I use ratherbesewing's bags in addition and often inside of one that has handles and one zipper ( opening to one huge compartment) that I bought at Target about 10 years ago. It's plastic coated, with flamingos. This thing is durable and fits a lot. I can't find a link to anything like it. I also really like the flamingos.

3Katz, it is a Medium.

I'm a minimalist when it comes to cosmetics - body moisturizer, Aveda tinted moisturizer that doubles as a foundation, mascara, brow pencil and Burt's Bees lip shimmer. I have several clear vinyl zippered bags that I've picked up at various places and when we travel pick the one that seems the right size. If we're flying then I put anything that might leak in an extra Ziploc bag before putting it in the larger bag. Shampoo and conditioner are decanted into a small leak-proof container, along with all the toiletries that either of us need. My bags have a cloth handle so you can hang them from a robe hook, or even the doorknob in a pinch.

The bag Kswl has - or one very close to it - was mentioned in a travel blog that I read a few months ago. It is much more attractive than what I use and would probably be perfect if I wanted to keep my cosmetics separate. It gets double points for the wide opening which makes everything visible.

I like the set I ordered from Steamline. They have some structure but they aren't so bulky that they waste space in a bag. There are three, I use one for tools - tweezers, clippers, etc, one for makeup and the large one for potions and lotions.

I just looked at them, they raised the price 50%! I don't think they are worth $75. I think they used to be $50 and I purchased them during a Black Friday sale for much less. Maybe they intend to have a "sale" soon?

I have this pattern - it doesn't match anything else I have but it makes me smile.

KSWL that bag looks like just what I need to replace the inefficient travel toiletry bag I've been using. I ordered one in the black woven "leather". Thanks for the tip!

Just placed an order for my KSWL bag. A new toiletry bag was not at all on my radar before this thread but once I saw that, digging into the bottom of my current one suddenly became unacceptable.

Well, I just ordered this one with an orange monogram…

To go with my new ORANGE suitcase that is on its way from Away.

I have this in my Mark & Graham cart:

Functions like the Kswl one but can be monogrammed - and I'm a sucker for a monogram.

Mtn:

Then a small “morning” bag (skin care and make up, toothpaste and toothbrush)

But don't you need the majority of those items at night too?

No I use makeup remover cloths at night and my fave night cream. Then in the morning i have a day moisturizer and make up. I have been known to toss in a toothbrush and travel sized toothpaste in each bag when I know bathroom space is tight. I know it may sound a bit weird but it works very well for me. I prefer this to ruffling around a big bag.

When I travel to one destination or with fancier clothing needs, I do take more things and sometimes pack everything into one toiletry bag that looks like KSWL’s. That requres a larger suitcase. But lately we have been embracing more active trips with several stops, taking trains and doing alot of walking. I need fewer clothes and take carry on only (small suitcase and a backpack). For a girl that likes her shoes this has been a hard thing to get used to, but its so much easier!

@Kswl do you have a link to that makeup bag? Apologies if you already posted the link. Houzz makes finding links in posts so difficult!

Right now I use a small black makeup bag but it is hard to find things in there. I have been thinking of getting one like yours.

For everything else (toiletries, toothbrush, etc), I use clear plastic zipped bag that I got off the big A. I like them because I can see everything so I know what's in each and where they go when unpacking (bathroom, desk area where grooming happens, etc).

My experience is similar to colduphere. I use different products in my morning and evening ablutions so I keep the items in different bags. I also prefer this system to ruffling around a big bag.

I think this might be a link to Kswl's bag:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BRR6Q2ZD/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=AF4S2E0CMEOHY&psc=1

That’s it, thank you Ruby! I would have preferred it in pink but selected the one with faster delivery.

Thank you ruby and kswl! Now to choose color.

Pink

OR

White

Edit - ordered the white. Coming tomorrow!

And I forgot to mention earlier, I have one of those hanging ones. It holds a ton but I never liked it. Used it a couple of times and now it sits in my vanity. I should donate it.

I saw someone on instagram uses it for small toys/activities for their little kids on airplanes. I can see that being useful.

I got this one.

