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1. A reliable external battery so you're never stuck without directions somewhere new. The amount of times an external battery has saved my tuchas is astonishing.
2. A Camelbak water bottle because staying hydrated while on the move is absolutely essential. Nobody wants a midday dehydration headache to stop them from hanging out during a trip. Toss this in your bag and drink up.
3. A small bottle of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream so you can leave the enormous tub it usually comes in at home while still enjoying its cult-status effectiveness. That's gonna be especially key after a long, drying flight!
4. A simple and effective neck pillow to prevent yourself from waking up from a plane nap with a funky-feeling neck, or worse, from accidentally falling asleep on the shoulder of the stranger sitting next to you. *Shudders*
5. A fanny pack so you can adventure through a new city (and the airport) hands-free. If all you need is somewhere to stash your phone, ID, and credit card, it's the perfect bag choice. It's a good thing these are trendy these days — they're also so convenient!
6. A hanging toiletry bag if stuffing all of your travel items into a well-organized bag has been a pipe dream so far. This baby has TONS of pockets, so all of your tools, makeup, skincare, fragrances, and other toiletries can have their own little place.
7. A luggage scale so you can confidently show up to the airport knowing you won't incur a fee for being over the airline's weight limit. I was charged for having an overweight one on an AirFrance flight twice this year — do as I say, not as I do.
8. A pack of Mighty Patches for keeping up with your skincare routine even if you don't feel like bringing a million tiny bottles of liquid along. You'll at least be able to pop these magic little stickers on any breakouts for some overnight relief without any TSA hassle.
9. A travel-size lint roller because you may not want to lug a steamer on your trip, but you can at least ensure that your pants are fuzz-free after arriving at your destination.
10. A four-piece set of compressible bags that don't require a vacuum to squish down nice and small and maximize space. All you need to do is roll the air out, throw them in your bag, and be on your merry way with a whole wardrobe in tow.
11. A couple of tiny bottles of SheaMoisture shampoo and conditioner, because your curls have been subjected to subpar hotel products way too many times. Let's fix that while still keeping your toiletry bag a manageable size.
12. An itty-bitty Venus razor with a carrying case so if you're planning on shaving on your trip you don't need to bring your big ol' razor and try to find a way to store it safely.
13. An eight-piece toiletry bottle set so it's easy as can be to decant literally all of your favorite toiletries into small, manageable, TSA-approved bottles — yes, even sprays!
14. A small pack of disinfecting wipes to give you peace of mind when using high-touch surfaces away from home. Nothing worse than discovering your airplane tray is mysteriously sticky.
15. A tube of Black Girl Sunscreen because sun protection is all the more important when exploring on vacay. It's SPF 30 and will keep your skin safe from the sun's rays *without* leaving a white cast behind.
16. A simple and useful zippered pouch that is meant for makeup but can really be used for almost any travel paraphernalia. Makeup, other toiletries, small electronics, cords, jewelry, travel tickets... You name it, it can tuck away nice and neatly in here!
17. A folding travel toothbrush to ensure that you don't have to size up your toiletry bag just to fit your regular toothbrush. Best of all, it folds into its own little carrying case, eliminating the need for a toothbrush cover or a plastic bag.
18. An all-in-one wall adapter that allows you to plug your electronics into the four most common international outlets. A must-have if you're leaving the country.
19. A super slim RFID-blocking wallet to keep all of your travel documents and cards in one handy place, making airport navigation much easier.
20. A small first aid kit and travel tin so you always have some (cute) bandages and antiseptic if you get any cuts or scrapes. It pays to be prepared!
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.