Give a girl the right pair of shoes… and she can conquer (or travel) the world -Marilyn Monroe
The Top Travel Products Tested Personally
Shoes that can go the distance
The Teva Tirra Sandals have been my constant companion for over 7 years. They have a long lasting support and comfort which causes a cult-like obsession. I highly recommend you try a pair.
Lighten the Load of your Liquids
I loved the smell, the suds and the simplicity of the Lush shampoo and conditioner bars. I purchased the bars and their tins to easily carrier around with me to CA and AZ. After a month of use there is barely a dent in their size. These guys are keepers.
Shorts for every adventure
These Eddie Bauer Sightscape Horizon Cargo Shorts are so lightweight, water resistant, comfortable and cute. I ended up buying three pairs in three different colors. Perhaps you might want to do the same.
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Solid Shampoos & Conditioners
When the TSA made the change to carry ons only including one quart size bag with liquids at 3.4 fluid ounces, they changed a lot about how to prepare for a world trip. I now have to make some tough decisions about what I'm going to allow in my liquids bag. One of the things I've been thinking of kicking out is Shampoo and Conditioner. I tried two different solid shampoo and conditioners - one from Lush and one from Ethique to since these are both eco friendly brands known for their solid hair care products. It's definitely not the way I use to wash my hair, but I think I can make this work. After using each one for a month, I found that the Lush products sudsed up nicely and left my hair in very similar a condition to my normal shampoo. They also have travel tins to keep your other products from getting sticky.
Walking Shoes
Walking shoes at Disney are incredibly important. Normally I would balk at anyone who said they wore brand new shoes at Disney just to try them out, but I guess I'm a little crazy because I did just that. I wanted to take two shoes - one travel branded and heavily advertised and another hardly heard of for travel, but supposedly comfortable - and put them to the test. You are going to have to watch the video to see who won.
Walking Sandals
I have been wearing Teva Tirra sandals since 2015 and recently I decided I needed to try something new to make sure they were really the best. I fell down the rabbit hole of travel shoes and came across Keen sandals and Olukai's Upena sandal. In the video to the left you'll see I took them both to Disney where I stood and walked and wore my feet out, so I could feel the effect. In the end, the Keen's did not win me over, but I loved the sleek fashionable, airy, and comfortable Olukai's. However, the Olukai's lack some support, so for longer trek's the Teva sandals are still my favorite. On my Braggworthy Adventure, I will be bringing them both.
Raincoats
I bought three jackets reviewed by others and tested each for their breathability, durability and superiority. I would not only need to look great in the jacket, I would also need to know it would work and pack well. This was no easy decision, but the lightweight gortex material of the REI Co-op Drypoint GTX proved unbeatable. Check out the full experience in the video below
Here are the contestants:
Travel Shorts
I went shopping to find a reliable, flexible, comfortable pair of shorts that I could wear anywhere I go. After much research and deliberation I decided to order from Toad & Co, Eddie Bauer and Ice Breaker to find this diamond in the rough. Each short had it is own unique qualities, but only one did I end up buying in three different colors. No, really, that is how much I loved the Eddie Bauer Sightscape Horizon Cargo Shorts. They are lightweight, a nice fit, sturdy, flexible and all around ready for any sort of adventure. If you don’t believe me, check out the video to see how they stood against the competition.
Travel Pants
I hate pants! This might be part of the reasons I love living in Florida, but I often find pants difficult- I'm 5'10" so they are never long enough or never fit all the right places. So when buying travel pants, I wanted to buy a couple and find the one. Luckily this time it worked out! I settled on three brands and got to work. Fit was a major factor in the all star of this experiment. Sizing is different for everyone, so watch the video to see which pant you feel would best fit you, but I chose the Columbia Saturday Trail pants as my round the world companion. Here are links to all the pants featured:
Merino Wool
The more I research what to bring on a Round the World trip, the more curious I have become about Merino Wool. So many travelers mention their Merino Wool clothing and the quality of the fabric. I decided it was finally time to try it out for myself and I bought some items from two Merino Wool brands: Woolly and Icebreaker. I was especially nervous about whether the fabric would be itchy, since I have sensitive skin. In the end the experiment proved fruitfull. I found a light weight long lasting shirt from Wolly and the best socks I’ve ever worn from Icebreaker.
These are the products in the video:
Woolly:
Icebreaker:
Gotoob Bottles
When researching the best travel products GoToob bottles come highly recommended. However, I wasn't convinced that a $5 bottle could be all that different from the cheaper versions I have already seen. I also wanted to know how long this bottle would last so I could prepare for my trip. Since nothing was answering those questions online, I took matters into my own hands and began to investigate.
I went to the Dollar Store to find a similar bottle, filled them both up with shampoo, and started using them every time I washed my hair. After months, they finally ran out and in the video I go over the results of this experience and some of my thoughts. I hope it proves useful to you if you are trying to decide what sort of 3oz bottle you need!
Testing Waterproof Makeup at Atlantis, Paradise island, Bahamas
Traveling to places thick with humidity generally means you either don’t wear makeup or if you do it slowly drips from your face. I enjoy wearing make up and the boost of self confidence it provide me, so I wanted to find a way around the conundrum of makeup in humid places. I looked up brands and watched videos of people lightly dipping their face in water. However, I felt to really know how durable a makeup product is you need to do more than get lightly splashed, you need to live in it - and boy did I live. I went to Atlantis waterpark and put these products to the test. In the end, not much stayed on, but I feel the Rimmel Natural Bronzer and NYX Primer were the most effective.
Makeup Tested
Maybelline Tattoo Studio Eyebrow Gel
Maybelline Makeup Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Proof It! Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer
IT COSMETICS Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer
CoverGirl Lashblast Waterproof Mascara
Travel Gifts
*Gotoob: 3-pack of travel bottles for around $20-21 (price changes depending on color)
*Gotubb: Circle tubbs for various travel needs for $7.99
Dryfox quick dry towel: Travel towel for $34.99
Pixter Wide Angle Pro lens: Snap on wide lens for $54.90
QIAYA Selfie Light Ring: Snap on circle selfie light for $12.99
*Ancendes Waterproof Toiletry Bag: toiletry bucket bag for $8.88
Vlando Jewelry Box: Small travel jewelry box for $10.99
Finding gifts for loved ones is not always easy. I myself spend way too much time looking at gift guides and doing research right around Christmas in the hopes that I’ll find something they will really enjoy. If you have a traveler in your life for whom you are shopping, then this list of items which can be seen in the above video should supply you with a plethora of ideas for what to buy. I’ve starred some of the items I use regularly, that I received in this birthday haul.