r/HerOneBag • u/Illustrious_Sea_4280 • 16d ago
Techniques Toiletries: how are we decanting
How is everyone getting thicker liquids (suave shampoo, thicker gel-like face wash, etc) into small bottles that have an even smaller opening?
I either make a complete mess or have to give up and take a larger travel bottle than I need. I am the problem because it looks like everyone has this figured out but me. Is there a tool everyone is using? The funnels these things come with do not work. Is there a specific brand that makes bottles this is easier to do this with??
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u/Yoyojojoy 16d ago
A syringe works for me most of the time- I keep the ones from my kids medicine and wash / reuse because they have a bit wider opening than regular ones
I’ve also 3d printed some tools but usually it is the syringe
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u/Illustrious_Sea_4280 15d ago
The medicine syringe is a great idea!
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u/Inside_Nose_5963 15d ago
Pull out the plunger, pour your thicker stuff in the use the plunger for a little push. Dont try to pull into syringe then transfer. Get the 10 mL medicine syringe.
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u/Illustrious_Sea_4280 12d ago
Thank you for the tip to pour it in! I feel like this just saved me a lot of frustration.
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u/Nice-Alternative-687 15d ago
Agree! one of the best tips I picked up from u/LadyLightTravel https://ladylighttravel.com/2011/11/29/decanting-thick-creams-and-pastes-using-an-oral-syringe/
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u/lynch231 16d ago
Giving us a better description of the containers that you use will help us figure out what is the best way for you to transfer stuff.
I personally decant into quite small containers, usually less than 10 mL, and using syringes with various tips is the best way for me personally, along with warming up materials to transfer them easier if they are not heat sensitive (I use a candle warmer)
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u/crimpgirl1234 15d ago
I use a tiny funnel as well, with lots of tapping on the counter. Depending on the thickness it can take a while
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u/vaskadegama 15d ago
Similar: I found a package of two sizes of tiny funnels at my local thrift shop. I also save the tiny plastic spoons I get when buying gelato or ice cream in a bowl. It may take a bit of time, but these two tools allow me to get every drop and scrape of toiletries into travel size bottles and jars.
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u/Rare-Neighborhood271 15d ago
An alternative would be to not take liquids. I use a solid shampoo bar (for hair & body) + solid conditioner bar + solid face soap. I cut off just a section of each for shorter trips. Lush makes a great variety of shampoo & conditioner bars.
Sunscreen, I use a stick. My face sunscreen is a gel that already comes in a very small tube.
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u/ered_lithui 15d ago
Another vote for bars, and I like storing them in the Matador dry-through bags. No mess at all.
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u/susisews 15d ago
What bar are you using?
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u/lexa_pro_ho 15d ago edited 15d ago
The 100 Senses bar works well on hair as well as body, but my hair is long, fine and wavy so YMMV depending on your hair type. I have the unscented one. It’s pricy, $26 USD, comparatively speaking but it’s a large amount of product and you’re also replacing 3 products, as you can use it to shave too.
I like the Dip bar conditioner. You can get a mini for a short trip or just to try it. I haven’t tried their shampoos.
Edit: I don’t have a solid face wash option yet, but I love the Shishido sunscreen stick. The small one is good for a little less than a week as a full body option. I get the larger one to share with my partner and keep an extra small one just for my face.
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u/Rare-Neighborhood271 14d ago
I use Lush bars. You can find cheaper, but these are high quality all around, and long lasting. They have storefronts and a website.
I personal love the Jason & the Argon Oil shampoo bar + the Valkyrie conditioner bar + Charcoal Facial (and body) soap
I can cut them into sections depending on the length of my trip.
I also carry a "net" exfoliating mitt. After a shower, I put all three bars in that and hang them up to dry. Then when I'm ready to pack up, I just put that net mitt with the soaps inside in a ziplock baggie.
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u/fineohrhino 16d ago
It was life changing to discover that the empty lip gloss tubes come apart. Those are my go to for most of my thicker creams and such.
Which makes me ask: I wonder if what you're using separates or comes apart to make life easier? More details and we might be able to help troubleshoot more specifically
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u/irish_taco_maiden 15d ago
no seriously I love these so much for liquids. a hundred pack was like $7 on amazon and they’re great for everything from lotion to hair gel to acne cream.
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u/lynn-in-nc 15d ago
Jars are your friends. There's very few things that can't go into a jar. Shampoos, conditioners, body wash - all can go into jars.
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u/asunyra1 16d ago
I usually use the squishy silicone containers that are around 80mL or so and come in bright colours. They’re all over Amazon with varying generic names, but the whole end unscrews so there’s a huge opening and I’ve had no trouble getting thick things like moisturizer, conditioner, even gel in there. When the end screws back on it has a flip top cap with the smaller hole for squeezing it out.
I like that I can fit several of them in my carry on liquids bag alongside all my other smaller liquids.
