How to Choose a Toiletry Bag: Sizes, Liquid Rules and What Fits

Bag-all Accordion Box makeup and toiletry case in cream, open to show compartments

16 sep. 20263 min läsning

Short answer: choose by how much you carry, not by how much the bag can hold. A weekend needs a structured case around the size of a hardback book. A week or a shared kit needs a hanging case or an expandable box. Anything that flies needs a separate clear case for liquids. And whatever you pick, get a wipeable lining, because at some point a bottle will leak.

Question 1: how much do you carry?

A handful of basics (toothbrush, moisturizer, a few makeup items): a My Makeup Pouch is enough.
A full routine (skincare, makeup, brushes): a structured box such as the My Makeup Cosmetic Box keeps bottles upright and brushes in a pocket.
Everything, or two people's things: the Accordion Box Makeup & Toiletry opens like a tackle box with tiered compartments, or the Large Beauty Box with Insert Organizer 'Vanity' adds a removable insert so small items stop sinking to the bottom.

Question 2: does it fly?

If you carry on, liquids over 100 ml stay home and the rest go through security in a clear bag. Do not use your good toiletry bag for that. Use a small dedicated case, such as the Carry On Liquids Case, Bottles Included, which comes with refillable bottles and jars and slides into your main kit after security. Your main toiletry bag then only needs to hold the non-liquids.

Question 3: does it hang?

Hotel bathrooms rarely have counter space. A hanging case with a hook or ribbon solves that: the Folding/Hanging Toiletry Case hangs from the door or the towel rail and keeps three compartments at eye level. If your trips are mostly hotels, this is the one to get.

Question 4: what is the lining?

This is the detail that decides how long the bag lasts. A cotton exterior looks good and washes well, but the inside needs a coated, wipeable lining so a leaking shampoo bottle is a two-minute clean rather than a ruined bag. All Bag-all makeup and toiletry cases have a laminated striped lining for exactly this reason.

Separate the small stuff

Toothbrushes and hair tools have their own cases for hygiene and heat. A Toothbrush Travel Case keeps the brush away from everything else and fits most electric heads. A Hair Stuff Travel Case has a heat-resistant lining so a straightener can go straight in.

Our recommendation by trip type

Weekend: My Makeup Cosmetic Box plus the Flight Ready liquids case.
A week in hotels: the hanging toiletry case.
Two people, or a full skincare routine: the Accordion Box or the Vanity with insert.

See the full range in Toiletry & Skincare and Beauty & Makeup. Every case can be monogrammed, which matters more for toiletry bags than for anything else you travel with. They are the item most often left in a hotel.

Questions people ask

What size toiletry bag do I need for a weekend?

A structured case about the size of a hardback book holds a toothbrush, skincare and a small amount of makeup. Larger cases are only needed for a full routine or a shared kit.

What is the best toiletry bag for carry-on flights?

Use a small clear case for liquids under 100 ml that can go through security on its own, and a separate main toiletry bag for everything else.

Is a hanging toiletry bag better?

For hotel travel, yes. A hanging case keeps everything at eye level and off the counter. For home use or short trips a structured box is easier to pack.

What lining should a toiletry bag have?

A coated, wipeable lining. It makes a leaking bottle a quick clean instead of a ruined bag. All Bag-all toiletry cases have a laminated striped lining.