A girls’ trip is where friendships go to die, and cosmetic bags end in ruin. If you’ve ever been on one, you know the sheer thrill of getting ready in a cramped hotel bathroom alongside your favorite friends. Then comes the dread of seeing droplets of foundation sprinkled on the exterior of your bag or losing a product in the sea of beauty items scattered on the bathroom’s vanity. The worst thing that can happen is forgetting an important step because you didn’t properly assess your makeup staples when packing. If this sounds like you, you likely need a functional, capacious, and effective cosmetics bag to house your most essential formulas—and our makeup experts agree.
“When shopping for a makeup bag, you want to make sure it’s a good size for the amount of products you need. It’s also important to make sure it opens wide so you can clearly see everything you have and avoid digging around for things,” says NYC-based professional makeup artist Brielle Pollara. Cosmetics bags come in all shapes, sizes, and material, but the best kind is one that doesn’t require a lot of clean-up. “You want to make sure the inside is lined with a material that’s easy to wipe down and clean. Makeup bags get messy quickly, so being able to clean them with a makeup wipe or cleanser makes all the difference,” she adds.
Ahead of your next girl’s trip or if you’re simply on the market for a new house for your beauty goods, we polled ELLE editors, called upon a professional makeup artist, and combed through customer reviews to find the 12 best cosmetics bags to buy, stat!
Pros
PVC material makes it easy to clean
Cons
- Velvet material can be easily stained
A vanity case as gorgeous as it is functional, Tartan & Twine’s version adds a touch of luxury to an otherwise stressful packing situation. Inside the large clear case are three smaller, red velvet pouches to help you organize and keep the clear shell mess-free.
Shades: 1
Material: PVC, velvet
Ulta rating: 5/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “Super cute velvet bag. I use it for all my lipsticks, lip liners, and glosses.”
Pros
- Bottom compartment has water resistant lining
Cons
- Stains can be hard to remove
Similar to its popular weekender bag, Beis’ Dopp Kit is fashioned the same way and features a bottom compartment for the items you want to keep completely separate from the rest. The interior has pockets for smaller items and a wide opening for a full view of your beauty goods.
Shades: 12
Material: Canvas or poly canvas
Beis rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Beis reviewer says: “The size & dual compartments makes this essential for short to long time travel plans! The best toiletry & cosmetic bag around!”
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Pros
- Removable strap offers versatility
- Crafted with durable calfskin
Cons
- Does not have additional compartments for product organization
If you’re looking for something that will withstand the test of time, Bottega Veneta’s expertly crafted leather goods are worth the investment. The vanity case comes sculpted with Intrecciato leather panels fastened by a golden zipper with matching pull tabs that are perforated with the brand’s triangle logo.
Shades: Available in 8 colors
Material: Calfskin leather
An ELLE editor says: “Not only is this the prettiest cosmetic bag that I’ve ever come across, it comes with a detachable long strap, so you could also carry it as a small crossbody purse when I’m not sightseeing. That’s exactly what I call a win-win.”—Alexis Bennett Parker, commerce content lead
Pros
- Can be easily wiped
Cons
- Can’t fit more than 4 brushes at a time
Most of the time, after we carefully pack our beauty products in a proper cosmetics pouch, it’s always the makeup brushes that get thrown into the most random places. Cuyana’s Beauty Roll is basically a luxury house for all your beauty tools and knickknacks. The middle fold has four slots to hold your most essential brushes, while one side features a zipper compartment for any other miscellaneous items. A removable pouch is also included if you want to take a puff or brush for a mid-day touch-up.
