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How to Pack Makeup and Jewelry for Moving

 

Jewelry sits in a jewelry box in a home

Updated on November 21, 2024

If you are getting ready for a move, you are probably already working on your moving checklist and gathering everything you need for a smooth, stress-free move. Makeup and jewelry are two things that often get forgotten when crafting a detailed moving list. We are here for you if you need makeup and jewelry packing tips and hacks for your move!

Take a look at some of our tips for ensuring your cosmetics and jewelry arrive at your new location in perfect shape and avoid any moving mishaps with your favorite jewelry and makeup. Learn the proper way for moving jewelry and beauty products so you don’t have to replace lost or broken items at your new home.

How to Pack Makeup for Travel

There are proper techniques for packing and preparing your makeup products for your upcoming move and ensuring that they reach your new home without breaking and causing a mess for you during the unpacking process.

1. Purge Before Packing

Before you start packing, take the time to go through all your cosmetics and throw out anything that has expired or that you no longer use. Open makeup, especially items like mascara, can breed bacteria. Good Housekeeping has an easy-to-follow guide on when you should replace your cosmetics that will be helpful when you start purging before packing. Save space for more stuff or the stuff you like instead of taking everything with you wholesale.

2. Protect Your Makeup

Some types of makeup, like powdered eyeshadow or blush, can crumble inside its packaging if packed in a bag or box that will be moved often. Use cotton pads inside the makeup container to insulate the powder from movement. We recommend wrapping them in packing paper, newspaper, or other packing material just like you would for glass items going into a box. Be aware though, if your stuff needs to go into storage or will be sitting in a portable storage container outside your home for a while before your move, the sun can heat up the inside of the container and could cause your makeup to melt. Be prepared for any storage challenges your might face and pack these items close to last if needed.

3. Prepare for Leaks

Don’t forget to protect against leaks from your makeup bottles. Make sure every lid is tightened before packing. You can use individual plastic bags or plastic wrap to provide added protection or place the products in a travel makeup bag to keep them separated from other items you are moving.

4. Don’t Put Everything in One Box

Separate your makeup into smaller containers instead of filling up one giant box with all your cosmetics. Placing plenty of padding or bubble wrap in the boxes would be best to prevent movement within the box.

5. Extra Tips on Packing Makeup for Air Travel

If you are catching a plane to your new location, check the airline’s rules for carry-on before packing up your favorite cosmetics. There may be specific rules you will need to follow for liquid items. But generally, you will want to keep all your liquids, pastes, and creams under 3.4 oz, and they need to fit in a quart-size plastic bag. The less you bring, the better! Ensure all the lids are tight, and tape the lids down for extra security.

How to Pack Jewelry for Moving

Your jewelry could be the most expensive thing you can move. You will want to protect and pack your family's jewelry as best as possible to avoid damage and loss during your upcoming move. Here are four ways you can protect your jewelry:

1. How to Pack and Transport Earrings

Earrings can be tricky to pack and move because they can be tiny and easily lost. One of our favorite tips is to use spare buttons to keep pairs of earrings together. Another easy solution is to store your earrings in pillboxes. This technique will only work for small pairs of earrings, but it is a great way to keep your earrings from getting lost in the move.

Lastly, if you have some thin foam sheeting or even Styrofoam plates, you can stick your earrings through the foam, put the backs on, and place transparent tape on the backs for extra security. This can be a better solution if you have more oversized earrings that will not work in a pillbox or on spare buttons.

2. How to Pack and Transport Rings

Clean foam egg cartons are a great way to get your favorite rings from point A to point B without damage. Simply wash and dry a Styrofoam egg carton, place a ring in each space, and use a small ball of newspaper to insulate the ring from movement. You can tape the carton closed when you are finished to keep it securely shut during transport. Don’t forget to label your egg carton before packing it away!

3. How to Pack and Transport Necklaces and Bracelets

Necklaces and bracelets can be challenging to pack and transport without getting tangled into a complicated mess. You can store your bracelets and necklaces in a few ways to make it to your new location in perfect condition.

One of the easiest ways is to use a straw to separate your necklaces during your move. You simply thread your necklace through the straw and clasp it to secure it around the straw. You can use the same method for small necklaces or bracelets to cut down the plastic straw.

If you have necklaces and bracelets that will not fit through a straw, you can use an empty paper towel roll to keep your bracelets and necklaces safe and untangled. You can also purchase jewelry travel organizers that will do a great job storing your different pieces.

4. Don’t Forget to Inventory Your Valuable Jewelry

If you have expensive, valuable, or sentimental jewelry, you should make an extensive and detailed list of your pieces before packing them up. You can take photos of each piece and use a spreadsheet to store all the pertinent information you will need in the unfortunate event that your jewelry is damaged, lost, or stolen.

Be sure to check with your insurance company before your move to determine what information they would need before you pack up your jewelry.

We also recommend always keeping your jewelry with you during your move. The last thing you want or need is for something to go missing or get lost in transit or during the packing and unpacking process. This isn’t to say you can’t trust anyone not to steal your jewelry, but a little prudence and caution can go a long way to give you peace of mind. Consider purchasing a travel jewelry case to keep, at the very least, your most treasured and valuable jewelry with you.

1-800-PACK-RAT Can Help You Move

We know how difficult a move can be. Whether you are moving across town or the country, 1-800-PACK-RAT offers moving and storage solutions that will make your transition a smooth and stress-free experience. Our all-steel, weatherproof portable storage containers are perfect for keeping your stuff safe in storage or in transit.

Call us or check us out online to get a free quote for your storage or local and long-distance moving needs. If you have a move coming up, don’t forget to check out our other helpful moving tips to ensure you have everything you need before you start your move. Let us help make your upcoming move as simple as possible!