Carry-Ons for the Well-Groomed Traveler

“Take good care of yourself,” the song goes, and that goes double when you are traveling. The following items offer handy assistance without demanding much space. Products may be available at area stores. Except where noted, prices do not include shipping and handling.

Dot teeth clean: Your plane is about to land, the flight attendant is demanding all passengers stay in their seats with seat belt fastened, tray table and seat back up--and you really have to brush your teeth. Perhaps someone special is waiting for you on the ground; you can’t greet him/her like this. Dental Dots to the rescue.

The flat, fingertip-size disks are covered with nylon loops soaked with fluoride toothpaste. The Dot has an adhesive backing that adheres to the fingertip, which becomes an instant handle. The toothpaste is activated by saliva. Six disposable Dental Dots come packaged like throat lozenges in a foil packet slightly larger than a credit card. I found the dots did indeed make my mouth feel fresher--though the effect is a tad gooey since there’s no rinsing.

Dental Dots in a credit-card-size six-pack cost about $2. For a store near you, call (800) 700-9409.

Stretchy exercise aid: A little exercise can go a long way toward releasing cramped muscles on long plane or car trips. Weight resistance exercises are known to be particularly effective. Now you can work on those muscles right in your seat (as long as you’re not at the controls) with the diminutive Travelers Exercise Program. You get a long, wide elastic band (popular at many gyms) and an illustrated 40-page instruction booklet showing a system of strengthening exercises for various parts of the body. The bands--which you wrap around your feet or arms and pull for resistance--are becoming increasingly popular at health spas, and the booklet makes a quick routine easy and efficient.

Travelers Exercise Program is $15, including postage and handling, from Flight Tight, 15710 Ainsworth St., Gardenia, CA 90247; tel. (310) 538-3120.

Diminutive hair dryer: When packing space is tight, I often consider leaving out my hair blow-dryer, particularly on a short trip. Now I don’t even think about it, thanks to a tiny dual-voltage portable model from Franzus. The blower, which has two speeds and an air concentrator attachment, folds up to a minuscule 4 1/2 inches long and comes in a travel pouch along with a European adapter plug. This is not the most powerful blow-dryer on Earth (it delivers 400 watts) but it works fine for all but the thickest hair, with a little patience.

Dual-Volt Mini Cyclone Hair Dryer (EP208) is $24.85 from Magellan’s; tel. (800) 962-4943.

Eye-pleasing pillow: Stressed? Tired? Lie back and close your eyes for just a bit. And to block out the light and soothe those pupils, cover your eyes with a Rest Your Eyes Pillow. These soft fabric packets filled with lightweight flaxseed have long been popular for relaxation in Asian countries, and more recently in yoga circles in the West.

Available in silk or cotton and measuring 8 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches, the pillows rest lightly against the eyes, spreading a soothing weight over key acupressure points. (I’ve tried it, it works.) A lavender-scented aromatherapy model further aids relaxation.

Rest Your Eyes Pillow runs $12.50 to $20 (depending on material and pattern) from H2B Co. Lavender-scented model costs $1 more. For the closest store, call (800) 829-6580.

Carrying on: So many little life-enhancements--but how to carry them? My all-time favorite carry-on bag just got better. Lands’ End, which manufactures upscale sportswear and rugged luggage, has improved its sturdy canvas cargo bag by adding an expanded front outside pocket with five interior pockets (including a full-length zippered mesh pocket) and a key clip. That’s in addition to the bag’s huge main compartment, two roomy zippered side pockets and zippered outside back pocket. All pockets have extra-strength double plastic zippers with metal rings at the pulls, so each compartment can be secured with a padlock (not included).

The bag comes with double canvas handles with leather padding, a detachable shoulder strap and a leather luggage tag. It’s available in medium (19 inches by 11 inches by 11 inches deep) or large (22 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches deep).

Despite repeated testing, I still find it surprising that this bag offers so much space yet still fits under most airplane seats and in overhead storage bins.

Organized Flight Bag is $119 in medium (4054-8237) and $129 in large (4054-9232) from Land’s End; tel. (800) 356-4444.

Gear & Gadgets appears the first week of every month.