Travelling is exciting and stressful, and one of the biggest challenges can be packing your beauty essentials. For beauty lovers, as much as we love trowling pharmacies and discovering cult French favourites, going without your staple cleanser and serum or go-to eyeshadow palette can dim the shine on your holiday. But getting these products from check-in to your hotel without ruining your travel wardrobe can be a whole nother question. This is where finding the best travel case for toiletries becomes essential.
Making smart decisions with your packing, and finding the right travel case for toiletries will keeping your trip smooth and stylish and your skin and hair on point.
If you’re looking to breeze through customs and into your hotel room ready for a post-flight everything shower, you could find yourself overwhelmed with choice. Exactly what you’re packing, and how you travel will dictate the right toiletry case for you, whether that’s a hanging toiletry bag, a hard shell travel case or a clear cosmetics bag. We’ve done the leg work for you, and we’ve rounded up the best travel cases for toiletries, so you don’t need to look.
2024’s best travel case for toiletries
- Etoile Collective, Duo Vanity Case, $163.92, Revolve
- Antler, Clifton Vanity Case, $59.60 (usually $149.00, Antler
- Louenhide, Emma Cosmetic Case, $79.95, The Iconic
The best travel case for toiletries 2024
Etoile Collective, Duo Vanity Case
from $163.92 at Revolve
Best for: hard case travel toiletry bag
Perfect for the girl or guy who can’t travel without their full makeup routine, this hard case “vanity bag” features two compartments and a versatile insert. Remove the insert and make room for larger items like eyeshadow palettes. Keep it in, and it will ensure cleansers, moisturisers and foundations are upright. There are elastics for slipping makeup brushes and toothbrushes into, while the second compartment has room for more slender items and a slender fold-out compact mirror. It has a similar structure to the popular Celine Travel Vanity Case ($1,850) while ringing in at a fraction of the price.
Sizes: One size | Colours: black, beige, lavender-pink, grey | Materials: faux leather exterior with nylon lining
Key features:
- Two compartments
- Removable insert
- Fold out mirror
- Slides for brushes
- Measurements: 9.4″ / 24 cm W x 6.7″ / 17 cm H x 7.1″ / 18 cm D
Antler, Clifton Vanity Case
from $ 59.60 (usually $149.00) at Antler
Best for: Large toiletry case
Suppose you’re not quite ready to invest in the infamous Rimowa Vanity Case ($2,850.00) but want something sturdy and large. In that case, we recommend the Clifton Vanity, a downsized version of their best-selling luggage.
The Clifton features internal dividers and pockets to keep toiletries secure, powder-coated hardware, a top handle for easy grip and an adjustable detachable shoulder strap. If you own Antler luggage, the Clifton also features a back sleeve that slots conveniently over the suitcase handle.
Sizes: One size | Colours: blush, taupe, black, slate, ocean, poppy, azure, sage | Materials: polycarbonate case
Key features:
- Two-way zip opening
- Internal divider and pockets
- Adjustable and detachable shoulder strap
- Back sleeve fits suitcase handles
- Top handles for easy grip
Louenhide, Emma Cosmetic Case
from $79.95 at The Iconic
Best for: Hanging toiletry case
Hanging toiletry cases have a reputation for being a little bit… naff. Not so with the Louenhide Emma Cosmetic Case, a functional, spacious, and striking cosmetics case that contains three zipped compartments to keep larger skincare and haircare items, cosmetics, and bits and bobs from earbuds, travel sachets, and hair ties secure. Once opened, a small compartment flips out with a hook for easy hanging. A hotel and an AirBnb shower can’t live without it.
Sizes: One size | Colours: Green, metallic nude, camel, black | Materials: Polyurethane vegan leather exterior, polyester interior
Key features:
- Three zipped compartments
- Hanging hook
- Handle for easy carrying
- Zip pocket for smaller items
- Dimensions: W31 X H24 x D13cm
The Daily Edited, Essential Medium Clear Travel Case Recycled Saffiano Sand
from $59.95 (usually $129.00) at The Daily Edited
Best for: clear toiletry case
Clear travel cases save you the hassle of rifling around for your favourite cosmetics or mini shampoo, and makes it perfect for checked luggage. We particularly love the dual internal compartments on this case that keep makeup brushes and any other smaller items safe and secure.
