The 15 Best Makeup Bags for Easy, Accessible Storage

These roomy pouches, makeup train cases, and organizers make packing up all your favorite beauty products a whole lot easier — and chicer.

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InStyle / Kristin Kempa

Having an expansive beauty collection filled with makeup, brushes, and skincare is wonderful, but being unable to find any of them is not. However, there is a simple solution: Makeup bags. By giving all of your beauty favorites and go-tos their own proper storage space within a designated makeup bag or pouch, you can find what you need exactly when you need it. Keeping your beauty stash in a makeup bag will also keep them safe, cutting way down on accidental spills, palette crumbles, and mini explosions — or at least contain them in one spot.

This type of organization is practical and necessary while you're away from home, even if it's just a day at the office or a long weekend jaunt. These beauty bags come in a variety of sizes and styles to efficiently hold everything you want. Most options, regardless of their size, have internal pockets, holders or sections, so you can choose one that offers the compartments and amount of storage you need.

Dagne Dover

What We Love: For minimalists who favor neutral colors, this toiletry bag comes in eight different shades, all of which are understated.

What We Don't Love: It needs to be hand washed.

Dagne Dover’s signature neoprene is as stylish as it is useful. The neoprene exterior is durable, waterproof, and made from three recycled water bottles. Inside it’s fitted with three compartments, one of which is a removable pouch with a zip fastening to keep your powder products safe from crumbling. On the other side is a mesh pocket and elasticated loops where you can stash your brushes or tubes of lip balm for easy access. Neoprene is a flexible material, so you can scrunch it into a suitcase easily, especially since it has collapsible sides.

Price at time of publish: $65

Material: Neoprene | Compartments: 1 internal compartment, 2 zipped pockets | Size: 9”L x 4.75”W x 5.5”H | Colors: 8

Mykitco

What We Love: It’s larger than a traditional pouch and smaller than a toiletry bag, but exactly the right size for a weekend away.

What We Don't Love: Overpacking PVC styles like this one can cause it to rip and tear.

With a simple, straightforward design and affordable price point, Mykitco’s clear cases are a go-to among professionals, including Yanni Peña, a New York-based makeup artist. “It’s transparent, easy to pack, and great for traveling,” says Peña. “Having my makeup organized in specific bags helps me work quicker.”

And thanks to the clear panel on the top, you can see right inside the roomy interior, making it easy to find the product you need. Plus, it makes for a great packing option, either on its own or storing it within a bigger case.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: PVC | Compartments: 1 compartment | Size: 10.6” L x 7.5” W x 3.5” D | Colors: 1

Cuyana

What We Love: With several brush holders, you won’t have to leave any of your tools at home or worry about the bristles getting ruffled.

What We Don't Love: If you’re a habitual overpacker, the cylindrical shape can be difficult to store in your suitcase or duffle.

If you’re in the market for a sophisticated cosmetics case, look no further than this one from Cuyana. Crafted from Italian leather, the pebbled texture looks and feels elevated, yet it’s still able to withstand consistent wear with ease. The case is made in a cylindrical design that allows you to get a 360 view of all your products without having to dump everything out or rummage through to the bottom. It’s especially helpful when you’re in a rush to get out the door — just grab it by the top handle and go.

Price at time of publish: $198

Material: Pebbled leather | Compartments: 1 compartment, 1 interior pocket, 9 interior elastic slots | Size: 7.48”H x 7.48”W x 4.92”D | Colors: 4

Leatherology

What We Love: Don’t be fooled by the compact design of Leatherology’s small train case. With six internal pockets, it’s surprisingly spacious.

What We Don't Love: The pebbled leather gets scratched easily. And if you’re not careful, it may be susceptible to color transfer.

Endurance and a sturdy structure are two of the most important features to consider when shopping for a makeup bag. One easy way to determine whether your chosen bag can stand the test of time is taking a look at the construction and material. Enter: The Leatherology train case, which features a structured frame that will maintain its shape even with regular use. Available in ten core colors and two premium options that include textured leather, the rectangle design is fully lined in water-wicking nylon with two zippered pockets. It’s punctuated with gold hardware and can be personalized with your monogram for a customized look.

Price at time of publish: $125

Material: Leather | Compartments: 2 internal zipped pockets, 4 open pockets | Size: 7.5” W x 5” H x 5.2” D | Colors: 12

Kusshi

What We Love: It’s machine washable, so if anything spills or leaks, just throw it in with the rest of your laundry, let it air dry and it will be as good as new.

What We Don't Love: It has a nylon lining that can get caught in the double-way fastening.

At first glance, Kusshi’s makeup bag looks small, but once you unzip the oblong-shaped case, you’ll see that it’s surprisingly spacious. In addition to the 21 splashy color combinations they offer — the interior is a different shade or pattern than the exterior — the bag is also available in three different sizes: the Everyday, Signature, and Vacationer, to accommodate all your storage needs, regardless of your destination.

The smallest iteration, the Everyday, can fit anywhere from five to ten products within its two mesh interior pockets on one side, or the larger zippered section on the other, and is compact enough to fit in your purse.

