We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A pair of rotating nail clippers because if you happen to get a hang nail while out and about (this has happened to me way too many times) you can cut it off for some sweet sweet relief.
Promising review: "Total comfort and ease for those who have arthritis or aged weaker hands. Just set the angle for your comfort and clip with ease. Not only are these clippers super sharp, but also the long handles reduce the pressure needed to clip toenails and fingernails. Even the younger set will be pleased with the adjusting angel of the cutters. I sure wish I this product 10 years ago. I am 100% pleased and recommend for anyone to use." —Allen F. & Virginia S. Capel
Get them from Amazon for $7.99.
2. And a set of glass nail files with protective cases so if you break a nail, you don't have to wait hours or even days before you can smooth it out.
Note: Each color is a different grit texture for all of your filing needs.
Promising review: "Got one of these glass nail files from my sister at Christmas (she had an extra pastel one) and the wife and I love it, so much so that I bought this three pack but in the brighter colors. It files down your nails way better than an emery board or even a metal file does. Get these and just throw away or donate your emery boards!" —Alf33
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $9.92+ (available in two color combos).
3. A sleek touchless forehead thermometer with a built-in sensor so you'll never have to worry, "Is my baby running a fever?" Keep your mind at ease knowing that with this in your bag, you'll always be able to keep their well-being a priority.
Promising review: "This is a great thermometer — accurate, looks great, a must have! If you have kids, forget about sticking a thermometer in their ears. I have four kids now and a thermometer is a must have. Hold this thing close to the forehead, push the button, and you get a reading in about one second. This thing looks good, feels good, and is accurate. We’ve used multiple thermometers in the past. The head scanner that you run across the forehead...no good. In-ear thermometers...accurate but expect a battle. Rectal thermometers...very accurate, but expect a war. This is the easiest one out of all of them. We find it especially useful when we need the quick 'I don’t feel that great' check...i.e., man cold. Overall, highly recommend!" —BearDownChi1
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
4. An anti-blister balm if you're sick and tired of the painful scrapes that magically appear on the back of your heels after a long walk or a new pair of shoes. Your heels will thank you for keeping this product with you at all times.
Promising review: "Saw this product in a TikTok review and thought to give it a go. I definitely say it causes new shoes to be less painful, however if you apply a lot it can be a little transferable on shoes. Overall though I think this product is definitely worth it and it does make a different with new shoe wear!" —Mich Elle
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
5. A travel baby wipe dispenser to fill with your favorite kind so whether you need one or your tot needs one, you'll have a pack handy. This dispenser is super slim and will take up little to no room in your bag.
Grab a pack of wipes here.
Promising review: "Bought this to put in my diaper bag instead of throwing a WHOLE pack of diaper wipes in it. It fits a very good amount for a day outing or something similar. I have no problems pulling the wipes out of the holder whenever the holder is full. Really happy with this purchase." —Kaylaaaa
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors; wipes are not included).
6. A set of battery power banks that'll be a lifesaver when your tech devices' batteries get low and there's no outlet in sight. You can avoid the "OMG I need my GPS to get home what am I going to do" panic that so often sets in.
Each power bank features four ports — two USB ports, a USBC port, and a Micro USB port. Each power bank allows for two to three full battery charges for your phone.
Promising review: "They are the perfect chargers! They charge my phone to 100% and still have like a whole battery left. I was amazed that they actually worked." —AmazonKweenBee’s👑🐝
Get a set of two from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in three color combinations).
7. A travel-size Poo-Pourri spray so when the urge to go number two hits, you can go in peace knowing when you leave the bathroom stall, it'll smell fresh and aromatic and not like doody.
Spray a few spritzes in the toilet before you go and a few spritzes in the toilet after you go for maximum results.
Promising review: "This product works!!!!!!! It works 10 times better than other air freshener. Every bathroom should have this product. You basically spray the product three times into the toilet, and do your business. I don't know chemistry, but somehow the chemicals neutralize the horrible odor in the bathroom. You won't understand how amazing this product is until you use it. I bring this on vacation and trips to see family and friends. I'm not going to embarrass myself at anybody's house!" —Naturally MonaLisa
Get the travel size from Amazon for $10.98 (available in a variety of scents).
8. A mushroom pacifier to help you avoid the dreaded cries that come with bringing your little one on an airplane (or a long car ride for that matter). You'll be so grateful to be able to whip this guy out when they get fussy.
Note: Please supervise your baby when using this, and make sure it's never flipped inside out.
