Nifty local travel accessories that help you save precious luggage space
Regular travel is becoming more and more common, and we are becoming less and less inclined to queue up for checked in luggage. Here are a few great items that can save you some extra space in your luggage, and help you travel with carry-on bags only.
1. Hanging toiletry kit
Samsonite, retailing from SGD$55.
This handy toiletry bag will not only save space in your suitcase, but will also save space in the bathroom. Hang the bag on the back of the door, or the towel rack, and keep your counter top clutter-free. The spacious zippered main compartment has six divided mesh pockets for bottles, two interior zippered pockets for smaller grooming tools, and six elasticised holders for combs and brushes.
2. Compression Travel Bags
Galbaggies, retailing from SGD$4.50.
These great space savers can be used when packing and in the closet afterwards. Just put clothes or towels in, seal the bag, then either vacuum out the air or roll it to squeeze out the air, compressing the clothes and saving up to 75% space in your luggage. The bags are reusable, trip after trip. The small version from Galbaggies retails online at 4.50SGD, and at 50x35cm, is great for separating your suitcase out into handy compartments. The bags are also waterproof which is handy for rough boat crossings, or if your luggage gets left out on a rainy runway.
3. Mini toiletries kit
Sephora, from SGD$9.
When packing hand luggage, remember that most airports only allow you to carry liquid containers of up to 100 millilitres each, and the containers must be packed in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one litre capacity per passenger. If you know you will be needing toiletries on your travels, the best thing to do is to decant your large bottles of shampoo, conditioner and moisturiser into smaller, portable bottles. Remember to go for under 100ml if you are taking them in your hand luggage.
Sephora stock the following handy kits:
Save: Tokidoki Passport Travel Set (Item # 1370014) –currently on offer for SGD$9
Splurge: Deluxe Airless Travel Kit (Item # 1374867) – retailing from SGD$36
Alternatively Guardian and Watsons stock travel-size versions of most toiletries. If you still need to reduce your liquid quota, swap liquids for solids wherever you can: invest in some all-in-one make-up remover wipes and use creams and solids where possible. An added benefit of mini toiletries is that after your trip, you can always stash the left-over minis in your car, purse, gym bag or in your drawer at work.
4. Travel make up palettes
Duty free shops, from SGD$60
In a similar vein to the mini toiletries, there is no need to take all your makeup with you on a short trip. The following make up palettes contain everything you might need in easy to carry, sleek sets, and you can buy them at Duty Free shops when you are already checked in at the airport.
Save: Clinique All in one Colour Palette (IP Product #: 130740) - SGD$60.00
This great value kit includes: Superpowder Double Face Powder for full coverage and a smooth, matte, skin-perfection finish; a deluxe travel-size High Impact Mascara and a palette of Colour Surge Eye Shadow; Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher; five Long Last Lipstick shades, and four convenient applicators. Plus, this kit is allergy tested and 100% fragrance free.
Splurge:Estée Lauder Expert Color Palette (IP Product #: 13082) - SGD$85.00
Inside this sleek signature blue compact, you’ll find the latest shades for eyes, lips and face, including top-selling shades of Pure Color Lipstick and EyeShadow.
5. City Guide App
Wallpaper, $3.99; at phaidon.com.
The ultimate weight and space saver: no need to lug around heavy guide books when you download these Phaidon informative virtual guidebooks straight to your iPhone.
6. Grid-It system
Cocoon Innovations - http://www.cocooninnovations.com. Retailing from around SGD13 (USD9.99).
The Grid-It! system is a great travel organiser. It consists of rubberised woven elastic cords that can be rearranged into different configurations to hold and store whatever you need it to, from digital devices to personal effects, all protected by a neoprene cover. A variety of convenient sizes are available for your purse, laptop bag or travel case.
7. Light, expandable suitcase
Antler Duolite - www.antler.co.uk (Size: 67x44x30cm/ Weight 2.5kg) – Retailing from SGD$259.00.
Last but not least, you need one of the best and lightest suitcases around to keep up your lightweight travelling. The Antler Duolite is made from a hybrid ABS/nylon material with two racing-style wheels, large external pocket, telescopic handle, fully lined with internal straps, a zipped mesh pocket and expandable gusset. It has a polycarbonate reinforced side panels, so it is tough, but at only 2/5kg, it is easy to carry around.
