Even If You Always Pack Light, The 20 Target Items In This List Are Worth The Space In Your Bag
BuzzFeed
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We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1.A five-piece set of compression packing bags because the secret to living the Carry-On Lifestyle isn't trying to shove all your toiletries into that weird cup holder on top of your roller bag — it's using these. They don't require a vacuum; just use your hands to squeeze out excess air and ~voilà~ — suddenly you can fit way more into your bag.
five compression bags used to store shirts
2.A packable floppy straw hat that looks so cute, no one will ever guess it was recently crushed under some granola bars at the bottom of your bag.
Mannequin head displaying a wide-brimmed black straw hat
3.A tech accessory organizer because you know how all your plugs and cords get tangled at the bottom of your bag, and Packing You sticks your iPad in a place where Plane You can't seem to find it? Yeah, it doesn't have to be that way. This organizer has zip compartments, slip compartments, and spots to hold your headphones and various wires.
Open tech accessory organizer with pockets holding cables and earphones
4.A foldable Conair hair dryer, so you don't have to just trust that the hotel will have a decent hair dryer (or any hair dryer at all). Plus, it has dual voltage, so you can have great hair even when you travel overseas.
the dryer folded out
the dryer folded up for storage
Target
Promising review: "Lots of power and great for travel!" —Jannie
Price: $19.99
5.A clip-on bag strap because using a duffel or weekender bag as your carry-on is cute, but after a few hours, those straps can really cut into your hands. Hook this on and sling it over your shoulder whenever your mitts need a break.
Tribal-patterned yellow and teal bag strap attached to a green bag
6.A small zip-up jewelry organizer with room for rings, earrings, and necklaces so they don't end up tangled in the bottom of your toiletries bag.
A portable jewelry case with compartments for accessories, displayed on a vanity
7.A mini E.l.f. multi-stick because you don't have room to pack a blush, eyeshadow, and lip tint — and now, you don't have to. These multi-sticks are so tiny that you could even pack two shades and still only take up the same amount of space as one traditional cheek stick.
an elf mini multi stick in a dark berry shade
8.Or a three-piece set of mini Fenty products for folks who never take a vacation from looking glam (but do definitely take actual vacations).
Fenty Beauty makeup products including compact, lip gloss, and mascara
Close-up of a person with makeup, looking to the side, neutral expression
Target
The set includes mini Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer, mini Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter, and a full-size Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara.
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Promising review: "LOVE the lip gloss; the highlighter has a cute shimmer." —Dahlia
Price: $38
9.A fold-up tote because no matter how dedicated you are to luggage minimalism, you do probably want a separate bag to take around with you during the day on your trip. This tote is made with water-repellent fabric, has a zip closure, and folds down into a small zippered pouch whenever you're not, you know...toting it around.
a model holding a large light blue tote bag on their shoulder
the tote bag being folded down into its pouch
Target
Promising review: "Awesome water-resistant bag! It’s hard to find a tote with a zipper, let alone a water-resistant one! Helped me get through a tropical rainstorm without my items getting wet." —Kelly
"Super convenient and sturdy. I also love that it has a zipper. Perfect for travel." —Pixie
Price: $19.99
10.A three-piece textured hair travel kit from Tracee Ellis Ross's Pattern line, because taking care of your textured hair doesn't have to take up a ton of room in your bag.
Pattern hair care set with shampoo, conditioner, and a small pouch in bright packaging, featuring a stylized face design
11.A hanging toiletry organizer that folds down flat with two zip compartments and magnetic snaps. It'll take up less precious space than some of the wider, bulkier models.
Gray fabric hanging toiletry holder, folded down
Hanging toiletry bag with multiple compartments, zip closure, and a hook
Target
Promising review: "I got this as a gift for my husband and he loves it! It was a great gift and it fits a lot of stuff. It hangs up, so it was easy to grab everything while on vacation." —Cmor1952
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Price: $18.29
12.A set of two Stasher reusable silicone travel bags to hold your eye drops, small snacks, lip balm, or anything else that would otherwise end up floating around your bag, getting all linty. Plus, when sealed, the bags are leakproof, so they will prevent that most dreaded of travel scenarios: Everything In My Bag Is Covered In Goo.
the mini Stasher bag in white, holding some makeup
13.A collapsible silicone water bottle so you can still have your 3 liters a day, even if there isn't room to pack your usual stainless-steel Thermos.
Person wearing jeans and a white shirt holding a pink collapsible water bottle with a yoga mat on their shoulder
Hand holding a pink collapsible Que water bottle against a pink textured wall background
Target
Price: $24.99
14.A silicone AirPods case that clips onto your key chain, so you don't end up in a situation where you're in Seattle, but your AirPods are on the bench in front of the airport Burger King in Chicago.
AirPods in a green charging case with keyring attached, plugged into a charging cable
15.A mini Native aluminum-free deodorant in coconut and vanilla because it can be hard to find natural personal care items in travel sizes.
Two Native deodorants, one full size and one mini
16.A compact umbrella that folds down to just 7 inches — perfect if you're traveling to someplace romantically rainy (but find actually getting rained on 24/7 to be pretty unromantic).
Compact umbrella with yellow and white pattern, black handle, and yellow wrist strap
Yellow checkered pattern umbrella open against a white background
Target
Promising review: "Recently I purchased this 'Compact Umbrella' for a friend of mine as we were traveling in wet weather conditions. She was so impressed! Small and compact, it fits into small pocketbooks and looks great with any outfit. I also loved the way it looked, so I ordered one for myself. It is sturdy and withstood high winds and torrential rains. Stylish and sturdy. Go get this umbrella." —The Best Printer Paper
Price: $15.99+ (available in four colors/ patterns)
17.A set of three silicone travel bottles that have a streamlined design so they're more efficient to pack than bulkier rigid plastic travel bottles.
Three silicone travel bottles in white, neon green, and light blue
18.An all-in-one travel adapter essential for anyone doing multi-country travel. I have a travel adapter that I just keep in my carry-on at all times, so I never forget it — because sometimes you can get so frazzled planning an international trip, you forget the essentials. This adapter combines four adapter plugs, which are used in more than 150 countries.
An adapter plugged into a wall outlet with a cord connected to it
19.A fanny pack because you may be committed to just using One Bag To Rule Them All, but did you know that you also get to bring a personal item on board your flight? So why not make it this two-compartment fanny pack with its waterproof, RFID-blocking, and slash-proof design?
Green fanny pack with items sticking out including a camera, book, sunglasses, and keys
20.A mini bottle of paraben-free hand sanitizer spray that should be a travel essential for anyone, no matter how they've packed. But it's especially useful for those traveling light, who might find themselves having to unpack some items from their bag in places that are...a bit icky. Had to put your phone on the ground? Rest your wallet on a bathroom counter? Drop your sunglasses in a weird puddle? No worries — hit them with the ol' sanitizer spray.
Honest hand sanitizer bottle
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.