The Best Makeup Bags for Organization, Reviewed

What makes the BAGSMART Travel Makeup Bag such a great pick? Overall, it’s bang for your buck. The bag is large with a wide compartment opening, a durable zipper and a water-resistant fabric. It also holds its base structure, which makes it easier to find individual items at the bottom. The main compartment contains two inner pockets and the exterior has an additional side compartment with its own two pockets.

What could be improved: The quilted exterior can stain, which makes it somewhat dangerous to perch this bag on a bathroom counter. It’s also too bulky to fit in an everyday purse, and it could use a few more organizing compartments on the interior.

If you prefer a bag with a firm structure that will keep your toiletries and cosmetics from getting squished, try the BOYATU Travel Makeup Bag from Amazon. It has a wide opening and multiple organizing compartments, which makes it easy to separate bulky toiletries from small cosmetic brushes and pencils. The exterior is made of waterproof polyurethane leather, and the bag comes with two removable storage bags.

However, some buyers have noticed that the interior pockets don’t feel sturdy, and the elastic around the rims could wear down rapidly. Though the bag fits well in a suitcase, it is too bulky for an everyday purse.

Looking for a soft makeup bag as affordable as the BAGSMART Travel Makeup Bag but with a few more organizing compartments? If so, check out the BAGSMART Toiletry Bag and Makeup Organizer. It has a “dry” section with two pockets and a “wet” section for damp makeup sponges and toiletries. It also has a carrying loop (which you can also use to hang the bag on a hook), and the exterior fabric is water resistant. Best of all, the bag comes in multiple sizes (basic, standard or large) to meet your needs.

The downsides: The main compartment may not fit bulky items as well as the BAGSMART Travel Makeup Bag. Once the pockets are full, there isn’t much room for other large bottles. In addition, some buyers found that the zippers can get caught when closing the main compartment.

When it comes to makeup bags, a little structure goes a long way. The Narwey Travel Makeup Bag has soft corners (you can squish it into a duffel if need be) and a structured interior to keep different items in their places. In addition to the four sections in the main compartment with adjustable velcro dividers, the lid also has a large pocket for makeup brushes and a zippered pocket underneath.

However, not every bag pattern on Amazon is sold in both large and small sizes, and it’s difficult to tell which options are large and which are small. A few customers also found that the interior material ripped after just a few months of use.

If you’re packing for a trip away from home, a sturdy makeup bag that holds its shape during bumpy car rides or trips through TSA is a must. The Telena Large-Capacity Travel Makeup Bag is our recommendation for travelers because it not only has a structured exterior but also a wide zipper opening to help you quickly visualize all of the bag’s contents. It also has three main compartments, one of which has its own zipper, and several inner pockets for further organization.

What could be improved: Some buyers wish the bag had a little more height to accommodate bigger toiletries. Others note that the exterior wasn’t sturdy enough (it still has some flexibility), and that the interior zipper often gets stuck.

If you’re looking for a simple makeup pouch that also supports a great cause, check out the BlinkNow Nepali Travel Pouch. This handmade bag is water-resistant both inside and out, and it has a carrying loop to make it easy to grab. It also comes in multiple unique patterns and colors. Proceeds of this travel pouch go toward BlinkNow, a non-profit that runs a children’s home and women’s center in Nepal.

However, shipping is not included. As with most pouches, this product has only one compartment, so it’s easy to lose items at the bottom.

Luxury meets convenience in the Leatherology Train Case. It comes in three sizes (small, medium or large) and nine different colors, and the main compartment is large enough for bulky makeup and toiletry items. It also has two interior pockets, one with a zipper, and the inner lining is water resistant.

However, the full grain leather comes with a hefty price tag. The interior may also be less than ideal if you need more compartments for your makeup.

Need a makeup bag that doesn’t take up counter space in the bathroom? Try the BAGSMART Toiletry Travel Bag. It has a cute, purse-like exterior with double handles but opens up accordion style into four different compartments. Each compartment has a zipper, water-resistant fabric and clear plastic to help you see the contents. In addition, the two main compartments are deep enough to hold toiletry bottles.

The downsides: The metal hook can get rusty over time, and some buyers worry that the bag needs two hooks to accommodate its weight when full. This bag is also too bulky to fit into a small carry-on.

