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Back view of woman pulling her luggage strolling inside the airport terminal© GettyImages

Travel essentials for the upcoming holiday travels

From noise-cancelling earphones to in-flight beauty saviors to TSA-friendly must-haves


NOVEMBER 14, 2023 10:49 AM EST

As Thanksgiving holiday gets closer and closer, it’s officially time to start getting ready for all of our holiday travel plans! Whether we are headed home to see family or friends or going on a romantic holiday getaway to Paris, knowing what carry-on items to pack is essential to a smooth trip.

Aside from having a good quality carry-on suitcase or bag, many TSA-approved items or travel must-haves will undoubtedly improve your experience. From having the perfect weekend bag for those short trips to bringing a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones for your flight, a travel pillow and eye mask for comfort, beauty toiletries to deal with during and post-flight skin, to a good makeup bag and packing system for organization, all these thoughtful travel staples should be on your list.

Remember to check these items off your list before leaving on vacation!

ShortyLOVE friday - weekender travel bag© ShortyLOVE

Friday - Weekender Travel Bag by ShortyLOVE

The Friday Weekender Travel Bag from ShortyLove is a total game-changer! It’s big enough to fit everything you need for a weekend trip, but somehow stays super light. Plus, it has this cool water-resistant fabric, making spills a breeze to clean up. If you’re into weekend adventures, this is definitely a total must-have!

Friday - Weekender Travel Bag by ShortyLOVE

Cadence six-Capsules© Courtesy

Cadence Six-Capsules Set

These cute and ergonomically designed TSA-friendly Cadence Capsules are indispensable if you want to take your favorite products wherever you go. You can take your prized regiment skincare and hair products, your daily vitamins and supplements, and even use it to store your rings, earrings and necklaces. They are made from recycled plastic; the coolest part is you can customize them by selecting the color and the labels.

Cadence Six-Capsules Set

Kusshi Signature Makeup Bag© Courtesy

Kusshi Signature Makeup Bag

When it comes to packing, not forgetting your everyday staples is super important to how you feel during your holiday. Imagine being on vacation without your daily skincare essentials, favorite lipstick, or mascara! This Kusshi Signature Makeup Bag is a great option, high quality and beautiful, with a dual color design. It has several compartments and opens on three sides to quickly see your products while you get organized and pack all the necessary cosmetics for your trip.

Kusshi Signature Makeup Bag

Noshinku Refillable Pocket Sanitizer© Courtesy

Noshinku- Pocket Misters

The pandemic taught us always to wash our hands and use hand sanitizer when we are around big crowds, and in airports, we expose ourselves to many people and germs. These stylish hand sanitizers by Noshinku help keep your hands clean without drying your skin and with natural fragrances like eucalyptus, bergamot, lavendula and spice blends. Just drop it in your crossbody bag!

Noshinku- Pocket Misters

Dagne Dover Micah Crossbody© Courtesy

Micah Crossbody by Dagne Dover

Crossbody bags are a number one travel must-have! Especially as we are usually running around and lugging our suitcases at the airport. In a good crossbody bag, you can carry your passport, boarding pass, face mask, phone, medicine, and everything necessary for your journey. This vegan, lightweight Micah Crossbody bag by Dagne Dover comes in cool colors, from neutrals to pastels. It’s handy and so stylish you can wear it during your entire trip!

Micah Crossbody by Dagne Dover

evolvetogether KN95 face masks© Courtesy

evolvetogether KN95 face masks

These KN95 masks from evolvetogether, a sustainable and planet-friendly brand. The pandemic might be close to over, but we could still protect ourselves and keep healthy while traveling! They come in various colors, from classy neutrals to edgy barbiecore pink!

evolvetogether KN95 face masks

DesignWorks Ink White Jewelry Case© Courtesy

White Jewelry Case by DesignWorks Ink

Some of us adore our accessories, and going on a trip without them, makes us feel a little bit incomplete. We can store them in our wallet or a small bag, but let’s face it, some of our necklaces or bracelets can get tangled, adding an annoying task when we arrive at our destination. This adorable white vegan jewelry case by DesignWorks Ink has a soft suede interior with lots of storage space for rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and more. It’s a must-have that fits perfectly in your backpack, tote or carry-on luggage.

