Besides collecting presents, we are collecting memories this holiday season! We know you are already picturing the wonderful transition of fall to winter through the window of your childhood home or looking forward to exchanging gifts with your loved ones during the annual reunion. Before you hop on the plane or start hour-long drives, be smart and efficient in packing and organizing your beauty tools and nail kit. Here are some of the best nail supplies organization hacks to make your holiday travel worry-free. • Plan out in advance the nail style or design for the trip Aside from Christmas, will another significant event (wedding, birthday, etc.) during your trip require you to wear a specific color palette? If so, create a game plan for your matching outfits and nails. Having a nail idea or peg will make you realize whether you need to visit the nail salon ASAP or you can just do your own nails. • Know the regulations in the city or country you’re traveling to It’s always a good practice to check the product restrictions or list of banned items in the city or country you’re going to visit to avoid major problems. For air travel/plane rides, remember the TSA requirement (3-1-1 rule) for carry-ons: 3: Each liquid container can be no more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters), 1: All liquid containers must be placed in one clear, quart-sized plastic bag, and 1: Each passenger is only allowed one such bag. You may seek the advice of your nail tech friends who have been to the same destination. • Gather the nail products you can and need to bring The products you bring depend on your purpose and chosen nail design. Minimalist nails are more low-maintenance, but since it’s the season of giving, you might want to share your love for nails and offer manicures to your loved ones (especially after splurging from the Black Friday sale). Whatever you decide on, always choose travel-size products or smaller nail items that have readable ingredients and weight information. Here are some basic nail tools and items that you might need: • Alcohol Prep Pads• Nail Clipper• Nail File (E-File or Manual Hand Files)• LED PRO Mini Lamp• Gel Base Coat• Builder Gels• PH Bond• No Cleanse Top Coat• Polish of Your Choice• Dual Brush• Dusting Brush• Tweezers• Nail Forms• Nail Art Stickers• Cuticle Pusher• Multipurpose Picker Tool • Opt for a waterproof pouch or a hard-shell cosmetic case Now that you have gathered what you need, choose a container that will keep all of your nail items safe. If you’re bringing both gel and acrylic products, a hard-shell cosmetic case is ideal since more fragile bottles or jars are included. For fewer and less delicate products, waterproof pouches should be enough to protect your items from damage and leaks. • Secure your liquids with a clear, resealable Ziploc Being extra is not bad, especially when we’re talking about extra security! Ziploc is a multifunctional pouch that is a total life-saver (or should we say item-saver) and will come in handy for those who love traveling with only carry-ons. This clear, resealable pouch allows you to prevent any liquid from leaking and distinguish which item you must keep an eye on. • Keep in mind possible temperature and pressure changes Whether it’s plane or land travel, changes in temperature and pressure are expected. This is why you must tighten the lids of your bottles/jars to avoid accidents inside the car or plane. Aerosols and other flammable materials or products of that nature are not allowed. Additionally, be prepared for your gels that could harden due to the temperature. • Place your kit in easily reachable areas (at the center or top) Different airports and borders have different rules, so security checks happen all the time. To help you save time and energy, place your kit in easy-to-reach areas and put all the liquids in a Ziploc. Put your case or pouch at the center surrounded by your soft items (clothes/towels) for additional padding, reducing the risk of getting crushed or overly shaken. If possible, keep your items in an upright position. • Put products in a shaded area, not hitting direct sunlight After unpacking all of your stuff and settling down in the hotel or home, please remember to put the whole nail kit or your nail products in a shaded area, avoiding direct sunlight or any heat source. As we always mention, optimal temperature is the key to maintaining the quality of the products. Plus, this practice helps prevent unwanted curing and any other potential issues like the lid being stuck and the bottle not opening. • When in doubt, stick to quick and easy alternatives This is the ultimate travel hack for those who prefer convenience and quick, solid methods. Press-on nails (pre-designed nails/fake nails) are so easy to use and wear since you only need to stick them to your nails! You could also opt for nail stickers to add more design to your nails. Speaking of solid alternatives, we recommend alcohol or acetone in the form of pads, nail tapes, buffers, nail files, and more. • Pack an emergency kit for any nail or skin-related emergencies First Aid kits should be considered when traveling anywhere. We must be ready for any unfortunate thing that could happen to our nails or hands, so we highly recommend building a nail emergency kit. Pack some band-aids, betadine/antiseptic solution, tweezers, sterile scissors, pain reliever medicines, cotton pads, adhesive bandages/gauze pads, and medical tapes. Your well-being always comes first! Holiday vacations are always good news, but we don’t talk enough about how overwhelming packing and organizing can be. We created this guide with you in mind so you can relax and become more at ease while packing! Do you have any nail travel hacks you want to share? We’d love to hear them on our iGel Beauty Facebook Community! We’re sure that your advice will help thousands of our members. Remember that the key to a yay vacay is safe-tay! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Written by Alyssa Bueno on December 18, 2024 Alyssa Bueno, a true beauty enthusiast, brings her passion for writing and beauty to life as a writer for iGel Beauty. With diverse editorial background and industry expertise, Alyssa shares the current trends and curates tutorials and tips to inspire nail lovers worldwide.
