From the most stunning red lipstick to the must-have mascara of the season, your favorite beauty tools stay at your fingertips in designer cosmetic bags that make it easy to apply makeup on the go. Cosmetic bags run the gamut from large train cases that let you bring along your whole beauty collection when you're headed out of town to cute little cases that hold just what you need to handle emergency beauty maintenance during a long night of dancing.
Polka dots and stripes adorn makeup bags from LeSportsac. Cosmetic bags from kate spade new york show off spirited prints that bring out your flirty side, while Longchamp and Tory Burch use rich hues to convey sophistication. Small designer cosmetic bags fit directly into your purse to allow for efficient organization. Perfectly sized for holding essentials like mascara and lipstick, these bags make it easy to maintain your look as you transition from a fast-paced day to an exciting night out.
The Best Toiletry Bags for Women: Beyond the Airport
The best toiletry bags for women are useful far beyond the airport. Suited for exploration near and far-long weekend escapes, quick overnights, pre-work gym sessions, and even desk-to-dinner touch-ups-these come in handy to house one’s beauty and wellness essentials.
With no shortage of options, routine minimalists and maximalists can find the best travel bag for their needs-elegant dopp kits, structured cosmetics cases that resemble mini briefcases, small pouches to toss in any tote, and large toiletry bags with multiple zippered compartments. Even the supporting cast of travel accessories-yes, including packing cubes-has leveled up to match.
But form doesn’t overshadow function here. Many modern designs are leak-proof, wipe-clean, and thoughtfully sectioned so nothing spills, shifts, or disappears into a product-filled abyss. Whether you’re a “just the essentials” traveler or someone who insists on bringing your entire seven-step skin-care regimen and beauty tools, there is a chic solution designed to keep everything organized and at the ready.
Vogue’s Favorite Toiletry Bags
Best Upright: Parallelle Traveler The Medium Traveller Toiletry Kit
Why we love it: Traveling with tubes, brushes, and bottles that are better stored upright? This sleek bag has a unique design that keeps products standing tall. Simply unzip its top and the sides fold down, revealing mesh pockets for smaller products (think lip balms, sunscreens, and small compacts), elastic loops for makeup brushes, and adjustable dividers that keep items organized. A reinforced base adds to the upright integrity, letting the bag stand free without toppling over.
- Dimensions: 8" x 7" x 4.5"
- Colors: 4
- Material: Vegan leather exterior, water-resistant polyester lining
- More To Know: 16 interior wall pockets; 4 mesh pouches; 5 elastic loops and 3 flexible compartments
Best for Just the Essentials: Rains Wash Bag Small
Why we love it: When you need to take your core product collection on the road-and are leaving the extra brushes and slew of color options at home-Rains’ compact bag lends itself to traveling light. The small pouch has one compartment, which can handily store the staples of an everyday makeup or skincare regime. Designed for ultimate durability, the 100% polyester bag is also waterproof, and has a carry handle for easy portability.
- Dimensions: 5.1 x 8.3 x 4.3 inches
- Colors: 3
- Material: Polyester with polyurethane coating
- More to Know: Waterproof, interior wall pocket, lined
Best Compact: Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer
Why we love it: Those in favor of top-handle cosmetics cases will love Dagne Dover’s option-especially because of its soft, neoprene-like exterior (extra points for being washable!). Made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, the eco-friendly bag has a compact, circular structure that takes up minimal space in luggage. Its upright design makes it handy for storing liquids, and it has six adjustable compartments to keep the products snug. A triangular metal clip keeps odds and ends-such as hair ties-neatly in place, while a removable mesh pouch can be stored in one’s purse for touch-ups on the go.
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 7.5 inches
- Colors: 2
- Material: Recycled polyester exterior, recycled polyester mesh lining
- More to Know: Four elastic loops, removable mesh insert, six adjustable compartments
Best Train Case: Béis The Cosmetics Case
Why we love it: If a sharp, structured briefcase were reimagined as a toiletries kit, it would be Béis’s cosmetics case. Traveling with makeup in a soft, collapsible pouch often leads to foundation leaks or eyeshadow crumbles-inevitable casualties of movement. This minimalist travel case, however, is engineered to keep everything exactly where you place it. The exterior is crafted from sleek faux leather, while the interior features wipe-clean PVC, making any spill remarkably easy to handle. And the thoughtful details are where it truly shines: hidden magnets that secure multiple makeup brushes, plus a portable mirror with a prop-up stand, allow you to touch up-or fully glam-like a seasoned makeup artiste.
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 4 inches
- Colors: 2
- Material: Vegan leather, PVC interior
- More to Know: Three large pouches, large main compartment, hidden magnets, portable mirror
Best for Makeup Brushes: Kusshi Makeup Brush Organizer Clutch
Why we love it: For the makeup brush aficionado, Kusshi’s leather organizer stows all the necessary tools for a dramatic contour, a fluffy swirl of blush, or any other makeup look. (Or for fresh breath-there’s also a spot for a toothbrush.) With a removable liner that’s machine-washable, the spacious organizer has 11 pockets and typically holds some 30 products. What’s more, it protects products’ cleanliness while on the go: The organizer is not only resistant to water and stains; it’s also antimicrobial and anti-mold.
- Dimensions: 7 x 13.5 x 5.75 inches
- Colors: 2
- Material: Leather exterior, nylon interior
- More to Know: 11 interior brush pockets
Best Hanging: Away The Hanging Toiletry Bag
Why we love it: Rather than rifling through your toiletry bag, why not hang it up so that all its contents can be readily displayed? With a hook made for hanging on a wall or a door, Away’s Hanging Toiletry Bag has three mesh pouches for easy-and ample-storage. Water-resistant and easy to clean, it also has a detachable clear pouch, which can stow travel-sized liquid items.
