Toothpaste & brush, eye drops, any needed medication in handbag. Nothing in laptop bag or camera bag except the electronics. Check travel bottles of everything else . That way I can have a leisurely walk to baggage claim to get my bag.

Only if it arrives when you do.

100ml or less - all purchased "travel size" at the drug store/Walmart.
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Shaving cream
Hair spray

Also in the bag
Razor
Toothbrush
Band-Aids
Dental floss
Ear plugs
4-5 pills of various medicines

All in a small toiletries bag about 5"x5"x9"-ish, in my carry-on. Barely 1/4 full - I could probably slide it inside one of my shoes if I needed to.

You're just replacing worry about things you can control (what you take with you, and how) with worry about things you can't (whether your bag arrives, and when). Not a good trade-off for me.

I take everything I need in the 3-1-1 bag, and then some. Yes, I do have to refill tiny containers after every trip, but I use some medicines and cosmetics that can't be easily located in other countries (if at all). I'd rather take what I like and need for the trip and not worry about having to shop for equivalents when I get there.

except for shampoo and bodywash which most accommodations will have available .


also a little bit of rectified spirits just to take the edge off if i have no lounge access.

I'll go with the odds of a case going missing or being delayed being so low that the advantages of not carrying stuff around and packing what you want are much greater.

I think it's more about the flexibility. I've salvaged more than one pear-shaped IRROP'd journey by only having a carry-on and being able to quickly switch flights without an agent asking about my checked luggage.

Also helps in making the mad dash for the once-an-hour bus from DEN to Boulder on arrival.

My skin is very prone to allergic reactions when I try new products, so I always pack my own body wash, shampoo, etc. (100 ml or less since I generally travel with carry-on only). Sunscreen is a particular challenge since I can only use physical sunscreens (zinc or titanium) which can be hard to locate in most places. If I'm short on space, hubby can use the stuff the hotel provides since he isn't likely to break out in a vacation-ruining rash.

The frequency of IRROPs (like lost bags) is so low that the drawbacks don't outweigh the benefits of having someone else carry your stuff and taking exactly what you want with you without worrying about whether it fits, and I'd just go relax with a beer or two for an hour if I missed that bus.

If things go wrong, think of it as an opportunity rather than a problem.

I'm a low maintenance sort in general, so if the hotel will have it, I don't bring it. I'm also a fan of checking bags.

Stuff I bring:
Contact lens wetting and cleaning solutions, storage case, eyeglasses
toothpaste/toothbrsuh
lip gloss and lip balm
Neutrogena Norwegian hand cream (a 2 ounce tube lasts forever, is hypoallergenic, and absorbs so well into rough patches on my hand)
Razor
Small first aid kit with alcohol wipes
antiperspirant
ear plugs
7 compartment 'pill-a-day' storage container for storing small and pretty earrings

Sunscreen if the forecast looks like I'll need it

The vision stuff, earrings, toothpaste & toothbrush, lip balm, and hand lotion go into the carry on bag, the rest typically ends up in checked bags

I take everything I need, but usually like to try the hotel shampoo. Can't remember the last time we checked bags.

Curious - what do people consider "toiletries" that packing/carrying them is a challenge. As mentioned above, everything i need could literally fit inside my shoes - probably 1 of them. Saving that much space in exchange for going shopping every time I land seems silly to me.

Is what I carry an extreme low-end outlier?

I agree. I don't see the big deal. Everything fits in either a ziploc bag (for liquids) or a small bag (like the one pictured above) for everything else (deodorant, toothbrush, etc.). It takes very little room (even if you're just taking carry-on, so why waste time shopping at your destination. Plus, you get to use your favorite products instead of what you happen to find at the hotel or in local stores.

Yes, completely self sufficient. 3-1-1 compliant and I can do a 2 week trip without refilling.

I usually only carry items that I might need in the airport on arrival or if delayed - deodorant, face wipes, lotion, lip balm, and toothpaste/toothbrush. Part of my travel enjoyment though is going to the drugist (Boots, Priceline, whatever) and shopping for toiletries, makeup, candy, medicine that I can't get at home.