Cosmetics are always the heaviest thing in my luggage. I've invseted in lots of minature bottles (Muji have the best sellection, with squeeze tops, spray bottles, and pots for moisturisers also available, but you can also get them from boots) I've transfered some of all my beauty products into these, and keep them in a makeup bag in my cupboard. Whenever I go away, I just grab the bag.. saves time packing up all my cosmetics too!)
If you really want to go to an extreme, when you return from holiday, make yourself write a list of what you ACTUALLY used - not what you packed - and then anything you wished you used. Next time you go on a similar holiday it will mean that you really only pack what you are likely to use.....
I save samples of moisturiser, makeup and perfume from magazines and take them instead of my usual stuff - a good tip for a long weekend - I also take with me all my oldest teeshirts, underwear and socks and just throw them away once I have used them - leaves space for more souvenirs!!
If flying, pack all toiletries, cosmetics, and one change of clothing in a carry-on. If traveling to a tropical locale, make sure that your bathing suit is in with the change of clothes and your camera. When packing your suitcase, pack by outfit, e.g., blouse, capris, bra, undies, etc. Place all in an appropriately sized Ziploc bag. There will be no need to further unpack if you write a brief description of what is in the ziplock bag. Thereafter, the ziplock bag serves as a dirty clothes bag!
Before I travel, I make a list of what I'll need in the way of clothing, so when it's time to pack, I grab whatever is on the list, so I don't have to stand in front of a dresser or closet wondering what to take.
Also, shoes take up a lot of space, so I wear my comfortable walking shoes and take one pair of dressy shoes - that's all.
Since most of my holidays are taken where it's hot, there is not often the opportunity to wear the very light, skinny clothes in England. When I arrive home I put all my holiday clothes in the wash, dry and fold them neatly and store in the case. They are then ready to be taken out, ironed and re-packed. Everything is to hand, and no searching.
Store the cloth bags that new shoes come in in your suitcase to aid fast packing. When the time comes I stuff them with underwear, bikinis, socks and vests...makes for fast organised unpacking on arrival too...and they double up inside beach bags to protect ipods, cameras etc...or to take laundry home in...
Set the article of clothing on top of a plastic dry cleaning sheet and fold the plastic along with the garment. Repeat with all clothes that you prefer to be wrinkle free.
When you have a very quick trip where you have to put a dress or suit on for a meeting, fold it around bubble wrap - the air in it, unlike tissue, moves with the garment, so it doesn’t crease.
I use plastic cleaner bags for creasable items.
If just cleaned, leave the hanger on and fold to fit.
In the outside large pocket I take pants and light plastic hangers as well; there are never enough in a hotel room.
As I need to pack for myself, three young children and sometimes my husband, I keep a 'packing list' on the computer, which I refer to each time I start packing. It reminds me to include odd things like name-straps (incase the kids run off in a busy place), alarm clock, sickbags etc.
I decant toiletries into Muji's brilliant plastic bottles which come in myriad permutations; pack them plus cosmetics, medicine, hair accessories etc in M&S' brilliant transparent travel bags where you can find anything immediately; and any other small things (ie kids' pants) I pack in those brilliant 'Easy Zipper' Ziploc bags.
You can buy those vacuum bags (they're plastic and you pack everything in there then use your hoover to suck the air out so they lay flat and dont crease)
A cheaper option is to use a heavy duty bin liner gether the corners together and tie a thick elastic band over it tightly. Then prise the elastic open and place the nozzle of the hoover into the opening (this can be tricky but you need a good seal for it to work.
Suck the air out and when done quickly remove the nozzle!
I keep all the samples of shampoo, conditioner and body lotion etc that are in magazines, I then use them if I'm going away for the weekend to save packing huge bottles. I also keep a sachet of body lotion in my handbag in case I have dry hands.
I have two lists, one for holiday and the other for a weekend away. That way I never pack too much. I keep a copy of the list in my case so I can't go wrong.
The only problem with the vacum bags is that your screwed if you don't happen to have a vacum on hol!! Your never gonna be able to fit it all back in your suitcase without one!
Once you have packed everything you think you might need- go through you suitcase once more taking out everything you know you won't wear or use- you will soon half the original amount of stuff and have more room for new clothes bought on holiday!
If you're not going away for long you can buy travel size deoderants, shampoo, toothpastes etc in Superdrug but I'm going away soon for 4 nights & when a product is half used & I think there is enough for 4/5 days I'm putting it aside for the trip & then I will leave the empties there - more space for bringing goodies home. If going with girlfriends why not share - deciding who takes what before you go
Before you go on a trip make a log of everything you use for the duration of your vacation time for example:
if you are going on a trip for 3 days make a log for 3 days
~and make sure in those 3 days you log you think of if you plan on:
**dining out
**relaxing
**go clubing,etc.