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Our top pick is the Relavel Travel Makeup Case Standing Zipper Pouch
L.A. Hubilla is a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE who specializes in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content. She also regularly tests products for multiple digital outlets, including InStyle and Byrdie. When she's not window shopping online or creating pro and con lists, you'll find her drinking tea and talking about her feelings.
There are many travel makeup bags designed to transport your beloved cosmetics for glam on the go. These products are made to keep your products intact and organized on your journey.
Beyond choosing a high-quality case, celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli suggests swapping out some of your usual products with multi-use alternatives. “Think of things like tinted moisturizers with sunscreen, lip, eye, and cheek products, and perhaps a palette that offers multiple colors that you can use across your trip,” says Scibelli. Another travel tip from Scibelli is to replace powder items with creams. “Items like powder bronzers and blushes can easily crack during travel, so if you can switch to cream bronzers and cream blush — that can be super helpful."
We tested 26 of the most popular travel makeup bags based on durability, design, portability, capacity, and price to see which held up the best. After the eyeshadow dust settled and liquid foundation explosions were cleaned up, we found our best overall picks.
Read on for the best travel makeup bags that PEOPLE tested and expert advice on how to pack your makeup for your next getaway.
External padding keeps makeup from breaking
Zipper top opens fully so all products are visible
Bulky shape is harder to pack
Backpack straps not super stable
This Train Case from Relavel blew us away during testing. We love how easy it is to store, organize, and access the makeup and brushes. The zipper top opens fully so you can see everything at a glance. We really appreciate the individual brush holders and easy-to-clean plastic protective cover, too.
This travel makeup bag is an organizational dream. The individual dividers can be moved around and customized to best fit and secure all your products. During testing, this case fits an impressive seven palettes, a whole makeup brush collection, two foundation bottles, five toiletry bottles, over 15 lipsticks, an eyelash curler, hair spray, and a travel-sized moisturizer bottle. The exterior and interior fabrics on this case feel high quality and durable, and the waterproof surfaces are easy to clean.
The internal organization will keep your products securely in place, while the exterior padding will provide a safety cushion. In our drop and shake tests, none of the makeup products broke or spilled. The only possible drawback for us is that the bulkier, square shape would fit best in your checked luggage instead of a backpack.
After five months of use, this Relavel case has become our tester’s everyday makeup bag. She appreciates how it neatly stores her most-used makeup tools in pockets and a double-layer compartment. Even when she fills the case, it’s still easy to zip. She has packed the Relavel in a duffel bag, carry-on suitcase, and backpack, and it has adequately protected all her products during travel. After five months, the exterior still looks great, and the zippers operate smoothly.
Size: 10.3 x 9 x 3.6 inches | Weight: 1.52 lbs. | Material: Nylon, TPU | Closure: Zipper
Faux leather exterior still looks new after multiple drop tests
Main storage compartment keeps products protected
Not much organization or separation of the main compartment
Takes up a lot of backpack space
Shay Mitchell's brand, Béis, is known for its beloved Weekender Bags — and its cosmetic case was also a front-runner in our tests, scoring high marks across the board. This case is super easy to open, close, and pack. We love the wide-open central compartment that makes tossing in all your hair and makeup essentials an absolute breeze.
We really like the removable compartment for storing brushes and the additional zip pocket for added storage. The bottom of the case has two smaller sleeve pockets but doesn’t offer any other organization. While it doesn’t have many compartments, this case can really pack in the products. The luxurious feel of the faux leather elevates this travel makeup bag. We also love that it is available in nine different colors to match your style and mood.
Overall, it feels sturdy and durable and is easy to clean. During our drop and shake tests, nothing broke or spilled, which really impressed us, considering the main cavity didn’t have any additional compartments to keep products in place. This Béis makeup case offers ample storage, so its bigger size fits best in suitcases or luggage.
This Béis case has come in handy during the three trips our tester has taken in the past five months. She previously traveled with two cases, one for skincare and another for makeup, but this spacious bag holds it all. Through all her travels, it has remained clean and sturdy, with no noticeable imperfections.
Size: 9.5 x 4 x 7 inches | Weight: 1.38 lbs. | Material: PU leather, PVC, lining: poly with water-resistant finish | Closure: Double U-zip
Impressive capacity but still easy to pack in a backpack or carry-on
Full zipper closure gives easy access to contents
Kept makeup secure during testing
No separate organization compartments or padding
For a super inexpensive price, this Narwey Travel Makeup Bag will get your makeup to and from your destination safely and with ease. This bag has a full zipper closure that is easy to open and provides full access to everything. The exterior fabric is water-resistant and easy to clean.
