The 11 best makeup bags for travel that are stylish, organized, and TSA-friendly

Best overall: Portland Gear Cascade Kit

Portland Gear really thought of everything when constructing this lightweight, durable toiletry bag. The structured frame around the top allows the bag to stay open when I need it to, there are plenty of pockets to organize all my essentials, and there's even a wet pocket to store anything damp (like, say, a makeup brush I just cleaned).

Not only does the weatherproof material protect my other belongings from any potential spills, but it's also a cinch to wipe down when necessary.

My favorite feature, though, is the exterior zipper pocket. Inside is a sheer mesh zipper pouch that offers total visibility of any items I store in there, plus elastic loop holders to secure smaller items like a toothbrush, nail clipper, or comb.

Best pouch: Kusshi Signature Makeup Bag

This pouch can hold over 20 full-size beauty products with room to spare, which is plenty for a week-long trip or more. But what truly sets this versatile bag apart is its ample organization and customization options.

Inside the Kusshi Signature Makeup Bag, there are:

• Two mesh slip pockets, for small or oddly shaped items like lipstick or a makeup sponge
• A zippered pocket, where I kept cotton swabs and eyeshadow tape
• A detachable brush holder with four extra-large slots that can each hold multiple brushes 
• A zip pocket with plenty of room for lay-flat items like blushes and compacts.

The exterior zipper also opens wide on three sides, allowing the bag to be laid flat while you apply makeup. I found this convenient for locating and removing each of the cosmetics. 

I also love that the bag can be used with or without the brush holder. The interior nylon lining can be unzipped and removed, leaving you with a large, single-compartment clamshell case.

As far as aesthetics, this bag comes in a machine-washable fabric (with 15 color options) or a leather version (available in eight hues), which has a removable, machine-washable nylon interior lining. 

Best budget: BAGSMART Open Flat Makeup Organizer

With a lay-flat design when open, this budget-friendly Bagsmart Travel Makeup Bag makes it easy to see all its contents at once. It also has convenient organizational features, including a clear compartment that's perfect for makeup brushes (I was able to fit six large ones without issue), two elastic side pockets that are great for fragile compacts, and a center zip pocket for small items like lipsticks.

A top handle makes the 9.75 x 4.68 x 4.68-inch bag easy to tote. When not in use, it folds flat.

Best vanity case: Étoile Mini Vanity Case

While makeup pouches are convenient and portable, they don't always protect your delicate palettes. More than once, I've been on vacation and opened my makeup bag to find my eyeshadows cracked. They are delicate and can get smashed in soft-sided bags.

The Mini Vanity Case from Étoile solves this problem with its structured sides and clever pockets that keep your makeup from moving around. Made of leather and reinforced to keep its shape, this case is a great choice for those who have invested a lot in their makeup stash and want to keep it pristine. In fact, I highly recommend the brand's larger Duo Vanity Case for brides who want to tote all their makeup from hotels to bridal suites. It's pretty big and has an extra pocket on the top, specially made for big palettes.

The organizational insert has lots of clever pockets that perfectly fit mini pallets, brushes, lipsticks, and blushes. I appreciate how organized it keeps everything and how many little nooks and crannies there are for me to fill with various tubes and pots.

However, a structured makeup bag does come with downsides. It takes up more room than other picks on this list, so be aware of that when you're packing.

Best oversized: Caara Large Vanity Kit

If you're packing for a long trip — or simply require a lot of products while traveling (no judgment here) — this oversized toiletry bag is a godsend. There are a whopping nine total pockets and compartments, and each is designed to accommodate different kinds of items.

For example, the dedicated side pocket is well-suited to jewelry, with posts for earrings and hooks for necklaces. The exterior zipper pocket is ideal for grooming accessories and makeup brushes. And the main compartment can fit a shocking number of travel-sized toiletry bottles. It's helpful that a lot of the interior pockets are made with transparent plastic, too, making it easy to find whatever I'm looking for.

I love that I have the option to carry this bag by the top handle, or sling it over my shoulder with the longer strap — and because there's a handy little metal hook on top, I can also hang it in the bathroom or closet.