Ooh, that’s pretty, 3Katz! The woven ones are too!

I use the same bag(s) as @ratherbesewing. I am all about weight, because I often travel carry-on only. On my most recent trip, DD had a checked bag. I threw a ziplock of liquids into her checked bag. My foundation leaked badly. Thank goodness it was contained in a ziplock. Then from our hotel in LA to the wedding site (we were driving, not flying) my shampoo leaked. Again, it was contained in a ziplock. I also use small ziplocks with things sorted by function and tucked here and there in my luggage.

@mtnrdredux_gw, Sister had a clear bag similar to yours that she had traveled with extensively without a problem. Then in one of the European countries, she encountered an agent who insisted that her bag was not compliant. He made her switch everything to a ziplock that he gave her. It all fit, but he was not happy until it was in a bag that he recognized.

in one of the European countries, she encountered an agent who insisted that her bag was not compliant. He made her switch everything to a ziplock that he gave her

Yes, there are still places in the world where they insist on this. They usually have long tables set up and boxes of free baggies (woo hoo) so there's that...

^^^ I’ve had that happen consistently at Heathrow. It’s been a few years since I’ve been there there but oh man were they picky about the closure of the bag and would always insist their zip lock be used.

Bbstx, I always put potential leakers in a ziplock too. It’s happened with even the things you think won’t leak. Another trick is to put a small piece of saran/plastic wrap over the open top and then screw the lid on.

@OutsidePlaying, my foundation is in a pump bottle. It ended up in a small ziplock inside a larger ziplock. I won’t travel with that foundation again. The shampoo went in the trash.

Yes - ziplocks for liquids are a must along with screw on tops - nothing that flips up to open.

I have not checked a bag in ages so I opt for something that fits well in my under seat tote - a purse organizer insert works for me. Within the center I use 2 - 3 zip bags to contain liquids/creams in a logical to me order then use all the pockets for the rest. Because my tote is always upright there's no need to have something fully closed.

This is not mine, but a similar idea.

I’ve had that happen consistently at Heathrow. It’s been a few years since I’ve been there there but oh man were they picky

There was a point in time when they considered mascara a liquid and would make me move it from the makeup bag in my purse to the Official Ziploc of Heathrow. But I felt so much safer.

In Rome a few weeks ago, I saw that they allowed you to take on liquids in containers >3oz if you pay a fee that covers screening them.

I don't use Ziplocs to prevent leaks. I usually travel with travel size toiletries. If not I remove the excess air before I cap them securely. And my toiletry case is waterproof and zips closed.

@mtnrdredux_gw - I'm sure you have perfected your selection of liquid containers with all your travels. I still have an occasional leak - a mess but thankfully contained within the plastic bag so no real harm done. I thought I had resolved that by having all screw on travel bottles and then I apparently didn't screw one on completely.

Another trick is to add a few cottonballs -in case something does leak there's a good chance the cotton balls will absorb it - reducing the risk of a real mess.

The restriction on liquids can be rather odd - when DS and I were returning from Ireland we hit the duty free shop and we each purchased a bottle of some expensive whiskey as gifts. It just seemed so absurd that I could only have a few ounces of liquids in a ziplock bag while we both carried heavy bottles of alcohol onto the plane as we boarded.

Because it is sold in tamper proof bags.

And isn't the duty free shop after security? You can purchase any size liquids after going through security.

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but if you have TSA pre-check, why can't you bring more than 3 oz liquid containers? You already know I'm not a terrorist! I find it so annoying and I will never be able to do carry on only for trips more than a few days.

In Rome a few weeks ago, I saw that they allowed you to take on liquids in containers >3oz if you pay a fee that covers screening them.

I wish they'd do that here.

I have a different mind set when it comes to this based in the fact that everything gets jumbled when its packed anyway. So my goal is to have something as small as possible in the suitcase rather than organized and pretty.

Whether checking or not, liquids are in a pouch the size of a compliant ziplock and that is then put in a ziplock if checking. For everything else, I use a Marc Jacobs pouch that I impulsively bought at the Rack which is maybe 7”x4” rectangle similar to this.