Promising review: "MUST-HAVE FOR TEETHING BABY. We have tried so many teethers and none of them gave my little guy relief, and he had trouble holding, etc. He loves to chew on his hand, so this is perfect as it has grips in the middle under the mushroom. He chews on it for teething and uses it as a pacifier. LOVE THESE!! I already ordered two more. 🤣" —Mark
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in five colors).
9. A set of Tide To Go Pens in case you spill some ketchup on your fresh new sneaks, or some wine on your pretty white blouse, or coffee on your slacks — you get the picture, right? These will always come in handy and being an adult means having these on you always. (I need to take my own advice and get myself a pack.)
Promising review: "These were a lifesaver. I was walking to the bus and decided it was a great decision to drink coffee while walking. Like a scene from an infomercial, I spilled coffee all over my white shirt. Yes, the classic coffee on the white shirt. Luckily I had one of these in my bag (I put one in each of my most-used purses in anticipation of my clumsiness). I went into a store bathroom and quickly scrubbed the Tide To Go on my shirt. All of the coffee blobs went away and once the awkward wet splotches dried up, my shirt was perfectly white again. You've got yourself a big fan, Tide." —NAD
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $7.74.
10. A bottle of Tower 28 facial spray to soothe stressed skin. It's a great post-beach refresher for sensitive skin and doesn't contain alcohol, oil, or fragrance. So if you're prone to getting sunburns, keep this girly on hand.
Tower 28 is woman-owned small business based in LA. The founder, Amy, started the brand after after working 15+ years in the beauty industry. The company works to create nontoxic, vegan, cruelty-free beauty products that are perfect for any skin type.
Promising review: "I started to experience hormonal cystic acne at a time where I had to wear a mask for 40 hours a week. I stopped wearing makeup to work, took certain foods out of my diet, and I tried so many skincare products to help bring my acne to a stop and nothing worked. It was really messing with my self-esteem to the point where I stopped putting makeup on and lost my passion for a moment. It wasn’t until I added this spray to my skincare routine that I found some relief. This is one of the two products that truly helped me. I see a major difference." —bwilliams18
Get the mini size from Sephora for $12.
11. A travel-sized antiseptic and pain relief spray so if a boo boo occurs, you can spritz some of this healing ointment on asap.
Promising review: "This is the perfect travel item to throw in my diaper bag. With a rambunctious toddler, I can always use some Neosporin on the go!" —Kelsey Marciano
Get it from Amazon for $7.
12. A compact pill organizer since any potential medicine you may need should be kept compartmentalized and easy to find. You'll now be able to keep your Tums, Advil, and important medications perfectly organized instead of all tossed into one jar (or in my case, a plastic bag...)
You could also use these for storing other things like hair ties, bobby pins, and even jewelry!
Promising review: "This is amazing!!! One of my favorite purchases I’ve made on Amazon. I did in fact buy it to use with pills and have had no issues there, but I found another use for it too!! Since it is actually relatively large, I ended up using one of them for packing my jewelry as well!! It is REALLY hard to find a safe and effective way to transport this volume of jewelry, but this is great. With separate compartments for each piece, a hard plastic design so that nothing can squish them through the packaging, and two different sizes for the compartments, I am obsessed. This is the best idea I ever had LOL." —Kathy Latifi
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $11.97.
13. A huge set of colorful velvet scrunchies so you'll never be without one again. These come in 60 different colors so you'll have one to match every 'fit.
Promising review: "Great scrunchies at a good price. I love these and use them daily. I have baby-fine hair and it tends to get ripped out with most scrunchies. But these are great; they slip right off when you take them out. I blow out my hair in the morning, then just twist my hair into a bun and wrap these around. I leave them in while I apply my makeup and get dressed and then use some light hairspray with the scrunchie still in. They are comfortable. Seem well made." —qinxiaoyang
Get a set from Amazon for $8.99.
14. A set of The Good Patch Dream patches if traveling inhibits your ability to catch some solid Z's while away. I've used these patches and actually love them.
I can sometimes be a restless sleeper who struggles to actually fall asleep. Whenever I've used one of these patches it has helped me get to sleep faster. I don't use them all of the time, but when I have I've actually gotten amazing sleep. I highly recommend if you're interested in using these to consult your doctor if you've never used any sort of sleep aid before. I've also tried other patches from this brand and will def repurchase.