Shades: 5
Material: Italian leather
Cuyana rating: 4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I never cared much about properly storing my brushes when traveling, and while I haven’t landed to find any of them broken, I’d like to keep my brushes in tip-top shape for as long as possible. This roll case allows me to pack my essentials—foundation, concealer, blush, and bronzer brushes—with enough room to add a powder puff or two. Perhaps the best feature is how unassuming the leather case looks, which makes it the perfect bag to grab for a quick night out. Trust me: I've stored my keys, lip gloss, and a few cards in for an outing and received so many compliments.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
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Pros
- One-of-kind print
- Comes with a wristlet strap
Cons
- It's a deep bag, but it doesn't open very wide
Here’s a cosmetic bag that literally looks like a work of art, thanks to Dries Van Noten’s brilliant mix of patterns with solids. The graphic windowpane pouch comes with a large leather pull zipper to easily store all of your makeup and skin care needs. What’s even better? You can get the matching fragrance bottle to coordinate with the cosmetic bag.
Shades: Bordeaux
Material: Leather/polyethylene
An ELLE editor says: “Whenever I’m looking for a bag that offers a bit of quirkiness mixed with an undeniable elegance, I turn to Dries Van Noten’s designs. The squiggly lines on the checkered print pattern feel fun and playful next to the elegant deep burgundy stripe at top, and that’s the perfect balance for carrying all of the essentials in style.”—Alexis Bennett Parker, commerce content lead
Pros
- Water-repellant nylon material
Cons
- The hook could be sturdier
With this ludicrously capacious bag in your suitcase, you won’t need to lug around multiple tiny pouches of your skin care, makeup, or body care. The middle compartment is large enough to hold full-sized items, or, if you prefer to separate your beauty routines, you can place each pouch, it can also hold multiple smaller bags to maximize space. The side slots are dedicated to safely storing your jewelry, with one side labeled “earrings” and the other designed for bracelets.
Shades: 3
Material: Nylon
Caraa rating: 4.8/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I saw the photos online and immediately knew I needed this bag. However, when I unboxed this, I was surprised at how deep the middle section was, perfect for all my body care and skin care essentials. While the sides are engineered to safely hold jewelry, it was the perfect place to put my bronzers/powders worry-free, as the entire bag is padded.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
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Pros
- Spacious
- Has multiple pockets for organizing products
Cons
- The material wrinkles easily
For those who like to travel with the entire bathroom cabinet, this bag comes in a large size that’s extremely spacious. What’s even better: The compartments and pockets will give all of your lotions and potions their very own place.
Shades: 14
Material: Waterproof TPU
Amazon rating: 4.6 stars
An Amazon Reviewer Says: “This isn’t far the best makeup bag I’ve ever owned and trust me I’ve had a lot! It’s very roomy and somewhere to put everything. Everything is organized and it opens up wide so you can see every item in the bag. Very pleased with my purchase.”
Pros
- Customizable partitions to properly store products
Cons
- Dividers may shift around
Just about every makeup artist has had this makeup case at one point in their career. The case forces you to channel your inner Virgo and organize everything in your kit, from brushes to liquids to powders. Plus, the partitions are removable and customizable, so you can make your sections as wide or narrow as you want.
Shades: 1
Material: Oxford fabric
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
Our expert says: “My favorite makeup bag for my professional kit is the Relavel XL makeup case! It has customizable dividers and is deep enough to hold most of my kit. The inside material makes it easy to clean and helps keep it looking new!”—Brielle Pollara, NYC celebrity makeup artist
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Pros
- Fits products of all sizes
Cons
- The large size can take up a lot of space
Over-packers, this one is for you. Calpak’s cosmetic case comes in three sizes to provide ease to the carry-on-only traveler (small), the over-packer (large), and those who exist somewhere in the middle. The fold-out case has two zipper compartments on each size with a deep pocket to store almost all your belongings. If you’re worried about spills, the PVC casing is easy to wipe clean, so it’s a win-win.
