Despite being surrounded by fashion editors at work every day, when conversation about the trending It products of the season arise, I zone out. It’s not that I’m not interested in fashion or that I don’t appreciate the beauty of certain items, it’s just that, beyond how it looks, I don’t know what makes a good item of clothing and what makes a terrible one. Way before I got into this job, I was always the sort of person who would much prefer to drop £100 on a serum than they would a pair of jeans—and that, I suppose, is why I’m a beauty editor and not a fashion editor.
When it comes to my fashion choices, I’m always thinking practically and, truthfully, always in relation to my beauty routine. Is that white silk shirt a good idea when I know my SPF has a tendency to stain? Will I really use that handbag if I can’t fit a 100ml bottle of perfume in it? How much wear will I actually get out of the leather trousers that will no doubt stick to my freshly moisturised legs?These are the questions I ask myself most when shopping for clothes and accessories—and this attention to detail (okay, and maybe fussiness) is why I feel warranted to consider myself to have truly exceptional taste when it comes to makeup bags.
I’m not blowing my own trumpet here (well, maybe a bit). I just truly consider my makeup bag collection to be elite. While I know most people might enjoy splurging on a luxury handbag, I take great joy in treating myself to a luxury makeup bag. After all, as a beauty editor, I consider them my most used and most practical accessories.
And my collection is extensive. For starters, I like to have one large makeup bag to keep at home on my dressing table. Here, I keep things that I am using on rotation—the things I like enough to pull out of my beauty storage (as a beauty editor, I require floor-to-ceiling cupboards) but not things I’m yet sold on enough to pack in my handbag. This bag needs to be large, but not too large, and accessible enough for me to be able to grab things easily, without risk of products getting buried. Then, I like to have my luxurious bags. These are typically smaller (small enough to fit in my handbag) and are there to hold only my most coveted everyday products—these are the makeup bags I leave the house with. And it’s for this reason that I love to splurge on them. While my friends show off designer handbags, my flex is my makeup bag.
Believe me when I say I’ve tried every makeup bag out there that matters. From budget buys to frankly ridiculous ones, I’ve put them all to the test. So whatever your taste and budget, keep scrolling for the 18 best makeup bags money can buy.
This is easily the best makeup bag for travelling. It’s small enough that it doesn’t take up half of your handbag and it’s just big enough to get all of your essentials in there. The best bit? It’s wipe-clean!
I love to keep this makeup bag on my dressing table. When you unzip it fully, it turns into a sturdy tray, meaning you can see every single product it holds. It’s made rummaging for products a thing of the past, and frankly, I feel a little spoiled for it.
There’s nothing revolutionary about the function of Elizabeth Scarlett makeup bags. I just adore the way they look. Every time I pull one out of my bag, someone comments on it.
This bag by Glossier has become an icon in itself. It fits everything—from makeup and haircare to skincare and body products. If you’re going on a weekend away, this will be the only beauty bag you need to pack.
If I’m going on holiday for longer than a week and anticipate wanting to take more products that I usually might, this is my bag of choice. It’s lightweight, making it great for luggage allowance, and it fits a hefty amount in there. Just undo the drawstring at the top, and it unravels into a flat circle, so all of your products are visible right away. When you’re done, just pull the drawstring back up, and you’ve got a handy makeup bag again.
While I have been made to empty my products out of this when going through airport security (apparently it’s not see-through enough), I still try my luck every time I go away. It can fit every skincare and hair mini you need for a long weekend away, as well as all of your makeup. And I can assure you that whatever you can fit in here will also fit in one of those disposable airport bags, too.
There are, in my opinion, few things chicer than Aspinal of London small leather goods. This little bag is the perfect size to throw in your work tote if you’re the sort of person who does their makeup on the train. (I definitely am.)
If your makeup collection is extensive, chances are you’ll want a big bag to carry as much as you possibly can. When I was asked to do makeup for my friend’s wedding (this happens a lot when you’re a beauty editor), I packed all of the products in this very handy vanity. Created for makeup artists, it just makes sense.
Not massively practical but adequate enough to pop your daily essentials in, this little Ganni makeup bag is on this list mostly because it looks so cute. No other justification needed.
Crafted in their heritage prints, Liberty makeup bags are iconic in their own right. This one—Hera—has been in the Liberty repertoire since the mid-1890s so these makeup bags are like carting around a little piece of fashion history. Plus, it’s the perfect size to tuck away all of your daily beauty essentials.
Admittedly, this is slightly more than just a makeup bag—it has room for cosmetics, haircare, body products and more. Perfect for holidays, the thing that I love most about this is that it has been designed with an integrated hook so that you can hang it up on a door or a wall. Ideal if you’re staying somewhere with minimal space to lay out your beauty essentials.
This screams party makeup bag and if it isn’t the perfect place to stash your night-out essentials then I don’t know what is. It’s crafted from leather so it’s built to last, too.
This is my makeup bag of choice right now. When I first got it, I didn’t think I’d use it that much. It’s small but seemed a bit bulky to carry around with me in my handbag. However, it actually fits a huge amount in it. I go away most weeks for work, and I keep this little bag full of all my essential makeup products. Whenever I need to go, I just grab the pre-packed bag out of my drawer and pop it in my overnight bag—it’s revolutionised my packing routine.
This is the first luxury makeup bag I ever bought, and it’s still one of my favourites. With a small section for brushes at the top and a larger section underneath for products, it saves having to leave your brushes rattling around in the bottom of your bag. Plus, it’s compact enough to take just about anywhere.
Smythson is synonymous with luxury. The leather of this cosmetic case is soft but durable, and pulling it out of your bag just makes you feel like you’ve really got your life together.
Okay, you got me. I don’t actually own this makeup pouch, but I wish I did. It’s been on my wish list for some time now, and I just know I’d use it daily. The powder rose shade it super chic, the fold-over fastening makes it wonderfully practical, and I can tell I’ll be able to fit all of my essentials in there.
Is this the most practical purchase I’ve ever made? No, but I’m pleased I did it nonetheless. This bag is big enough to put a hairbrush in along with some other daily essentials. The downside? I’m constantly terrified I’m going to get a spillage, so I only keep solid products in this bag. It’s not the bag’s fault, mind you; it’s my fault for buying nice things that I shouldn’t be trusted with.
Incredibly chic yet undeniably practical, this makeup bag is my favourite kind of luxury purchase—it’s durable enough to actually be used everyday, yet you’ll feel so fancy when you’re using it. Even better, it’s part of Prada’s aim to increase its sustainability practices. It’s made from ECONYL which is a fabric made from regenerated yarn and discarded plastics found in landfill or the oceans.
