The Toiletry Bag You Should Always Pack to Prevent Messy Spills

This article is part of Best Break Ever, a collection of stories designed to help you travel in style and relax to the max over college break. Have the coziest time off!

Whether you start setting aside clothes weeks before or you pack at the very last minute, there is one category of item that you really can’t help but pack shortly before you head out: toiletries. I spent years shuffling my lotions and brushes into various Ziplocs and too-small makeup bags, only to forget something, lose something, or ruin a shirt with a product that inevitably squirts out into my luggage. 

But I’ve evolved, and now I have a small arsenal of the best travel toiletry bags that I absolutely swear by for making packing easier, less stressful, and surely less messy. From a $10 compact option to a hanging bag that’s essentially a portable vanity, here are my favorite toiletry bags for travel. 

Made of colorful recycled nylon, Baggu bags are known for how lightweight they are, and this Dopp kit is no exception. I use this surprisingly spacious zippered pouch every time I’m feverishly packing for an overnight or weekend away, and find it can fit everything from my toothbrush and toothpaste to my face moisturizer and makeup essentials. Inside, you’ll find two open pockets (great for tucking little things like floss) and a discrete zippered pouch (perfect for things you’d lose in the main compartment, like tiny hair clips). The outside also has a handy loop, which you can use to carry the Dopp kit or hang it on a hook. And of course, the bag comes in several super fun patterns, from a red-and-purple apple print to a plaid-and-star print version.

If you want a cosmetic bag that essentially acts as a portable vanity, this is about to be your MVP. It hangs from a collapsible hook, unfurling to reveal several interior compartments, including a deep space for all of your skincare products, a mesh zippered pocket, and slots for things like makeup brushes and your toothbrush (there’s an exterior toothbrush holder, too, so it doesn’t get the inside icky while it’s still wet). The recycled ripstop polyester material is water-resistant, so the whole bag is easy to wipe clean, and when you’re ready to pack it up, simply click the buckle to securely close it. 

Worried about your lotion leaking through your fabric cosmetics bag? Stressed over finding a case big enough to fit your full-size products? This Calpak Clear Cosmetics Case is just what you need. The transparent material means you can see everything you’ve packed at a glance (ideal for me, as I’m always forgetting something key, like my contact lenses), and the medium size (it also comes in small and large) is roomy enough for all of my bathroom travel essentials. It seriously saves me so much time and stress while packing. My only caveat is that at 10 inches long, 8 inches high, and 5 inches thick, this case is a little bulky; it’s certainly worth it for all that it can fit, but it may not be the best choice if you’re packing extra light.

If you need a compact bag that you can order and have delivered to your door ASAP before college break, this $10 toiletry bag is perfect. It features a convenient carrying handle, is made of water-resistant material, and has lots of zippered compartments (including some breathable mesh ones — great for that still-damp toothbrush) to make packing up your cosmetics a breeze. Plus, it comes in no fewer than 25 colors, from dark purple and bright orange to olive green and soft pink, so you can pick the style that speaks to you.