The main compartment of this travel makeup bag is 3.5 inches deep, which is generous compared to some other bags we tested. Separate brush pouches with a PVC protective cover and an additional smaller zipper pouch offer some organization. There isn’t any designated organization to the main compartment, but we still found it holds quite a bit. We were able to fit two full sets of face and eye brushes (19 brushes in total), two face palettes, a color-correcting palette, three eyeliners, four lipsticks, a mascara, and a lash curler. The capacity for the case is phenomenal, while still being compact enough to put into a day pack.
Size: 9 x 6.7 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 7.8 oz. | Material: Not listed | Closure: Full double zip
Dividers keep products organized and secure
Compartment dividers are removable for added space
Upright design is easy to pack and fit into smaller luggage and backpacks
Narrow, upright design couldn’t accommodate as many products
Dagne Dover bags are loved for being high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and eco-conscious. Their Mila Toiletry Organizer continues in that legacy and delivered an impressive organization throughout our testing process. Available in six colors, we love the upright design that proves much more spacious than it appears. The full zipper top opening makes packing, viewing, and accessing the products super easy.
The separate compartments make organizing simple and keep the products securely in place. Even better, the compartment dividers are removable for easy cleaning and maximum storage. The padded exterior not only gives a hint of that trendy athleisure aesthetic but also offers added protection in transit.
During testing, we fit four makeup brushes, two makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, three lipsticks, four small toiletry bottles, and one hairspray in this bag. This is impressive, considering the size. We did note that the bag's narrower design didn’t hold quite as much as other larger bags we tested. (The brand does offer a larger size).
During five months of use, our tester became more and more impressed with the Mila bag. While the bag isn’t very wide, its height and the removable and adjustable slots make organization a breeze. She appreciated the high-quality material and capacity of the bag, which fit more than expected. The bag is easy to pack and keeps all her products secure and protected during travel.
Size: 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 6 oz. | Material: Repreve recycled polyester exterior and interior | Closure: Zip
Fit more products than our standard packing list
Sturdy structure and shape kept all makeup secure during the shake and drop tests
Includes a removable clear zipper tote that's ideal for smaller toiletries
Bulky shape takes up a lot of room and isn't as malleable as others we tested
In vertical position, clear zipper pouch in main compartment doesn’t stay in place
It's not fun to do your hair and makeup in a tiny bathroom with no counter space for your stuff. The Béis Hanging Cosmetic case is our top pick to solve this common travel challenge. We love how easy this case is to open and pack. It unfolds and lays fully flat, which makes packing a cinch.
We were so impressed with how much we could fit in this bag. We packed four makeup brushes, six makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, five lipsticks, seven toiletry bottles, one hairspray, and four eyeliners.
The construction of this case feels sturdy and durable. The nylon fabric feels super easy to keep clean. During our shake and drop tests, all of the products remained intact and secure. This hanging case is on the bulkier side and would take up a lot of room in a carry-on backpack or tote. It’s probably best for larger suitcases. We appreciate the middle compartment came with a clear zipper tote you can remove and use as a TSA-friendly toiletry case for a smaller carry-on or underseat luggage. The only drawback is the clear zipper pouch can fall out when the back is stored vertically, so it’s best to store it elsewhere when hanging.
This hanging case has been ideal for longer trips our tester has taken because it holds a ton of products. She loves that it hangs on the back of a door, so it’s easy to access everything at once. The bag is very durable and easy to wipe clean, and she hasn’t noticed any damage during the past five months of use. Her favorite thing is the bag’s capacity and numerous organization pockets. Because it is bulky, she doesn’t take the entire case on short vacations, but she loves that it includes a removable makeup pouch that she can bring on weekend trips.
Size: 9.75 x 7.25 x 6.5 inches | Weight: 1.14 lbs. | Material: Nylon twill, vegan buffalo leather, polyester lining, pouch-clear TPU | Closure: Double U-zip
Products visible in plastic compartment pockets
Products stayed intact during shake and drop tests
Exterior fabric is not as luxurious as others
Bulkier silhouette is better for large checked suitcases
This hanging toiletry bag from Boacay offers the convenience of vertical storage for an affordable price. The fold-out design makes packing and viewing the products very easy. This bag includes four separate zipper compartments that stay securely closed when hanging.
We packed a lot into this hanging case. We were able to fit four makeup brushes, three makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, two lipsticks, four toiletry bottles, and two hairspray cans. We tested the medium size, however, this product also comes in a larger size for those who need even more space.
The structure of this bag provided protection throughout our multiple shake and drop tests. Some of the products moved around a bit, but the fold-up design helped keep most things in place. We also appreciate the elastic loops in the middle two compartments that can help secure items.
Our tester has been using this hanging travel bag every day for the past five months. This convenient bag has become her regular makeup case. The hanging bag is durable and hasn’t sustained rips or tears. A small amount of powder that spilled in one of the pockets was easy to clean. She also loves the elastic straps inside two of the pockets that keep tubes and bottles separated and upright. Her one issue with the bag is that the plastic pockets bend quite a bit when full, which sometimes allows items to fall out.
