Clothing, Toiletries and Hygiene by guest writer Skye

Travelling overseas from Australia to destinations like the USA and Europe can be a very lengthy journey and may include long layovers or unexpected delays. More than likely when you arrive in your destination you will feel jetlagged and unrefreshed. Nowadays it is getting harder and harder to pack toiletries to help combat body odours, but below is a few tricks to help you stay comfortable and smelling great!

Clothing

It doesn’t matter how hot it is outside, the aeroplane cabin is always going to be cool. If you are travelling from one hot climate to another (e.g. Perth to Bali) wear a t-shirt but pack a cardigan or light jumper in your carry on. This is also helpful if you are landing late at night or in the early hours of the morning when it is still cool.
Wear comfy shoes that can easily slip on and off. If you are travelling through the USA you will need to take your shoes off at security check points. If you are not wearing socks, best to pack some in your carry on as it does get cold in the cabin especially if you are relaxing without shoes on.
If you are travelling from a cold climate to a hot one (cold Sydney winter to a Hawaiian summer), dress in layers. Wear 2 shirts, jumper and pants to the airport and on the plane. Slip a pair of light weight shorts and a pair of thongs (flip flops/sandals) into your cabin luggage and change your pants, shoes and maybe take one of the shirts off just before landing and that way you won’t over heat upon your arrival, especially whilst struggling with your bags and customs.
Always carry a change of underwear in a plastic resealable lunch bag (like the one for all of your Liquids, Aerosols and Gels) in you carryon luggage. If you have a half way stop over or a long flight, before landing, freshen up. Even on shorter trips, you never know when you are going to be delayed or lose your luggage. Also being in a resealable bag, means the “first” pair will not impact on the rest of your carryon luggage....

Toiletries and Hygiene

Number one rule for carryon luggage and complying with the L.A.G.S rule, if you don’t need it for the flight, don’t carry it! However this is not a green light to stink up the cabin. Deodorant is a must to carry, especially on these long flights. I find Rexona solid sticks are the best and give 24hour protection and they are small.
To maximise space in your L.A.G bag don’t take your whole perfume bottle. Some perfume shops sell tiny spritser bottles the size of a lipstick that you can fill with your favourite perfume. All so, if you have an EBay account you can purchase designer “sample” perfumes/colognes which are perfect travel size.

Do some research before you travel about the airports you will be stoping over at. What you want to be looking for are showers. If you are travelling from Europe back to Australia, by the time you have reached Singapore or Bangkok chances are you have been in the air for at least 12 hours, not to mention the 3 hours at the airport before you boarded and however long it took you to get to the airport. You’re going to need a shower, and you will feel great afterwards! Refreshed and revived and with only 7 hours till Sydney you will be saying “bring it on!” This is also a good time to do that underwear swap and if you are wearing layered shirts, have a spare top and change the one closest to your skin. Keep in mind though that you may need to exchange some money to pay for the showers.
But if there are no showers, or you are travelling by train or bus but still would like to freshen up the wet towel is your shower in a packet! A recommendation is for wet wipes by Femfresh. It is a female product but with the right PH balance to be used in discrete areas as well as general areas like underarms.
During the flight when your skin is feeling dry, try L'Oreal's Hydrating wipes. This moisturises and makes your skin feel soft again.