I travelled. I also use micellar water at home with it. So many cotton pads saved. Thank you for the recommendation! :)
I also saw in another video that a traveller finds soap to break into smaller pieces and become less manageable as time goes on. She puts her soap into a soup pouch to use in shower (helps with foaming too), and puts the whole pouch into the Matador pouch. I thought that's so ingenious and may try it in the future.
Thanks for the video! I love your energy and laugh, and you hold your own space when doing this video, even if it's your first time! Take care, fellow Canadian :)
That makeup remover cloth sounds amazing! I really miss having an exfoliant of some kind. I've really been enjoying the face scrub I have at the moment, but its unusual for me to have it, so a face cloth that has a side for exfoliating sounds awesome. Also, the idea to put the soap pouch inside the matador is so good! It's cool to hear the soap still dries for the other traveler you watched. Those matador soap packs really are something. Thanks for sharing the awesome tips!
Here's our full FREE packing list in case it's helpful for you! nicoleandmico.com/our-packing-list/
Also traveling RTW long term and so glad you’re spreading the word about Matador’s FlatPak Soap Bar Cases - they are miraculous!!! 👍
Yes they're just so amazing! We're glad we found them so early in our trip! The hard part is replacing them abroad. It's so hard to find 😫
We cannot live without our Ethique shampoo and conditioner bars! They're the best!
Totally agree! The only trouble is finding them abroad! Have you had any luck in Asia?
Loved this video!! Very helpful, especially the pouches for the soaps! One recommendation from a fellow world traveler ☺️: cream deodorant (I use the brand „nuud“) is fantastic! You safe a lot of space, it REALLY works + less plastic 👌🏼 All the best from Austria 🇦🇹
Cream deodorant sounds amazing! I'll definitely take a look for some the next time we come across a decent mall. I'd love to give it a try!
Have you heard of crystal deodorant or Lush makes a great powdered deo too.@@nicoleandmico
Very good and useful video. I have switched to only bar soaps for shampoo and conditioner. love the idea of the matador bag. Mine go in a metal can, but I have to wait until they have dried out. I do have a question about your liquids not being in a liquids bags for TSA? Most of these minimalist videos people have their liquids mixed in with their other items. How do you get away with that?
Hey there! Thanks for watching the video 😊 To answer your question about the clear bag, I haven't had any issues not separating out my liquids for many years. I used to always separate them in a clear bag but started noticing that many others in the security lines weren't taking their out, so I just stopped. So far I haven't been asked to separate them once!
I love using anything that doesn’t have to go in my liquids bag, so I also use powder dry shampoo, shampoo bars, tooth tablets (instead of toothpaste) and tiny packets of laundry soap leaf’s (They have them for dishes, and hand soap, too and got them at REI. So I also carry a small pack of baby wipes in case I don’t have a place to shower, small pack of toilet seat covers in case restroom doesn’t have or are out (I hate trying to get TP to stay put, so these are handy and take up no room-I always keep them in whatever bag I’m carrying). I also take 1 lipstick and a lip balm, blush and a CC or BB cream. Great video and I love how lightweight your daily bag looks. 👍🏼🇺🇸
This is awesome info, thank you for sharing! The toilet seat covers sound like a wonderful addition. If I can find some I will definitely be getting a pack!
Hi ladies! I wanted to add here if you haven’t already heard of pee funnels. They have disposable ones and reusable ones. They work great!…kinda weird at first but once you do it you’ll never want to use a seat cover again just to pee! 😂
Oh my gosh I hadn't thought about using a pee funnel for regular toilet use! That's genius! For some reason I always associated them with hiking and camping off grid, but this is genius! Thanks for sharing 😊
@@nicoleandmico you’re welcome! Same here but we recently went on a trip out of state and my daughter hates public restrooms especially when they don’t have seat covers. So did some googling and found disposable ones on Amazon! They work so good and you just toss them in the trash when you’re done and they fold up flat. I’ll see if I can find the link 👍🏻
lip balm, a few deodorant wipes, a toner (in mini spray bottle ) really helps me feel refreshed on the go, spf, a sheet mask for mini spa experience, small salve tin, diva cup
This sounds like a great setup. Thanks for sharing!!