- Dimensions: 9.6 x 3.74 x 6.6 inches
- Colors: 3
- Material: Nylon
- More to Know: Water repellent exterior, wipeable interior, four interior compartments, one hook for hanging
Most Spacious: Eachy Travel Makeup Bag
Why we love it: For those who want to carefully organize not just their wardrobe but their cosmetics bag, too-Eachy’s travel makeup bag has an inner pouch for palettes, powders, and pencils. The bag’s flat design allows it to open fully, revealing surprisingly capacious compartments for a clear view of each item-no more digging to the bottom of your bag to find the product you’re looking for. Inside you’ll find multiple partitions: four pockets and two dividers to be exact. With a waterproof material exterior, you needn’t be overly precious about placing your makeup bag down on potentially wet surfaces like the bathroom sink-all of your products will be tucked away safely and dry inside.
- Dimensions: 9.25 x 4.13 x 4.33 inches
- Colors: 30
- Material: Waterproof PU leather exterior, polyester lining
- More to Know: Two large compartments, one clear center divider and pouch, four inner side pockets
Best Two-Pack: Cuyana Travel Case Set
Why we love it: Two are better than one when it comes to storage options. This duo from Cuyana pairs a small, pebbled leather bag with a larger counterpart. This makes it easy to separate products by size; or, should you wish, to use the smaller bag in your carry-on suitcase while stowing the larger one in checked baggage. The leather lining is easy to clean-any wet washcloth will whisk away any trace of a makeup mishap-and the exterior Argentinian leather is available in 16 tempting shades. Colors range from a demure blush (a bestseller) to a chili-pepper red.
- Dimensions: Large bag 7 x 12 x 3.5 inches; small bag 5 x 8 x 2.5 inches
- Colors: 16
- Material: Italian pebble leather exterior and interior
- More to Know: Two pebble leather pouches, no additional inner compartments
Best for Professionals: Relavel Travel Makeup Train Case
Why We Love It: Relavel’s makeup case isn’t for the casual beauty enthusiast-it’s made for the pros and the makeup lovers with collections that could rival any beauty counter. This train case-style bag is ready to handle even the bumpiest commutes, crafted from a tough fabric that’s made to last. Inside, you’ll find a spacious, nylon-lined interior with two tiers designed to keep everything organized and easily accessible. The top tier features three mesh zipper pockets and a roomy zippered pouch for your essentials. The second tier is the real star-featuring ten adjustable dividers you can move around to create custom sections for all your products. Plus, there are twelve elastic pockets for storing brushes vertically, so they’re always ready to go. Whether you’re a pro or a beauty aficionado, this case has you covered!
- Dimensions: 13.4 x 9 x 4.3 inches
- Colors: 1
- Material: Oxford fabric exterior, nylon interior
- More to Know: Two tiers, three mesh zipper pockets, 10 adjustable dividers, 12 elastic pockets
Large Makeup Train Case with 4 Clear Travel Makeup Storage Bags Set
Everything You Need to Know
What To Look For in a Makeup Bag
Like choosing a hotel or Airbnb for your next getaway, your products’ temporary home should be thoughtfully considered, too. While a beautifully-designed case lends undeniable appeal to a hotel vanity or even a workspace, keep these practical considerations in mind as well:
Material
The best toiletry bags should be made of a durable material that can stand up to being overstuffed-and be easily wiped clean in the case of spills or smudges. For instance, Cuyana’s pebble leather makeup bags are equally sustainable and durable. For the product minimalist, Rains wash pouch is made of entirely wipeable polyester, for quick clean up after product spills and smudges.
Size
The best toiletry bag for you will handily stow however many products you need on the go-whether that’s just the basics for an easy, everyday makeup routine, or brushes, bottles, and palettes that will leave full glam on hand. For the former, Dagne Dover’s Mila Toiletry Organizer has a compact, circular design that’s easy to tuck into luggage or use as a carry-on. Meanwhile, Away’s hanging toiletry bag packs a surprising punch, unfolding to double its size and hanging for easy storage. Keep height in mind, too: If you want to store bottles and liquids upright, or are packing longer brushes, consider an upright option like Dagne Dover or Parallelle.
Portability
The best toiletry bags are also easy to tote around. While selecting the right bag for your jaunt, consider packing a bag that can be easily carried (or flown!) around while keeping products safely in place, such as Cuyana’s travel case set. If it’s not being stowed in a tote or suitcase, you’ll want it to have a practical carrying handle, such as the Béis The Cosmetics Case, or a roomy base to rest atop a carry-on.
Vertical vs. Horizontal Storage
When it comes to toiletry bags, the choice between vertical and horizontal storage can make a big difference in organization, accessibility, and space efficiency. Vertical storage is ideal for maximizing space and preventing leaks. Best of all, vertical storage allows for products to be neatly stored, with each one visible and easily accessed at a glance. If you’re tired of rummaging through layers of items, and want to grab your favorite lipstick fast, consider something like Parallelle’s makeup bags. Horizontal storage is excellent for more flexibility, featuring a wider surface area to organize sizable items. It allows toiletries to lay flat and stack on top of one another, which is often better for larger-sized products (think jars, palettes, or bottles). Are you conflicted between both options? Some toiletry bags offer the best of both worlds-a perfect example is Eachy’s makeup bag.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. As it relates to toiletry bags, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: size, structure, materials, and storage compartments. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each product and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.