When going on holiday, packing toiletries always seem to take up so much more space in your luggage than they ought to. That's why it's a good ideal to pick up a set of mini travel size bottles, to conveniently take your toiletries with you wherever you go.
If you’re someone who regularly hits the road, or jets off at a moment's notice, the right reusable 100ml bottles will see you whizzing through airport security hassle-free. In this article, we share tips on how to choose the best travel bottles from soft silicone tubes, to spray bottles for perfume and leakproof lids. We've even ranked our top 10 favourites on Amazon and eBay, keep reading to find the perfect ones for your next trip!
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If the idea of reusable bottles you can fill with your own toiletries appeals, then we’ve got the lowdown on what you should look for to help you buy a set of useful and practical travel bottles that you'll be ready to grab-and-go at a moment's notice!
Travel bottle sets can come with a variety of different types of bottle and container, and what ones you need will depend on the sort of cosmetics you take with you when you travel. Let’s have a look at what the different options are, and what you could use them for.
Squeezy bottles can be used for a wide range of different toiletries and cosmetics, from shampoos and shower gels, to toners and lotions. They can be made of rigid plastic or flexible silicones, and the dispensing cap can be on the top or on the bottom of the bottle as per your preference.
If you’re not sure which travel bottles you will need for your different toiletries, these are a great option to buy as they’re suitable for so many different applications!
Bottles fitted with pump dispensers are ideal for cosmetics such as moisturisers where you want a fixed amount dispensed. Similarly, sprays are great for toiletries that you would want dispensed as a fine mist, such as toner or perfume.
These are great additions to a set if regular bottles. However, you can often find them included as interchangeable caps, so you can swap them in and out for regular caps and lids.
Pots are useful additions to a set of travel bottles for toiletries, as they can be used for items such as foundation, creams, and powders that would otherwise come in large containers that are awkward to pack.
You will often see pots supplied with spatulas to help you get the product in with minimal mess. They can sometimes be stackable too, as once they are attached together, they are less likely to get lost!
All these small bottles and pots are all well and good, but having a case to keep them all together is essential. Having them stored neatly will make organising and packing much easier, and provides an added layer of protection between the bottles and your clothes should one accidentally burst in transit.
If you're a frequent flyer, in order to comply with rules on carrying liquids on planes you should look for bottles that come in a clear case and meet with the size restrictions. But we'll go into more detail on this below.
If you regularly travel by plane, your travel toiletries will need to comply with the rules and restrictions on carrying liquids in hand luggage. This applies to both the bottles themselves and the case you carry them in so that they don’t get taken off you at airport security.
The airline security laws in the UK state that individual bottles containing liquids must hold no more than 100 ml, and you are not permitted to carry more than a litre of liquids in total. Check to make sure all the bottles and pots hold 100 ml or less, and that you’re not taking too many with you!
In addition to the amount of liquids you can carry through airport security, UK law also states that they must be carried in a single transparent, resealable bag, measuring approximately 20cm x 20 cm. All the bottles must be totally contained in the bag, and you must be able to close the bag without any overspill.
Bottles and pots can be made out of different materials, but generally they will either be made out of rigid plastics or soft silicone.
Plastic bottles are readily available and come in many different shapes and sizes and they are usually quite rigid. This will help to prevent spills, but means that they can’t be squeezed very easily, so you may not be able to get all of the product out when you’re using it.
Silicones aren’t quite as common as plastic, so you may have to do a bit more searching to get the right set for you. They’re really soft, which can help save on space, and you can easily manipulate the bottle to get all the product out!
There’s nothing more upsetting than getting to your destination only to find one of your bottles has exploded or broken on route! Keeping your bottles stored in a case or a bag can help protect your belongings against damage should a bottle leak, but your best defence will be choosing leakproof bottles in the first place.
Features such as leakproof lids will give you added peace of mind that your things will arrive unscathed, rather than covered in a slimy gunge of whatever was contained inside it.
£12.99
These bottles from Go Travel may seem a bit lacklustre, but they perform amazingly well and will last trip after trip. The leakproof and drip-free caps are both secure and easy to flip open, and the bottles also feature a handy suction cup on the reverse so you can stick them to tile or glass for convenience.
Regular travellers love these bottles as they're the perfect size for anything from a weekend break to a two week trip. These are a great investment that will see you through many happy holidays, which is why we've chosen them for our top spot!
