Welcome to the 551st Metamorphosis Monday!
How do you pack your toiletries for travel? In the past, I’ve always used a combination of things. This bag below came as a gift when I purchased a cosmetic item–forgotten what now, it may have been a Clinique product. It has always been my catchall bag holding all the items that wouldn’t fit in my smallish toiletry bag.
I purchased these leak-proof bottles a while back for shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. They work really well for that. (You’ll find this set available here: Toiletry Bottles and Toothbrushes for Travel.)
In addition to the two bags above and a very old, small, hanging Tourister bag that I can’t share a photo of since I accidentally walked off and left it in my bathroom, I also squirrel away a few items into the clear bag that came with my large suitcase. You can see that bag squished on the far right in the photo below in this post where I shared how I pack a hat when traveling. (You’ll find that post here: How to Pack a Hat for Travel.)
This system hasn’t worked that well because it’s just too many places to look for all my toiletry items when traveling. It sometimes takes me forever to locate the various bags in my suitcase and the item I need seems to always be in the last place I check. It’s frustrating having 3-4 locations to search when I need a particular item.
Recently I came across this toiletry bag online and decided to give it a try. It appeared to be a good bit larger than the small, hanging toiletry bag I left at home on this trip, so I was hoping it would work to consolidate all the various other bags I normally carry when traveling.
When I arrived for my recent visit with family, I ended up having to run out and purchase a few items that were in the small toiletry bag I accidentally left at home…mainly Qtips, mascara, eye make-up remover, deodorant, floss, etc… The hanging bag that I’ve purchased since I’ve been here holds so much! In order to give you an idea of how much it will hold, I actually went out to my car and pulled some additional items out of my glove box to fill it up more. It really holds a lot!
I had planned to use the top compartment to hold the small makeup items I normally use daily when traveling: mascara, lipstick, blush, etc… but then I discovered the bottom compartment will actually unzip from the rest of the bag. So that may end up being the one I use for those items…not sure yet.
I don’t normally carry a brush in my toiletry kit, I usually pack a larger brush and stick it into the bag that’s attached to the inside of my suitcase. I pulled the small, pink brush you see below from my car’s glove box just to have a few more items to share how much this bag holds.
I didn’t pack the bottles from the clear TSA-approved bag (seen earlier in this post) for this trip since I already have shampoo/conditioner here at my son’s home, but as you can see, there’s plenty of room to add those to any of the pockets in this toiletry bag. There is still so much space left in all the compartments, couldn’t find enough around here to fill them all up!
For this trip, I brought along two perfumes I purchased in Capri to share with my daughter-in-law who mentioned recently she would love to travel there one day. I don’t normally travel with large bottles of perfume, but I went ahead and added those into the bag to show how much this bag will hold. That would be a good spot for the shampoo, conditioner and lotion bottles I normally carry.
The smaller pink and orange atomizers hold some of my fave perfumes. The atomizers are the perfect size for travel. (See that collection in this previous post: My Perfume Atomizer Collection and the Perfumes They Hold.)
Each of the pockets is quite deep so they hold a lot! I like that there are four pockets/sections because I’ll be able to organize my items in a more efficient way. I love that you can see everything at a glance since the pockets are all see-through.
As mentioned, I just discovered last night that the bottom bag is actually removable, you just unzip it to remove it. That could come in handy if you were sharing a room with someone and wanted to take just a few items with you into the bathroom, or even in your handbag or carry-on bag. I also like that this bag is waterproof and leak-proof!
So far, this has been a great improvement for my current trip. It will replace 3 of the bags I’ve been carrying–my small hanging bag and the other two bags shared above in this post. No more looking through so many bags to find what I need!
You’ll find this hanging toiletry bag where I purchased mine here: Toiletry Bag. Check out the great reviews at that link for additional information.
I like that it comes in three colors. I went with the “Tiffany Blue” color since it coordinates nicely with my travel jewelry box in a similar color.
I’m really looking forward to having just one bag to hold all my toiletries when traveling. Less frustration and much more space!
Looking forward to all the great Before and Afters for this week’s Metamorphosis Monday!
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Metamorphosis Monday
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I know this post wasn’t about fashion, but wow, I love your sweaters in the suitcase. SO pretty!!
Thanks so much, Kim! Hard to think about sweaters right now with temps in the mid and upper 90s, but not in a hurry for winter to get here either. lol
I recently started using a similar hanging bag for everything except makeup and hair things I use everyday. I keep the bag well stocked and it is WONDERFUL to not have to remember packing all that stuff when I travel. One of the best things I have done to simplify the process.
That’s a great idea! I think I’ll try that once I get back home. Thanks for that idea, Leslie!
Thank you for all the travel tips Susan, you are the queen of organization!! Happy Monday!
Thank you for the ideas. I also include a zippy bag with 3 laundry pods, 3 drier sheets and decant in a small travel spray bottle some pre wash for stains. As many rentals have laundry and it cuts down on packing. And just freshing up swimsuits, undies, Jammies and t shirts.
Great tips, Julia! Thanks for sharing those!
Thanks so much, Jenna!
