If you're a part of a marching band, you probably find yourself doing a fair amount of traveling. Whether you're headed across the country for competitions or traveling alongside your school's football team, knowing what to pack can be tricky – especially if it is a short trip.
Practicing good hygiene is always a good idea, but bringing every toiletry you own on a trip is impractical – especially with all of the marching band equipment you're responsible for transporting to shows. While you could probably find the toiletries you need on the road, it's always nice to have products you normally use.
Keep these things in mind when gathering toiletries for your next marching band trip:
Pick the essentials
You need to pack the products that will keep you looking your best. Instead of letting the grease build up after a couple days of not washing your hair, bring along shampoo and conditioner. If you normally put some sort of product in your hair after bathing (pomade, gel or spray, for instance), don't forget it either. Even if your marching band uniform requires you to wear a hat, that's not a valid excuse to leave toiletries for hair care behind.
Remember a toothbrush and toothpaste. If you want to practice even better oral hygiene, be sure to bring along floss. Guys, it's a good idea to bring a razor and shaving cream. A little stubble is OK for a day or two on vacation, but there's no need to let it turn into a beard that reminds people of Tom Hanks in "Cast Away." If you shave with an electric razor, try to remember to pack extra batteries, too. If you're headed to a place with colder weather than you're used to, it's a good idea to protect your skin from the harsh environment. Moisturizing your skin with lotion will help keep it from getting dry or chapped. If the marching band production is outside (like a halftime show at a football game), remember to bring sunscreen!
Smelling nice is easy to accomplish. Simply pack deodorant and apply it daily. If you want to smell even better, think about packing cologne or perfume.
Make the most of your space
Packing so many items in your luggage can be tricky, especially if you're already responsible for instruments and marching band accessories. The Transportation Security Administration limits passengers to a quart-size bag of liquid toiletries, and each item cannot exceed 3.4 ounces. If there's a large amount of a particular toiletry that you can't live without on vacation, you can put it in a checked bag as long as you protect it from spilling or exploding during travel. Do so by stowing it away from formal clothing and even by sealing it in a plastic bag. One of the best ways to pack your toiletries is in a Dopp kit. Your Dopp kit should be small enough to fit in your luggage but large enough to stow the toiletries that you need. Make sure that you close it completely before placing it in a suitcase, however.
If you really want to save space, look into the 2-in-1 shampoo-plus-conditioner options at your local pharmacy or convenience store. Try to find items that may be even more beneficial on your trip, like dry shampoo or SPF lip balm. Given the rigorous schedule you're likely to face between practices and performances, toiletries that you can use on the go may be even more beneficial.