I’ve had the Matador soap bags in my “thinking about it” cart for about a week! Pushing the buy button today! Thanks, Nicole! PS: great solo video! Keep ‘em coming!
Thank you so much! I have a feeling you are going to love the soap bag as much as we do!
Male here but I’m now intrigued in that bar of soap thing! I travel a lot for work and am specific with the soaps for my skin. Glad I started watching haha
Awesome! It's s cool that you were able to find something useful in the video 😀
For menstrual issues, I use Thinx panties. I have 6 pairs. If it is a heavy day and I need to change once while out, after 6 hours. I put it in a soda bottle and stash it until I can get home to wash it. Or you could do a plastic bag or wet swim bag. I have been using them for a year and don't want to use tampons or pads again.
That's awesome! I have heard a little bit about menstrual underwear but haven't tried them myself. Are they able to be dried in the dryer or should they be left out to dry after washing?
I use Thinx and dry mine with no issues. Way better than pads.
Very informative and well done! So much energy! Contact lenses ugh….I wear sclerals which have to have individual vials of preservative free saline inserted into the “bowl”. Not available at any store…so I have a dedicated pouch just for contact stuff. Not a favorite but a necessity. We use the Matador soap case as well…love it! Thanks for the tips….can’t wait to see Mico’s.
Oh my goodness that sounds like quite a hassle! It's surprising how much a medical issue can impact travel when it is something that is fairly easy to manage back home.
It's great to hear you love the Mayador soap case as well! It's definitely one of our favourite travel items 😁
I started using powder dry shampoo this year. And not because of travel, it just works better than any aerosol. There is one I get at Target that has a pump on it, just like the volume product that was mentioned in the beginning of the video. And it’s like $14 and lasts so much longer. I highly recommend trying it!
That's awesome, thanks so much for sharing your tip with our community!
This was such a helpful video! I bought the Matador soap case as soon as you guys showed it! I've been backpacking Europe for 6 weeks now but never knew about this soap case so I've been buying bar soap in every city I visit. So excited to get this soap case so I can save the bar soap and some money!
That's so exciting to hear! I'm so glad you found the information helpful and it gave you a solution to your soap issue. Dry soap here we come!
Do you have any skincare? (Cleanser, moisturizer, etc?)
Beside the small face scrub that I show in the video I don't have anything specific! I do often miss having nice quality skincare products, but it just isn't a big enough priority for me while I travel long-term to find ways to keep it up. Depending on what part of the world I'm in I find it really hard to find god products, so I've just accepted that I wont have any for the time being 😀
I love Ethique shampoo and conditioner bars! I, like you, started using the for travel. Now I use them at home, too. They work so well and they last forever. I am thinking of trying their lotion stick next. Also, can you give us the brand of the secondary bag? I would love a lightweight bag that has interior zippers. Thank you!
I would love to try their lotion stick as well! I have also had my eye on Ethique's deodorant, I have a feeling it would be a great addition. My apologies for not sharing the link for the second bag. I got it from MEC which is a Canadian outdoor store, similar to REI in the USA if you are familiar with them. I'll leave the link here in case you are Canadian (I don't think MEC ships outside of Canada), but if nothing else you can take a better look at the bag! www.mec.ca/en/product/5054-183/travel-light-organizer-pod?colour=Deep+Navy
@@nicoleandmico Thank you! I checked the site and it turns out that they do ship to the US and Internationally! Thanks!
That's great to hear! We love the bag because it's so lightweight and spacious and has zipper pockets! Happy travels 😊
My favorite items are dry shampoo, favorite face lotion, face wash and a face cleaning brush.