Size: 11.42 x 3.78 x 7.48 inches | Weight: 12.3 oz. | Material: Exterior fabric not listed, PVC inner pockets | Closure: Full zip
Fits easily in backpack and smaller carry-on
Pliable exterior is easier to pack and squeeze into a fuller backpack or suitcase
Water-repellent and easy to wipe clean
Needed to rummage at bottom to find items
Exterior is thin and less protective than others we tested
If you’re looking for a sleek and portable travel makeup case that you can throw in any bag, the Lululemon Go Getter Pouch is the one for you. Don’t let the compact silhouette fool you, we were able to fit quite a bit into this case. In the small front compartment, we fit four small/medium-sized brushes with room for more. We packed two palettes in the mesh pouch and five brushes, one more palette, two lipsticks, one foundation bottle, and three micellar travel bottles in the main pouch.
The outer water-repellent material made from recycled polyester looks stylish and, better yet, is also easy to clean. It feels thinner than other bags we tested — no extra padding here. After shaking and throwing the bag a few times during testing, a few caps came off some products, but thankfully, there were no spills or breaks. The tops of some lipsticks were a tad smushed. The design of this pouch is simple and straightforward without much internal organization. While the bag was able to fit many products, the lack of organized compartments made it difficult at times to find a specific product needed.
The compact size of this big is a major highlight as it easily fits in a backpack, weekender bag, carry-on luggage, and a checked bag. We especially like the flexible fabric exterior, which makes squeezing it into an already full bag much easier. The price point is affordable for a well-known brand and makes it a great choice for those prioritizing portability in a travel makeup bag.
Since she started using this pouch five months ago, our tester has taken the bag on a week-long trip. Because of its small size, she found it was a tight squeeze to fit her makeup and other items like an eyelash curler and brushes. While the bag is durable and didn’t rip during use, she found that her foundation left a stain on the fabric. Her least favorite thing about the bag is the lack of organizational features, which left her digging around or dumping everything out to find what she needed.
Size: 8.7 x 3.3 x 6.3 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Recycled polyester | Closure: Zip
Square shape and deep main compartment hold a lot
Water-resistant lining is easy to clean
Available in 12 colors and can be personalized
Not as sturdy feeling when empty
Looking for luxury and durability? Leatherology’s classic, square-shaped train case will transport your makeup safely and in style. This bag’s full-grain leather exterior feels and looks like a dream. We appreciate the water-resistant lining that will be easy to keep clean. The full-zip-around closure allow for easy packing, access, and viewing of all the products. The main compartment is deep enough to pack some bottles standing up. We packed four makeup brushes, three makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, three lipsticks, seven small toiletry bottles, and one hairspray.
Despite initially feeling less sturdy when empty, this bag feels very secure once packed with products. The thin padding between the exterior and interior layers also adds additional protection. It fared well in all our shake and drop tests. No makeup or toiletries were broken or spilled, and the leather still looked great. The price is higher than some of the other bags we tested, but the genuine leather exterior, easy-to-clean interior, and loads of pockets make it well worth the cost.
This small train case from Leatherology has been our tester’s go-to bag for weekend and week-long trips. It fits everything she needs and then some, including larger eye shadow palettes. The case is super durable, and the interior still looks practically new. The outside has a foundation stain, but since it’s made of leather, our tester expects to get it out with a little elbow grease. She loves the size for longer trips but feels like it takes up too much room in her weekender bag to make it feasible for short trips.
Size: 7.5 x 5 x 5.2 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Full grain leather exterior, water-resistant synthetic interior | Closure: Zip-around
Wide opening easy to pack and access
Genuine leather is easy to clean
Not as much padding as other bags we tested
This Travel Case Set from Cuyana is ideal for those wanting additional storage and the option of different sizes. The materials on these sleek, elegant leather cases feel durable and high quality. We learned the width of the opening can be a bit deceiving. We had to remove some products we initially packed in order to fully close the bag. In the larger bag alone we were still able to pack four makeup brushes, two makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, one lipstick, four toiletry bottles, and one hairspray and definitely had room for several more products. The second smaller case would be great for brushes, jewelry, or essential toiletries for your carry-on.
At first, the soft leather exterior of these cases didn't feel as sturdy as the other ones we tested, but they still kept the products secure in our tests. A little bit of eyeshadow was the only makeup to spill during multiple drops and shake tests, but it was easily cleaned up. Getting two genuine leather travel makeup cases for this price is a great deal. We also like the option to choose which size feels most appropriate for different types of travel.
