8 Secret Weapons of a Female Traveler

Women of the world, we all have our own routine when it comes to packing for a trip. When I had to face the prospect of packing for a year+ away from home, it was almost daunting to have to think about what to bring along and what to leave behind. I did extensive research and asked all my friends who had done any type of long-term travel. 10 months in, I’d like to share what’s come in handy for me so far.

Origins White Tea Face Lotion with SPF
When you’re on the road, you often find yourself outside dealing with the elements. The sun can take a toll on your skin, so I made sure to invest in a good daily face lotion to help protect me from the rays. This one goes on light but lasts all day.

Compression Socks
Whenever we would take a flight longer than three hours, I would look down and find my ankles swollen and stiff. A quick purchase of some compression socks and now the post-flight recovery is so much more comfortable. Not to mention, the socks help prevent blood clots.

Conditioner
My hair is thick and curly. I will legitimately wake up with dreadlocks if I don’t condition properly. Most hotels we stay at have both shampoo and body wash, but for many, conditioner is a luxury they just don’t provide abroad. I always have a travel-size conditioner handy, just in case!

Teva Sandals
OK, so this may be an item listed in ‘How to spot a traveler 101,’ but seriously, these sandals are a lifesaver. I can hike in them, use them to go white water rafting, climb slimy and slippery waterfalls, or simply walk around town all day without blisters or my feet getting tired and achey. Tristan and I both have a pair, and we agree that this was probably our best pre-trip purchase.

Vaseline Rosy Lips Lip Therapy
My lips get dry like nobody’s business. I need an overnight lip balm that stays on until the morning and leaves me ready to face the day without worrying about painful cracking lips. I’ve found the best solution, and it even smells nice and comes in a tiny container that lasts forever!

Diva Cup
Getting your period on vacation is the worst, but there’s no avoiding it when you’re on the road for as long as I am. I don’t want to sacrifice a quarter of my suitcase to carrying a million tampons, so the Diva Cup is perfect. There’s no trash, it’s super small, and you don’t need to urgently find a pharmacy in case of emergency.

Oiselle Pants
With the thousands of options of athleisure pants out there, how do you find the right one?! Well, I found the perfect pair for you. The material is stretchy so you can workout without risking a crotch rip. It’s not see through or clingy like many yoga pants, yet not baggy so it still looks stylish. Plus, it’s breathable so you stay cool even when the sun comes out unexpectedly. The pockets are just an added bonus! These pants are my go-to for any long travel days.

Activated Charcoal
Inevitably, we get upset tummies on the road. We’ve tried a multitude of remedies, but none seem to work as well as charcoal. You can snag a bottle at any pharmacy, and all you do is pop a little charcoal nugget or two in your mouth with a bit of water. It helps rid your system of toxins, and can absorb any nastiness that’s going on in your tum-tum.

I’m still testing out new products on a regular basis, but these are my preferred goodies that I couldn’t live without. If there’s something that you think I should try, I’d love to hear what your favorite travel items are!