Oh man a face cleaning brush sounds amazing! One of the hygiene products I miss most since full-time travelling is a nice face cream. I've decided its not worth it while we are on the road and I don't have a lot of space, but I agree with you that face products are so nice to have!
i use a lanyard system with all my soap, facewash, shampoo etc in bottles that hang off the lanyard cos showers often don't have anywhere but on the (often problematic) ground to put stuff in the wet zone.
I have a hook on my bathroom bag but don't you find that the hook is often too small to hook over the available hook points? the hooks could be a lighter material (cos the bags aren't *that* heavy) but the diameter of the hooks need to be larger
A lanyard is a great idea! It is so frustrating to not have a spot to put things in the shower.
I have actually found the hook on my toiletry bag to be a good size for most options, however, we do also have a HeroClip that has a much wider hook end and when we are in an accommodation where our toiletry bag hook is too small we just use connect the bag to our HeroClip and then attach the HeroClip to the available hook. It has been really helpful for us!
@@nicoleandmico Hero clip: excellent idea! I use tons of small carabinas to prevent stuff falling out of my bags (airpod case, key sets, travel sunscreen ... even my tiny wallet gets clipped into my bag) but I haven't brought a larger crab that would hook onto larger stuff. I can see it would also have application for rigging a clothes line anchor point
Yes, totally! Small carabiners are such a great addition to a pack. And you're totally right about the HeroClip helping with hanging the clothesline. We have used it countless times for an anchor point!
Hello!! Great video thank you! Quick question for you…what brand/where can I get that second miscellaneous bag? You said it was just a packing cube?
Hey there! The second bag I have in the video is from a store in Canada called MEC. MEC is very similar to REI in the states (if you happen to be American or know of REI). I'll leave the link here so you can take a look, and of course, if you're Canadian you could pick it up at MEC! www.mec.ca/en/product/5054-183/travel-light-organizer-pod?colour=Deep+Navy
@@nicoleandmico THANK YOU soo much!!
@@staceyoberg Happy to help! 💛
Love this video! As I'm packing for Colombia, I decided to take the plunge and order the bar soaps and matador bags. Now I'm wondering how you know which soap is in which bag without pulling them all out.
You are so right! 😆 Haha we both laughed when we read this because that is our dilemma with the soap packs!! It's like soap roulette and you never know what you'll get! 😆 so glad you enjoyed the video! In two weeks time we're going to start our Colombia series with a video in Medellin! We absolutely loved traveling Colombia and hope you have a great trip too 🤗
I bought mesh soap bags that help with lather. The ribbons are different colors and that’s how I keep them differentiated. Or, if you don’t want part of the colored ribbon sticking out, I also thought about using colored electrical/washi tape or waterproof labels.
Love this video! One thing that I learned and wanted to share with you is to look for a duffle bag that best fits your luggage and has all the wonderful features a bag can have especially in plane travel use. I'm using Nomad Lane's Bento Bag and it's a good choice.
I just took a look at the Bento Bag, it looks great! I imagine it would be a great choice for anyone traveling with a suitcase as it would sit over the handle really well
I tried you bar shampoo and conditioner. Love them. I need the soap bags!
That's awesome! I'm so glad to hear you love them as much as I do. I hope you love the soap pack as well!
Great tips! Don't forget to wear sunscreen daily. :D
Yesss!
looking in to the matador soap bags!
I'm sure you will love them! We now have three and keep a spare just in case something happens to one of them 😂
I love that light weight toiletry bag! I just wish it was a bit less costly - I may use my points on an Amazon gift card so I can get it for "free"
That is a great idea! I agree that the bag is quite pricey. The Sea to Summit brand can carry a hefty price tag, but I will say that in the past 1.5 years of traveling their products haven't let us down once. We have been really impressed! If you decide to get the bag I hope you love it!!
When it comes to contact solution, shouldn’t it be in the liquids bag, I’ll be gone for 2 weeks I’m afraid I going to run out ?
Hey there! I have actually not had to use a liquids bags in many years! A few years ago I noticed most people who were going through airport security didn't have a clear bag, so I tested it out for myself and stopped doing it. Since then no one has ever asked me to separate out my liquids. If you are from the USA and traveling within the states the situation might be different though. I am from Canada and nearly all of my trips are international outside of North America.