Best leather: Quince Italian Leather Pouch Travel Set

 

Quince continues to impress with high-quality fabrics (like washable silk, plush cashmere, and even diamond jewelry) at prices about 50-80% off traditional retail costs. The brand's leather bags are no exception.

This 100% top-grain Italian leather makeup bag set is stunning. There are six colors to choose from (I picked olive), and each is outfitted with gold-tone zippers. At $79 for the set, it makes a timeless gift that can be used for years to come. 

The Quince makeup pouch set is pretty basic in terms of organizational features (the larger bag has one flush slip pocket), but being able to divide items between two cases is advantageous. If you're trying to maximize packing space, this is a solid bet.

I used the 6.5 x 11 x 3.5-inch bag to stow larger full-size makeup items, and I was able to fit two foundations, a tinted moisturizer, two blushes, five blush/contour/highlight sticks, three lipsticks, a makeup setting spray, and an eyeshadow palette — with room to spare.

In the 5 x 9 x 3-inch clamshell, I carried full-size makeup brushes and a concealer. On shorter trips, you could also use the larger bag for travel-size toiletries (the water-resistant microfiber interior can be wiped clean) and the smaller pouch for makeup. I love that the smaller bag can be nested inside the larger one to save space when it's not in use. 

Learn more about our favorite products in our Quince brand review.

Best hanging: Dagne Dover Seoul Dopp Kit

We are huge fans of Dagne Dover's internal organization systems (just see our full Dagne Dover review to see why), and the Seoul Dopp Kit is one of their best. It has pockets galore, gusset handles, and a structure that makes it easy to use. The bag even has a hidden waterproof pocket at the bottom and internal elastic loops that you can use for a toothbrush or makeup brushes.

This bag features a hook that lets it hang open while you use it. It also has a bunch of mesh pockets — seriously, these fit way more than you'd think. They're strategically placed at the ends and the flap, so the products bulge outward and don't take up internal room.

I also love the material that this kit is made out of. The thick, durable polyester is easy to clean, so you can just wipe off any makeup smears.

You can even get a smaller version for weekend trips or a tote companion.

Best mini: Kusshi Everyday Makeup Bag

I'm the type to carry a few emergency makeup items (think: lipstick or concealer) in my daily handbag. Kusshi's Everyday Makeup Bag, the same brand little sister of my favorite Signature Makeup Bag, is the perfect daily companion for on-the-go cosmetics.

At 5 x 7.5 x 3.25 inches, it's a smaller version of the Signature bag, except it doesn't include a detachable brush holder/zip compartment (although I was able to fit a medium-size brush in the main compartment).

I got eight full-size makeup items inside, although I had to maneuver a bit to zip it shut. I'd probably recommend using travel-size makeup items in this bag.

Best clear: Calpak Large Clear Cosmetics Case

As a beauty editor, I've accumulated quite the makeup collection — and even I had trouble filling this clear cosmetics case from Calpak.

The Calpak Large Clear Cosmetics Case has a whopping 9.5-liter capacity, in which I toted three eyeshadow palettes, four foundations, 10 blush sticks, six makeup brushes, five blush compacts, four concealers, three highlighters, three contour sticks, and a full-size aerosol makeup spray. I could have easily fit more. 

This makes the wipe-down case perfect for long trips or traveling for weddings where you may want to load up your entire makeup stash. Another idea: use one side of the case for toiletries and the other for cosmetics.

Since the bag has two huge compartments with one flat zip pocket, I would probably put items like lipsticks or eyeliners in smaller cases first and stow those smaller cases inside this bag. If you like the design of this bag but find the size daunting, Calpak also makes a 6-liter medium version.

Best mini: Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer

If you'd rather not lay your toiletries down flat — say, for fear of spillage — consider this minimalistic toiletry bag. The shape allows you to store even taller bottles upright. Honestly, I plan to use this on my countertop even when I'm not traveling — to make some of my most frequently-used serums, brushes, and other products easy to grab while getting ready.