Promising review: "After trying almost everything out there — prescription sleep medication, melatonin gummies, chamomile tea, over-the-counter sleep aids — I finally found the BEST sleep aid that does not make me foggy the next day. I have suffered from insomnia for as long as I can remember. I typically fall asleep quickly but then wake every couple of hours with my mind racing from the day, the past, whatever my mind wants to fixate on at that particular moment. I even bought a Fitbit to track my sleep quality. Since trying The Good Patch Dream Patch, my sleep score has gone from 60–70 to 80 almost every night! I only use ½ a patch and it works wonders. I easily fall asleep and stay asleep, feeling refreshed the next morning. I highly recommend!" —Cheryl Brown
Get eight patches from Amazon for $24.
15. A set of dress weights in case you didn't anticipate it being soooo windy at that destination wedding you're attending. Add these to the underside of your dress and forgo an "oopsie" Marilyn Monroe moment.
Dress Strong is a small business based in New York.
Promising review: "I love these! I live in Hawaii and this is a must if you don't feel like flashing random people on the street at random times as Hawaii weather is somehow unpredictable. I used to tape coins in the bottom of my skirts and dresses, and of course those are unreliable and often fall off. I have been looking for a good dress weight since, and I finally found this one! A great purchase and even better customer service." —Freida Garcia
Get a set of two from Dress Strong on Etsy for $15 (also available in larger quantities).
16. An RFID-blocking travel wallet perfect for trips abroad or a simple trip to the mall to hold your tickets, currency, passport, must-have credit cards, and IDs. This will also help diminish the panic of "Where is my passport?" when you're rummaging through your tote bag.
The RFID blocking material prevents thieves from the ability to technologically steal your data from the chips in your credit cards or passport.
Promising review: "I love this wallet so much that I’m going to use it for every day use prior to our trip! For someone who doesn’t use credit cards, it’s perfect (only three slots), so if you’re a big card user this may not be for you. I like that it has a 'hook' so I can attach my keys and go, no need to carry a purse around if I don’t want to!" —McNichol
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 36 colors).
17. A bottle of anti-fog treatment to ensure your glasses don't fail you when you move from the comfort of your home to the outdoors (which is def a safety hazard).
Promising review: "I have used many different defoggers on my glasses in the past, all of them lacking. THIS defogger worked fantastically. It kept my glasses from getting foggy outside, inside, and when moving from inside to outside. I recommend this defogger to anyone looking to keep fog off of their glasses. Not only does it work, but it is reasonably priced. GREAT PRODUCT! So good I bought it twice so far and will buy it again in the future." —J. Weston
Get it from Amazon for $15.55.
18. A travel case of mint dental flossers you can keep in your car or handbag when that random poppy seed gets stuck in your tooth after your morning bagel.
Promising review: "I purchased this to keep in my purse zipper compartment for 'emergencies' aka getting something stuck in between my teeth, such as pepper, lettuce, herbs, whatever. I can go to the powder room and remove whatever it is. I feel better having these in tow. We love Plackers for use here at home; they make flossing easy. With age, it just seems things tend to get stuck more, and these are a great idea to have just in case. I can refill the case if I do end up needing to use them. The case is easy to open and close and feels like it will stay closed well in my purse. These are a great idea!" —Small~Town~Girl
Get 12 flossers from Amazon for $0.99.
19. A pack of Colgate disposable toothbrushes in case you happen to have a meal with a bit of garlic or onion and need to freshen up quickly. There's no rinse or water necessary — just scrub away and then toss when finished!
Promising review: "Late sleeper? Sometimes barely conscious as you rush to get ready for work and run to the car so you won't be late? Maaaybe forgot to brush your teeth even though you're supposed to be an adult? Yeah, me too. These things freshen and clean and a bag of them are always in my purse. Wish they sold them in giant bulk." —Lindsay E Murdock
Get a 96 from Amazon for $14.52.
20. A pack of natural green tea oil-blotting sheets to help remove any excess oil on the skin for a mattified look. Keep these in your bag to dab over your T-zone so your makeup stays looking fresh all day.
Promising review: "Where have these been my whole life? I live in humid Florida and have very oily skin. Halfway through the day I look like an oil slick. I love these tissues; they feel great on skin and gently absorb oil. It does not ruin or pick up my makeup at all when I dab them on my face. They leave no trace of oil and I am good for another four hours or so. I can't live without these now!" —Ashley Bouchard
Get a pack of 100 sheets from Amazon for $6.95 (available in bamboo, green tea, and rose and in packs of one and two).
21. A set of soap sheets so you'll never be without soap — especially in public restrooms when they decide to not restock the soap dispensers #ugh.