Also, depending on where your trip is, you will very likely be able to get contact lens solution anywhere you are in the world if you do run out. So far, the only times we have had a hard time finding solution was in Nepal and Sri Lanka (we still found some, but it was a bit tricky).
I couldn't access the links. What is the name of the toiletry bag manufacturer? I've been trying to find the perfect toiletry bag and I don't like most of the ones I've seen. My problem is that in my single days I bought luxury goods. Now that I'm married with two kids, they're heavy because I have everybody's things!
Hey there! Sorry the links weren't accessible for you. Here is the Amazon USA link for the toiletry kit amzn.to/3tznIYR
Good video, thank you! Are aerosols not allowed for international travel? They are ok within the USA, as long as they meet the 3.4 oz maximum and fit in the quart-sized bag. I will look at that dry shampoo you recommended.
To clarify, I meant for carry-on.
Yes! You are totally right, you can bring aerosols in carry-on so long as they meet the restrictions you mentioned. I think bringing no aerosols at all is an old habit I have. Thank you for clarifying that!!
Can you share the name of the drink bottle please I can’t see it in the description. Thank you.
What about body lotion and sunscreen?
I just use the Aveeno cream when I need cream, but really I only use it on my hands and sometimes my face. I do really miss face cream, but I find it much less necessary when we are in humid places (which we are for the most part). And for sunscreen I just carry around a regular cream sunscreen and use it on my face when I need to! I know it's nothing fancy, and many people would prefer specific products, but it's working for me for long-term travel. If we had better access to the products I am used to from home I would love to get an SPF cream specifically for my face!
This is such a helpful video! I’m curious what size of the Sea to Summit toiletry bag you use?
Thank you, I'm so glad you found it useful! We've got all the gear we use for travel linked on our website. It'll have the correct size hygiene kit listed there 😊 nicoleandmico.com/our-packing-list/
@@nicoleandmico thank you!
Where did you get the face scrub bar? Great video.
Hey there! The face scrub bar is also from Ethique, you can get it here: amzn.to/3KqPIoA
Thanks for commenting on it! It helped me notice that I forgot to include the link in the description so I have updated that now 😀
Hi, beatiful the electric case/jewelery case, where is possible to buy it? Many thanks
Hey there! The case where I store my jewelry is an old case we had for some wired ear buds. The case came with the ear buds (probably almost 10 years ago!) so I can't find the exact one, but I took a look on amazon and found this which is the closest I can see amzn.to/3U4MP0T
Sorry I can't be more help!
@@nicoleandmico many thanks for your answer😘
Happy to help! 💛
Hey Nicole, great video! I bought the Matador soap bag and it's so good. You mentioned you choose a contraceptive method that means you don't menstruate. Sorry for the personal question, can you divulge more details? Not having your period when travelling sounds like a dream!
It's so great to hear you like the Matador soap bag! And I am totally happy to chat more about how I have managed to avoid getting a period while traveling 😊 I started using a hormonal IUD about 7 years ago (the Mirena brand) which has eliminated my period. I still got my period for about 6 months after getting the IUD, then for another 6-9 months I would have some spotting but nothing like a regular period. And after that my period just stopped all together! I believe about 20% of people who use Mirena lose their period altogether, but from what I understand the other 80% of people will still see a large reduction in flow. I realize that probably doesn't help you too much as my situation is fairly specific! Previous to having an IUD, my doctor once suggested to me to just take my birth control straight through and essentially skip a period while I was on a trip, so that could be an option if you are headed on a shorter trip and feel comfortable skipping a period! Sorry for the super long explanation, but I hope that helps!
@@nicoleandmico Amazing, thank you so much Nicole! I have also heard of someone with an IUD not getting periods, so it is definitely something I now want to look into. Thanks for the travel videos!