£9.99
The bottles in this set come with a leak free promise and a 2 year warranty, so if you're not totally happy with your purchase you can get your money back. The twist labels on the cap allow you to keep everything efficiently organised, and the different colours will also help with quick identification to avoid accidental mix ups.
Sadly, the size of the storage case is just outside the size limits for airport security. But in terms of looks and practicality, this is a really fantastic buy!
£9.99
This is a great assortment of different types of container, all in one set. With this one, you'll always be sure to have the right shape or size to hand for your toiletries. They're lightweight and soft so you can easily pack them, and the including cleaning brush will clear out all the nooks and crannies.
The bottles close very tightly which minimises the risk of spills and leaks, making them both practical and attractive. In a few instances the zip on the bag broke which is less than ideal, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
£8.99
This set of 10 bottles offers fantastic value for money if you're buying for your whole family. The labels supplied help you keep track of which bottle is which, and their uniform shape makes them easier to pack, so you'll have more than enough on hand for any get aways you have planned.
Their rigid plastic construction can make them harder to clean, and some sets were supplied without funnels which is disappointing. However, this is a fantastic buy for the price and would be a perfect place to start if you don't know what sorts of bottles, or how many you need for your trip.
£8.79
These bottles have been designed with a wide opening to make them easy to clean and refill. The integrated caps are not only designed to be leakproof, but also easy to open, which is very useful when you have wet hands!
The four different attractive colours will make the contents easy to identify. Just be aware that these bottles dispense liquids very quickly, making them best suited to more viscous creams and gels.
£10.99
These bottles are compact and lightweight, so that you can carry them anywhere at anytime, and the 3-layered leakproof design will stop any spills. You also have the bonus of spatulas, toothbrush covers, and a silicone face scrubber included with this set.
Most convenient of all, the cap design means you can label each bottle individually. Inserting the labels can be a bit tricky to master, but once you've got them in, you'll be able to easily identify your cosmetics and toiletries at a glance.
£9.99
The bottles in this set have clearly visible volume indicators, which could prove very useful, and both the bottles and case are tough and durable. The set also includes a perfume atomiser which will allow you to dispense enough perfume for a short break, without the bulk and weight of a glass bottle.
Despite it being described as suitable to take through airport security, there are reports that some travellers were told to put the bottles into a zip-lock style bag. This varies from airport to airport, but could be disappointing if you've bought this set for that very purpose.
£7.99
Made from food grade silicone, these bottles are great for carrying a large variety of different toiletries and liquids. Their wide openings make them easy to refill and keep clean, and the leak proof caps have a cross valve design with three closures to ensure that the contents of your bag stay clean and dry.
These bottles tend to be more suited to toiletries with a thicker texture like shampoo and lotion, rather than those that are more liquid. Just be aware that oil-based products, such as coconut oil, may cause the bottles to degrade.
£11.99
This multi-functional travel bottle set from Toureal comes in an attractive see-through toiletry bag with leather effect details. The bottles are durable, leak-proof, and are made of recyclable materials.
In the set you'll also find a spatula, funnel, and pipette to help with refilling. Although, the pipette supplied could be a better quality. In particular, the small size and stiff bulb mean that it can take some time to fill the bottles up with it.
£5.99
The largest bottles in this set are 80 ml, making them a great size for taking in your carry on bags at the airport. Plus, the waterproof zip bag keeps them all together, and your belongings safe from any spills.
The set also comes with handy funnels and a scoop for easy bottle filling. However, the case is very stiff, which can make stowing the bottles inside a bit trickier. Some also found the pots difficult to close, which could potentially turn into leakages.
If you like getting away at a moment's notice, you'll want to have your luggage prepared to pack up and go. Whether it be a staycation or longer holidays abroad, the right carry-on bags will help you be more efficient with your packing, leaving more space for that extra pair of shoes. Check out our other recommendations so you can worry more about which attraction to hit first, and less about whether you've packed the essentials!
That concludes our guide to choosing travel bottles for toiletries, we hope that you found the perfect ones for your next trip away. Whether you prefer to travel by air, sea, road, or rails, any of our recommended travel bottles will be sure to help you travel easier and reduce any packing stresses. Wherever you go, bon voyage!
Author: Catherine Torrance
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