12 Best Travel Makeup Bags of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Allow me to introduce you to my favorite travel makeup bag of all time: The Dagne Dover Hunter Neoprene Toiletry Bag. Made of stretchy and durable neoprene, you can jam-pack a million and one things into this bb, and it’ll zip right up. Take it from me, a beauty editor who has every beauty product in the book. Plus, two zip pouches are included, including one that’s perfect for your makeup brushes.

Glowing Customer Review: “I wasn’t sure at first since it seemed like just another bag, but I was wrong. I use it literally every day and for travel. I love the feel of neoprene and it’s held up as I have tossed it from bag to bag, to luggage, to countertops, to car floors.”

If you see me using this as a clutch IRL, keep walking! This beauty clutch is stylish and roomy enough to fit even the third or fourth blush you swear you need (relatable). My favorite part is obvi the design, but the soft buttery feel, as per reviewers, is a testament to the quality of vegan leather used.

Glowing Customer Review: “I’ve been eyeing this clutch for some time. I decided to purchase and am so happy I did. The vegan leather is buttery soft while still holding its structure open and closed. It holds a fair amount. I store my skincare and makeup for the day. I also love the simple and elegant aesthetic. I’m so happy I found this brand. It’s a great quality bag and well worth the purchase!”

Glossier may be known for its 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.

Glowing Customer Review: “This bag is perfect! I was a little worried it would be a bit too big because I wanted a nice little cute bag and I didn’t have a lot of makeup. However, it turned out fine! I am so excited to use this bag and tote it around with me everywhere!”

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.

Glowing Customer Review: “This makeup bag has so many different compartments, as well as a velcro pouch that fits all your brushes, tweezers, or lip liners. 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.”

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.

Glowing Customer Review: “The bag is incredibly stylish and comes in a variety of colors and patterns to suit anyone’s taste. 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 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.

Glowing Customer Review: “This vanity is very well made and elegant looking. 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.”

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.

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

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).

Glowing Customer Review: “Such a great concept. 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.

Glowing Customer Review: “A classy classic statement clutch is what every fashionista needs. 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.”

It’s no secret that a majority of travel bags on the market more or less have the same type of vibe (aka neutral colors). If you’re looking for a bit more oomph, Cuyana’s offering includes two pebbled leather pouches: one larger bag for storing toiletries and tools, and a smaller pouch for smaller items like hair ties or bobby pins. The set is available in 14 leather shades and can also be monogrammed.

Glowing Customer Review: “What can I say? I like a pop of color when it comes to my accessories, and the same goes for my travel makeup bags. I love that this pick from Cuyana has so many different shades to choose from, is made of leather, and comes in a set of two.”

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.

Glowing Customer Review: “The toiletry bag is very spacious yet easily fits into most luggage. The removable plastic pouch lets you conveniently store liquids and carry them separately. Highly Recommend.”

Determine the size you need

If you’re an overpacker and tend to bring your entire makeup and skincare routine when you travel, look for a large makeup case that can fit everything (possibly even one that sits upright to save space for liquid products). But if you’re the type of person who can get by with a few swipes of mascara and concealer, you’ll probably prefer a mini makeup bag or compact pouch that won’t take up as much space in your bag.

Consider your organization levels

Luckily, there are a million and one different types of makeup bags, so it all depends on how you like to organize. If you don’t care about your things being all over the place, then you kinda don’t need a bajillion pockets. But if you like things to be neat and tiny, then a makeup bag with lots of compartments and dividers is a must. For those withs lots of products, compartments and zippers will be your new BFF—whereas, if you only have a few, a simple zip pouch will do the trick.

Focus on the material

If you’re prone to spills and mess, you’ll def want a makeup bag that’s easy to clean, which means you should look for a water-resistant pouch that can be wiped down. But it all depends on your ~vibes~ from there. If you want something you can throw in the wash, try a canvas makeup bag. PVC, nylon, and vinyl makeup bags can be wiped down, along with leather and faux leather (which also have the benefit of looking cute in your hotel bathroom shelfie).

Also, consider if you want a soft or sturdy bag. If you travel with your whole vanity, then you should consider a soft bag, as they’re easier to stuff and overpack. A sturdy bag, however, is great if you travel a lot, don’t want your bag to be squished, or if you want your products to arrive as safely as possible. Bc arriving with a shattered highlighter is legit tragic.

Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan and has three years of experience writing about beauty, like the best makeup storage organizers, as well as travel, including the best luggage on Amazon. She compiled this list after researching makeup bags, testing tons of them for herself, and reading reviews.

Chloe Metzger was the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nearly 10 years of experience writing about hair, makeup, nails, and skincare, with stories like the best perfumes, airbrush makeup kits, and curly hair products. She’s tested hundreds of makeup bags over her career that helped her write this story.