If you’re looking for a bag with great dividing pockets, we love this one from Glossier. It’s extremely spacious, has multiple pockets for various products, plus a coated-cotton material which helps protect it from messy spills. It also comes with an interior removable pouch that you can use separately or within the case, and has an outside pocket as well perfect for storing a compact. This thing is sturdy, too—it sits completely upright so there’s less of a risk of accidental spills.
- Material: Coated cotton
- Interior compartments: Multiple pockets and dividers, removable zip pouch
- Washing Instructions: Spot clean
Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when shopping for a makeup bag?
There are a few things to look out for when shopping for a makeup bag, according to the artists we spoke with. “Prioritize function, visibility, organization, durable zippers, and ease of cleaning,” says Tim Quinn, a celebrity makeup artist and co-founder of Halo42Skincare. It’s also important to consider the bag’s weight because makeup gets heavy quickly. Also, if you live in (or are traveling to) a hot climate, temperature protection is critical to help prevent makeup from melting.
How to travel with a lot of makeup
Kasey Spickard, a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City, says his biggest tip is to subdivide when traveling with a lot of makeup. If you don’t already have a makeup case or bag that features its own dividers or travel organizers, he recommends picking up mesh pouches on Amazon for every makeup type. “I have all my lip liners in a mesh pouch, all my eyeliners in a mesh pouch, etc.,” he says. “That way, when everything is subdivided, things aren’t going to smash against each other as much.”
How can you make sure your makeup doesn’t break?
The artists also offer a few tips for making sure your makeup doesn’t break:
- Pack compacts and palettes snugly so they cannot bounce: “I recommend placing a cotton round or thin makeup sponge inside delicate compacts for extra cushioning,” says Quinn.
- Don’t overstuff: “Sometimes we assume packing everything tightly protects it, but too much pressure can crack compacts, palettes or packaging,” says Briceno.
- Make sure temperature is regulated: “Heat can be just as damaging as impact,” Briceno adds. For cream products and lipsticks, he says don’t leave them in a hot car, outside, or in direct sunlight to avoid formulas from softening, separating, or melting.
How we evaluated cosmetic bags
We evaluated cosmetic bags on how many interior features they had, the materials they’re made from, and durability. The best ones had multiple pockets, removable mesh pouches, and elastic loops to hold products in place and protect them from excess impact. The ones we landed on were also made of sturdy materials like PVC, polyester, and neoprene to protect products from moving around too much. Our final list consists of the most durable (and cutest) dopp kits we found to level up your makeup collection, all while keeping your skin care and makeup safe.
