I Try a Lot of Beauty Products for a Living—These Makeup Bags Are Up to the Task

To say I have a lot of makeup would be an understatement. Working in the beauty industry for just over three years, I have tried tons of products and accumulated plenty. So many, in fact, I had to take a whole day to get it all organized. I started with containers for the products I haven’t gotten a chance to use yet, but I got stumped coming up with a plan for organizing the products I enjoy using frequently.

I thought about small plastic containers, but that would still leave me fishing through products each day. So as an alternative, I went with three different options: a large makeup organizer; a medium cosmetic bag with individual compartments to hold the items like my sunscreen, primer, and setting spray; and then a small bag that I can pop into any handbag or a fanny pack. (This has kept me from losing and searching for lip gloss and lipstick.)

With my own experiences in mind, I’ve curated a list of 20 of the best makeup bags for everything from a night out to organizing an extensive library of beauty products.

We see why this cosmetic case is a best seller. Aside from the leather details and optional monogram, the lined interior is well-designed with individualized compartments to store small items like lipstick or even full bottles of setting spray or foundation.

Reviewers agree that this faux-leather cosmetic case is a worthy investment. “Love this,” one reviewer muses. “[It’s] big enough to fit everything I need for a long weekend. The magnetic brush pouch is a great plus, and it comes with a mirror.”

With over 17,000 reviews, this makeup case featuring adjustable compartments is a winner. Reviewers agree that this budget-friendly case is sturdy, functional, and practical.

No one mixes luxury and organization quite like Anya Hindmarch, and the brand’s cosmetic cases are truly worth the investment. This leather-trimmed case is ideal for everyday and travel. It is designed with two zip-fastening compartments, including one that opens to reveal elastic loops to secure makeup brushes.

Designed with Gucci’s signature printed coated canvas, this cosmetic case is large enough to hold your daily makeup essentials and even double as an accessory.

We love an option that can be monogrammed, and this structured canvas case with a fully transparent panel makes it easy to see what’s inside and makes an excellent gift for someone you love (or yourself).

Water-resistant nylon is perfect for holding makeup, and this highly rated pouchette that boasts a nearly five-star review is compact enough to fit right into your tote bag.

Organization is key when you have a lot of different products that need a place to live. This patented, faux-leather, customizable cosmetics organizer simplifies that organization process and is designed with brush sleeves, a large back pocket, and a removable pouch that zips right up.

It’s not often you see a product with five-star reviews across the board. Well, Narwey has done it. Printed with a colorful leopard design, this water-resistant case has five small pockets to neatly secure your makeup and a large compartment that can hold everything from skincare to more makeup or both!

With a domed design roomy enough to hold cosmetics, jewelry, toiletries, or all of the above and a spacious bottom compartment, the Selma case is ideal for the road (or staying organized at home).

I can personally vouch for this beauty bag. I use it daily and on trips to hold my beauty essentials. Like other reviewers, I love that the pink bag is tall enough for a bottle to stand upright and that there are compartments that hold everything from lipstick to face wash.

This transparent case is another fan favorite, with a reviewer saying, “I utilize it for my toiletries and makeup. I love that it can fit all the things! Even makeup brushes.”

With a commitment to the helping environment, this bag was crafted with sustainably sourced organic cotton as a part of the Want Les Essentiels Lower Impact collection, which crafts products made from organic, recycled, or upcycled fabrics. In addition, the bag’s pull-out nylon lining is easy to clean, making it an optimal vessel for storing many of your beloved products.

Not sure how much room you need or want a cosmetic case that can take on any occasion? Look no further than this powdery-pink set that comes with three size options.

Large makeup organizers aren’t ideal for placing in your new favorite handbag, so it’s only fitting that you opt for a small, timeless Prada cosmetic pouch for your glosses, lipsticks, blotting powder, and hand sanitizer.

With Mad Men vibes and three color choices, this Italian leather case is perfect for organizing the products you use most often. Not to mention this case will look beautiful on your vanity or countertop (and can travel, too).

Finding versatility even in a makeup bag is a win. If you enjoy multitasking options, this sleek design can double as a home for your signature night-out products and a mini bag to take out on the town.

​​Designed with two small removable storage cubes, a small removable flat pouch, and a brush holder that can hold eight brushes, this organizer, as one reviewer put it, “holds a lot, while keeping your collection organized.”

Investment pieces come in all shapes and sizes, and this Saint Laurent quilted leather pouch featuring a leather lining, a YSL charm on the zip pull, and enough room to store your daily beauty accessories is one of them. Next, FYI: These Expert-Approved Makeup Brush Sets Will Transform Your Routine