Must Have Toiletry Bags for Traveling + Packing Tips & Tricks!
Posted by Jel Navarro on
Whoever said that you only need a few basic toiletries to survive when traveling has probably never traveled with a girl! Because let’s face it, us ladies need more than just the basics when it comes to our skincare routine… or you know, a super natural, unfiltered #wokeuplikethis selfie.
So what’s a girl gotta do? Well, investing in a functional toiletry bag should be at the top of your list! A super cute travel wash bag will be your secret weapon against overpacking and spilled toiletries.
And that’s exactly what this post is all about - the best toiletry bags for all kinds of travelers out there! Since we’re feeling a little extra, we also shared some of our top tips and tricks when it comes to packing toiletries for travel. If you’re ready, let the packing commence!
What to Avoid When Looking for Travel Toiletry Bags?
Before we get to our juicy recommendations, let’s talk about a few do’s and don’ts when buying a toiletry bag for travel. Here are some things you should definitely avoid:
ⓧ Weighs More Than 4 Ounces - When it comes to traveling, weight is such a serious matter. Okay, not that serious, but you get the point! You don’t want a toiletry bag that will weigh your luggage down or get you delayed at the airport. As a rule of thumb, don’t buy any toiletry bag that weighs over 4 ounces. Do look for toiletry bags that are made of PVC and nylon - these are generally lighter.
ⓧ Too Flimsy / Stiff - Pay attention to the overall structure of the toiletry bag. Flimsy toiletry bags are less durable and not suitable for packing heavy items. On the other hand, if a toiletry bag is too stiff, you won’t be able to fit as many items inside. Do look for a toiletry bag that has the perfect balance of flexibility and structure.
ⓧ Takes Up Massive Space - If it will take up precious real estate space in your suitcase, then it’s not worth it. Do consider the size of your travel bag (whether suitcase or backpack) before committing to a toiletry pouch!
ⓧ Can’t Contain Spills - Leaking toiletries are never fun but you know what’s worse? Spilled shampoo or body wash damaging your favorite clothes or shoes! Do find a toiletry bag with sturdy zippers and seams to ensure that leaks and spills are contained inside.
ⓧ Complicated Design - You don’t want to be fumbling around for a dozen zippers or rummaging to find your shampoo, body wash or lip balm. The simpler the toiletry pouch, the better!
Different Kinds of Travelers + Ideal Toiletry Bags
We know that no two travelers are the same. Thus, there’s no one toiletry bag that can serve the needs of every kind of traveler. But worry not, because we’ve rounded up some of our absolute favorite toiletry pouches for literally all types of travelers you can ever imagine.
Warning: All the characters below are entirely fictional. Any similarity to actual persons, events or your traveling life is purely coincidental. *wink, wink*
Meet Alex the Backpacker
Alex lives by the old adage that less is more and thus only brings a backpack wherever her travels take her. When it comes to toiletries, she only packs the essentials and nothing more. The perfect toiletry bag for Alex? Our Extra Small Cube or better known as the TSA Approved Toiletry Bag!
The Scoop on Our TSA Approved Toiletry Bag
✔ Under Quart Size
✔ Very Lightweight (2.5 Ounces)
✔ Clear Design
✔ Clamshell Opening
✔ Fun Colors
Whether you love traveling with just a carry on or paring down your travel items to just the essentials, you’ll love our super cute and lightweight Quart Size Bag. It’s under quart size (duh) and clear on all three sides so basically the ideal TSA compliant toiletry pouch. And though it's a tiny size, it has a lot more to offer...
It opens on three sides (much like a suitcase) which is super handy when you’re low on counter space. Just pop the cube open and sift through to find the product you need! You can also hang it using the pull handle when space is really at a premium. Did we mention that it comes in all kinds of fun colors under the sun??
Meet Mara AKA the “What If” Packer
Mara keeps her skincare routine pretty much simple at home. Travel brings out a different side of her… One that packs 3 different eye creams and a dozen face masks for a 2-day trip. Yup, she’s your average what if kind of packer! And here’s what we recommend to chronic overpackers like her: the Large Toiletry Bag.
The Scoop on Our Large Toiletry Bag
✔ Fits a Lot
✔ Clear Design
✔ Very Lightweight (3.8 Ounces)
✔ Clamshell Opening
✔ Handle on Top
What makes the Large Toiletry Bag so great is that it’s quite large yet super lightweight. It can actually hold up to 20 travel size toiletries or cosmetics! So while you’re working on your chronic overpacking, this toiletry bag will allow you to keep your essentials all in check and in one place.
If you’re someone like Mara who brings checked luggage and packs way more toiletries than usual, then this travel pouch is for you. It’s clear all the way so you can see the stuff you’ve packed inside. And finally, it also has the same clamshell opening and convenient grab handle on top.
Meet Amy the Stylish Traveler
Here we have Amy, the classic stylish traveler… She packs a different outfit for every day of her trip and believes in matching everything. Naturally, her toiletry bag has to fit in her travel aesthetic as well! And nothing says classy like this Half Moon Bag from EzPacking.