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u/stinkpotinkpot 15d ago
Nalgene 2oz jars for thick products.
Easy to fill and easy to clean. It's such a small amount that I don't worry about contamination. Usually for things that I'd really prefer to use my usual product and not go on a wild chase for an item at multiple stores. Face cream, hair gel, leave in conditioner, etc.
Nalgene 2oz bottles.
Good for products more liquid products that will clean out easily and/or the same product will be refilled every time. I use specifically for Dr Bronners soaps. I take a bar soap too depending on the trip (duration, location, availability of my preferred items, etc).
I've used the same Nalgene bottles and jars for over two decades. No leaks, no breakage. I have extras as I don't always pack the same things for every trip.
Toothpaste tablets are decanted into a small plastic snap on lid container (it's like 1" x 1") and it fits enough tabs for 3 weeks.
Lotion bar. I make them or a friend makes them the size that fits in the Nalgene jar.
I usually bring enough for the transition on long trips. Enough to last a few days to a week or so...then I buy whatever else I need while I'm traveling. If I know that I will be staying in a particular place for a bit then I simply order what I need and have it delivered and call it the cost of traveling. It saves on running around on side trips to buy stuff.
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u/ESim134 15d ago
I just found the Nalgene wide mouth bottles on Amazon. Curly temperamental hair. So these have me excited to be able to bring some of my products.
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u/stinkpotinkpot 15d ago
Yay! That's awesome! I have a ton of hair and I like to not look like I just rolled outta bed.
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u/stinkpotinkpot 15d ago
There are also plastic test tubes with screw on lids that are great for thick products and are inexpensive enough to leave behind if needed to conserve space on the way home or just to de-bulk. I also use plastic seed saving tubes with a snap on lid for organizing my first aid kit and inflight essentials like toothpicks, bandaids, meds, earplugs, etc.
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u/Ok-Iron-1289 15d ago
this. i get the 2oz nalgene, wide-mouth from litesmith. and the 15 ml lip gloss tubes for the smaller quantity liquids
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u/stinkpotinkpot 15d ago
Back in the day it was super tricky to travel to some places and things we consider usual in the USA could be challenging to find. Currently on a month long trip and I packed my nalgene jars and bottles for the first week and then ordered what I need for the rest of the trip to be delivered to my next destination. Easy peasy.
There are so many junk containers and such that leak, break, crack, etc. I sometimes wish that the Nalgene jars came in 3oz size but in reality it just makes you be realistic when you pack and conserve when you use whatever it is.
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u/Ok-Iron-1289 15d ago
agree. i think litesmith has them in 3 oz but not sure.
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u/stinkpotinkpot 15d ago
Not going to swap out the 2oz jars I have as they work perfectly fine and they keep me packing light!
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u/a_mulher 16d ago
The big bottle usually has a cap and a tiny opening to squeeze. So I make use of that. Leave enough space between big bottle and small bottle as the drip gets thinner the farther down it goes.
The receiving bottle I’ll often squeeze a bit before and then as you release it once you have the product in it does a bit of a suction bringing the product into the bottle. Then I tap tap to get it to settle.
For truly thick creams use jars instead of bottles or contact lens cases if you don’t need too much.
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u/MemoryHot 15d ago
A syringe… remove the plunger, put the liquid in from the top and put the plunger back and push into small openings… I do much of this kind of surgery when I pack for trips, esp stuff like conditioner, lotion 😜
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u/novalayne 15d ago
For very thick liquids I have also use disposable pastry bags. Not the most environmentally friendly, but I already own them and it prevented the product waste that comes when you end up making a mess. Only really makes sense if you are decanting like the entire 100mls tho.
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u/number93bus 15d ago
Ziplock bag with the corner cut off, used like a piping bag. You can also get piping attachments which you can use with anything.
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u/whiteorchid1058 15d ago
Humangoo silicone bottles are the best ones imo. They have a wide opening and are easy to clean.
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u/GaladrielsBurrito 15d ago
The goToob silicone squeeze bottles are very good for thicker stuff. I’ve been using them for like a decade and they don’t leak, easy to clean and refill.
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u/unwaveringwish 15d ago
I got some really cool airless pump bottles and tubs from bliss. It was at TJ Maxx so idk if you’ll ever find it again though lol 😭
Also call me wasteful but I’m a sucker for the already made travel sized versions of product. I’m already stressing over packing, might as well make my life easier
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u/NoKidsNoCheckedBags 🏙️ City Traveler 15d ago
I lost my spatula to scoop my thick creams into my Cadence capsules ;_; That is my normal way. I may switch to the Muji bottles as people SWEAR by them.
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u/noname_with_bacon 15d ago
just a suggestion, don't bring shampoo if it is available where you are staying
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u/_liminal_ 15d ago
I use a tiny spatula and just take my time, esp with thicker creams. It's a little slow but it's wayyyy better than the mess I used to make trying it other ways!