Sizes: small, medium, large | Colours: sand, black | Materials: recycled leather, clear PVC, nylon lining
Key features:
- Dual compartments
- Clear walls. for easy viewing
- Double zip closures
- Elastic straps keep items secure
- Optional personalisation
Bellroy, Toiletry Kit
from $99.00 at Amazon
Best for: small toiletry case
This small but mighty pouch features multiple zip compartments and pockets to secure mini travel items, toothbrushes, and medications while taking up minimal space in luggage. It is an essential for those wanting to travel light.
Sizes: One size | Colours: rust, black | Materials: waterproof woven fabric
Key features:
- Multiple interior compartments to keep items secure
- Waterproof
- Magnetic toothbrush shelf
- 130x250x100m
- Three year warranty
Saint Laurent, Gaby Quilted Leather Cosmetics Case
from $2,010 at Net-A-Porter
Best for: Leather toiletry case
The Gaby cosmetics case is chic, practical, and high-quality. It has quilted leather and a satin-lined interior. Internal zip pockets are perfect for securing small items and staying organized.
Sizes: One size | Colours: black | Materials: leather (lamb)
Key features:
- Quilted lambskin leather
- Interior zip pockets
- Embossed logo
- Handle
- D: 13cm L: 13cm H: 14cm W: 21cm
Available at:
- $2740 at Farfetch
Herschel, Chapter Travel Kit 5L
from $65.00 at The Iconic
Best for: men’s toiletry case
The Herschel travel toiletry kit keeps things simple and is perfect for the man in your life (or simply a minimalist person) who wants a practical, sturdy bag in which they can keep their essentials. With an exterior pocket for a comb and interior mesh storage sleeves to keep things neat, it also features waterproof closures to protect bathroom items.
Sizes: One size | Colours: black | Materials: 100% post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate with thermoplastic elastomer coating
Key features:
- Sturdy and practical
- Interior mesh pockets
- Waterproof zippers
- Easy packing
- Measurements: H15cm x W23cm x D11cm
Available at:
- $ from [Store name]
Anya Hindmarch, Double Decker Leather-Trimmed Nylon Jacquard and PVC Cosmetics Case
$664.00 from Farfetch
Best for: Luxury toiletry case
It’s an investment, but we’re calling this the ultimate toiletry bag for the person who needs to travel with everything. From cosmetic compacts to skincare, this toiletry case will, figuratively, leave no man behind. Your most used items can be stored on top, clearly visible while essentials like shampoo and conditioner that are likely to be removed and stored in showers upon arrival can be tucked away in the bottom case. Tough, secure and aesthetic this is a travel toiletry case you will keep forever.
Sizes: One size | Colour: Black | Materials: leather, nylon and clear PVC
Key features:
- Two distinct zipper compartments
- Clear PVC top section
- Shell lining
- Zip fastening
- L: 12cm/H: 13cm/ W: 21.5cm/D: 12cm
Available at:
- $795.00 from Net-A-Porter
What is the difference between a toiletry bag and a dopp bag?
Very simply, a dopp kit is a somewhat old-fashioned term for a toiletry bag that originated from a leather craftsman called Charles Doppelt, who invented the bag in the 20th century. In your search for a travel case for toiletries you may have come across it as it’s still commonly used to refer to men’s travel toiletry bags, particularly simple pouches with single zippers
What is the best way to pack toiletries for travel?
Size matters when it comes to TSA regulations and exceeding liquid limitations and requirements can result in the heartbreaking confiscation of some of your favourite items. The safest way to protect your favourite shampoos, cleansers and conditioners is, and we cannot repeat this enough, storing them in your carry-on luggage. If you do this, all you need to worry about is your full set of shampoos, hair masks and conditioners blowing out your weight restrictions. If you’ll be flying long haul with a stopover and want to have an inflight skincare routine on hand, invest in mini sizes, or decant your favourite full-sized products into smaller empty bottles and opt for a clear, carry-on toiletries case to make life easier for yourself. And remember, you cannot take containers larger than 100mls or 100grams – even if they are only partially filled.
Looking to save money on accessories? Check out our coupon codes for Net-A-Porter, The Iconic and more.
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