White Jewelry Case by DesignWorks Ink

Sunset pink Studio buds beats by dre© Courtesy

Noise-cancelling Earphones

Having a good pair of noise cancelling earphones can be a game changer while traveling. They are the most effective way to tune out all the distressing sounds of planes, trains and automobiles while enhancing our entertainment, especially on long trips by listening to music or podcasts.

These Beats Studio Buds are an incredible travel companion because they have up to 8 hours of listening time with two additional charges provided by its pocket-sized charging case, meaning you can have up to 24 hours of playback.

PUMA Carina Court Sneaker© Courtesy

PUMA Carina Court Sneaker

These PUMA white Carina Court sneakers are an ideal travel essential. Whether you’re running around at the airport or out exploring, you need a pair that’s comfy yet stylish, and these deliver with genuine leather and SoftFoam technology. Plus, they’re Selena Gomez approved—she has been spotted wearing these several times, looking chic and trendy! Available at retailers such as Famous Footwear.

PUMA Carina Court Sneaker

Clinique's Ready, Set, Refresh© Courtesy

Mini Beauty Essentials

Of course, you should always travel with beauty and skincare essentials in your carry-on to stay hydrated during the flight and look refreshed and cute when you land! Clinique’s Ready, Set, Refresh is the perfect little set because it’s TSA-size approved and has everything you need: a cleanser, a lightweight eye cream, lipstick, a mini perfume and a few other staples you need on your travel day.

Subtl Stak 2.0© Courtesy

Subtl Stak

Subtl’s Staks are truly the ultimate travel buddy for makeup lovers. It’s like a magic stack that fits your entire beauty routine into one sleek, refillable package. No more lugging around heavy makeup bags. It’s compact, eco-friendly, and totally customizable - you build your own based on your color shades. It’s a game changer for those who like to pack light!

Subtl Staks

evolvetogether AM/PM hydrating hand cream set© Courtesy

A Hydrating hand cream set

Keeping your skin hydrated during any long-haul flight is self-care 101. This signature, award-winning duo pack by evolvetogether is a perfect and compact option to take with you on any trip. It’s Vegan and cruelty-free and with made vitamins B5, C and E. Plus, it has a non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula. So remember to check off this item when packing!

evolvetogether AM/PM hydrating hand cream set

Jennifer Meyer Eau de Parfum Rollerball© Courtesy

Jennifer Meyer Eau de Parfum Rollerball

The Jennifer Meyer Eau de Parfum Rollerball is the ultimate travel companion for those who crave on-the-go luxury. With its enchanting blend of cranberry, strawberry, coconut water, and layers of waterlily and white floral accord, this signature scent ensures you arrive in style, whether by flight, train, or any mode of transport. The compact rollerball design makes it effortlessly portable, letting you carry a touch of sophistication and allure wherever your journey takes you.

Jennifer Meyer Eau de Parfum Rollerball

MLE sleep mask© Courtesy

MLE Sleep Mask

Packing an eye mask in your carry-on can be a game-changer during long-haul or red-eye flights, especially if you must be alert when you land. While during some flights, the crew dims the cabin lights, you could still find yourself sitting next to someone who wants the light on for reading or working on their laptop, and this is one of the situations where you can reap all the benefits of a sleep mask.

This MLE silk sleep mask is designed to block out light to ensure you get as much darkness and you can rest and arrive ready to celebrate the holidays!

MLE sleep mask

SPY OPTIC CROSSWAY sunglasses© Courtesy

SPY+ Crossway sunglasses

Sunglasses are one of those traveling essentials you absolutely have to check off your packing list! They will help you protect your eyes while out exploring and hanging out. These SPY+ Crossway shades are a great option as they’re 100% UV protection, reducing eye fatigue and long-term sun damage. They also are stylish with a chic angular shape, are available in 10 colors, and you can get them polarized.

