As a Certified Freelance Makeup Artist & Flight Attendant, I’ve mastered the art of packing a carry-on bag. Here are my expert tips and tricks to carry-on, care free.

Army Roll your clothes or Packing Cubes

Both work equally. Trust me when I say this… I have tested out both. Regardless of size or shape when it comes to a suitcase, both methods are equally space saving. Personally, I love packing with compression cubes. When I surf during a trip, I am able to keep my wet clothes separated from the dry clothes by the wet-proof compression cubes. I have my travel towel army rolled up next to the packing cubes. That way I am ready to hit a beach anywhere I go at any given time!

Fitting 3.4 oz liquids into a Clear quart-size TSA Approved Bag

Don’t sacrifice your favorite products or have TSA bark at you. Allow me to throw you a bone here. Here are some cool alternatives that are liquid free, along with an option to condense liquids into space-saving hacks.

List of non liquid supplies:

Laundry Detergent sheets
Hair shampoo, conditioner, & body bars
Liquids squeezed into “eye contact” lens containers (etc. makeup foundation)

Shower Cap for your Shoes

Yes you read it correctly. No need to buy a shoe bag. This cheap alternative wraps around your shoes nicely and prevents bringing dirt into your bag. Just don’t use the shower cap on your head afterwords…gross!

Pack-down Reusable Bag

Bring a “pack-down” bag. Yes we are Russian Matryoshka Dolling this! Affordable, earth friendly, & reusable bags can be purchased at a grocery store. My small but mighty favorites? Look near the checkout of an Asian or European market.

Take a Chill Pill

If you take medication (or even if you don’t) you should have an emergency first aid kit. It can be a repurposed mint tin, pill organize box, or just your medication bottles placed together in a small jewelry box.

Sleeping in Plane Sight

Adjusting to different sleeping environments (or positions) can be difficult. I ALWAYS have too pack a sleeping mask & ear plugs. Finding the right sleeping mask, ear plugs, or headphones allows you to fall asleep in any place, any position, or any timezone. My favorite brand is called Mantra Sleep Mask when it comes to the perfect sleeping mask. I also always have a fresh new pair of reusable foam earplugs too.

It’s Electric!

Pack an electronic accessory bag. The bag should hold a few different cords, a universal charger (not every outlet is the same around the globe!), bluetooth headphones, and a portable battery charger. You will thank me for that reminder later when your phone is about to die from taking all those photos “for the gram”.

*Side note: Remember to grab your charger out of your bag before you start digging for it in the aisle during the boarding process. Seriously, make friends with the flight attendants, not enemies.

Do the MACA-RENA

Creating a routine to a very non-routine life is essential.

Some of us flight crew members refer to the Macarena dance. It’s when you check the items you need to have before you leave your house, hotel, or car. Physically pat yourself down to confirm having all the necessary items… similar to the dance routine called the “Macarena”.

Keys
Work Badge
Phone (Work & Personal)
Wallet (credit cards, different foreign currency, Identification)
Passport
Watch (Prepare to be jet-legged! Keep to your local time & body rhythmic clock if possible. Military time helps keep your latitudes while flying across longitudes)

HEY MACARENA!

It’s in the bag! You have successfully packed 22x 14x 9x inch carry on bag!

Now carry-on, care free my friend!

How to Pack like a Flight Attendant