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Packing for a summer holiday can be the most stressful part of the trip, especially if you’re competing with luggage weight and size restrictions. Deciding on the essentials, particularly when it comes to cosmetics and toiletries, can be the key to helping you stay within your designated luggage allowance.
Express.co.uk spoke to Floss Walton-Bateston, managing director of Travel Stores at Boots, about her “must-have” summer travel essentials, and which items are most popular with holidaymakers jetting off in 2023.
But before you start thinking about packing, it’s imperative you understand the luggage allowance for your chosen airline. You can find out all of the latest rules, as well as some savvy packing hacks in our guide to easyJet’s luggage rules, our top tips for beating the Ryanair luggage rules or our Jet2 luggage tips and tricks guide.
Or, to learn more about travel expert Floss’ luggage essentials, scroll down for the complete guide, or click on the links to jump to the relevant section.
Best travel products for £10 or less
From suncream to skincare, travel products can go a long way to helping you look and feel your best on holiday without breaking the bank. Speaking to Express.co.uk Floss listed two skincare favourites as her “summer holiday must-have”.
“When it comes to summer must-haves I would highly recommend Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser,” she said. “It’s a great everyday cleanser and I find that it removes the sun cream from my face really well.”
Though suncream is essential during the day, before heading to bed make sure to wash your face to avoid any oily build-ups or the risk of blocked pours which could lead to spots or blackheads.
While Liz Earle’s skincare line is classed as a “luxury” product, retailing at £30 for a 200ml bottle, the good news is you can get your hands on a perfectly travel-sized 50ml Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser for just £10 from Boots. Enriched with cocoa butter to soften, smooth and moisturise, and rosemary, chamomile and eucalyptus to tone, soothe and purify, the product claims to remove daily grime, pollutants and make-up including stubborn mascara.
But it’s not just skincare essentials for adults that have made Floss’ must-have list. When it comes to children, Floss recommends using a suncream that will keep them protected without taking too much time away from their holiday fun.
“I love the Soltan Kids roll-ons – not only do they give the reassurance of 5* UVA protection, they’re also really useful for tackling a two-year-old who ‘wants an icecream, now!’”
The Sultan Kids range features a selection of long-lasting sun creams including waterproof and moisturising products. But for little ones who simply can’t stand still, the roll-ons are a great, purse-friendly option.
A 50ml Soltan Kids Protect and Moisturise Suncare Roll On with SPF50+ retails for just £3.50.
A 50ml Soltan Kids Once Suncare Roll On with SPF50+, which offers “eight-hour protection” and up to “three hours in the water”, costs £6.50.
Along with skincare, Boots also offers items to enhance your in-flight experience. Whether you have an early morning departure or are boarding a long-haul flight, a travel pillow can be a game changer.
“Our wide range of travel accessories are performing strongly this year,” Floss said. “Including the Boots Hybrid Travel Pillow which is only £10.”
The £10 travel pillow comes in two colours, coral and grey, and is made from memory foam, ideal for neck support while travelling. The pillow even features a nifty clip to secure it for comfort.
Toiletries that won’t break the liquids rule
Whether you’re battling with luggage weight allowance or hoping to travel with a cabin bag, full-size toiletries and cosmetics might be out of the question.
Current security regulations mean that holidaymakers travelling through UK airports can only take liquid containers measuring 100ml or less. All containers must be carried in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag. This bag can hold no more than one litre of liquid and must measure 20cm x 20cm.
Luckily, Boots has a whole range of travel-sized miniatures including shampoo and conditioner, shower gels, sun cream, skincare and teeth cleaning products. Floss explained that there are one of the strongest performing categories in Boots’ travel stores, including airport locations.
“Not only is there a fantastic range of brands included, we also have a four for three offer running in our airport stores which gives customers great value too,” she explained.
Although travel mini products vary in price, there are plenty of essentials available for less than £10.
- Shoppers can snap up a 50ml travel-sized Ambre Solaire Mini Ultra-Hydrating Shea Butter Sun Protection Cream with SPF30 for just £3.47.
Travel-sized Aussie Mega Hair shampoo and conditioner are available for just £2.50.
A 95ml of LISTERINE Total Care Mouthwash is on sale for £1.50.
Save money on your in-flight snacks
If you’re jetting off with a budget airline or on a short-haul trip, your in-flight food and drinks may come at an additional cost – and when you’re travelling with the family things can start to add up quickly.
That’s where Boots’ food and drink offers could help. There are Boots locations at almost every airport in the UK, which means you can pick up a snack and drink before heading to the departure gate.
“We know that value is really important to shoppers all year round and we do our best to provide them with value for money in our airport stores, not just on the high street,” said Floss. “This could range from someone staying hydrated with two waters for £2.50 or picking up a Meal Deal.”
You can pre-order food and drink for collection via Boots Click and Collect service or order snacks online to pack into your hand luggage.
The brand also ensures a healthy range of foods, featuring handy traffic light labelling to help you understand exactly what is in the food you are eating.
Simple hack to beat luggage restrictions
Airlines are increasingly tightening hand luggage restrictions, including rules on the size of your cabin bag and sometimes even the weight. Coupled with the UK airport rules surrounding liquids, packing your hand baggage can be a bit of a nightmare.
Luckily, Boots has come to the rescue with a special airport collection service which means that not only can you take as many toiletries as you need for your travels, but can also help you get around weight and size restrictions.
“I’ve seen this described as a ‘travel hack’, and our Click and Collect service really is a hidden gem,” Floss told Express.co.uk.
“Ordering to our ‘air-side’ stores allows customers to pick up toiletries and other liquids that are over 100ml, and save that all-important packing space.
“We also see customers using Click and Collect to pre-order other family essentials such as baby food and sun cream.”
The collection service has been described as a “game changer” hack by commenters on TikTok, and Express.co.uk even but it to the test to see just how beneficial the airport Click and Collect service really is. You can read our review of Boots’ airport Click and Collect service here.
Where does Boots have stores in the UK?
Boots has 2,200 stores across the UK. To find your nearest Boots store you can see the full list on the Boots website, or if you’d like to search for a Boots store using a postcode, place name or your location, try the Boots store locator.
Which airports have a Boots store?
Boots has 38 airport stores across the UK, and offers the Click and Collect service at 15 after security airport shops:
- Aberdeen
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- East Midlands
- Edinburgh
- Gatwick North and South
- Glasgow
- Heathrow (terminal 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Leeds Bradford
- Liverpool
- London City
- Luton
- Newcastle
- Stansted
- Manchester (terminal 1, 2 and 3)
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