This $22 Reusable Bag Is My Big Secret Behind Only Packing a Carry-on for Travel

published Aug 12, 2023
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Woman packing things in the suitcases
Credit: Getty Images /South_agency

There are countless skills to master in a lifetime. You can become exceptionally good at making pasta from scratch, or you could learn how to fold a fitted sheet into a neat rectangle. And while these would be noble pursuits — they’re on my to-do list, anyway — here’s a skill that is much more universal: packing. 

Quick Overview

Can the Stasher Reusable Silicone Storage Bag be repurposed as a toiletry bag?

The Stasher Reusable Silicone Storage Bag is perfect for food and storing toiletries. With its small size, secure closure, and spill-proof materials, it’s perfect for safely stashing away beauty products while en route.

My parents met while working in the travel industry, which meant that my packing efforts were ruthlessly scrutinized all the way back to grade school. “We’re only going to be gone for a weekend, why are you packing for a week?” my dad would say, as he used all of his might to zip up my overstuffed bags. Eventually, my packing became streamlined, making traveling so much easier. Now for my small flex: For close to two decades, as I traveled across numerous continents, I have only ever packed a carry-on. One of my secrets to success? Storing my same-day toiletries in compact, reusable snack bags. 

The Stasher Reusable Silicone Storage Bag doesn’t take up a lot of space, seals out moisture, and provides just enough padding in my luggage for peace of mind. Despite its relatively small size, one bag is spacious enough for my full morning-to-night skincare routine. I also keep a second one on hand for other necessities like toothpaste and a toothbrush. (You may just need one; I admit that my skincare routine is its own Sephora shelf.) In other words, this silicone wonder can and should be used for more than just snacks, especially if you have a plane to catch.

What’s So Great About the Stasher Reusable Silicone Storage Bag?

Let’s start with the basics: The Stasher Reusable Silicone Storage Bag costs about $22 and comes in six different colors, all of which are see-through. Sure, you can snuggly fit a sandwich in one on an average Wednesday if you so choose, but this bag is sturdy enough to take with you while you’re OOO. It can hold my moisturizer, cleanser, toner, sunscreen, and serums in one, while closing securely so I’m never left wondering if my beauty products are making a mess on my clothes in transit. 

If leakage does occur, the silicone surface wipes clean effortlessly — unlike a traditional toiletry bag that’s usually made of fabric, which likely has stains on it from 2017. I try to wipe my silicone bag down after each trip, too, just to make my future self happy. Plus, the Stasher bags can air dry upside down on a counter while you tend to other to-dos. 

Credit: Kelly Dawson

Since these silicone bags are more expensive then, say, Ziploc, I love that I can reuse them while on a trip. They’re easy to spot in my bag, and if there are ever any questions raised from TSA while going through security, their translucent material settles those quickly. I also don’t have to worry if my luggage gets tossed around — even with many twists and tumbles, the silicone is sturdy enough to where it won’t scratch or wear without putting up one heck of a fight. 

The next time you need to pack a carry-on, be sure to use this silicone storage bag for your toiletries. Its compact size and multi-use qualities are exactly what you need to master efficient packing. 

Buy: Stasher Reusable Silicone Storage Bag, 1/2 Gallon, $21.99