Price at time of publish: $45

Material: Micro satin exterior and nylon interior | Compartments: 1 open compartment, 2 mesh pockets, 1 zippered pocket | Size: 5”H x 7.5”W | Colors: 21

Mark Cross

What We Love: Arguably the best part about Mark Cross’ wash bag is that it's made with gusseted panel construction to allow for more depth or room.

What We Don't Love: The lining isn’t waterproof, so if anything spills inside, it could stain.

Mark Cross’s Roger Washbag is made with the same impeccable qualities that you see in their handbags. The Washbag’s shape looks similar to a clutch you’d take to dinner, complete with a luxe-looking pebbled leather exterior.

The interior is fully lined in grosgrain and features three internal pockets, one of which can be zipped to keep your smaller makeup essentials concealed. The accordion-like silhouette expands, which allows you to fit everything needed for your trip, just don’t stuff it to the brim or you’ll run the risk of altering the super sleek shape. Plus, because it has all the same features of your favorite leather bag, it could, in fact, double as a clutch.

Price at time of publish: $650

Material: Pebbled leather | Compartments: 1 Internal zip pocket, 2 flap pockets | Size: 10” W x 5.3” H x 4” D | Colors: 2

Amazon

What We Love: Of all the bags on the list, it has the most color and print options.

What We Don't Love: There aren’t as many interior compartments as other styles, so if you prefer a little more structure, this drawstring pouch might not fit the bill.

If you’re a creature of chaos like myself, then this Lay’n’Go makeup carrier is a great step towards becoming more organized. Unlike other options, you can customize the size of this machine washable pouch by tightening or expanding the drawstring closure. It starts in a circle shape, which you lay flat like a mat, and then place everything you want to store in the center, before tightening the drawstring to close it. It’s spacious, with a concealed zip pocket inside, and elastic holders for tubes of lipstick. Or you can just throw everything on the mat, scoop it up in the versatile pouch and go.

Price at time of publish: $30

Material: Nylon | Compartments: 1 internal zip pocket, elastic holders | Size: 20” | Colors: 33

Calpak Travel

What We Love: It’s constructed with clear PCV panels, which are water-resistant and easy to clean.

What We Don't Love: It can get bulky, depending on how much you store inside.

There are a lot of benefits to using a clear makeup bag: The transparent, see-through style allows for a speedy search and they’re easy to wipe down, erasing any signs of spillage. This one from Calpak is made with two collapsible top handles and a central, zip-around fastening that completely opens up the bag into two parts. It’s fitted with a spacious mesh pocket inside to hold small to medium sized products. If you’re the matchy type, it comes in a small and large size as well.

Price at time of publish: $85

Material: PVC and PU | Compartments: 1 internal zip pocket | Size: 9.75” W x 5” D x 7.5” H | Colors: 8

Etoile

What We Love: One of the standout features are the removable dividers that lock into place, ensuring that your products won’t shift around in transit.

What We Don't Love: It can get heavy and not intended for anyone who prefers to travel light.

If you’re looking for a professional makeup kit, Ètoile’s large makeup case covers all the bases. It comes with a sturdy, easy to clean divider system for you to create custom compartments in all the different sizes you need, from long and narrow sections for mascara to short, wide ones for large palettes. The inside of the top covering features three rows of slots for brushes or thin tubes, along with three mesh zippered pockets for serious organization. As a bonus, the dividers are made of 100% recycled plastic. Carry it by the removable shoulder strap or use the slip band at the back to slide it onto a suitcase handle.

Price at time of publish: $130

Material: | Compartments: 4 compartments, 3 zip pockets | Size: 15.8”W x 11.0”H x 5.5”D | Colors: 1

Stoney Clover Lane

What We Love: The brand has dubbed it “tiny, but mighty,” and we agree — it’s bigger than you’d expect.

What We Don't Love: The zipper can be a bit sticky, which means it can get caught on the fabric or otherwise jammed in the track.

If you’re looking for a quick little pouch to store all your must-haves for a day in the office or out and about, this small-looking case is actually quite deep. It can easily accommodate a day’s worth of beauty products, from full size mascara tubes, lip glosses or even brushes, for speedy bathroom touch-ups. Without any interior pockets to worry about, just toss whatever you need into the wide open interior and go.

Price at time of publish: $58

Material: Nylon | Compartments: 1 | Size: 5" H x 4.75" L x 2" D | Colors: 17

Baggallini

What We Love: This bag has a flat bottom so it can stand upright, rather than laying on its side.

What We Don't Love: The overall design doesn’t offer a lot of space for various product shapes.

As the name suggests, Baggallini knows how to create bags that people actually want to carry. This half-moon shaped pouch is designed with both nylon and PVC to make finding your essentials a snap. Although it doesn’t have any interior compartments, the open-style interior offers plenty of room to fit your daily essentials. The combination of PVC and nylon materials also means it’s essentially spillproof — you can clean the bag just by holding it under running water.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: PVC | Compartments: 1 | Size: 7"W x 5"H x 1.5"D | Colors: 3

Sephora

What We Love: It’s a highly organized person’s dream, with multiple zippered pockets and mesh pouches.

