Every time I take a trip, whether it’s near or far, I make the same promise: This time, I’ll pack less. While I’ve managed some success in cutting down on clothes, I fail spectacularly when it comes to makeup and cosmetics.

When I was younger, it was the opposite. My suitcase overflowed with outfits, but makeup? Minimal at best. (Let’s face it, we just needed less back then.)

Now, in my more “mature” years, it’s a different story. My collection of creams alone could fill its own bag. There’s one for every visible part of my body:

  • Face moisturizers: day and night

  • Eye cream

  • Neck moisturizer

  • Hand cream

  • Foot cream (because, apparently, chapped feet are a thing)

When, exactly, did I start drying out like this?

And that’s not even the whole list. Let’s add a toner and a serum to the mix.

Then there’s the beautification arsenal:

  • Foundation

  • Eyeliner

  • Eyebrow enhancer

  • Lip gloss and lipstick

  • Blush

  • Q-tips

  • Make-up remove

Not to mention the essentials:

  • Contacts, contacts case and contact solution, eye drops

  • Eyewear cleaner

  • Nail file and clippers

  • Bandages (because you never know)

  • A safety pin (also, just in case)

  • And, for those inevitable random aches: a Salonpas patch.

Dental care? Oh, I’ve got that covered, too:

  • Toothbrush (sometimes two)

  • Mouthwash

  • Dental Floss

  • Tiny interdental brushes (for those sneaky moments out in public)

  • And my trusty travel-sized water flosser, because yes, it’s necessary.The big question is: how do I pack all this in an orderly way?

And if I’m gone more than two week: a color spray to cover up my gray roots.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with different strategies: cosmetic bags (opaque and clear), regular plastic bags, even categorically sorted Ziplocs. I always try to keep the essentials in a smaller bag within my carry-on—just in case my suitcase decides to take a solo vacation.

And yet, despite my efforts, I always find myself wrestling with the same challenge: squeezing my mountain of "necessities" into a manageable travel kit. Will I ever master the art of minimalist packing? Probably not. But a girl can dream.