Just ordered it after your review! Normally, I have 3-4 different bags of toiletries, makeup, and hair products. Maybe I can actually pack just a carryon now! Tiffany Blue for me too. BTW, I found a great way to pack my makeup brushes without bending them out of shape…I was walking by a school supply display in Walmart and spied a plastic pencil box for $1.00. I bet I’ve had it 5 years and it works beautifully.
Pencil box is a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing that, Roxanne!
Do I see a Color the World lipstick in your bag? I just bought my first one. Do you like it?
Yup. A friend told me about Color the World since their lipsticks don’t bleed. I like them a lot and they don’t bleed, which is great. The only thing I really, really, really don’t like is the cardboard tube it comes in. I know it’s supposed to be easier for recycling, but I hate the “pop” sound it makes when you open it. It sounds and feels so cheap. I’m not sure if I’ll order more because of the cardboard tube…big turn off for me. Otherwise, I like the lipstick.
Have a very similar toiletry bag that I have used for years and have found it more than functional when travelling. In respect to having a few items at your son’s and dil’s place so when you visit; I even have my own night pillow stashed at my children’s places to save myself carting one back ‘n forth. -Brenda-
P.S.: I recall you once saying you prefer a flat one whereas I like mine more lofty. Mind you I am the type of person I can sleep anywhere. Even standing up if I am tired enough …. lol!
Yup, definitely prefer them not too lofty and on the flatter side.
I like the pillow idea! The problem I have is finding a replacement. I usually buy them at Dollar General since they have fairly flat one that I squish around to get the neck support I want…but the stock keeps changing. They never carry the same brand/type. I brought mine with me this time, but when I fly, I can’t really do that. I should try to find one I like while I’m here and just leave it.
If that removable compartment is TSA approved size then it is perfect to store the small liquids that are allowed. You could detach it to go through security, then re-attach afterwards to stash in your carryon. Great idea.
That’s true! Great idea!
I smiled when I saw your tube of Rimmell, my very favorite lipstick! Seems to be the best kept secret for lip coloring, it’s the best!
It is amazing, isn’t it?! I love how long it lasts!
I’m so glad you posted about this Susan as I too have many little bags I put stuff in when traveling…most of them are zip lock bags! I just added this to my Amazon cart and will definitely be ordering it!
Hope it works well for you, Judy! I’ve pleased with how it has been working since I received it. I think I’m going to really love it when I travel next time, too.
This is fabulous! I am buying one now, as I have the same problem you described. Thank you for your wonderful product recommendations – I have purchased so many and always have success with them.
Thanks, Tracey! So glad this post was helpful…that makes my day to hear that! XXX
Thanks so much for hosting!!
Hugs,
Deb
Have a great week, Deb!
I am so glad to see this. I too have been through several but I actually used this bag last week going to Alaska. Perfect for all of my cosmetics/toiletries. Great size. Now if I could find the perfect backpack for day use in Italy. I have a couple of the Travelon theft proof bags but am taking extra lens for my camera on the trip next month to Italy. Any suggestions? Thanks. Wanda
When I traveled to Kenya for a safari, I used a bag that worked really well for carrying my bigger DSLR Nikon and my longer lenses. You can see the one I purchased just before the trip here: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/packing-for-an-african-photographic-safari/
I think it’s still available, although it may not be available in the exact same color now. I liked that I could get my laptop in there, as well.
Can you share the dimensions of the bag when it’s folded up for packing? I see that the full length is 34 inches when hanging, so I am guesstimating that it’s about 8 inches by 11 inches, but would like to know if that’s correct and also how deep it is. Trying to figure how much space in the suitcase will need to be reserved.
I just measured mine which is stuffed pretty full and it’s 11-3/4 wide x 8 inches tall x 4-1/2 inches deep. The size depth may be a bit less or more depending on how much you put in it.
Thanks! I will definitely consider ordering. We leave in a little over a month for a 3 week trip to Australia and New Zealand. Sounds like it will be quite useful.
Thank you for another great travel accessory idea…you always find the most useful things that make life so much better. I have really needed this, and will keep it stocked so I can just grab it and go when we do our spur-of-the-moment little trips. Hugs!
Thanks so much, Bobbi! I was just so frustrated with using so many different bags and feel so disorganized when I needed a particular item and couldn’t find it without a search warrant. lol Hope it works great for you…I’m loving mine so far!
Thank you for hosting!
I keep an EMME bag packed and ready to go at all times. I loved my Trish McEvoy Makeup Planner for years, but it doesn’t hang, and the EMME is just overall a much more useful bag, albeit not as elegant. I can also make do with a Ziplock freezer bag, which saves room in my carry on, but if we’re driving, the EMME is my go-to.
Thank you for this post! Just ordered it in Tiffany as I travel and my travel bag is always overstuffed, cannot find my makeup and my Rx are always in ziploc bags! This should be great- I use packing cubes in a carryon and hopefully this won’t take up too much room. You’re my go-to for anything travel related!
Susan, again more packing ideas. I will be prepared when I finally choose my big trip. Is the tolietry bag only for checked luggage? Come to think of it, for the many people converting to carry on only , how do they get all their personal necessities on? Do you just use the small required bottles? Or is this whole bag acceptable on a carry on? Thanks.
What a fabulous bag! I – like Barbara J above – wonder if the detachable section would work for the liquid stuff you have to remove from your carry on at airport security? I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks again for a wonderful recommendation!