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The Liquid-Free Packing Hacks That Saved My Carry-On.
There is something so satisfying about packing everything you need for a trip into a carry-on bag. You don’t need to worry about airlines losing you luggage or paying the extra $50+ to check it.
But every time I attempt it, I hit the same wall. How the heck am I going to shrink my liquids into that tiny quart-sized bag?!
I don’t travel light, especially for long trips! Sunscreen, makeup, bug spray, sometimes even shampoo & conditioner, if I know I’m headed somewhere, it will cost me $12 a bottle.
Right now I’m slow travelling in Costa Rica for a month, on a budget. I’m proud to say that I did it all with 2 carry-on bags. Here’s how I hacked my pack by switching a few key items from liquids to solids. They saved me some serious space!!
Okay I wanted to love the conditioner bar…maybe it’s user error, but it just didn’t give me that soft, hydrated feeling I get from liquid formulas. That considered, I am obsessed with my shampoo bar.
I found both BRIXY bars at Winners for $6 CAD (which is quite a steal considering how pricy these can get). The bars themselves are huge so I only packed half of each one and I’m still going strong three weeks into my trip.
Why I love it:
- Doesn’t count towards your liquids
- Long lasting & compact
- Smells fresh, feels clean, & lathers like regular shampoo
As for the conditioner bar, the jury’s still out. If you have tips for how I’m actually supposed to be using it, please help a girl out. I want to love it so bad!
This one’s a no brainer. I grabbed a Dove Beauty Bar from Dollarama before I left. It works, it’s cheap, it’s not liquid. Enough said!
Stick Sunscreen
Sunscreen in Costa Rica (and most other tourist beach towns for that matter) is expensive, so I came prepared. I packed one liquid bottle of my favourite sunscreen but also brought backup in stick form:
These are both solids and do not count towards your quart-sized allowance. Pro tip: make sure you rub it in after you apply! Unless, of course, you’re aiming for a zebra-patterned tan…
I was definitely spiralling over dengue fever before this trip, so I doubled up:
- Two travel-sized Muskol bottles
- Ben’s Mosquito Repellant Wipes
These wipes are clutch! Especially in Costa Rica where you’re asked not to spray bug repellant inside national parks to protect local ecosystems.
With wipes, you can reapply discreetly without misting DEET into the trees. Eco-friendly & itch proof 😉
Minimalism is YOUR FRIEND
I kept skincare and makeup super minimal. It’s a beach trip after all! No full-face beats needed here. But if you’re someone who travels with a full routine, you’ll need to get a bit more creative.
Swapping just a few of my non-negotiable liquid items for solid ones gave me much more space in my TSA bag. Highly recommend.
What did I miss?
Are there any genius liquid-free swaps that you swear by? Shampoo powder? Solid perfume? Let me know in the comments, I’m always trying to optimize my packing game!
If you found this blog helpful, share it with your travel-obsessed bestie who claims she could never do a trip in just a carry-on. And if you’re not already subscribed, please do! I share travel tips, packing hacks, adventure diaries, and honest reflections from an adventurous life.
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Xo Brynn
Brynn's Adventures 
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