The 10 Best Travel Makeup Bags

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Something about tossing your travel makeup bag in your carry-on luggage or weekender backpack just makes you feel excited about vacation. Whether you’re going on a quick overnight trip to have dinner with friends or heading off on your honeymoon, travel makeup bags help you stay organized and keep sunscreen, moisturizers, contact lens solution, foundation, and the like from exploding on your favorite linen shirt (oops), and they can also double to hold your jewelry, too.  

But as all chapstick enthusiasts know, not all travel makeup bags are created equal. Personal preference matters, and while some opt for a hard-sided, extra-large case, others love a tiny cloth pouch that stashes just a few essentials.

Below are our picks for the best travel makeup bags currently available.

Best Overall

Mark & Graham Concourse Vegan Leather Cosmetic Case

CONCOURSE VEGAN LEATHER COSMETIC CASE

Mark & Graham

What We Like
  • Hanging

  • Interior compartments

  • Fashion-forward

What We Don't Like
  • White shows stains

  • Personalization costs extra

Vegan leather. We repeat: Vegan leather. This imitation leather looks like the real deal, and the case is equal parts practical and stylish. Two interior zippered pockets with see-through lining allow you to view all of your sundries at a glance when you hang the roomy case over a hook in the bathroom. We love that you can monogram the creamy white case with a gold or silver monogram, though it will cost you extra. To clean, you can just run a damp cloth over the exterior, which means you’ll save money on leather purse cleaner without compromising the refined allure of the material.

Price at time of publish: $69

Dimensions: 12.25 x 3 x 8.25 inches | Material: Polyurethane

Best Budget

MONSTINA Makeup Bag for Women, Pouch Bag, Makeup Brush Bags Travel Kit Organizer Cosmetic Bag (Black)

Makeup Brush Bags Travel Kit

Amazon

What We Like
  • Affordable

  • Multiple compartments

What We Don't Like
  • Not all brushes fit, and not all reviewers love the interior zipper for a bigger storage area

Choose from black, rose gold, gold, pink, a flower design, a marble design, and more in this affordable option with an elastic brush slot, ample storage space, and a mesh pocket to keep things tidy. The exterior is waterproof, easy to wipe clean, and ideal for a makeup junkie who can’t travel without her eyelash curler, a favorite set of makeup travel brushes, and a few lip glosses. There’s also a built-in mirror. Buy two, and use the second for other travel essentials if you’re looking for a functional vessel to stash medications, vitamins, contact lens solution, and more. 

Price at time of publish: $9

Dimensions: 7.08 x 3.9 x 1.9 inches | Material: Nylon

Best Luxury

Burberry Vintage Check Wash Bag

Burberry Vintage Check Wash Bag

Bloomingdale's

What We Like
  • High fashion

  • Durable

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • Can show stains

Can you argue with Burberry? We didn’t think so. Featuring the fashion house’s classic check pattern, this makeup bag has room for razors, sunscreen, moisturizers, and more, organized with an interior zip pocket and two interior slip pockets. Accented with leather detailing and a leather handle, the $550 price tag may give you a bit of sticker shock, but if you want to go the designer route, it doesn’t get much better than this sturdy accessory. P.S.: We hear it pairs well with splurging on this Burberry Mini Vintage Check Two Handle Title Bag

Dimensions: 9.75  x 4.5 x 4.5 inches | Materials: Polyurethane, cotton, leather

Best Lightweight

Minted Dopp Kit

Minted Dopp Kit

Minted / Iveta Angelova

What We Like
  • Fun designs

  • Affordable

  • Durable

What We Don't Like
  • No interior pockets

  • Stains noticeable on lighter-colored designs

Minted is a marketplace for independent artists, so you can expect stylish and fun designs ranging from botanical cascade to line wrap to suit every kind of aesthetic. Crafted from 100 percent cotton, each dopp kit has a leather handle and a custom foil-pressed leather tag that you can emboss with your monogram or name for free. The liner is water-repellent, and you can use the pouch as a fashionable clutch when you are in a pinch and realize that you forgot to pack your favorite purse, too. 

Price at time of publish: $52

Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 4.5 inches | Materials: Cotton, leather

Best for Organizational Gurus

Away The Cosmetics Bag

AWAY The Cosmetics Bag

AWAY

What We Like
  • Great layout

  • Detachable makeup brush roll

  • Water-resistant nylon body

What We Don't Like
  • Personalization costs extra

  • Structured design means it doesn’t collapse

If you consider yourself a makeup-centric Marie Kondo, this cosmetics bag is for you. From luggage favorite AWAY, this case comes with a detachable brush roll to store your makeup brushes that snaps to the top lid. The bottom compartment also includes neoprene and clear zip pockets, the latter of which let you locate your favorite lipstick in a second. The sturdy carrier zips closed and has a carry handle; you can choose from pink or black. For an additional $20, personalize it with up to three letters in various colors, from metallic gold to berry.

Price at time of publish: $75

Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.3 x 3.9 inches | Materials: Nylon, neoprene

Best Mini

Truffle Clarity Mini Jetset Case

Truffle Clarity Mini Jetset Case

Truffle Co.

What We Like
  • Clear top

  • Pretty design

  • Eco-friendly

What We Don't Like
  • On the pricey side for its size

  • No interior compartments

There are carrying straps, a double pull zip closure, and four dreamy colors, from blush pink to slate gray. This makeup case has a clear top so you can see the contents and is also available in standard and jumbo sizes if you’re looking for bigger options but similar designs. Throw in a few bobby pins, deodorant, and a sunscreen stick, and you’re ready for the road, friends.

