This is the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide Podcast, Part 2 of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The FAQ is: How to carry toiletries on a long trip?

Answer: For traveling solo, especially on longer journeys, toiletries can quietly become the heaviest, messiest, and most annoying part of your bag. I use cubes, just packing cubes like for my other travel items.

So before you toss everything into a pouch, ask yourself:

Do I really need this much?

Will this leak at 35,000 feet?

Can I replace it at my destination?

Here are four smart, confidence-building tips for carrying toiletries on a long trip:

Travel-size everything sounds sensible — until you realize tiny bottles run out quickly on a 3-week trip.

Instead: Decant only essentials into quality leakproof silicone bottles

Label clearly (shampoo and face wash look identical at 5 AM)

Bring just enough for 7–10 days if you can restock abroad

Skeptical question to ask yourself:

Are you packing for "just in case," or for reality?

Most destinations — even smaller cities — sell basic toiletries.

1. Go Solid When Possible

Liquids create stress at airport security checkpoints and pose a risk of leaks in warm climates.

Smart swaps:

Shampoo bars

Conditioner bars

Bar soap instead of body wash

Solid deodorant

Benefits:

No TSA liquid limits

No spills in your suitcase

Lighter weight

Longer lasting

On humid or hot trips like Rio, liquids expand. Solids don't.

1. Organize for Night Arrivals

After a long travel day, you don't want to unpack your entire suitcase just to brush your teeth.

Use:

A hanging toiletry bag

Clear compartments

One "first-night essentials" pouch (toothbrush, face wash, medications)

Many bathrooms are tiny. Hooks help. Counters are rare. A bag that hangs becomes your portable vanity.

1. Respect Skin Changes (Over 50 Matters)

Long flights, altitude, new climates — your skin behaves differently now than it did at 30.

Prioritize:

A richer moisturizer

SPF (every single day)

Lip balm

Small hydrating mist for flights

Question worth asking:

What actually makes me feel refreshed — and what is just habit?

Comfort builds confidence. Confidence builds independence.

A Practical Packing Formula

For long trips (2–4 weeks), aim for:

✔ Face care (cleanser, moisturizer, SPF)

✔ Hair care (solid or small decant)

✔ Minimal makeup (if any)

✔ Medications + backup copy of prescriptions

✔ One comfort item (favorite scent, small body cream)

60-second confidence challenge

Your challenge today Confidence Challenge in Rio

If you like today's Confidence Challenge, my book series delves deeper into packing toiletries while moving through the 5 steps to solo travel, from easy to more challenging, with foreign language communication tips.

You can find the series at the link in the description.

See Book A for addressing this concern..

Find it on the website​​ at https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com/ or on Amazon. It's a several-part series.

Today's destination is Rio de Janiero, Brazil, Part 2 (about MY trip)

This is a Step 5 destination.

June in Rio de Janeiro felt like stepping into a living postcard, but let's be honest, postcards don't show the early alarms, the bus decisions, or the moments of doubt that come with solo travel. That's where the real story lives.

Palace Hotel in Rio. You have to go there and experience it. See the show notes.

https://www.belmond.com/hotels/south-america/brazil/rio-de-janeiro/belmond-copacabana-palace/

AI was used to select some of the suggestions for this episode.

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