Promising review: "These are fantastic! They work just as described (you truly only need a small amount of water and they lather generously) and really do smell like honeysuckle, as a previous review mentioned. :) They arrived quickly and we were able to test them out on a road trip as we visited two national parks and multiple out-of-the-way places in between. I've generally carried liquid hand soap in my trunk, but it's been messy at times and was hard to take with us when we were away from the car. These solved all those issues, and there are enough in the set that everyone could carry a package in their own day pack. We put one in each glovebox, and we have them in our 72-hour emergency kits as well. So handy!" —EMiller
Get a set of nine (450 sheets total) from Amazon for $13.99.
22. A travel sewing kit because no one wants to get a rip in their fave pair of jeans, a tear in their going out dress, or lose a button off their prized Polo shirt.
This lil' kit features: needles in various sizes and lengths, replacement buttons, scissors, pins, a seam ripper, various colored thread spools, a measuring tape, and a thimble, all in one zippable carrying case.
Promising review: "After receiving this kit I sewed up two throw pillows plus replaced a button on a shirt and a sweater. I won’t travel without a kit like this, as it is nearly impossible to get buttons replaced on trips. The price was better than most kits I saw on Amazon or at local stores." —Mike H of Maple Grove
Get it from Amazon for $5.99.
23. A pot of aromatherapy dough to keep handy on long car rides or flights when you're feeling a bit fidgety or anxious. This will give you something to focus on while you pop your headphones in and listen to your ~zen~ playlist simultaneously.
Lolli and Pop Shoppe is a small business that produces small batch herbal-infused goods based in Milton, Delaware.
Promising review: "I'm amazed that my relax dough is still so soft after weeks of use. My only regret is not getting one for my toddler! On my next order I'll definitely be adding a few extra to my cart. 😉" —Malori
Get it from Lolli and Pop Shoppe on Etsy for $10.20+ (originally $12; available in 25 scents).
24. An anti-rub gel stick for any areas that are starting to chafe (happens anytime I travel to some place warm and wear shorts). Use it between your thighs, under your boobs, and even your bikini line for a soothing way to stop the friction. It features sea kelp and cucumber fruit for a cooling consistency.
25. A collapsible water bottle so you never find yourself parched without a store to purchase a bottle of water from again.
Promising review: "Well this is the coolest thing ever! I travel quite a bit, and I usually don't take a bottle with me because they are big and bulky, and I usually lose it! This collapsible water bottle is a perfect traveling accessory. It stays collapsed until after security, and then I fill it up for the trip. It's a good size and fits in my side compartment in my travel backpack and the cap screws in securely so I don't have to worry about it opening accidentally and spilling all over the place. I follow the instructions on how to clean it and it works just fine." —M. Lyons
Get it from Amazon for $31.95 (available in six colors).
26. A tube of thick and creamy Boudreaux's Butt Paste because diaper rash is REAL and definitely uncomfortable for your bbs. This'll keep their bum dry and prevent painful redness. It is dye-, paraben-, preservative-, and talc-free!
Promising review: "The BEST BY FAR! A must-have!!!! This is by far my favorite diaper cream! It works instantly for any almost any rash! My son has super sensitive skin and I can put it on before bed and by morning any rash he has ever had is gone or almost gone! Amazing stuff!!! I give it to all my first-time mom friends! I HIGHLY recommend, I have tried it all!!!!!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $4.94.
27. And a mini wallet emergency kit if you can never be too prepared for any issues that may arise. Scrape your knee while away? Bandage! Need some breath mints after a yummy (but garlic-y) meal? Mentos! Aunt Flow came a day early? Tampon!
Anne Cate is a Cleveland-based, woman-owned small business creating minimalist keepsakes to commemorate your favorite locations, with over 100 hand-designed skylines depicting cities and colleges from around the world!
Inside your mini wallet you'll find a hair tie, lip balm, two floss pics, sewing kit, bandage, emery board, two safety pins, two earring backs, makeup wipe, two bobby pins, two mints, deodorant wipe, Shout wipe, tampon, hand sanitizer, and pain reliever.
My colleague Danielle Healy has this kit and loves it:
"I, your resident forgetful person, bought the NYC skyline version of this to toss in my purse or work tote whenever I got out. It's filled with a bunch of easy-to-forget bits and bobs that will (and have) saved the day in a pinch, all pre-packaged in a stylish and high-quality wallet. It's my perfect little SOS kit."
Get it from Anne Cate for $25 (available in 97 styles).
And now that you're prepared for anything and everything...