Price at time of publish: $65

Dimensions: 7.5 x 2 x 2.5 inches | Materials: Biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethane, leather

Best Metallic

Janeke Large Quilted Flat Metallic Pouch

Janeke Large Quilted Flat Metallic Pouch

Janeke 1830

What We Like
  • Easy to clean

  • Sleek

What We Don't Like
  • No interior pockets

  •  Rather pricey

Choose from bronze or gold (order gold on janeke-usa.com) to bring your glitzy makeup case dreams to life, and you’ll be glad you did. The zippered pouch has plenty of real estate to hold your favorite sunscreen, hand sanitizer, makeup, creams, and more, and the quilted design helps to cushion the contents. Made in Italy, the water-resistant vegan leather showcases the brand’s signature “j” on the exterior. 

Price at time of publish: $50

Dimensions: 8.7  x 6.7 x 0.25 inches | Materials: Polyurethane

Best Hardshell

WELLInsulated Travel Beauty Case

WELLInsulated Travel Beauty Case

WELLinsulated

What We Like
  • Easy to clean

  • Shoulder strap

  • Insulated

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • Only available in silver

WELLInsulated’s award-winning bags are go-to's of celebrity makeup artists, including Dick Page, Christine Nelli, Matin Maulawizada, and Kyra Panchenko. This smartly designed bag is soon to be your go-to, too. The Travel Beauty Case offers high-performance insulation, a vegan leather exterior, and a removable shoulder strap for easy transport. The brand worked with aerospace engineers and technical designers for over two years to design the products, so you can also rest assured that their products are built to last and that they will keep your makeup safeguarded against damage from temperature changes and humidity.

Price at time of publish: $125

Dimensions: 9 x 6.25 x 6.25 inches | Material: Polyurethane

Best Hanging

Tumi Voyageur Madina Cosmetics Case

Tumi Voyageur Madina Cosmetics Case

Tumi

What We Like
  • Helps you save bathroom countertop real estate

  • Lots of pockets

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • On the bigger side

  • Not ideal if you’re looking for something with a smaller footprint

You trust Tumi for your luggage; trust them with your makeup case, too. There’s much to swoon for here, like a front zippered pocket, three transparent zip pockets, a metal hanger, a detachable zippered pouch, and the option to be monogrammed at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street store free of charge. Choose from black or dark turquoise, and get to packing your favorite makeup, toiletries, and jewelry. (The zippered transparent pocket with three dividers is particularly nice for sorting rings, bracelets, and necklaces.)

Price at time of publish: $225

Dimensions: 8 x 11 x 3 inches | Materials: Nylon, leather

Best Oversized

BAGSMART Toiletry Bag Travel Bag (Large)

BAGSMART Toiletry Bag Travel Bag

Amazon

What We Like
  • Hanging

  • Multiple compartments

What We Don't Like
  • Not the most visually attractive

  • Might be too big for some people’s needs

For another great hanging option, we love this cosmetic bag organizer that’s an Amazon best-seller. Choose from large (12.6 x 9.1 x 4.3 inches) or medium (11 x 7.4 x 3 inches), and pack plenty of goodies next time you head out of town. The medium and large sizes feature the same layout and include multiple pouches and elastic straps to secure bottles. We also appreciate that the case’s polyester exterior is water-resistant and that you can use a two-way zipper closure to open and close your bag in a hurry.

Price at time of publish: $30

Dimensions: 12.6 x 9.1 x 4.3 inches | Material: Polyester 

What to Look for in a Travel Makeup Bag

Buying a makeup case comes down to what you value most in the purchase. Do you want plenty of space to hold a dizzying collection of lipsticks, or a bare-bones vessel to hold your toothpaste, concealer, and sunscreen? Are you looking for a soft case that can be compressed into a jam-packed duffel bag or an insulated hardshell case? Are you all about monograms? 

Frequently Asked Questions
  • What is the best way to pack makeup?

    You’ve mastered the art of packing your carry-on bag; now it’s time to perfect the art of packing makeup. If you’re flying, be sure that any liquids, gels, or creams meet TSA requirements and that you pack all of these items in a quart-sized resealable bag for checkpoint security at the airport. When you can, pack multi-use products like foundation and sunscreen built into one, especially if you’ve got limited suitcase space. Pack similar items together (like a chapstick with lip gloss) so you can find things quickly.

  • How do I keep my makeup from getting damaged or broken?

    To avoid spilling fiascos, you may want to wrap your powders in a zip-top bag or put tape around the top. For makeup compacts with mirrors, place a piece of tissue or a cotton ball between the makeup and the mirror to keep anything from breaking in transit. Try to pack your makeup in the middle of your suitcase, so your clothes will be wrapped around the case to provide extra cushioning.

  • How do I wash and clean a makeup bag?

    Instructions for cleaning a makeup bag vary based on the material. Cloth makeup bags can be put in the washing machine, but in most cases you’ll want to hand wash with a cloth.

Why Trust TripSavvy

Perri Ormont Blumberg is a travel and lifestyle writer who has written countless product reviews. In the luggage category, she’s written reviews of everything from Delsey luggage to the AWAY Everywhere Bag. In addition to reviewing a stream of user comments on makeup bags, she worked with public relations pros to find the greatest options on the market.

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