What we like about the Dagne Dover The Hunter Toiletry Bag: This flexible, all-neoprene toiletry bag does a great job of protecting your makeup and toiletries from water and dust. It also has a removable air mesh zippered pouch and several pockets. Plus, this purchase comes with a recycled polyester dust bag.

What could be improved: This makeup bag is expensive, and the soft, flexible material may not be ideal for protecting delicate items. In addition, Dagne Dover only offers free shipping on orders over $75.

If you’re looking for a makeup bag that can withstand a camping trip or two (and it’s got cute colors to boot!), check out the Cotopaxi Nido Accessory Bag. It has three zippered compartments, some with additional zippered pockets, and every compartment is a different color. The bag also has a reinforced side carrying handle and 100% recycled, water-resistant nylon. Plus, Cotopaxi offers a lifetime warranty and repairs, and the bag is made in a fair labor and environmentally-conscious facility.

The downsides? This accessory bag comes in just one size, and the bag can only fit a certain number of bulky toiletries. It’s also pricey.

Tired of forgetting your makeup mirror on long trips? If so, consider the Béis Cosmetic Case. It comes with a mirror large enough to see your entire face, a clear, plastic and removable makeup brush holder and a deep main compartment for cosmetics and toiletries. The exterior is made of PU leather, and the polyester lining has a wipeable coating.

While you can stand up the bag on its side and use the mirror, this can cause the makeup in your main compartment to get jumbled. This bag is also expensive and could stand to have an additional compartment.

Searching for a bag that can fit the bulkiest of cosmetics and keep your smaller items organized? Try the Kusshi Signature Makeup Bag. We love this product for its stylish color patterns, wide base and wide zipper opening, multiple pockets and removable zippered pouch. The lining is also machine washable and the nylon exterior is water resistant.

The cons: Since the zippered pouch in the center is removable, it sometimes doesn’t do the best job of separating one side of the bag from the other. Plus, this bag is expensive.

A clear bag is a great way to quickly check the items you have on hand (and it’s great for concerts), so a high-quality makeup case like the Molutsody Clear Makeup Bag is a great investment. It has just one main structured compartment, but it also comes with a separate transparent organizer, which is great for makeup brushes. The flexible plastic on both bags is easy to wipe down incase of spills.

What could be improved: The main bag could be bigger, and it could use a separator or two to make it easier to organize items. It also doesn’t have a carrying handle.

Tired of carrying your cosmetics and toiletries in a flimsy Ziploc when you go through airport security? If so, consider the Sucs Clear Makeup Bag 3-Pack. Each clear bag has a colored zipper and colored linings, and each one is quart sized (the TSA-approved size). The large compartments are great multi-purpose compartments that can hold bulky items.

On the other hand, you may prefer a bag with separate organizing compartments if you need to separate small items from one another. This particular brand also isn’t sold at many retailers.

A tiered makeup bag like the NISHEL Large Double Layered Bag is a great way to keep smaller items and brushes from getting damaged by bulkier items. It has a hard exterior that holds its shape in luggage, and the top tier is perfect for carrying makeup brushes. The large base compartment has a separator to help you further organize your makeup, and it is deep enough to stand up small bottles.

The downsides: A few customers found that the bottom doesn’t hold a perfect structure if it isn’t completely full. Some also felt that the quality of the exterior material could be improved.

A makeup case with a hard shell is a great statement piece with a Gen-Z feel, and the Caboodles Pretty in Petite Makeup Box will take you right back to the 2000s. It has a cute, plastic carrying handle and two top-tier trays that open to the sides when you open the lid.

Note that this makeup bag is rather shallow, and the hard plastic shell means it won’t accommodate bulky or strangely-shaped items. Items inside the case can also make a decent amount of noise when you carry the bag around.

If all you need is a simple, cute cosmetic pouch, the Wudimeitt Cosmetic Bag is a great choice. It comes in a variety of cute colors and patterns, has a small but sturdy zipper and a wide, accommodating inner compartment. It’s also affordable, so you could buy multiple products and organize your makeup into completely separate bags.

However, the corduroy exterior can get noticeably dirty in a short amount of time, especially if you buy the bag in a lighter color. The zipper can also get caught on the outer material.