No problem! I'll be crossing my fingers that you're in the lucky 20% 😆
I think you have mentioned this before, but - what would you say is the largest back pack capacity to be safe to use as carry on throughout Europe? 30 L?
Hey there! If you can fit everything in a 30L bag that would be best. The max carry on weight is usually 10kgs and from what I hear, lots of airlines in Europe check that your bag isn't overweight (unlike many other regions of the world).
@@nicoleandmico thanks again. Sounds like the cheaper airlines here in Aust. Really strict. I am about to purchase my back pack, so will go for 30L. Appreciate you two and what you generously share with us. Saving me making costly mistakes. Have a a beautiful day - wherever you are in this stunning world
Thank you so much for the compliments 😊 Have an incredible time in Europe!!
How can you tell the difference between the bar shampoo & bar conditioner ??
Generally they are different colors.
I enjoyed this video - I just don't understand the "no aerosols rule? I know in the U.S. you can bring aerosols in your carryon bag....are you maybe refeering to European laws?
No, you're totally right! Another person commented mentioning that aerosols are allowed in the states, so I looked it up and learned that aerosols are allowed within certain quantity limits. I don't think it's just the US, I think they're allowed all over. I was just mistaken. This whole time I've been avoiding aerosols and it turns out there's no need 🤦♀️
Nice collection of purposeful essentials! I ordered the soap bar case because of the previous gear videos. And I'm going to try it for my face scrubber to see how well it works with a non-soap product. I love how useful my leav-conditioner is and always make sure to have some on my travels. I'm curious how the face scrub bar compares to something like St. Ives. Did you use a face scrub before your travels? If so what brand and type, and how does it compare to the bar?
I'll be curious to hear how your face scrubber holds up in the matador soap case! I have a feeling it will work pretty well, but I'd love to hear back from you if you think of it. Before our travels I just used liquid face wash (I think the brand is Clean & Clear) and I used an exfoliating hand glove to apply it and exfoliate my face. So far I definitely prefer the bar (largely because it is so much better for the environment) but I am finding that the bar si starting to crumble, I think because it was small to begin with. I also can't store it too well because I don't have enough matador soap packs to give it it's own cover haha!
@@nicoleandmico Will do and I'm also going to try out the shampoo and conditioner bars as well as the hair puff so I'll report back on all of them.
That's awesome, we hope you love them too!
@@nicoleandmico After 7 weeks of trying the matador soap case for more than just soap, the shampoo and conditioner bars, as well as the hair puff I had some great successes and some not so successful trials. The soap case did not work well with my scrubber or other cloth-like luffa scrubber even after I wrung it out, it just still held too much moisture and the case did not have enough air flow to evaporate it effectively. However for any bar of any kind it worked soooo well and it was nice not to have a bulky case or slimy bar to deal with in my bathroom bag. I got the Frizz Wrangler shampoo bar & Curliosity conditioner bar from Ethique and they worked a treat! These bars last a long, long, long, long time and have a nice, subtle fragrance. I have long curly hair that needs some TLC, and these bars are fantastic for replacement travel products for the liquid shampoo & conditioners on my medium length trips. I replaced my dry shampoo with the hair puff and it was a great alternative to the messier version I've been using. I like how compact it is and like you said it only takes a little even with my hair, and it will be a pack essential on the next long trip I take. Thank you for the recommendations and tips for the gear you actually use. I find these kinds of posts very helpful when looking at replacement products and alternatives, and how they are utilized. Cheers, and safe travels!
You don’t need to put your liquids in a clear quart-size bag for carry-on?
Hey there! Many years ago I used to put my liquids in a clear bag for security but I stopped quite a while ago (just tested the waters at first) and no one has ever asked me to take my liquids out separately or have them in a clear bag. Maybe it depends where you are traveling though. Most of my trips are international and I am from Canada
no sunscreen? I agree the matador is amazing
Ah yes, I do have sunscreen but just the basic kind. Nothing fancy for my face or anything, I just use whatever we have on us 🙂 I definitely miss having nice face items like face cream with SPF, foundation, toner, etc. So glad you love the Matador too!
