We took into account size, material, and compartments to come up with the best makeup bags. One of our top choices is the Relavel Cosmetics Case Organizer for its customizability and budget price. Whether you’re looking for something small to transport touch-up tools, or something with multiple compartments to keep your items still and safe while you’re traveling, we found the best makeup bags for every type of person and makeup collection. Who it isn’t for: People who want a more aesthetically pleasing makeup bag. This product is great for someone who has a large makeup collection that absolutely needs sorting and organizing while traveling. The bottom of the case comes with six adjustable clapboard compartments that you can fill with items like palettes, lipsticks, nail polish, foundations, and more. Meanwhile, the top of the case is lined with four brush holders, which is convenient for separating brush types as well as storing longer, delicate items such as eye pencils. When you close this makeup case, make sure to pull the flap located above the brush compartments down and over your brushes; this will ensure that your brushes won’t get damaged from rubbing up against your makeup located in the bottom compartment. The Relavel Travel Makeup Case is waterproof and shockproof, the latter meaning that if you drop the case with your makeup inside, your makeup shouldn’t break. Because there is a plastic lining located in the bag, there may be a smell when you first open it, but it should go away quickly. Product Details:

Material: Oxford fabric and nylonCompartments: 11Measurements: 10.3 x 9 x 3.6 inches

Who it isn’t for: People who want a variety of compartments to organize their makeup. This clear makeup bag from Calpak manages to be super stylish and practical all at once. It’s lined with gold zippers and a nice faux leather that comes in seven different color options, including neutrals like black, stone, and caramel, and bolder colors like mauve and hot pink. The top of the case is finished with gold hardware that holds down the two straps used to carry the item around. Inside you’ll find two large zipped compartments, one of which has an additional, smaller compartment attached to the flap. In this smaller compartment you can fit items such as mascaras, lipsticks, and small creams. Everything else you’ll have to store together in the two bigger compartments. If a product inside breaks or there’s a spill, you can rest easy knowing the entire cosmetics case is waterproof and very easy to clean. Product Details:

Material: Faux leather, PVC, and polyesterCompartments: 3Measurements: 11.5 x 5.25 x 9 inches

Who it isn’t for: People who travel with a smaller makeup collection. This makeup bag offers unique features not commonly seen in other travel makeup bags. First and foremost, the Beis Cosmetic Case comes with a sizable, removable mirror that can stand up on its own. This addition makes it super easy to touch up or reapply your makeup while on the go. There is also a brush holder that features two compartments and a plastic flap that covers the brushes, and is easily removable from the case via magnets attached to the inside of the makeup bag. On the back of this brush holder you’ll find a small zip compartment that is able to hold items such as eye pencils, liners, and lip glosses. The bottom of the makeup bag is a roomy catch-all that can easily house blushes, palettes, powders, primers, and more. There are also two long compartments on either side that can house smaller, thinner items that may not fit on the back of the brush holder. The Beis Cosmetics Case comes in two colors, black and beige, and is made of faux leather and lined with a waterproof PVC. Product Details:

Material: Faux leather and PVCCompartments: 5Measurements: 9.5 x 4 x 7 inches

Who it isn’t for: People looking for a larger makeup bag. Fans of Longchamp’s Le Pliage shoulder bag, widely known as the ultimate work bag, will really like this adorable, pint-sized Le Pliage. The Le Pliage Cosmetics Case is quite small, measuring only about 7.5 inches wide and 4 inches tall, but still comes with the luxury embellishments on the shoulder bag, including a leather handle, leather logo, and zipper logo. Due to its size, this makeup bag is great for people who want to bring touch up tools with them to work or a long event, such as a wedding, but don’t want their items sitting loose at the bottom of their purse. In addition to its small size, this makeup bag is also purse-compatible because of its primarily nylon material. Nylon is water-resistant, so if you have a spill inside the makeup bag, it won’t seep out into your purse. The Longchamp Le Pliage Cosmetics Case comes in three colors, including black, navy, and red. Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to pay more than $100 for a makeup bag. If you want a makeup bag that’ll add a pop of color to your purse or vanity, go with this vibrant option from Stoney Clover Lane. The Textured Open Top Mirror Pouch comes in 15 different colors that span the whole rainbow. These include pastel options like periwinkle and lilac, as well as bolder options such as bubblegum pink, peach, and avocado green. There are also neutral options available too, including noir, sapphire, blanc , and sand . This makeup bag is made of vegan leather, features gold hardware, and comes with a convenient little mirror stitched into the top. There are no compartments inside the makeup bag, but since it’s more than 10 inches wide, you’ll have plenty of room to store everyday makeup items. Product Details:

Material: Vegan leatherCompartments: NoneMeasurements: 4 x 10.5 x 5.5 inches

Who it isn’t for: People who want a makeup bag with compartments and people who don’t want a clear makeup bag. Monogramming is one of those luxuries that is so fun to invest in. This best-selling pouch allows you to add up to three letters of your choice for $12.50. You can also choose from multiple fonts and two-toned color options, ranging from lilac varsity letters with a blue border to blue cursive with an orange border. The personalization is made of a shadow-printed sticker decal, which will last longer than hand-painted monogramming. The Mark & Graham Clear Pouch is made of a biodegradable plastic that is waterproof and has been finished with vegan leather trimming. The trimming comes in six colors, including black, neon yellow, camel, sky blue, red, and poppy . Considering the lack of compartments, this product is best for someone who is traveling with a small makeup collection, or someone who wants to bring their makeup with them out for touch ups. Product Details:

Material: TPU and vegan leatherCompartments: NoneMeasurements: 8 x 3.25 x 5.5 inches or 10 x 3.5 x 7 inches

Who it isn’t for: People looking for a makeup bag with a dedicated brush compartment.
The Maange Small Makeup bag comes in six colors and patterns, including blue, pink, green and a couple floral options. While this affordable bag has a lot of great features, it probably won’t work for someone who wants their brushes to be separate from all their other makeup items. Product Details:

Material: Faux leatherCompartments: 3Measurements: 6.7 x 3.3 x 4.9 inches

Who it isn’t for: People who want more color options to choose from. Away’s Cosmetics Bag is just as thoughtfully designed as the brand’s suitcases. It features three compartments that are able to hold your makeup firmly in place while traveling,including a spill-proof catch-all area that takes up the majority of the space, a zip bag located under the catch-all area, and a place for brushes. The removable brush compartment is by far the most unique, as it’s held in place by buttons and can be rolled up, sealed shut, and stored elsewhere if you like. This makeup bag is made of a plush, water-resistant nylon that will lay softly among all the other clothes and shoes you have in your suitcase. The Away Cosmetics Bag can be monogrammed for up to three letters for an extra $20, and comes in two colors: black and petal pink. Product Details:

Material: Nylon, neopreneCompartments: 3Measurements: 8.3 x 6.3 x 3.9 inches

Who it isn’t for: People who want to carry their makeup bag horizontally. A common problem with small makeup bags is that they lack compartments due to their limited space. The Cubetastic Small Makeup bag certainly differs, offering beauty lovers three compartments to store their makeup, including an area for brushes, lipsticks and lip glosses, and a larger area to store bigger items such as blushes, foundations, eye shadows, and more. Another way the bag stands out is that it offers two points of entry, including one located at the top and one located on the side of the bag. The side opening is useful if you find yourself needing to reapply makeup, as the acrylic wall holding the makeup in place helps you be able to see everything you have right in front of you. One downside to this bag is that the handle is on the side of the bag instead of the top. Unless your bag is packed to the brim, your makeup will shift around while you’re moving. Product Details:

Material: Water-resistant oxford cloth and plasticCompartments: 3Measurements: 9.4 × 5.5 × 3.9 inches

Who it isn’t for: People looking for a makeup bag that will fit in their purse. We all know that having your makeup right in front of you is the easiest way to see what you have and get to it fast. The Mossio Hanging Toiletry Bag facilitates just that, offering tons of space for both your makeup and your toiletries while traveling. There are three spacious compartments available, including two flat pockets (one plastic and one mesh) that are good for holding mascaras, eye pencils, lip glosses, foundations, concealers, and more. The biggest compartment, located at the bottom, is a real standout, able to hold large bottles such as face wash, shampoo, and perfumes, to name a few. The entirety of the makeup bag is made with a water-resistant polyester, andit comes with an included hook so you can easily hang it up while traveling. The Mossio Hanging Toiletry Bag comes in 17 colors and patterns, including polka dot, pink stripe, floral, cactus, and more. Product Details:

Material: PolyesterCompartments: 3Measurements: 9.45 x 7.48 x 3.74 inches

Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want their makeup bag to be see-through. The Paravel See-All Vanity Case stands out for its use of eco-friendly materials. The canvas used on this piece is made from two upcycled plastic bottles, while the leather details are officially certified by The Leather Working Group, a non-profit that gives environmental certification to products made with leather. Plus, it’s just a really stylish piece. This Paravel bag offers the best of both worlds. Its see-through walls give you a great window into all of the products you packed, making them easy to spot. Meanwhile, the canvas and leather offer a sophisticated, classic design that makes the bag nice enough to carry around on its own. This makeup bag comes in two sizes, three colors (including scout tan, domino black, and derby black), and offers monogramming between $15 and $40. Product Details:

Material: Leather, canvas, siliconeCompartments: NoneMeasurements: 5.5 x 4.75 x 2.5 inches

Who it isn’t for: People who want a makeup bag with bigger compartments. One downside to owning a makeup bag is that it can be hard to clean. The Kusshi Everyday Makeup Bag eliminates that inconvenience completely by being machine-washable. The convenience of this bag doesn’t stop there though—unlike other makeup bags, this bag folds out pretty wide, so you can clearly see everything you’ve stored and get to it right away. Plus, it’s able to stand up on its own thanks to the reinforced stitching located at the bottom of the bag. Inside you’ll find three compartments, including one that zips shut. The two small tube compartments are great for storing beauty sponges, eyelash curlers, and lipsticks. The makeup bag comes in three sizes, with the smallest able to hold up to five to 10 products while the largest can hold more than 30. Product Details:

Materials: NylonCompartments: 3Measurements: 7.5 x 3.25 x 5 inches

Who it isn’t for: People who want a water-resistant makeup bag. Leather bags are the epitome of luxury. If you want your makeup bag to match your purse, go with this exquisite option from Pottery Barn. The Emery Leather Cosmetic Case is made of a pebbled leather, full-grain leather that was applied to the bag by hand. Full-grain leather is considered a durable, long-lasting leather that will age nicely over time, so this bag is sure to be one of the most durable you can find. The inside is lined with a sail cloth and has no compartments. While the interiors certainly boast a more elegant look, do know that sail cloth is not water-resistant. If something spills in your makeup bag, the interior will stain. This makeup bag comes in five colors, including bone, saffron, black, periwinkle, and mocha. If you’d like to personalize your makeup bag, you can add monogramming for an extra $15. Product Details:

Materials: Leather and sail clothCompartments: NoneMeasurements: 5.5 x 0.25 x 4 inches

Who it isn’t for: People who want a see through makeup bag. If you’re someone who goes out of their way to shop sustainably, you’ll like this makeup bag from Madewell. Madewell’s (Re)sourced Multipurpose Pouch is made of polyester, 50 percent of which comes from recycled plastic. The pouch is pretty big, measuring more than 6 inches high and 8 inches long, so you’ll be able to fit beauty products big and small. To prevent your makeup from moving around while inside, you can put smaller items in the zip pocket on the exterior or the various open compartments found on the inside of the bag. The Re(sourced) Multipurpose Pouch comes in three colors, including black, frosted willow (light green), and faded lavender. Keep in mind that because the handle is on the side, the items in the makeup bag will shift and jumble unless the bag is full. Product Details:

Material: PolyesterCompartments: 3Measurements: 6.24 x 8.25 x 4 inches

Size

The size you need is all dependent on how much makeup you usually travel with. If you have a large makeup collection that becomes a jumbled, overwhelming mess when you put it into a bag, it’s best to get a large makeup bag with multiple compartments so you can sort and easily see everything that you brought with you. Smaller makeup bags are best for people who have a modest collection and don’t need to dig around very long to find what they need. To figure out what size you need, try fitting all your makeup into a purse and see if it fits. If it doesn’t, you’ll need a bag that is bigger in size.

Compartments

To have compartments or to not have compartments….that is the question. It’s best to have a makeup bag with compartments while traveling, regardless of the size of your makeup collection. Not only will this make packing your makeup easier, but it will also lessen the likelihood of your products breaking and spilling. Bags without compartments are best for people who either have a really modest makeup collection or want to bring some makeup with them to work or a long event for touch-ups. Makeup bags with brush compartments are best for people with large makeup collections, as the brushes otherwise have no protection when being put into a bag full of other products.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple. She spent hours researching all the components that make the best makeup organizers, ultimately choosing the products on this list based on style, material, and compartments available.