I like that I can either cram products in loose, or use the removable insert with six different compartments to keep things organized. The elastic loops don't hurt either — there are two shorter ones and two taller ones — for securing items like a toothbrush, travel-sized fragrance bottle, or nail file. There's only one interior zipper pocket, and it's somewhat small, but it is made of mesh for maximum visibility.

As an added bonus, the material couldn't possibly be easier to wipe down and clean.

Read more about our thoughts on the rest of this line in our full Dagne Dover review.

Best luxury: Leatherology Clamshell Makeup Bag Set

A set of leather clamshell pouches is a timeless staple that can last for decades — and an excellent gift idea. They can be used to store a variety of items from toiletries and cosmetics to pens and small tech accessories. 

Leatherology's Clamshell Bag Set in black croc leather is superiorly stunning thanks to gold-tone hardware and tassled zippers. But it's more than a pretty face.

Measuring 6 x 8.75 x 4.7 inches and 5.2 x 7.25 x 3.75 inches, the cases both have a wide and deep interior great for over-filling. The larger bag, with a convenient interior zip pocket, could easily accommodate 15+ full-size beauty products including brushes. The smaller bag is perfect for lipsticks, nail polishes and concealers. When not in use, the smaller bag nests inside the larger one for easy storage.

FAQs

How do I clean my toiletry bag?

First, always check the care tag on your specific bag to see if there are any specific instructions. After emptying the bag completely, wipe away any excess globs of spilled product with a paper towel, and shake off any debris (like lip pencil shavings) into the trash. Moisten a washcloth and add a drop or two of mild hand soap or fabric-safe stain remover, and then gently rub any discolored spots with the washcloth.

Follow up by dabbing at those same spots with a wet washcloth — no soap this time — to eliminate any residue. Depending on the material of the exterior, you can also wipe that down with a damp washcloth (if, for example, it's leather), or with a fabric-safe stain remover the same way you spot cleaned the interior.

Let your bag air dry with the top open, upside-down, on top of a towel. If you need to speed up the process — say, because you're packing for another trip — you can use a hairdryer on high speed and warm setting to help dry it out.

Can a toiletry bag go in a carry-on?

Your toiletry bag can be packed in your carry-on suitcase; however, keep in mind that it must be the TSA-approved size, and all the liquids, gels, creams, and pastes inside it must be 3.4 ounces or less. While it's not technically required for your toiletry bag to be transparent, it can be helpful to invest in one that's clear — otherwise, TSA may need to open up the bag to examine the contents.

What size toiletry bag is TSA-approved?

All toiletries in your carry-on must fit into a quart-sized bag. If they don't, you'll need to pack toiletries in your checked luggage instead.

Tips for packing a makeup bag efficiently

1. Use travel-sized products

Some popular products actually come in a TSA-approved size (3.4 ounces or less). If a smaller version of any product isn't available, though, you can buy reusable empty travel-sized bottles and dispense a small amount of product into those

2. Opt for leak-proof containers

Who wants to deal with spilled body wash — or worse, a pigmented foundation — all over their vacation outfits? That's why it's important to make sure all toiletry containers are leak-proof. Test the closures and ensure they're secure by turning them upside down, shaking them, and checking to see if they might be snapped open during transit. Be careful not to overfill bottles, and if you want some added reassurance for preventing leakage, place your toiletries inside a Ziploc storage bag before storing them inside the toiletry bag.

3. Use compartments wisely

Be strategic about how you pack your toiletries. Save the more spacious compartments for larger products, and take advantage of smaller pockets for more compact items that might easily get lost (like tweezers or an eye pencil sharpener). Use zip pockets for anything more fragile or delicate, like a travel-sized perfume or cologne in a glass bottle.

How I tested the best toiletry bags

I first assessed the amount of space in each toiletry bag by packing in some of my essential skincare, shower, hair care, and makeup products. Not only did I want to see if they all fit, but I also wanted to see whether the bag could handle the weight without tearing, bulging, or failing to close.

I also evaluated whether there were enough pockets to keep all of my must-have products organized.

The final step of my testing process entailed sealing the bag and squeezing it to see if there were any air leaks. This helped me to determine whether spilled products would be contained in the toiletry bag — or end up leaking into my luggage.