@@nicoleandmico thank you! I love your videos and I was curious what basics you had. Is there a brand that you have found that you keep reaching for?
Thanks for the compliment! It's great to hear you've enjoyed the videos 😁 I don't have a brand of sunscreen that I typically go for, we just pick up whatever we can get our hands on that isn't expired! We have found that lots of shop keepers around the world like to sell expired sunscreen and even go as far as to take the expired dates off the bottles or scratch them out so you won't notice! We fell for that trick once and won't again after the terrible burns I got haha
@@nicoleandmico Yikes! Another reason to carry my own. Some brands sell sunscreen in a solid format. I heard the solid format is great for around the eye area if your usual sunscreen stings your eyes.
Solid sunscreen would be such a great item to bring traveling! That is an awesome idea. It would be especially helpful for carry on. Thank you for sharing!
what is your contraception? Iud?
Yes! I have a hormonal IUD called Mirena. I've had a hormonal IUD for about 6 or 7 years (each one lasts 5 years) and over time I lost my period all together. It took about 18 months to lose it completely, but it is quite a treat to not have it while traveling!
what are the rules with razors on carry on? The sharp aspect?? I am surprised
Hey there! We have never had any issues having razors in our carry on bags. Somehow my metal nail file isn't allowed but a razor is 😆
Thank you. I’ll give it a go.
@@nicoleandmico That is surprising!
The disposable razors don't have a removable razor blade component. Even if you broke the razor heads and some how loosened the "sharp" bits, you can't hold them like a safety razor blade. If you use a safety or a straight edge razor, they will confiscate it.
Muchas gracias por los subtitulos en castellano. ❤
Desde España
do you separate your liquids into a clear bag??
I actually never do! I used to be diligent about keeping my liquids organized and separate, but no one ever seemed to care. So for the past few years I haven't and I've never been asked to separate my liquids going through airport security
@@nicoleandmico that's awesome, thanks for the response!
@@nicoleandmico That’s so weird. I’m Canadian too and travel a lot and find we’re always expected to put the liquids in a clear bag in the grey bin.
Oh wow! Maybe I have just been getting lucky all these years 😊
@@missmayflower same! First question out of security when I go through is liquid out in the bin, I can’t imagine not having them prepared to take out.
If you are living in that apartment, taking the labels off of the appliances will help make it feel occupied.
It was tempting but it was just an airbnb 😋
Did I miss something? No aerosols? Is this Europe?
There's quite a different between yours and mine toiletry kit 😀
I have a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo (in a 60 ml bottle) and a deodorant.
Don't forget the soap! 😋
@@nicoleandmico To be honest I use my shampoo for that. I have been thinking of getting a dedicated soap though and it will probably be added some time in the future.
Moisturizer for your body? No?
Nothing specific. I only have the aveeno cream that I showed in the video so I use that whenever I need it 😊
I stoped using contact lenses and wear my glasses instead...
We personally dislike wearing glasses outside and always prefer contacts 😋
foundation
You don’t seem to be following any of the 3.4oz rules
Hey there. All of my items are under 100mls (3.4oz). I'm not too sure what other rules you are referring to
Okay we understand the bar shampoo and conditioner company is “sustainable” and woke and whatever… but does it work well? That should be what counts, I don’t want it if it’s no good.
Great video! I agree that a hook is the best thing on a toiletry case haha. Those Matador pouches seem awesome. I've found a solid facial wash which also doubles as makeup remover even for waterproof mascara, it's so good. 🤌🏼
Oooh that's awesome! Do you mind sharing the brand of the solid face wash you've found?
@@nicoleandmico it's a Finnish brand called Luonkos but I don't think it's available elsewhere unfortunately! If you can get your hands on that brand, I can def recommend it. 😍 I know Ethique also has some solid cleansers, and the SuperStar solid cleanser apparently removes waterproof makeup as well ☺️
Amazing, thank you so much for sharing! If I'm lucky enough to be in Finland soon I'll try to pick one up 🙃