Women Travelers - Toileries- one lg or two small containers?

Pondering my packing and I was going to pack a full size of toothpaste and other stuff for my trip, but then it occured that it may be wiser to pack two of them in smaller sizes.

I will be on a 19 day trip to Europe- 3 locations- And I will have a large suitcase and carryon. The lg one I will leave with friends in London when I train off to Paris and then again to North Wales.

I want to pack as light as possible for the two side trips and wont need full size of anything which is why I was thinking smaller may be better. I almost lost a bag on a flight this week and don't want a repeat, so would prefer to have one small bag.

Have you done the two of each thing for trips like this?

Yes re: the 2 of each for longer trips, as most of the time you don't need the full sizes & a couple of smaller sizes will get you through the trip. Learned that one the hard way, or should I say heavy way.

Cheers.

I too prefer 2 smaller bottles when possible. I'll carry a <100ml size on the plane, then check another small bottle as needed for longer trips.

Agree with the two smaller ones. Discard the used up one to free up room for souvenirs.

I'd just bring one small one and pick up another when I needed it. British chemist shops (drug stores) are fun places to poke around. Why carry more weight in unexciting stuff than you need to? Save the weight for important stuff like shoes and books! ;)

I'd just bring one small one and pick up another when I needed it. British chemist shops (drug stores) are fun places to poke around. Why carry more weight in unexciting stuff than you need to? Save the weight for important stuff like shoes and books! ;)

Thought about this but they don't have the brands I use available over there, and I have sensitive skin- would hate to try a new one and break out all over!

Thought about this but they don't have the brands I use available over there, and I have sensitive skin- would hate to try a new one and break out all over!:confused: I thought the original question was about toothpaste?

FWIW I'd take European skin care products over U.S. made ones any day, and I have extremely sensitive skin. I used to BioTherm, which is excellent for sensitive skin, until it became just about impossible to get in the U.S.

British chemist shops (drug stores) are fun places to poke around.
I can spend hours in a large Boots (http://www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?webrewrite=Y&langId=-1&storeId=10052&geoOpts=Y), it's one of my favorite stores.

I agree, two smaller containers is better than a large one.

:confused: I thought the original question was about toothpaste?

Toothpaste "and other stuff". So I answered about toiletries in general. I love to shop for toiletries (and groceries:p) in other countries, but I will make sure I have my own shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste & probably moisturizer. For a trip to Europe, I probably wouldn't worry as much about being able to replace things - but sometimes you travel to areas where it's a bigger concern. Or your time will be short/non-existent to get replacements. Or you're in a developing country where a bottle of Suave shampoo costs $12. Whatever, I like to be prepared. At as light a weight as I can be^

Toothpaste "and other stuff". So I answered about toiletries in general. I love to shop for toiletries (and groceries:p) in other countries, but I will make sure I have my own shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste & probably moisturizer. For a trip to Europe, I probably wouldn't worry as much about being able to replace things - but sometimes you travel to areas where it's a bigger concern. Or your time will be short/non-existent to get replacements. Or you're in a developing country where a bottle of Suave shampoo costs $12. Whatever, I like to be prepared. At as light a weight as I can be^... and I was answering in specific. The OP is going to London and Paris for 19 days, do people (at least female people) go on vacation to those cities and not do any recreational shopping? Not meaning to be particularly sexist here, but some places I associate with shopping - like London and Paris, and others I don't. Backpacking in the Canadian Rockies, relaxing on the beach in Mexico - I didn't think "shopping" when I planned the trips, and packed accordingly.

... and I was answering in specific. The OP is going to London and Paris for 19 days, do people (at least female people) go on vacation to those cities and not do any recreational shopping?

Answering you specifically: I rarely shop in UK/Europe anymore. As of today the exchange rate is $1.48US/1 Euro & $1.67US/1 GBP. With those rates it needs to be fantabulous or something I really want/can't get in the US or at a significantly cheaper price to justify buying it, given the exchange rate premium.

To answer the OP again - 2 smaller in whatever type of toiletry is probably going to weigh less than one large one.

Cheers.

I am bringing two smaller of most items. This way I can have some on carryon in case luggage goes missing, and I only have to bring the little items to Paris, thus having smaller luggage as I want the minimum with me. I am getting sick of lugging baggage around with me everywhere I go, it slows me down and makes me tired.

