I travel a lot, both for work and with my family, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best travel essentials aren’t always the things you’ll find on a typical packing checklist.
Yes, you need luggage, chargers, comfortable shoes and all of the usual necessities. But after enough time spent navigating airports, living out of hotel rooms and trying to get ready in questionable bathroom lighting, I’ve discovered a few products that make traveling noticeably easier. These aren’t necessarily things you need to travel. They’re the things that make me think, “Why didn’t I start packing this sooner?”
From the phone case I wear through the airport to the portable vanity that solves one of my biggest hotel-room frustrations, here are five unique travel must-haves that have earned a permanent spot on my packing list.
5 Unique Travel Must Haves
1. Bandolier Phone Case and Travel Bag
If you see me traveling, there’s a very good chance I’m wearing my phone. My Bandolier phone case is easily one of my most-used travel accessories because it allows me to wear my phone crossbody instead of constantly putting it into—and pulling it back out of—my handbag.
Think about how many times you use your phone on a travel day. You’re pulling up your boarding pass, checking the airline app, looking at the time, texting your family, taking pictures, ordering an Uber and using maps once you arrive. Now add a suitcase, carry-on and maybe a coffee to the situation. Having my phone literally attached to me makes everything easier.
Bandolier Mila Crossbody Wallet Phone Case
Never fumble around for your phone again with the sleek Mila MagSafe Crossbody iPhone Case. An adjustable leather strap (46″ – 54″ L x 1/2” W) lets you adjust the size so you can wear it comfortably all day long.
I also love pairing my Bandolier with one of the brand’s travel phone bags or pouches when I need a little more space. I can keep my phone, cards, sunglasses, lip gloss and other small essentials accessible without carrying a traditional handbag. It’s particularly useful once I reach my destination. When I’m sightseeing, I want to be able to pull out my phone quickly to take photos without digging through my purse every five minutes.
For me, this is one of those travel accessories that seemed like a convenience at first and eventually became an essential.
Bandolier Dillon Bag Crossbody | Stylish Pebble Leather Bag
Measures 5.25″ W x 7.25″ H x 1.5″ D, perfect for daily essentials while maintaining a sleek profile.
2. Beautifect Beauty Box | Portable Makeup Station
Can we talk about hotel bathroom lighting? I’ve stayed in some absolutely beautiful hotels with bathrooms that somehow still make it nearly impossible to properly apply makeup. Enter the Beautifect Box.
This is probably the most luxurious item on my travel essentials list, but it’s also one of the most unique. The Beautifect Beauty Box combines beauty storage with an adjustable illuminated mirror, essentially creating a portable makeup station that you can bring with you.
Instead of spreading my makeup all over the bathroom counter and trying to find the one corner of the hotel room with decent lighting, I can set up my own little vanity. I especially appreciate having it when I’m traveling for an event, dinner, photo shoot or somewhere I know I’ll want to spend a little more time getting ready.
It’s certainly more substantial than tossing a makeup bag into your suitcase, so this isn’t necessarily something I’d bring for every quick overnight trip. But when I’m checking luggage or taking a longer vacation, I love having it with me. For anyone who loves beauty as much as travel, this is one of those splurge-worthy travel products that makes getting ready away from home so much easier.
Beautifect Box
The Limited Edition Beautifect Box brings professional-level lighting and organization to your daily routine. Featuring 5 precision lighting modes (CRI 95+), a full-size distortion-free mirror, 5x magnifier, USB-C recharge, and portable luxury—wherever life takes you.
3. Erno Laszlo Travel-Size Skincare
One thing I try not to completely abandon when I travel is my skincare routine.
Travel already changes so many things that can affect your skin. You’re dealing with dry airplane cabins, different climates, more time outdoors, disrupted sleep schedules and, depending on the vacation, probably a different diet than you have at home.
I don’t want to introduce an entirely different skincare routine on top of all of that. That’s why I’ve become a big fan of Erno Laszlo travel-size skincare products.
Travel sizes allow me to bring products I enjoy using without sacrificing a huge amount of space in my toiletry bag. They’re also much easier than traveling with full-size cleansers, creams and treatments—especially when I’m trying to pack light. Another benefit? Travel-size beauty products are a great way to try something new before committing to the full-size version.
