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Lifestyle

Airport Shopping: Avoid Buying These Things

Author Kayla Morgan

Airport terminals are a hotbed of temptation when it comes to impulse buying. If you’ve managed to breeze through airport security or are stuck dealing with a frustrating delay, it can be tough to resist the temptation to spend money while killing time at the airport. Unfortunately, even the most basic terminals are filled with tempting purchases, ranging from travel essentials to high-end fashion items. But if you want to avoid making regrettable purchases, experts have identified items you should avoid before taking off. According to Best Life, here are some of the worst things to buy at the airport, as advised by these experts.

The airport shopping experience is carefully curated to cater to a wide range of desires and needs. From practical travel essentials like neck pillows, headphones, and chargers to luxurious fashion items, fragrances, and electronics, there is something for everyone.

Chances are, you’re not getting a good deal with these purchases before your flight.

According to the lifestyle site, buying neck pillows at the airport is a big no-no. They point out that you can find them much cheaper online or at a regular store. As for headphones, the site says it’s a waste of money to buy them at the airport because many planes now offer free headphones during the flight if you forget to bring your own.

Regarding souvenirs, the site strongly advises against buying them at the airport. They say they’re overpriced and not very special or unique. The list of items to avoid also includes bottled water and Wi-Fi service.

Impulse purchases at your airport terminal.

It’s a combination of excitement and anticipation, and the unique atmosphere of the airport further intensifies the temptation to make impulsive purchases. The time-sensitive nature of air travel, with limited opportunities to shop, adds a sense of urgency to the decision-making process.

Additionally, the airport environment plays a role in fueling the desire to shop. The visually appealing displays, strategic product placements, and engaging advertisements create an ambiance that lures travelers into exploring the offerings. The convenience factor, with shops located within close proximity to departure gates, adds to the ease of falling weak to the shopping temptations.

While the airport may seem like a shopping haven, be mindful of the prices, quality, and necessity of the items on offer. Some products may be significantly marked up compared to prices outside the airport, and the thrill of the moment may cloud judgment.

Check out the complete list here.

9 Things I Refuse To Travel Without

If there’s something here you decide you just must have, we’ve provided links to the product websites.  When you click on the link and make a purchase, Beasley Media Group may earn a commission. We are an Amazon Associate and earn from qualifying purchases.  

 

As someone in their mid to late twenties, I’ve found myself traveling a lot this year for the first time on my own. Up until this point in my life, much of my travel has been with family or even a partner. But I’ve come to the very clear conclusion that I absolutely love traveling on my own. It’s very liberating to not have to worry about the six other people trying to get through TSA behind you.  

But realistically, traveling, whether alone or not, can still be stressful. I’m constantly worried about my packing situation. Did I pack enough, did I forget my charger, do I have my meds and vitamins, etc? But the more I travel the more products I’ve found that actually have made my life a million times easier.  

So, because I know Spring Break is underway and summer vacations will be here before you know it, I decided to give you my comprehensive list of products I refuse to travel without, aka travel essentials. Some of these will be great for both air and car travel too so make sure you read ahead. 

  • 1) Travel Packing Cubes

    This is the exact set of packing cubes I use, and trust me when I say I’ve converted many of my friends to them. If you like to pack a little bit more on the bulky side these will be your best friend. Many of my vacations border on close to a week. For me, that means I’m thinking about more than 7 outfits because you never know what can happen. These packing cubes not only help you fit more and condense them in your bag, but they also become a great game of real-life Tetris. My luggage has never looked so good! This 7-pack set comes with 3 bags just for clothing, a bag for your shoes, one for laundry, and a toiletry wet bag which I am very grateful for! 

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  • 2) Clear Makeup Travel Bag

    You may be laughing now, but yes my luggage has a theme and that is beige. Just wait until you see the rest of the items… but on a real note, these items all tend to come in a variety of colors. This clear makeup bag is great though. While I try to avoid taking a bag of cosmetics or any liquids in general through TSA sometimes you want to save money. And this clear bag is great for TSA. Plus it tends to hold a lot of products which is something I’m always thinking about. 

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  • 3) Makeup Travel Case

    While we’re on the subject of makeup, for all my makeup lovers out there I used to get so annoyed at all the times my brushes would get bent out of shape or even dirty when I put them with my other makeup. Sometimes, on the occasions when I wouldn’t wash my brushes before traveling, my case got dirty too. This has been the solution to the madness. This is a very nice silicone makeup brush travel case. It has a magnetic clasp in the middle so it holds all the brushes nice and close. Plus, it fits a large number of brushes. I easily could travel with all of my essentials and still have some room left to spare. 

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  • 4) Makeup Sponge Case

    In addition to my brushes, I’m a makeup sponge girlie. That means I’m also worried about the sponge getting gross and dirty. Again, enter the solution to my problems! This silicone case much like the makeup brush one is perfect for my sponge. It holds the sponge in safely and it also provides air flow so that the sponge can dry out. I really love this product and it’s definitely made traveling with makeup a lot easier the last few times.

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  • 5) Medication Pill Organizer

    While I’m not opposed to the standard Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday pill cases I also like something that allows me to add blister packs to it which is why I got this one in the first place. There are multiple compartments that I find perfect for storing my pain relievers from my vitamins, and a large compartment that fits a blister pack of pills very easily.

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  • 6) Carry On Tote

    This is the carry-on tote that dreams are made on. I love the Beis Weekender Bag, I think it’s so cute, but it is incredibly out of my budget. So I went on the hunt for a great dupe and I found this. While it may not have all the fancy bells and whistles the Beis bag does, this carry-on tote can hold a lot. I have personally fit 8 books, my laptop, my kindle, many chargers, scrunchies, hair clips, and a 40-ounce metal water bottle into it just for the plane ride. And you may be thinking, wow that’s a lot, and the answer I have for that is “absolutely.” Wayyyyyyyyyyy more than the average person probably would carry, but if you need a quick bag for carry-on or you’re doing just this bag for your whole vacation it will work for your need. It even has its own wet bag so if you need to store shampoos or conditioners, you won’t get the whole bag soaked with product. And one more amazing thing… it also has a little side pouch that allows you to fit it on top of your rolling suitcase. 

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  • 7) iWalk Portable Charger

    I never go anywhere without this. My phone does not hold a charge as long as it is used it. And so I’ve had to get creative. Whenever I’m traveling, I’m usually listening to audiobooks or podcasts and that can take up a lot of battery. So I’ve had to have an on-the-go charger. This one is great for iPhone users. It’s compact and works really well I’ve had great success with it. 

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  • 8) 3-in-1 Wireless Charger

    Now, I’ve also found this great alternative if like me you’ve also managed to get some nice earbuds and a smartwatch. This 3 in 1 charger is collapsible which is super helpful when traveling, and it will charge all three devices at once. If you’re traveling long distances and will be on your devices quite a bit this will be a good item to have on you.

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  • 9) Memory Foam Neck Pillow Set

    And my ultimate “I refuse to travel without this” item is this memory foam neck pillow set. Not only do you get a very comfortable neck pillow, but the set also comes with a pair of earplugs and an eye mask. You can drown out the noise from the plane very easily with these and just relax (as best you can) until you reach your destination. I have found this is very comfortable for the car as well, as long as you’re not the one driving! 

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Please note that items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time we published this list. Have an idea for a fun theme for a gift idea list you’d like us to create?  Drop us a line at [email protected]. 

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.

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