Shades: 19
Material: Polyurethane (PU), PVC
Calpak rating: 4.9/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “As someone with an irrational fear of leaving her travel beauty must-haves behind (and has previously left an entire makeup bag at home), I enjoy having a cosmetics case that shows me everything I could ever need for a vacation. I’m a Calpak girl through and through and already own the small cosmetics case, so it was a no-brainer to update to the biggest size they offered. On a recent trip to Nigeria, my large case fit my full makeup routine on one side and my body care and sunscreen on the other.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Has separate compartments to store small and big essentials
Cons
- Some users note the exterior material feel flimsy
This bag features many different compartments, so it’s a no wonder why this is an Amazon favorite. The organizer has two flaps that reveal slots for brushes, pencils, mascaras, and more, while the middle section holds beauty products of all sizes.
Shades: 6
Material: Polyurethane
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I travel a lot, so I have gone through my share of cosmetic bags. This bag is the perfect size to fit in a small suitcase but also houses all sorts of cosmetics, skin care, and toiletries. The design is wonderful to access all your items without having to rummage around and find them, so it doubles as a display case while traveling. The material looks and feels like expensive leather but is waterproof and durable. I LOVE this bag!!”
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Pros
- Removable inserts
Cons
- Stiff and doesn’t open that wide
Fans of Glossier’s viral pink beauty bag will love its futuristic update. It offers the same space as its predecessor, this time coated entirely in chrome. The inside features the signature red inserts to organize even the tiniest trinkets, and can be removed to place other larger products.
Shade: 1
Material: Polyurethane, cotton
Glossier rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Glossier reviewer says: “My new favorite beauty bag! It's absolutely gorgeous, made with great quality, and has so many handy pockets inside. The size is perfect for all my essentials. It's exactly what I needed—even though I didn't realize it at first!”
Pros
- Soft, lightweight nylon fabric
Cons
- Top compartment doesn’t have a super wide opening
Here’s a handy bag for neatly storing all your favorite Rare Beauty goods. The top compartment has a fully wipeable interior that can hold liquid blushes, powders, and glosses, while the bottom compartment is wide and spacious for larger items. The squishy, puffy design makes it easy to transport in whatever bag you desire.
Shade: 1
Material: Nylon
Rare Beauty rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Rare Beauty reviewer says: “I bought this bag for my skin care and it fits a lot more than I expected so that was a wonderful surprise. Also, the bag is SO CUTE and it material is such that it can be cleaned easily. I love this purchase.”
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Pros
- Wipeable interior lining
Cons
- Can lose its shape over time
Louis Vuitton’s vanity case is almost too perfect for beauty items. However, its deep interior is spacious enough to hold everything from perfumes to powders. The interior’s coated lining is wipeable, and a flat inside pocket can fit precious necklaces or even extra facial wipes.
Shade: 1
Material: Coated canvas
An ELLE editor says: “I received this as a gift and didn't touch it for months out of fear of ruining the exterior and interior of this precious luxury bag. As someone prone to spillage, my fear is duly warranted. In the past, I’ve opened my suitcase to find the scent of my go-to perfume all over my clothing and shoes, not to mention my foundation breaking in my cosmetic bag. However, my trick to keeping this bag mess-free is outlining the insides with a piece of satin fabric, that way I'm getting the most out of my bag while preventing any mishaps. It surprisingly holds a lot of items, but I mainly use this to transport my perfumes safely.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Best Flat-Lay Cosmetics Bag
Lay-n-Go Drawstring Cosmetic & Makeup Bag Organizer
Pros
- Opens wide enough to show all products
Cons
- No separate compartments to keep products safe
If you would like to see the full scope of your makeup routine when you get ready, try investing in this drawstring bag. When closed, it acts as a carry-all pouch and opens to lay flat and shows every product packed. It doesn’t have any pockets or inserts to keep your products upright, but it comes in three sizes—small, cosmo, and deluxe—for every lifestyle.
Shades: 28
Material: Polyester
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This product is a game changer for traveling, everything so easy to find and right at your fingertips.”
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Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty editor Nerisha Penrose polled a makeup expert and combed through her online reviews to source the best cosmetic bags for every budget.
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