Here are my top 5 Erno Laszlo travel skincare must haves
For shorter trips especially, I love being able to pack just enough skincare for the time I’m away while still maintaining some consistency in my routine.
4. Cabeau Travel Neck Pillow
For years, I was convinced I didn’t need a travel pillow. Then I tried actually sleeping on enough airplanes.
There’s nothing quite like finally drifting off during a flight only to have your head fall forward and wake you up five minutes later. And while no travel pillow is going to transform an economy seat into a bed, a good one can make a noticeable difference. That’s why a Cabeau travel neck pillow has become one of my flight essentials.
Unlike the traditional floppy U-shaped pillows you see hanging in airport stores, Cabeau pillows are designed to provide more structured support around your neck and head. I find this particularly useful on longer flights, early-morning departures or any trip where I know I’m going to want to sleep.
Because one lesson I’ve learned from traveling is that arriving exhausted can steal a surprising amount of time from the beginning of a vacation. If I can get even a little more comfortable and arrive feeling more rested, I’ll take it.
Cabeau Travel Neck Pillow
Featured in CNN’s Most Anticipated Products of 2023, our most innovative travel pillow provides comfortable rest on long flights, long car rides, trains, and anything in between. Top off your travel kit with this premium support pillow to help avoid neck kinks, back strain, or even embarrassing public snoring.
5. Cadence Capsules
There is one category of packing that somehow always creates chaos in my suitcase: all of the little things. Face cream. Serum. Hair products. Vitamins. Jewelry. Toiletries. The products I only need a tiny amount of but somehow end up carrying in a full-size container. That’s where Cadence Capsules come in.
These reusable travel containers are designed for small amounts of your everyday products, and their magnetic design allows the capsules to connect to one another. You can also label them, which means you don’t have to play the “What did I put in this container?” game halfway through your trip.
They’re great for skincare and toiletries, but I also like the versatility. Depending on the trip, you can use small travel containers for everything from jewelry to other tiny essentials that tend to disappear inside a toiletry bag. I especially love the idea of only bringing what I’ll actually use.
If I’m leaving for three nights, I don’t necessarily need an entire bottle of a product. Bringing a smaller amount saves space and keeps my toiletry bag much more organized. And, admittedly, I appreciate that they look pretty while doing it.
Cadence Capsule Skincare Set
Meet the Cadence Basic Skincare Capsule Set, including 3 small (0.56 oz. each) reusable containers with interchangeable tiles perfect for the products you use most; includes cleanser, moisturizer, and sun icon tiles.
Why These Are My Favorite Unique Travel Essentials
The longer I travel, the less interested I am in buying travel gadgets simply because they’re labeled as travel essentials. Something has to solve a real problem for me to earn valuable suitcase space. That’s what these five products have in common.
My Bandolier keeps my phone accessible while leaving my hands free. The Beautifect Box solves the dreaded hotel-lighting problem. Erno Laszlo travel sizes let me maintain my skincare routine without bringing my entire bathroom. My Cabeau pillow makes flying more comfortable. And Cadence Capsules help me control the collection of tiny products that somehow multiplies every time I pack.
They’re not necessarily the first things you’d think to put on a travel packing list, and that’s exactly why they’ve become some of my favorites.
My Biggest Travel Packing Tip
If you’re trying to become a better packer, my biggest tip is to pay attention to the things that annoy you while you’re actually traveling.
Maybe you’re constantly searching for your phone at the airport. Maybe you can never get comfortable enough to sleep on a plane. Maybe your toiletry bag is always overflowing, or you find yourself standing in front of a poorly lit hotel mirror trying to do your makeup.
Those little frustrations tell you far more about what you actually need than a generic packing checklist ever will.
Over time, I’ve stopped asking, “What do people say I should pack?” and started asking, “What would make this trip easier?” That’s how products like these have ended up earning a permanent place in my suitcase. And while I certainly could travel without them, I’d really rather not.
Please Note: I always strive to provide accurate and helpful information, but just a quick heads-up—I’m a blogger, not a doctor, lawyer, CPA, or any other kind of certified professional. I’m here to share my experiences and insights, but please make sure to use your own judgment and consult the right professionals when needed.
Also, I accept monetary compensation through affiliate links, advertising, guest posts, and sponsored partnerships on this site, however I am very particular about the products I endorse and only do so when I am truly a fan of the quality and result of the product.