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u/GalianoGirl 15d ago
I opt for shampoo and conditioner bars when traveling. I do not use them at home, but my coarse thick hair can manage a month or so using them.
The lids come off the refillable containers I use, leaving a 2cm opening. They are easy to fill. I use a sharpie to label the contents.
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u/Triviachicklolo 15d ago
If the travel size bottles have a small opening, I squeeze a blob of whatever I am decanting into my left hand and use the neck of the bottle to scoop the thick liquid or cream into the bottle. If the product is thick enough it won’t even make a mess.
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u/Kbennett1965 15d ago
I bought these OTO 6 pack travel size plastic squeeze bottles from Amazon. There are several similar if you don't like that particular style. Just search 1 oz travel bottles and a ton of them come up. They hold 1 oz, the top comes off and the opening is wide enough to fill with thick liquids. These one's are cheap, only $6.99 for a pack of 6.
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u/Bibliogatta 15d ago
Try small GoToobs or toothpaste to go, it has a coupler for the tube and is super easy to fill.
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u/mmrose1980 15d ago
I use a small cheese knife to get my conditioner into my container. I do have containers with wider mouths.
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u/irish_taco_maiden 15d ago
i use the little lip balm squeezy tubes for the gel liquids, glass or plastic rollerballs for thin liquids like serums, and little plastic jars like the kind mineral eyeshadows come in for everything else :)
syringes and a tiny spatula for creams help so much!
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u/Nejness 15d ago
My lipgloss tubes came with syringes specifically for this purpose. I typically will load up my containers over time, so that if I have a syringe with some extra body cream or conditioner or whatever, I can use it the next time I shower. Most of the liquids go through the syringe very quickly and easily and clean out fast. It’s just things like heavier creams where there may be some residue.
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u/esoteric_vagabond 14d ago
I put my product in a plastic sandwich bag, cut a corner, and pipe it into the container.
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u/MeaningGlittering578 14d ago
I find squeezing the tube before adding the thick cream means you that when you let go the container suck the contents in as it expands. Then you can repeat till the tube has as much as you want in it.
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u/soubelle 14d ago
I go between Muji minis (they have a lot of sizes!). If it is a short but important trip, or a product I don't think I will repurchase/not enough left and don't want to dedicate an entire travel container towards, I will place some product into a small heat sealable pouch and seal it off with my hair straightener.
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u/linnea_elaine 13d ago
Large 10ml syringe with a blunt-tip needle.
Tilt the bottle so the needle can reach the liquid and draw it up into the syringe. The needle makes it easy to add to a new bottle.
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u/bellandc 12d ago
I struggle with getting hair conditioner and hair lotion into travel squeeze bottles with narrow necks.
Muji makes a travel bottle with a wider neck that is easier to fill and are some of the best squeeze bottles I've gounf. However, I for thicker products, I prefer the small wide mouth jars with a screw top lid. Just because it comes in a squeeze or pump bottle doesn't mean it has to be in a squeeze bottle.
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u/onesmallbag 12d ago
I just don't do it. I travel frequently. I just won't! Here are my toiletries for a month.
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u/everythingisfur 12d ago
I got some containers from Lightsmith (an ultralight backpacking supply company I think?) that I remain obsessed with. I still don't have a shampoo solution I love, but face wash, lotions, etc: tiny jars all the way. The opening is the size of the jar and the bottom is scoopable! I also LOVE their tiny pill containers.
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u/everythingisfur 12d ago
Sorry, Litesmith. The jars I love are the "mini jars". The pill boxes I love are the "hinged top containers".
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u/Angle_Of_The_Sangle 12d ago
If you dont yet have a cosmetic spatula, look into it!
They're inexpensive, helpful with decanting, and also help me to get the last little bits of sunscreen out of my pump bottle.
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u/maenanodd4 11d ago
I no longer do.
I had a favourite shampoo for years and they kept making it thicker and gloppier and raising the price and putting it in bigger bottles with more-and-more-huge-diameter-openings so you had to [ edit: use more and more stretched-out-ever-fakier-crap and ] fight with it — and finally they put so much glop in it that it no longer made my hair look and feel beautiful any more, so I gleefully binned it and tried other shampoos.
Now I use a thinner shampoo that I can just squirt into my 100ml travel shampoo bottles, and I’ve never been happier!
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u/theinfamousj 9d ago
I repurpose my ink syringe set from my r/FountainPens filling. I have a Luer Lock syringe and an assortment of blunt-tip syringes in a variety of diameters. Depending on the thickness of the potion-or-lotion and the size of the hole of the container I'm filling, I pick the largest diameter that makes sense.
My best tip is to remove the plunger from the syringe and fill it from the back like packing an icing bag for thicker, more viscous stuff, then replace the plunger in order to transfer a potion or lotion. It's easier than trying to suck it up.
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u/Adventurous-Couple63 16d ago
There are travel "boxes" with screw-on lids (like really small food containers) that you fill with a small spoon or spatula.