As a self-proclaimed overpacker, our tester was not able to store everything she needed in this set for a longer trip. For short, local trips, she found the small pouch to be ideal for carrying all of her essentials in a backpack. She appreciated the high-quality, durable material and how the two cases fit into one another for easy storage. After five months of use, the bags showed no signs of wear, and the few smudges that appeared were easy to wipe away.
Size: 7 x 12 x 3.5 inches (large), 5 x 8 x 2.5 inches (small) | Weight: 1 lb. | Material: 100% sustainable, Argentinian leather | Closure: Zip
Removable leather pouch provides extra storage and protects fragile items
Opens fully and is easy to pack and access
Pockets and elastic loops for organization
Minor scuffs on exterior after drop tests
The Cuyana Travel Beauty Case is the epitome of fashion and function together in one beautiful bag. The Italian leather exterior elevates the classic design of this travel makeup bag. The rectangular case opens up fully (like a clamshell), and we found it was super easy to pack.
The internal organization is both super functional and beautiful, thanks to the matching leather interior. We appreciate the designated elastic loops for makeup brushes along with the leather flap to secure the brushes in place. The bonus removable leather zipper pouch adds another level of organization. An additional pocket at the bottom of the main compartment secures even more products. We were able to fit eight makeup brushes, two makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, four lipsticks, four toiletry bottles, and one hairspray.
The leather exterior and interior protected our makeup well during our shake and drop tests. Only a few items shook loose, but nothing broke or spilled. We noticed a few minor scuffs after dropping and throwing the bag a few times, but they were easily wiped away with our fingers. While the high price is certainly an investment, this travel case will be a beautiful piece to add to your travel collection for years to come.
During the past five months, our tester has used this Cuyana case for every trip she has taken. She was able to fit a ton inside and found the smaller pouch to be ideal for bringing a couple of things along for touch-ups. She appreciates all the organizational touches, from brush straps to a large compartment with a sleeve, and how protective the case is. The case has kept her eye palettes damage-free on trips around the world. She generally checks the large case and keeps the small pouch with her. The exterior of the bag is durable, easy to wipe clean, and looks as good as new.
Size: 6.2 x 10.2 x 3.1 inches | Weight: 1.6 lbs. | Material: Italian pebbled leather | Closure: Metal zip, internal metal button clasps
When shopping for a travel makeup bag, functionality is your friend. You want a bag that can easily store, organize, and protect your beauty products while traveling. Consider how much makeup and toiletries you usually travel with and what type of products. If you’ve got lots of brushes and smaller size items, you’ll want a bag with plenty of internal organizational options like the Relavel Travel Makeup Train Case, which has customizable dividers. Choose a bag that’ll easily fit everything, but be wary of a bag that’s too big because extra space will let your products get jostled around in transit.
Look for any special features in a travel makeup bag that are a good fit for your usual travel experience. Perhaps a hanging bag, such as the Béis The Hanging Cosmetic Case, will work best for small hotel bathrooms or tiny guest areas. Or maybe a removable pouch, like the Lululemon Go Getter Pouch, is something you’d prefer to keep essentials within reach in your carry-on. Consider other design elements like material and hardware finishes that can elevate your travel makeup bag from another utilitarian piece of luggage to a chic design piece.
We tested travel makeup bags that range in price from around $12 to almost $300. You can find a quality makeup case at any price, including the budget-friendly Narwey Travel Makeup Bag, depending on the materials and features that are most important to you.
In our PEOPLE Tested Lab, 26 buzz-worthy makeup cases were tried, inspected, and evaluated for ease of use, quality, capacity, design, and portability. Each bag was packed with the same standard packing list, and additional products were added if possible.
“For starters, I like to minimize the general bulk of my products so that I'm not overpacking,” shares Scibelli. “And, of course, keeping the sizes to 3.4 ounces and under, if I'm not checking a bag.” He also recommends using a padded cosmetics case that offers an additional layer of protection.
Pro travel tip: “Use your other items in your suitcase as armor for your makeup bag, and position it in the center or with softer items around it for protection," he says.
“A typical toiletry bag is pretty simple, consisting of a one-pocket zip pouch,” explains Scibelli. “Travel makeup cases have become so much more intricate now with multiple pockets and travel features like having detachable pockets, being water resistant, and added padding for safety.” Makeup cases will often have specific features to hold makeup brushes and easy-to-clean fabric in case of spills.
L.A Hubilla is a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE and Brides.com. She specializes in lifestyle, fashion, and beauty content. Hubilla also frequently tests products for various digital outlets including Byrdie, InStyle, and Travel + Leisure, among others. For this article, she surveyed the data compiled by the PEOPLE Tested team and compared them with professional insights from celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli. Using Scibelli’s advice paired with tester observations, she selected the top-performing makeup cases for this roundup.
Neil Scibelli is a celebrity makeup artist.
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