Using a makeup bag is convenient for travel, ensures your kit is organised and protected and helps to keep everything together in one place. Many people choose a makeup bag purely based on how it looks, but there is much more to consider other than just colour, pattern and design. Whether you're looking for something for personal or professional use, you prefer a clear soft case or a lockable case with ample brush holders and compartments, we'll share our tips in this article.
So, check out how to find a bag in the right size and material. Read on to learn more about the best makeup bags from brands such as Ted Baker and Stackers to buy online from Amazon and John Lewis! Moreover, we have partnered with Makeup Artist Marie Dancer for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Makeup Bags
Wind Took
A Versatile Hanging Cosmetics Organiser With Two Detachable Makeup Pouches
As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all her clients she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
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As a professional makeup artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK, working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all of her clients, she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
Find out more about Marie and what are her favourite makeup products are through her Instagram! She even shares some industry tips on makeup application too. And if you're interested in getting your makeup done by Marie, you can contact her via her email found at the top of her page.
Small makeup bags are great for daily use. You won't necessarily want to be dragging around your entire makeup kit everywhere you go, especially if you commute via public transport and need to carry heavy or bulky items such as laptops or multiple books.
Compact designs are also ideal for longer trips or travel, as they're lightweight and highly portable and can be tucked into your hand luggage or overnight bag. Try to look for a bag around 17 x 7 x 13 cm to 20 x 26 x 8 cm; small enough to easily fit into a backpack or handbag but big enough to hold the necessities you'll need for a quick touch-up during the day.
Due to their small size, you may not be able to fit your usual brushes in for touch-ups. Shorter handled options are available and will fit into your bag with ease. Some brands offer travel-size versions of their makeup, so you can fit all your go-to products into a compact makeup bag without missing out.
Medium to large size makeup bags can store much more, so you’ll be able to fit multiple items, brushes and even palettes inside. A medium bag with dimensions of around 32 x 33 x 18 cm will also be handy when traveling away from home for longer periods of time. They are able to hold everything you need without being too cumbersome or inconvenient to carry.
Larger bags can measure anywhere upwards of 34 x 24 x 52 cm, and are best for makeup artists who are required to carry a lot of kit to and from jobs. They also work well as a way to neatly organise your makeup collection at home. Some very large bags will have wheels or handles to make them easier to transport when needed too, so look for this if it'll help you out.
Why not also check out our picks for the best gym bags.
While it needs to last, a makeup bag for daily use doesn’t need to be especially durable. If you aren’t carrying many items, and none of them is particularly fragile, then soft-sided bags are ideal. They don’t weigh a lot and are more flexible, allowing them to expand or contract depending on what's inside.
A great choice if you want something to toss inside your handbag or backpack when you’re on the go, soft makeup bags are usually made from fabrics such as nylon or cotton, clear or coloured PVC. If you carry a lot of liquids or messy products that could spill, make sure you have a wipeable inner so you can keep your bag looking fresh.
Imagine the nightmare of opening your makeup bag just to find your brand new highlighter has crumbled into dust! Makeup bags with durable outer shells protect your kit from knocks and bumps, preventing containers from shattering, pencils from snapping and powders from crushing and cracking.
Look for bags made from plastics such as acrylic or polycarbonate since they are strong yet lightweight. Unfortunately, these cases tend to be much bulkier than soft bags making them less convenient to carry, but it may be worth it if you've already invested in high-end products. As they aren’t as flexible as softer bags you’re more limited in terms of space - you can’t squeeze in that extra lipstick as you can with a soft bag!
Check the dimensions of the case to ensure there’s enough room for all your make-up before you make the purchase. Hard cases are perfect for travelling when you know your make-up won’t always be in your safe hands, you can fit this into your suitcase and rest easy knowing your precious make-up is protected.
No one wants to spend ages rummaging around in a makeup bag, or having to tip the contents all over the counter just to find your lipstick. Buying a bag with multiple compartments helps to keep your makeup organised and easy to reach.
These can be in the form of dividers, brush holders, fold out trays, drawers or extra pockets either inside the bag or separate to the main compartment. Perfect for when you’re in a hurry, separate compartments let you see everything at a glance to save you time searching. These types of make-up bags are often larger in size so not as convenient for on the go.
Perfect for at home to store your collection neatly or for pro-artists that need to clearly see which product to pick out next. When your make-up is organised, you'll know exactly what is running low. It also encourages the use of different products each time, that would otherwise sit at the bottom of your bag collecting dust and eventually going out of date!
Plenty of us have been there; your foundation bottle spontaneously cracks or you forget to put the lid back on properly and end up spilling it all over the contents of your bag.
To prevent product leaking onto your other belongings when on the go, and to stop anything else getting into the bag itself (including a sudden rain shower!) and spoiling your makeup, opt for a design made from waterproof and water-resistant materials such as PVC, twill, acrylic and nylon.