SPY+ Crossway sunglasses

Solawave's Solabiome Jelly Mist© Courtesy

Solawave\'s Solabiome Jelly Mist

Solawave’s Solabiome Jelly Mist is a must-have beauty essential for your carry-on bag. It will be your go-to travel buddy for hydrating your skin in the air. Dermatologist-approved and infused with good-for-you ingredients such as Gotu Kola and Solabiome, this mist shifts from a comforting jelly to a revitalizing spray, keeping your skin refreshed during your entire flight.

Plus! It’s lightweight and portable and will help you combat dry airplane air. This mist is a perfect in-flight skincare must-have so you feel consistently fresh and moisturized.

Solawave’s Solabiome Jelly Mist

Manta Travel Pillow© Courtesy

Manta Travel Pillow

Sitting upright for hours and hours can make it very difficult to fall asleep. Therefore, in addition to an eye mask, a travel pillow is key to feeling comfortable enough to rest during a long flight or train ride. This affordable inflatable Travel Pillow by Manta is unique because you can use it in 4 relaxing positions. It will also be easy on your skin as it is made with a soft microfleece, plus it is machine washable so that you can clean it after each trip.

Manta Travel Pillow

Nixon Cutback Hip Pack© Courtesy

Nixon Cutback Hip Pack

For those travelers who don’t like to carry purses or are concerned about pickpockets, a fanny pack is a terrific item to pack. While compact, this Nixon Cutback Hip Pack can hold all your necessities, such as your phone, ID, money and earphones. Just strap it to your hip or over your shoulder.

Nixon Cutback Hip Pack

BruMate ReHydration Mini 16oz© Courtesy

BrüMate ReHydration Water Bottle

Having water quickly on hand while traveling is always a great idea, whether you are still at the airport, exploring the pyramids of Mexico or shopping in Paris. This BrüMate ReHydration Mini is ideal, you can use its easy-carry loop and attach it to your backpack or put it in your tote bag, and you’ll stay hydrated throughout your journey. Note: it comes in 30 colors, so you won’t have a problem finding one you love!

BrüMate ReHydration Water Bottle

Cincha Travel Belt and belt buddy bag© Courtesy

Cincha Travel Belt and belt buddy bag

For anxious travelers who always feel like they forgot their passport, the Cincha Travel Belt and Belt Buddy combo is a game-changer! This fantastic solution from a Latina-founded company offers easy access to essentials and keeps you feeling organized and put together at every step of your journey.

Plus, besides the belt helping you secure your personal bag effortlessly to your luggage handle, it’s a stylish accessory that adds a personalized touch to your travel gear with a range of fun colors and optional monograms.

Cincha Travel Belts

mumi design packing cubes© Courtesy

mumi Design Packing Cubes

Another travel must-have is packing cubes, which will help you keep everything super neat inside your carry-on, from your casual day outfits and party attire to your beach wear. These travel organizers come in various sizes and will save space in luggage while also making it easy for you to pack and unpack. mumi Design has a set of 5 cubes available in eight colors, so pick your hue and start preparing for your trip!

mumi Design Packing Cubes

Bagito Grande© Courtesy

A Reusable Shopping Bag - Bagito Grande

Whenever you travel, you never know if you’ll find that special trinket, souvenir or vintage item you just have to take home with you. Packing a reusable shopping bag is the perfect solution; it fits effortlessly in your backpack or crossbody bag. This Bagito Grande is a terrific option, 100% recycled plastic and sewn with double stitching for ultimate durability.

Bagito Grande

Zendure Travel Adapter© Courtesy

Zendure Travel Adapter

If you are traveling abroad, packing a converter is totally essential! Without it, you won’t be able to charge or use any of your electronics, which could be a trip-ruiner. This Zendure Passport Ⅲ has 5 USB Ports and 1 AC outlet, and it works in over 200 countries, an excellent solution for those that travel internationally.

Zendure Travel Adapter