16 Best Makeup Bags and Travel Cosmetic Cases of 2023

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the gazillion makeup bags on amazon, check out this best-seller with more than 3,800+ five-star reviews rave reviews. And it makes sense: The bag has three layers, complete with pockets on each side and elastic brush slots, all of which allows you to easily fit a medium-size eyeshadow palette, a couple of makeup brushes, and the rest of your go-to products. It’s also water-resistant and easy to clean, thanks to its faux-leather finish, which means this bb will last you a few trips before you’ll have to throw it in the wash.

• Dimensions: 3.94 x 7.09 x 1.97”
• Material: Polyurethane (plastic)

THE REVIEWS: “Fits everything I need,” writes one tester. “Small enough to fit nicely into my bag. Not sure if it's waterproof but great material and is super durable. It's also just damn pretty. Top shelf bag. Will buy again and give as a gift.”

If your travel makeup bags tend to look dingy and stained after a few trips, you’ll be happy to know this one is made with a faux leather exterior that is essentially the antithesis to all of that. First of all, it’s sturdy and structured, so it won’t get crushed and dinged up in your suitcase, but it can also easily be wiped down if it gets makeup or dust on the outside from traveling.

• Dimensions: 9 x 4.5 x 6”
• Material: Faux leather exterior and nylon lining

THE REVIEWS: “The bag is incredibly stylish and comes in a variety of colors and patterns to suit anyone's taste,” writes one tester. “The material is high quality and easy to clean, so it always looks great no matter how often I use it. Another great thing about this makeup bag is that it's versatile enough to use for other purposes as well.”

I hate opening my makeup bag after a six-hour flight and seeing my products in a complete disarray, which is why I switched to this travel makeup bag. It has removable velcro dividers, slots for makeup brushes, and elastic holders for tweezers and nail clippers, which helps to keep everything tidy. And surprisingly, it's pretty spacious too—like, I was even able to fit a whole Dyson Airwrap inside when I pulled out the compartments.

• Dimensions: 12.6 x 5.7 x 6”
• Material: Polyurethane (plastic)

THE REVIEWS: "I love this makeup caddy,” one tester writes. “The only bad thing —which is also a good thing—is that it’s HUGE! It fits all of my makeup in it without a problem. I like the dividers and that they are movable, because I like to keep things organized.”

Here ye all last-minute packers, this portable makeup organizer will actually make you feel organized amidst the chaos. It has transparent mesh pouches, removable storage cubes, and multiple zippered compartments, so you can easily separate your liquids, powders, brushes, and more. And if you tend to just throw your makeup bag into your luggage with no abandon, you'll love how durable this is, thanks to a faux-leather exterior that helps prevent your products from getting crushed.

• Dimensions: 7.5 x 9.5 x 5”
• Material: Faux leather exterior and polyester interior

THE REVIEWS: “I have a TON of makeup—seriously, a ton—and I was able to fit my entire collection, including makeup brushes, into this bag without anything breaking,” a tester writes. “I've also grabbed one of the smaller square cases for short trips, and it holds more than what you need. I'm just always in awe of how much product this holds and how cute, chic, and simple it is.”

This hanging cosmetics bag is surprisingly spacious and honestly just excellent for organizing in a hotel or Airbnb bathroom. Just unzip the sides, and you’ll find a hook so that you can hang this portable organizer on the back of a door, towel hook, or in your closet. The middle opens up to four waterproof and transparent pockets for your toothbrush, foundations, face oil, etc.

• Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.8 x 4.3”
• Material: Linen (exterior) and polyester (interior)

THE REVIEWS: “I was traveling for three months, and this thing was a lifesaver,” a reviewer notes. “The different compartments make it so easy to organize. They’re clear, so everything is right there to see. The hanging hook helps save a lot of space in hotel rooms and hostels.”

This soft (yet structured) makeup train case is actually super similar to the cases used by professional makeup artists. It has adjustable, removable dividers (so you can organize your products in the slots however you want), along with a zippered side pocket, four elastic pouches for your brushes (or mascaras, lipsticks, eyeliners, etc.), and a flap that flips over and velcros everything snugly in place.

• Dimensions: 10.3 x 9 x 3.5”
• Material: Oxford cloth and nylon

THE REVIEWS: “This makeup bag has so many different compartments, as well as a velcro pouch that fits all your brushes, tweezers, or lip liners,” writes one tester in a review. “I love this bag because if you have certain eyeshadow palettes that don’t fit, you can move around the sections and rearrange it to your liking.”

I saw the Beis Weekender bag go viral on TikTok, so obvi, I had to then try out its cousin, The Dopp Kit, when I needed a new makeup bag. First of all, this zippered toiletry bag is deceptively large. The top opens up like a bucket, allowing you to stuff a full bottle of dry shampoo, multiple concealers, and three or four lipsticks inside, and then still have more space. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a flat bottom compartment that can fit your skincare products, eyeshadow palettes, and contour kits.

• Dimensions: 6.5 x 11 x 6”
• Material: Cotton and jute canvas interior and polyurethane (plastic) interior

THE REVIEWS: “My mind is blown!” one reviewer writes. “The Dopp Kit is brilliant! I never knew how much I needed a bag that has this style opening—until now. I love the design, features, space, and overall quality. This went above and beyond my expectations.”

I love a compact and large makeup bag as the next traveler, but sometimes I like to have both options, okay? Which is why this three-piece cosmetic set from Amazon is a must when traveling because it comes with two large bags that’ll easily fit into my carry on, along with a small-sized bag that I can snugly tuck away in my purse or tote bag. Inside the larger bags are two small pouches that fit the small-sized bag inside by attaching it with the velcro backing, along with multiple compartments and brush slots. Essentially, this whole set is an organizer’s dream.

• Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 3.1” for the large bags, 6.5" x 4.3" x 2.7" for the small bag
• Material: Plastic exterior and interior

THE REVIEWS: “These are constructed well and are the perfect size for my travel-sized shower products,” writes one tester. “The two small rose-gold pouches come inside the two larger green bags and can be attached to the inside with velcro—pretty cool!”

I hate having to rummage through my travel makeup bag for eons to find what I’m looking for. So, obviously, I was elated when I saw this clear Calpak makeup case, which makes finding the one brown lip pencil you brought take only a few seconds. It’s quite spacious, thanks to the two transparent compartments that give you plenty of packing options (i.e., I love putting skincare on one side and makeup on the other). And because it’s made with a faux-leather lining around the edges, it doesn’t get misshapen from all the flopping around in your suitcase.

• Dimensions: 11.5 x 5.25 x 9”
• Material: Polyurethane (plastic) exterior and polyester interior

THE REVIEWS: “I had no idea how convenient I’d find this bag,” one reviewer writes. “Now I need it in every size! Being able to see exactly what I’m hunting for before digging for it? Game changer.”

I like to travel ~in style~ and also make sure everyone knows which bag is mine on the girls’ trip, which is why I love this personalized makeup bag. You can add a custom monogram, including your initials or a cute little emoji, that’s hand-painted to the exterior or in gold or silver foil on the handle. But style aside, this bag is also A+ for travel, thanks to its semi-clear case that makes digging for your products way easier.

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 3.75”
• Material: Cotton fiber and recycled faux leather exterior and nylon interior

THE REVIEWS: “This vanity is very well made and elegant looking,” a tester writes. “I love the see-through sides and the classic colored top. The carry handle works great and the case holds a lot. A nice travel staple.”

Wait, we had the right idea organizing our makeup with Caboodles as kids, because this travel makeup bag is super durable for kid and adult-size makeup alike. It has a hard shell that keeps everything safe (see: my many cracked blushes from TSA getting rough with my checked bag), and inside, there’s a flip-lid mirror to help you do your makeup on the go. And if you’ve got a lot of tiny little accessories (hi, me), the tray that slides out is perfect for storing bobby pins, earrings, and hair ties that normally get lost in your makeup bag.

• Dimensions: 13 x 8 x 5.7”
• Material: Hard plastic

THE REVIEWS: “I needed something to organize my makeup, and this perfectly fits the bill,” a tester notes. “It's a great size, way bigger than I expected, and there's tons of room too. Neatly folds up and takes up very little counter space.”

Glossier may be known for their dewy serum and moisturizing lip balms, but they ~did the thing~ with this massive makeup bag. I mean, I can fit all my brushes, curl creams, and skincare essentials sitting upright in this spacious tote, meaning less spilling and toppling over for my liquids. Plus, it’s got tons of compartments to tidily store all of my products, like the removable inner pouch where I tend to put lip glosses and eyeliners.

• Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 3”
• Material: Cotton exterior, polyester and rayon interior

THE REVIEWS: “This bag is perfect!,” one reviewer notes. “I was a little worried it would be a bit too big, because I wanted a nice little cute bag and I don't have a lot of make-up. However, it turned out fine! I am so excited to use this bag and tote it around with me everywhere!”

The best makeup bag for me is one that’ll stand my products up so they don’t spill in transit (rip to all the liquid foundations I’ve lost over the years). Enter: This collapsible padded makeup bag, which is lined with elastic pockets to keep all your makeup products in place and standing upright. And on the off chance that there is spillage, the bag is thankfully lined with plastic to make clean-up super quick.

• Dimensions: 6.3 x 9.1”
• Material: Polyester

THE REVIEWS: “I got this to put my hairspray, makeup, shampoo, etc. in for travel, and it has worked so well!” one reviewer writes. “It stays closed in my suitcase and comes with a couple smaller pouches for makeup brushes and other small items.”

If you just want to throw your makeup into a bag and move on with your life, then you’ll prob appreciate this drawstring makeup pouch. It flattens out to act as a mat to lay out all of your products while you’re doing your makeup. Then, when you’re done, just pull the drawstring for the bag to close. And if there are any messes or spills, toss the pouch in the wash (ahem, this polyester material is easy af to clean).

• Dimensions: 0.5 x 1 x 7.5”
• Material: Polyester

THE REVIEWS: “Such a great concept,” a tester writes. “Just throw your makeup and brushes in the bag, drawstring, and go! So easy to open, lay out, and organize at your destination and have everything right at your fingertips.”

My mom has been using this pouch for decades and for good reason: It’s petite enough to fit in your weekender bag or tote bag, but also large enough to fit your lipsticks and compact mirrors. And yup, it’s super durable, per the fact that my mom’s been using the same one (!) all this time, since she just wipes down the water-resistant vinyl material.

• Dimensions: 8.25 x 1 x 5.25”
• Material: Vinyl

THE REVIEWS: “A classy classic statement clutch is what every fashionista needs,” writes one tester. “It’s waterproof and quickly identifiable in your purse or luggage. The downside to buying this item is that I have to replace it often, because my daughter, sister, and friends keep taking mine! LOL.”

Sry to fellow beauty eds everywhere, but I've lost multiple Fenty Gloss Bombs because they got lost in my purse. Enter: This teeny makeup bag that fits inside my bag and keeps my makeup from collecting dust at the bottom. I also love that it's made of canvas, which means I can throw it in the wash every few weeks when it needs a lil ~refresh~.

• Dimensions: 6 x 4.5”
• Material: Canvas

THE REVIEWS: “I don’t wear much makeup; however, having this beautiful bag is perfect,” one reviewer writes. “I am enjoying every moment. Small enough for my bag and just right for taking my makeup with me.”