What We Don't Love: Unless you truly need the space, the bag itself is quite cumbersome.

For serious makeup lovers or those taking an extended vacation, this professional bag from Make Up For Ever is perfect. It has two top handles for carrying, or you can throw it over your shoulder with the crossbody strap. The two-way zipper opens the bag from the center into two main sections, each with multiple compartments, some of which are removable so you can customize your storage. Each interior pouch is made of mesh material and detachable, making airport security a breeze.

Price at time of publish: $125

Material: Nylon | Compartments: 8 customizable sections | Size: 11" H x 16" W x 5" L | Colors: 1

Muji

What We Love: The brush holder inside of the lid is removable, so you can keep them all together even when you unpack your products.

What We Don't Love: There aren’t many options for your smaller items.

“One of the bags that I am currently loving are the Muji makeup boxes,” says Peña. “I can fit all my skincare and complexion products.” The makeup box is made with a water-resistant nylon fabric that can be wiped down when needed. There are hidden brush holders on the interior of the lid, which also have a protective cover to keep them in place and prevent the brush bristles from matting.

Price at time of publish: $25

Material: Nylon | Compartments: 1 | Size: 9.2”H x 6.3”L x 6.9”W | Colors: 1

Away

What We Love: It’s minimal, modern and highly functional.

What We Don't Love: The snap fastenings can be tricky to attach.

If you’re already a fan of Away’s luggage, then you’ll love this travel-friendly toiletry bag just as much. The three-compartment design is made to open up completely, revealing three mesh pockets for easy storage and convenient access to your products. It also comes with a clear, removable pouch for smaller items, like cotton balls or q-tips. And while it looks like a traditional rectangular makeup case when it is zipped up, once you open it, you’ll find a hidden hook at the top to hang the bag vertically from just about anywhere.

Price at time of publish: $75

Material: Nylon | Compartments: 3 mesh pockets, 1 clear pouch | Size: 9.6"L x 3.74"H x 6.6"W | Colors: 5

Poppy Lissiman

There’s a good chance that you recognize the name Poppy Lissiman for their candy-colored sunglasses and nylon crossbody bags. But lucky for us, the buzzy label also offers a wide range of equally fun cosmetic cases to brighten up your days. This croc embossed faux leather pouch unzips to a wide open interior with plenty of space for makeup, even for bulky palettes and extra long mascara tubes. Although it is technically a makeup pouch, we love it so much that sometimes we use it as a clutch for a night out.

Price at time of publish: $85

Material: Faux leather | Compartments: 1 | Size: 9.25”W, 7.28” x 19.5”H x 12”D | Colors: 9

Before deciding on a bag, Peña suggests asking yourself two questions: “How much do you want to carry in your makeup bag?” and “Are you planning to travel with it?”

Your answers to these questions will help you narrow down the size of the bag that will best suit your needs. For example, if you are looking for a pouch to store a few makeup items for touch-ups throughout the day, something small and light is best so it will fit in most handbags without weighing it down. However, if you travel frequently or for extended periods of time, a larger case with compartments might be helpful.

Spills during transit are simply a fact of life, so you’ll likely want a bag that can be easily cleaned. Look for slick surfaces, like PCV or recycled plastic, which can withstand a rough cleanse.

It’s also worth considering a style that is machine washable, like a neoprene fabric, which is a far easier lift than something that needs to be washed by hand. Of course, if you like the look of leather, there are plenty of options to choose from, although keeping it clean may be more challenging than others.

There are two main types of makeup bags: Ones with multiple sections, holders, and pockets, and those with one big empty space. If you like to keep all of your lipsticks in one place and mascaras in another, then opt for a bag with all the bells and whistles. If you’re more of a toss-and-go person, a bucket-style pouch could be right for you.

If you fall into the more is more camp when it comes to compartments, bags with brush slots, elastic holders, and mesh pockets provide easy, convenient access.

“As a professional MUA, I look for size, portability, material, durability, pockets and style,” says Peña. “Considering these factors can help you make an informed decision when buying a makeup bag that will meet your needs.”

He recommends taking your time to shop around, rather than fully committing to one of the first options you see. Mitchell agrees with that approach. “For me personally, it needs to have, one, a mirror, because there never seems to be one nearby when I need a touch-up, and two, easy to clean fabric because messes happen. Three, it needs an opening that is wide enough to see everything to avoid digging through the bag.”

The key here, according to Peña, is being prepared. This can look like using travel size products or putting makeup or skincare in smaller containers. He even suggests bringing along multi-use makeup products, like eyeliners that can double as a brow pencil, or a rosy lip balm that can also be used on the cheeks and eyes.

Shelby Ying Hyde is an InStyle contributor who writes for Harper's Bazaar, Refinery29, The Cut Shop and more. For this story, she evaluated dozens of makeup bags, specifically focusing on ethical brands with multiple functions. She also interviewed the founder of Bèis, Shay Mitchell, and New York-based makeup artist Yanni Peña.