Over the years, I have perfected the art of traveling.

I get on a plane often, so I really know what I’m doing when it comes to packing, getting through security, and not killing yourself on the plane.

TIP 1: BAGGIES FOR SECURITY

The night before I travel, I prepackage all of my make up into plastic baggies. Then I put them in an easy access spot in my black plane bag. I have a lot of products, so I HAVE to plan ahead. We all know that TSA wants you to put your stuff in ziplocs, and sometimes you can get through without this step, but this is a definite “better safe than sorry” in my book. You can pre-baggie everything at home and zip through, or you can chance it and possibly spend 25 minutes with TSA agent Joseph going through your purse!

TIP 2: ROLLING DUFFEL BAG

If you’re checking your bag, make it a rolling duffel in a water resistant fabric. If they leave it on the tarmac, you’re f*cked- trust me, I know from personal experience! This is an easy bag to fill and drag through an airport, and isn’t unwieldy.

TIP 3: TISSUE PAPER

I pack everything in tissue paper. This is my little secret. I wrap suits, dresses, and everything else in tissue paper that I save during the year. This prevents stuff from wrinkling, to some degree, and is a good form of protection from the stress of traveling.

TIP 4: STEAM YOUR STUFF

Use the hot shower in your hotel room to get any wrinkles out of your clothes IMMEDIATELY upon arriving. Really, the sooner the better. Then hang them up in your closet. Hang the clothes over the shower rod, on the outside, with the shower head pointing straight down so there’s no splashing.

TIP 5: LIFT TEST OR CHECK

This is probably my biggest trick. If you can’t lift your bag over your head, check it!! You would be amazed at how many people, especially women, don’t check this before they leave the house. Then they get on the plane and someone else has to help them lift it into the overhead bin and take it back out. This is such a time killer! At home, just keep taking stuff out until you CAN lift it, if you don’t want to check it.

What are your best travel tips?

I would love to know!

Happy travels.

-Rose