The Scoop on Our Half Moon Bag
✔ Quart Size
✔ Lightweight (4 Ounces) & Spacious
✔ Vegan Leather Piping
✔ Clear Exterior
✔ Elegant Design
Get yourself a classy and fabulous toiletry bag like our Half Moon Pouch. It’s quart size so perfect for packing your 3 oz toiletries before stowing into your carry on. And yes, with its clear design, you don’t need to worry about the TSA cramping your style!
This beautiful toiletry bag is not just for travel, you can also use it as an everyday makeup pouch or purse organizer. The vegan leather piping and gold hardware will add a touch of elegance to your organizing routine! It’s also very easy to care for and maintain using a wet wipe or clean cloth.
Meet Heather the Busy Mom
Heather makes traveling with three kids look easy… even though it’s not! But hey, that’s why she’s called a super mom. Of course she can’t do it all alone, she claims that packing lists and travel organizers are her go-to essentials. For someone like Heather, we recommend our newly released Clear Zipper Pouches.
The Scoop on Our Clear Zipper Pouches
✔ Clear Zipper Fronts
✔ Fun Watermelon & Cactus Prints
✔ Includes 2 Different Size Pouches (1 TSA Approved!)
✔ Slim, Lightweight (3 Ounces) Design
✔ Easy to Clean
These clear pouches can take something as boring as packing and make it more enjoyable. Just look at those cute watermelon and cactus prints, they make packing more exciting, right? This set includes 2 pouches - 1 small, TSA approved pouch and 1 medium pouch.
Like our other EzPacking goodies, these organizers have clear, see-through fronts to allow you to find what you need in a snap. We designed these pouches to be extra slim so they won’t take up as much space in your suitcase or travel bag. And if ever your favorite shampoo or lotion spills inside, don’t worry! These pouches are very easy to clean and dry fast as well.
Mixing and Matching Different Toiletry Bags for Traveling
There are times when just one toiletry bag isn’t sufficient to your needs. No problem, you can always mix and match different toiletry bags to suit your travel style. Here’s our favorite combo of toiletry bags for traveling:
✔️ 1 TSA Approved Toiletry Bag (Carry On) - Remember the TSA 3-1-1 Rules? To simplify, liquids, creams or gels (basically anything that doesn’t hold its shape without the container) must not exceed 3.4 ounces. These liquids must be packed into 1 Quart Size Clear Pouch and taken out during TSA inspection. Whenever we’re bringing a carry on, we make sure to pack our travel size toiletries into this TSA Approved Toiletry Bag.
For travelers who want extra peace of mind, you can easily find lost bags with QR code tags. These innovative tags are a smart addition to any trip for ensuring your belongings are never truly lost.
✔️ 1 Large Toiletry Bag (Checked Luggage) - For our larger and full size toiletries, we like to store and organize them into this Large Toiletry Bag. This one’s perfect for your checked suitcase!
✔️ Circle Pouches (Purse) - Don’t forget to freshen up on the go! Pack your in-flight essentials such as deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. using these pouches.
5 Tips When Packing Your Toiletries
Have you chosen your favorite travel toiletry bag from the selection above? Good! But we can’t let you leave without some useful packing tips! Don’t stress about packing your toiletries, let these tricks guide you:
1. Take inventory before each trip - You don’t want to run out of your favorite face cream or contact lens solution on a vacay overseas. That’s why it’s important to assess the items inside your toiletry bag before leaving for your trip. Eliminate items that you don’t really need, expired goodies or refill any toiletry that needs to be replenished.
2. Consider the length of your trip - If you’re traveling for an extended period of time and living out of your suitcase, you’ll need a bigger toiletry bag to fit all your essentials. If it’s just a short trip, like a weekend getaway, then a small toiletry bag will probably suffice.
3. Decant if you can - Leave the full size products at home and bring travel size only. Decant your creams, lotion, etc. into little travel bottles or pots. You can use the back of a teaspoon to transfer your products into the smaller containers.
4. Ditch and switch - If you feel like the 3-1-1 Rule is too restricting, there’s actually a way around it… trade your liquids for solids instead! You can find most liquid toiletries such as shampoo, body wash and toothpaste in solid form. There’s even a solid version of nail polish remover right here!
5. Be realistic AND a little indulgent - Our last tip is probably the most important! Surely you need the basics such as toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. But don’t forget to bring a few luxuries for those days or nights when you need to indulge a bit. Maybe your favorite eye mask or a really expensive night cream, whatever toiletry you consider an indulgence!
Check out this post for more travel tips, tricks and hacks!
No matter where you’re going or for how long, an organized toiletry kit will allow you to enjoy your trip completely. That means no worrying about leaving your go-to moisturizer behind or getting sunburned because you forgot to pack sunscreen in your travel toiletry bag!
Additionally, having the ideal toiletry wash bag makes traveling easier and takes the stress out of packing. Find our selection of travel organizers and toiletry pouches right here, so you’ll be able to stay organized without even thinking about it!
So what kind of traveler are you? Which toiletry bag from our list best fits your traveling style? Let us know your thoughts below!
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