Is it a jumble? Yes. But I’m going to lay out everything I’m using anyway, so who cares. I also have to travel with a magnifying mirror so I can see while putting on makeup.🤓

Yes, a travel mirror with 10x magnification is a must for me. Can't do even the simplest makeup without it. It's USB rechargeable and lives in zipper pocket of my suitcase. It's too big for a makeup case.

My current makeup case is similar to the one Spanish posted, but I don't like that it all gets jumbled, it's hard to see in it to find things, and I have to lay everything out in the hotel/cabin. There's often not enough space to do that. I like the one kswl has that I also ordered because it has compartments and lays flat when opened so I can see everything. Hopefully.

Same re the mirror! Some hotel bathrooms have the worst mirrors/lighting! I have a small magnifying mirror that I use by a window for lighting.

I use this Simple Human one at home and cart it along on trips:

Do you like that one Ruby? When we redid our primary bath last year, I looked at that one for my makeup vanity. Decided to go with one from Ballard (I think). I like it but the charge doesn't last very long. Not a big deal to charge, but I got it so I didn't have to see the cord. Oh well.

@jsk I do like it. I rarely use it stationary but pick it up and use it like a hand mirror. Holds a charge for a long time. This is my second purchase of this mirror - my almost 10 y/o mirror stopped holding a charge so I ordered a new one last year. So far so good.

I have a wall-mounted lighted Simple Human mirror that I love. I have had it for about 8 years and it’s starting to not hold a charge as long as it should, so I may need to replace it soon.

I also travel with a lighted makeup mirror, Spanish. It’s a necessity!

mirror with 10x magnification

No, a thousand times no. If I had one of those, I would probably never leave the house.

Ha! On the other hand, if I didn't have one, when I did leave the house, people would point and stare!

LOL - yes, and the ring light effect softens the blows.

Ignorance is bliss?

It's the brow pencil that would not match up to my brows.

Chin hairs! How does one deal with chin hairs if you can't see them?

My goal in life is to not be that old lady with a lot of chin hair!

Yes, they are helpful for certain tasks. It's best to just focus on the task at hand and not look yourself over completely as that can be somewhat unpleasant. I got one mainly because the lighting in my bathroom was so bad - wasn't really planning to use the magnifying side. Then one day I tried it and realized it's very useful. It's in SC and I'm in MN so I just ordered another one to have here and I'm pondering a small travel size. I would never lug the bigger one along on a trip.

Zadro brand bought in ’21

ditto what 3katz4me stated now i need one for travel.

My eyesight is now at the point where I need the light and magnification to apply mascara.

I bought a mirror 10X, about 20 years ago. I cannot live without it. I bought it for $15 in a KMart. The light does not work on it anymore, but I cannot find anything that actually comes close to this mirror that the same size and works for me the way it does. The best $15 ever spent!

I purchased another of the cosmetic bags to use for DH’s ties and extra belt. It works very well for that purpose; the flat tie holders are not good for one of his formal bow ties that is pre-tied (black velvet ). With this bag everything fits nicely: one belt, five long ties and three bow ties, with the white tie in that clear zippered middle pouch to keep it clean and lint free.

Genius, @kswl!

Mine arrived the other day and I love it. It looks more expensive than it is. Cannot wait to try it out next month.

I also travel with a folding mirror to use when there isn't a mirror where I need one. Bathrooms in some foreign countries do not have electrical outlets for a blow dryer. I don't go as far as a lighted mirror, but now you guys have me thinking....

I take one like this:

Is that 15x or 1.5x?

I guess my eyes are getting worse because I'm often wishing for more than 10x but I don't think I've seen one.

My travel mirror is similar. Looks like this. Can charge with USB which is so convenient while traveling. I don't have the case but wish I did because it sometimes turns itself on in my suitcase.

I have a 15x mirror. It is very scary but necessary. It has suction cups on the back, and I have it ”sucked onto” the window in our powder room, and it is usually hidden behind the window blind. But when I want to be treated to a horror show of random facial hair, I open that blind and peer into that mirror. (The light from the window turns it into a lighted mirror, basically.)