I get an interesting assortment of travel gadgets to review. Some are pretty good, some I’d rather never see again and a few are pretty darned amazing. These are a few of my favorite travel gadgets.

Finders Key Purse key finders

The Finders Key Purse® is not only adorable, but helpful. Sometimes I get fun little gadgets that are cute, but I never really use because they aren’t practical. That’s not the case with Finders Key Purse.

Finders Key Purse designs. Photo credit: Alexx, Inc.

These little key finders are easy to use. Just hook your keys on the clasp then hook the decorative end over the outside of your purse. They aren’t heavy, don’t really add a lot of bulk, so they’re a great solution to digging in the bottom of your bag for those keys. There are a ton of designs, from fun flip flops and shiny red hearts to your favorite sports teams or more elegant designs. Prices vary depending on design, but generally range from $5.95 to $9.95. http://www.isntthisclever.com/

Finders Key Purse flip flop design. Photo credit Alexx, Inc.

Out of Africa hand cream

I live in Arizona where dry skin is a constant problem. I am always on the lookout for great lotions that don’t have tons of chemicals or obnoxious smells. Out of Africa hand cream is made from pure Shea butter and I love it. It comes in three fragrances: vanilla, olive oil with aloe and lemon verbena. There are two sizes, both TSA-compliant at 1 ounce and 2.5 ounces.

Out of Africa hand cream. Photo credit: Out of Africa

I love this hand cream because it isn’t greasy or heavy. It has a silky, creamy feel and is made from 20% pure, unrefined Shea butter. There are no parabens, sulfates, petrolatums or phthalates. There is absolutely no animal testing on Out of Africa products.

I sampled the lemon verbena hand cream and I did find the fragrance a tad bit stronger for my preference, but I normally pick lotions with almost no fragrance. Even though it’s a bit bolder than I would usually select for myself, the hand cream is so rich and creamy that I use it anyway. I will purchase one of the olive oil with aloe lotions when I run out because it’s really that good. To top it off, a portion of the proceeds on the sale of every tube goes to help women and children of West Africa. The 1-ounce tube is $6.99 while the 2.5-ounce tube is the bargain at $10.99. http://outofafricashea.com/products/handcare/handcream.html

Hoo-rag

When I first received an email about the Hoo-rag, my reaction was, “A who what?”. If you’re a Survivor fan, you’ve seen something similar in the team buffs. I love my Hoo-rag. I have the “Groovy Hoo” Hoo-rag pictured below.

The Groovy Hoo from Hoo-rag. Photo credit: Hoo-rag

So what can you do with a Hoo-rag? There are at least a dozen options, including ponytail holder, bandana, beanie, headband, pirate rag, sweatband, protection for your face from sun and sand. I most often use mine as a headband when I travel. It looks nice enough to wear out, but once I’m on the plane, there’s nothing to make me uncomfortable and, when I want to sleep, I can just pull it down over my eyes. Check out the video below for some examples of ways to use the Hoo-rag.

The Hoo-rag is great for travel but I also use it around the house to keep my hair out of my face. The designs are fun and attractive and you can toss them in the wash after you wear them. Most of the Hoo-rags are $15.95 and you can order them online with free shipping. You can find them at a few retail locations, but mostly in Florida. I definitely recommend the Hoo-rag and I haven’t traveled without mine in a long time. I think it’s time for me to pick out a couple of new designs. http://www.hoorag.com/

La Fresh Travel Lite wipes

With all the limitations on travel because of the 3-ounce liquid restrictions, I love to find products in alternative packaging. La Fresh offers an entire line of travel wipes—La Fresh Travel Lite wipes. The company offers everything from antibacterial wipes to antiperspirant wipes, all in convenient single use packs. I love to throw these little packets in my carry-on bag, especially on long flights. The fact that they are TSA-friendly, non-liquid, biodegradable and compostable make them the perfect travel companion.

Travel Lite® Insect Repellent Wipes. Photo credit: La Fresh

My favorite wipes are the makeup removers, insect repellant, minty mouth scrublets and antibacterial wipes. The mouth scrublets, flavored with stevia, are great after a long flight. I really appreciate the insect repellant. I am usually a bug magnet. If there’s a mosquito within five miles it will find me. These actually work to keep me bug-bite-free without heavy smells or chemicals. They’re all natural, made with peppermint oil, sesame oil, olive oil, castor oil and wheat germ oils. Best of all, it’s DEET free. My favorite way to buy the wipes is in single-use packets, available in a box of 48 for $19.99. http://lafreshgroup.com/travel-lite-amenities

eBags packing cubes

I never travel without my packing cubes. I’ve gone through several different brands and my favorites are the ones that eBags sent to me. The best way to purchase the eBags packing cubes is to get the 3-piece set, which includes one small, one medium, and one large mesh cube. The cubes make packing easy and give you a great, sanitary way to put your clothes in hotel room drawers. All of the cubes have heavy-duty zippers with corded double pulls, mesh top so you can see what’s inside, finished interior seams, a handle, and soft mesh so your clothes don’t get wrinkled.

eBags Packing Cubes. Photo credit: eBags

There are a variety of colors (I have eggplant), which means you can use one color for different family members to help you stay organized. They are extremely lightweight, so even when you have to be pound-friendly for flying, you’re not burdening yourself a heavy insert, as these only weigh 12 ounces total. The small cube measures 11″ x 6.75″ x 3″ and I find it ideal for undergarments, camisoles, and socks. They’re also ideal for medications, cameras, power adapters, or kids’ items. The medium cube measures 13.75″ x 9.75″ x 3″ and I use it for my shirts, blouses, and pajamas. Finally, the large cube measures 17.5″ x 12.75″ x 3.25″ and I use it for my larger items, including dresses, pants, exercise pants, and even sweaters. The suggested retail price for the set of three cubes is $29.99. Click here to pick a color and purchase your own set of eBag cubes.