Waterproof wash bags are also ideal for travelling, learn more about the best ones for women and men.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Narwey Small Makeup Bag | ![]() | A Makeup Bag to Use in Your Room and on the Go | |
2 | Wind Took Cosmetic Organizer Bag | ![]() | A Versatile Hanging Cosmetics Organiser With Two Detachable Makeup Pouches | |
3 | Stackers Wrap Over Make Up Bag | ![]() | A Unique Wrap-Over Design for Both Makeup and Brushes | |
4 | Joligrace Makeup Box With Mirror | ![]() | A Lockable Space-Saving Cosmetics Case | |
5 | The Flat Lay Co. Drawstring Makeup Bag - Blush Pink | ![]() | A Flat Makeup Bag That Lets You See All Your Makeup Instantly | |
6 | Joligrace Makeup Bag | ![]() | A Soft-Sided Makeup Bag With Adjustable Compartments | |
7 | Narwey Travel Makeup Bag Large | ![]() | A Spacious Makeup Bag Available In A Variety Of Gorgeous Colours | |
8 | Rio Beauty Vanity Travel Case with Removeable LED Light Mirror | ![]() | A Portable Makeup Box With A LED Illuminated Mirror | |
9 | JOMI Cosmetic Bag Organiser | ![]() | A Set of Three Cosmetic Bag Organisers Perfect For Daily Use | |
10 | Jonny's Sister Personalised Heart Makeup Bag, Large | ![]() | A Cotton Make Up Bag Which Can Be Personalised |
The sleek and simple design makes Narwey’s small makeup bag incredibly efficient for daily use. Made from water-resistant fabric, this pouch protects from leaks and spills both in and out. Simply wipe it down with a damp cloth and some detergent to keep it clean.
To maximise space, there are 5 small pockets inside the main compartment, 3 mini pockets to fit your lipsticks and concealers, a medium pocket perfect for a compact or travel mirror, and a large pocket for brushes. Several other colours are also available too - we love them all!
This is a great choice for when you have multiple items but are short on space. Most larger vanity cases are bulky and inconvenient to transport and store, but this design unfolds to reveal a hook and loop attachment that allows you to hang it from a wall hook or in the wardrobe.
Incredibly versatile, this bag has 2 main zip pockets - one in the top for storing makeup wipes or tissue and a deeper mesh pocket in the base. Its winning feature? There's also 2 smaller sized detachable makeup bags for you to take with you when you’re out and about.
The Stackers Wrap Over makeup bag is incredibly stylish. Available in two colours, we recommend the blush pink with rose gold accents for its cute yet chic design. This makeup bag comprises of one main compartment and a wrap-over flap that lets you store your makeup brushes neatly in one easy to find place.
There are also 6 protective holders to keep brush heads from losing their shape and product from transferring onto the rest of the bag. The higher price point for the size may not fit everyone’s budget, but we feel the quality construction and clever design make it worth investing in.
Whether you're a makeup artist or just a serious collector, this space-saving cosmetics case is ideal for both professional use and at-home storage. It has a deep internal storage well with 2 pull-out hinged trays, plus an easy-access drawer in the base.
It's very robust, but also secure, with metal clasps that can be safely locked in place to prevent it from accidentally opening. This feature is also a bonus for parents and family members wanting to keep curious kids from getting their hands on cosmetics and small containers.
Innovative and stylish, this makeup bag opens up completely flat, giving you a crystal clear view of all your products. No longer will you need to spend time trying to find your favourite items, instead they will be perfectly organised thanks to the different zip pockets and elasticated holders.
Other features such as the drawstring closure and grab handle makes this bag not only easy to take on-the-go but secure. Yet, the best thing is that this bag doubles as a protective cosmetics mat meaning that you can keep the counter clean!
If you are someone who owns a lot of makeup which needs organising, then this bag is a great choice. With its adjustable and removable compartments, you can rearrange the layout to best suit your needs. There is so much storage space including four brush holders, bottom storage and a hidden pocket.
In addition to this, the material is waterproof and the protective lid ensures all your products are kept safe and secure. It is easy to carry and can also perfectly fit into your suitcase! Highly recommended for long trips away and professional MUAs.
Designed for travelling, this large makeup bag has a variety of features such as flexible velcro dividers and separate brush compartments meaning you can organise your makeup. Made with a lightweight and durable material, this bag can easily fit into even a crowded suitcase.
Yet, the best thing about this product is that there is a smaller detachable bag included which can be used as additional storage in the large makeup bag itself or separately as a pouch. On top of all of this, there is a variety of gorgeous colours and patterns available!
This hard makeup box is designed to hold all your essential products. Its main selling point is that the lid transforms into a free-standing LED illuminated mirror which can be used to ensure that your makeup is applied perfectly and precisely.
Its lightweight and compact design means it is ideal for travelling as well as easy to carry around. It really is like having a portable vanity table with you. The only downside is that this case does not much storage and organisation space.
This set of makeup bags is suitable for anyone who likes to separate their products. Coming in an assortment of sizes, you can mix and match depending on your needs. All three bags are lightweight and offer a spacious design making them practical for everyday use.
Aesthetically, these bags have a minimal and stylish feel to them and come in a variety of pastel colours. The only downside is that having three different makeup bags will take up more space in your suitcase or daily handbag.
This cotton bag with its heart design is not only gorgeous but can be personalised with your name. Available in both a small and large size, it is ideal for holding all your go-to makeup products. It would also make a lovely gift for a friend or family member!
Unlike the other bags on this list, this one is not waterproof and does not include any compartments. Yet, the quality of the material makes up for the lack of additional features.
We partner with specialists across various fields to proof-read our buying guides to deliver accurate and reliable information. Our specialists do not endorse any products that we recommend.
- mybest UK
No. 1: Narwey|Small Makeup Bag
No. 2: Wind Took |Cosmetic Organizer Bag
No. 3: Stackers |Wrap Over Make Up Bag
No. 4: Joligrace|Makeup Box With Mirror
No. 5: The Flat Lay Co.|Drawstring Makeup Bag - Blush Pink
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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