Carry-on Essentials
I’ve been home from Greece for over a week now, and I’m just getting around to unpacking my carry-on. I will procrastinate anything, and luggage is no exception to that rule.
As I began sifting through what had become a sea of airport receipts, gum wrappers, and loose euro coins looking for the products I hold near and dear to my heart, I thought to myself, “I should put these all into a blog”. So alas, here we are. These are my go-to products that if you ever stop me in an airport and ask me to open my carry-on, they will be there. Some I’ve used for years and years, while others I’ve only recently discovered but I love them all and cannot board a plane without them.
Aesop Rinse-Free Hand Wash
$10
This was my go-to travel hand sanitizer even pre-pandemic. It will keep your hands soft and hydrated, while still cleansing them thoroughly. It also dries very quickly and does not leave a sticky feeling on the hands afterwards. While it’s more than I would generally spend on a hand sanitizer, it’s worth it to me to not have to deal with the dry skin and cracking knuckles that I would inevitably get over-using any other hand sanitizer. Also, be prepared for your seat mates to ask you what you’re using, because the scent is that good.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
$98+
Another splurge-worthy investment for me is noise cancelling headphones. It’s difficult for me to sleep on airplanes as-is, especially if I’m interrupted by neighboring conversations or in-flight announcements.
I bought the Powerbeats Pro Wireless headphones for a marathon that never happened (thanks, 2020) but I have since used them for a flight, and it’s a game changer.
Wired Headphones
$14
Try as we may to advance our technology, on an airplane the wired headphones with a headphone jack still reign supreme if you want to watch any inflight entertainment. Therefore, I always keep a pair stashed away in my carry-on bag.
Travel Pouch
$20+
A little bit about me: I lose my belongings daily. I am well-known among my friends for setting my things down and having zero recollection of where I put them. Traveling with me is basically just a chorus of “Wait…where is my (insert item here)?”
These travel pouches are my savior. I can keep my important documents and belongings all together, along with anything I may need in-flight so I can keep the pouch directly in the seat back pocket.
Eye Patches
$22 for 6pk
If I’m traveling on a red eye or any flight longer than 6hrs and I know I will feel drowsy when I land, I bring these Milk Makeup cooling under eye patches with me. These are magic for making me look awake, even if I may not feel awake. They feel cool and refreshing under the eye after or during a flight, and also contain seawater and caffeine to both hydrate and awaken.
Protective Face Masks
$15 for 3pk
This was my first European trip in a post-COVID mask-wearing world and I was on the hunt for a mask I could comfortably wear for hours on end while in flight. I finally settled on Uniqlo’s airism reusable face masks, and I do not regret the decision at all. They sell them in sizes, so I they didn’t feel like they were pulling my ears forward or smushing my pronounced nose. The specs and features of these masks are truly impressive. While I won’t bore you with all, I will highlight some that sold me on them:
With Cool Touch and UV Cut features.
High-performance 3-tier structure.
First layer of AIRism fabric wicks away moisture.
Second layer has a washable, built-in filter.
Third layer uses the same AIRism Mesh that blocks UV rays.
Acne Dots
$19 for 20pk
Let’s be real, travel is disgusting. It’s inevitable that I will always land with a new pimple that’s somehow formed mid-flight. It doesn’t help that I’m a super duper face toucher supreme. So, in my carry-on I always keep a sleeve of these Peace Out Acne Dots made of salicylic acid to pop onto anything that pop ups while in the air. They help reduce any redness and will make me resist the urge to pick at my face, always making things worse than they originally were.
People Magazine Crossword Puzzle
Ever since I left for college and would regularly fly home during breaks, I always picked up a People Magazine at Hudson News. For the hot goss on all your favorite celebs? No, though it is an added bonus. Instead, I would purchase it strictly for the crossword puzzle in the back of every issue. Since it’s majority pop culture centric clues, I generally have no problem completing one on my own. Plus, the lack of service to be able to Google an answer in-flight makes me not give up too quickly.
It’s now become somewhat of a superstition of mine where I have to find a People magazine before I board the plane.