I think I may just buy a small bag or pack when I am in London as my backpack has wheels and doesn't pack well. Thinking my carryon is way to big for this side trip. I want everything on my shoulder and not too heavy. Will even forego the hairdryer in hopes they have one in the room! Will bring an outfit I can wear more than once on this leg of trip and wash back in London as I have already located the laundromats near my hotel there and will have more free time.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

When I train people to manage their travel, I always advise them to do a test at home of how much of a product they really use. Most are surprised to find that they don't need a giant tube of tooth paste for a 7 day trip.

As many of us in the office are One Bag fans, we are willing to share what we have learned from experience.

We are not reimbursed for over size or over weight bag fees.

Of course when I travel by car, I take everything!

Buy toothpaste in Europe.

75ml full size tubes, and about 1/3 the price of what one pays in the US for toothpaste.

Full size Colgate Dentagard was 0,55 cents this weekend regular price at the local grocery store.

As many of us in the office are One Bag fans, we are willing to share what we have learned from experience.

Of course when I travel by car, I take everything!

Ha this sounds like me! One bag if by plane, load it up if by car.

Ha this sounds like me! One bag if by plane, load it up if by car.

It's really weird about the car thing because I do know how to pack for air trips.

When driving checking into a hotel is so embarrassing! I see the One Bag folks and feel like telling them that I know how to do that.

It's lucky I have a couple or it would be even worse!

I am a female people, and I would never dream of shopping in those very expensive cities. Makes no sense to spend one's limited recreational/vacation/travel time in Boots! Actually, I did a little window shopping in Paris but for items that cost many thousands of dollars, not for anything I would actually buy. Certainly not for toothpaste and skin cream. I don't know how anyone can afford to shop in London, even the people who live there. If I need it, I bring it.

... and I was answering in specific. The OP is going to London and Paris for 19 days, do people (at least female people) go on vacation to those cities and not do any recreational shopping?

I am a female people, and I would never dream of shopping in those very expensive cities. Makes no sense to spend one's limited recreational/vacation/travel time in Boots!

I could not disagree with you more.

I look for Boots whenever I can (and not just in the UK) and they often have specials for multiples of their excellent house brand items for £1. Their shampoo and conditioner for example can be bought for that price, as well as their house brand tampons which are equal to ob tampons. Toothpaste in Germany is generally under 60 cents for a full size tube. I know those prices are better than in the US generally. (Just a few examples)

I also enjoy just wandering the aisles of grocery stores and drugstores in different countries.

London, Paris, etc do absolutely not need to be expensive if one knows how and where to shop. While I don't consider myself to be a big shopper, I personally enjoy shopping in different countries and experiencing different things.

And again, I try and recommend things like toothpaste here not only because it is so cheap but also because it comes in 3.4-1-1 compliant fullsize containers.

I could not disagree with you more.

I look for Boots whenever I can (and not just in the UK) and they often have specials for multiples of their excellent house brand items for £1. Their shampoo and conditioner for example can be bought for that price, as well as their house brand tampons which are equal to ob tampons. Toothpaste in Germany is generally under 60 cents for a full size tube. I know those prices are better than in the US generally. (Just a few examples)

I also enjoy just wandering the aisles of grocery stores and drugstores in different countries.

London, Paris, etc do absolutely not need to be expensive if one knows how and where to shop. While I don't consider myself to be a big shopper, I personally enjoy shopping in different countries and experiencing different things.

And again, I try and recommend things like toothpaste here not only because it is so cheap but also because it comes in 3.4-1-1 compliant fullsize containers.

I love Boots, and small French pharmacies, and German beauty counters - I adore shopping in those stores! Heck, I was in Boots within 15 mintues of checking in to my hotel when I was in London in December :D

I am another person who runs to a Boots as soon as possible. Love shopping there.

They have the best skin care products I can afford to buy.

I'll admit that I have a weakness to bring home bath products from hotels that have the good and great stuff.

The best hotels for that are in Japan where so much is provided including razors, toothbrushes (without having to ask for them), shower caps, combs and small hair brushes in addition to soap, shampoo and conditioner.

I am another person who runs to a Boots as soon as possible. Love shopping there.

They have the best skin care products I can afford to buy.

I'll admit that I have a weakness to bring home bath products from hotels that have the good and great stuff.

The best hotels for that are in Japan where so much is provided including razors, toothbrushes (without having to ask for them), shower caps, combs and small hair brushes in addition to soap, shampoo and conditioner.

The best little hairbrush I own came from a friend's party - she put great big baskets of combs and hairbrushes in the loos for people to use (and obviously keep as who wants to share!) along with load of luxury skin care, face care and make up bottles - we spent half the night playing in the [very nice and posh!] loos!