What’s In My Travel Bag: Manicure Edition

Hey and good morning all! Continuing my series of “What’s In My Travel Bag”, I thought you might be interested in what I carry with me for my nails during a trip. I’m assuming you (like me) are starting your trip already having done your manicure.

For short trips I have just a few requirements: 1) whatever I bring has to fit in a small makeup bag 2) whatever I bring has to truly be a need. So let’s get started, shall we?

First things first: fingernail clippers, toenail clippers, and my glass file. These are truly needs – no one wants to have an accident and rip off their nail and have no way to clip off the rest of the damage and smooth it out. I have a nifty little travel mani set for these items, so they don’t roll around.

Next up is a few of these nail polish remover pads – in either form is okay. They travel well and this eliminates the need to bring a bottle of nail polish remover and cotton pads/balls. This is *just* in case your travel mani starts to chip badly or you just get sick of it (more likely for me).

If I’m even thinking about changing my mani while traveling, I definitely need to have base coat and top coat. My current preferred base coat is OPI Nail Envy, and my current preferred top coat is Digital Nails Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That – mainly because it is quick dry and helps my manis last forever.

Because travel dries my hands and nails out fairly easily, having a good hand cream and an easy to travel cuticle oil is a must. I really have liked a Pacifica hand cream I picked up at Ulta awhile back. It’s lightly scented, soaks in quickly, and leaves my hands feeling great. I have a variety of cuticle oils that I love, but for travel-ease, I’m taking this cuticle oil by Finger Lickin’ Lacquer (press sample). It’s small, it’s seals tightly, and it works. Win! I also am bringing my nail butter (press sample) because it works great for my poor, abused feet.

Lastly – what if you do want to change your mani while on the road, how do you choose only 1 or 2 nail polishes out of your stash?! This, for me, is the hardest part. I think about why I’m traveling – is it for an event? Is it for fun? If it’s for an event, is it formal or casual? If I’m traveling for fun or for a casual event, then I’ll most likely pack 2 complimentary brighter colors, or a textured polish. If it’s for a formal event, I’ll most likely pack 1 or 2 softer colors. I don’t ever pack 3 or more polishes unless I will be gone an extended period of time.

This time, I’ve decided to go with LynBDesigns Absolutely Absolem and ALIQUID Lacquer Bellona. Both are gorgeous in sunlight, both are gorgeous in natural or low light.

What’s in your travel bag for your nails? Do you have different necessities than I do?