The Best Makeup Travel Cases

Between your mini samples, everyday essentials, and glam palettes, it can be difficult to keep your makeup in order, leading products to become damaged or lost. Makeup cases are ideal for storing makeup, taking your beauty routine on the go, and helping professionals move from gig to gig in style. Check out our top picks and find the right one for you.

Buying Guide for Makeup Travel Cases

Why buy a makeup travel case? 

When adventure calls, you need to be able to take your everyday essentials on the go. Makeup can become damaged or lost during transportation, not to mention spill and ruin your favorite top before you get to your destination. Makeup kits make it easy to know where all of your favs are, all while keeping them protected during transport.

What should you consider in a makeup travel case?

• Material: Makeup cases, no matter the size, either come in soft materials like nylon or hard materials like plastic or aluminum. If you need to store your case in a suitcase during travel or want flexibility when packing, go with a soft-sided case. Need a heavy-duty case to keep water and other elements out that you can clean easily? A hard case is the way to go.
• Storage: Think about capacity. Do you need to roll to your next gig with 10 different foundation shades, a full-sized hair dryer, and all of your brushes, or just something to keep your makeup front and center on your bathroom counter? Pay attention to size charts, listed dimensions, and packing videos to avoid buyer’s remorse.
• Size: For professionals, a trolley bag is often necessary, while everyday makeup users can stick with a shoulder or handheld bag. Consider your needs and how you’ll use the makeup case most often to make the best choice.
• Security: Lockable cases are important for professionals and beauty fanatics alike. These keep your products safe from unwanted hands and prevent your products from falling out.

What if you want a bag for travel and countertop organization? 

Makeup case choice is dependent on the individual and their needs. MUAs and cosmetic professionals should look for large-capacity, rollable cases to keep their large inventories accessible and portable. If you’re just looking for something to keep your products organized or a great travel accessory, look for small-capacity, travel-size-friendly options that can easily fit in your suitcase or carry-on. Buy for everyday, typical use, not the exception.

Our Picks for the Best Makeup Travel Cases

Pros: This sturdy yet lightweight case is ideal for professional MUAs, estheticians, and cosmetologists. Roomy compartments allow you to pack a variety of foundations, concealers, and palettes, so you can be prepared for beauty emergencies. This cosmetic case also boasts detachable dividers, so you can customize it as needed. It’s also made with durable premium nylon and oxford fabric that is waterproof and spillproof.

Cons: Some may find that the compartments are much smaller and won’t fit larger brushes or palettes.

Bottom Line: Built for maximum storage and function, this utilitarian case is an ideal choice for professional makeup artists on the move. Take it apart for easy cleaning, or put it together exactly how you want for the day.

 

Pros: This hard-shell caboodle is lockable, water-resistant, and adorable. It’s great for your bathroom countertop or as an on-the-go handheld bag. While it offers sturdy construction, this makeup case is shockingly lightweight, making it easy to carry on public transportation, in airports, and wherever else life takes you. You can even remove the brush holder to keep it upright on your vanity or make more room in the case. Plus, with two locks, you can keep your products safe and secure. Did we mention it comes in a variety of unique patterns and designs?

Cons: The hard case makes for a pretty rigid structure, so you’ll need to make sure your favorite makeup items can actually fit. It’s built to hold the best of your collection, not all of it.

Bottom Line: Here’s a case that’s perfect for the beauty buyer looking to keep their tried and true favorites safe from damage and theft.

 

Pros: Are you the ultra-practical planner in your family? The affectionately named “mom” of your friend group? Then this is the bag for you. Not only is it built to hold your everyday beauty items, but it also fits your everyday essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, face wash, toothpaste, and more. It’s thoughtfully designed with four compartments for wet items (think toothbrushes) that won’t leak and helpful straps to keep your makeup products upright and leak-free. It comes with a 360-degree  swivel metal hook, so you can hang it on the door to save space. And lastly, it’s made with water-resistant polyester to withstand any mess or spill.

Cons: This case is extremely compact and built for travel, so you may not be able to fit all of your favorite full-size products. Also, the colors are not as bright as pictured.

Bottom Line: This case is ideal for pared-down, practical travelers who want to bring their shower products along with their essential makeup products.

 

Pros: If you find yourself on the road more than you do at home, a drawstring makeup bag may become your new best friend. Not only does it tie up nicely and securely, but once you open it, it lays flat with a raised outside lip to keep your products in one place while giving you full access to your makeup. The inside is designed with straps to keep your brushes and tubes of mascara or lipstick from moving around and a zipper pocket to store more delicate and valuable accessories. The entire bag is 100% water-resistant polyester and is machine washable.

Cons: There is no secure flap to cover the opening of the bag, which makes it easy for products to fall out.

Bottom Line: Tired of digging and sorting through the abyss that is your makeup bag? Put it to rest with this convenient drawstring bag that allows you to lay everything out, making your time more efficient.

 

Pros: Another great pick for the pros or members of the makeup frequent buyers club, this three-in-one portable cosmetic case is a chic take on classic train trunks. Multiple locks and the hard aluminum and plastic siding keep your products safe from the elements and theft. Like our top pick, it also has detachable compartments, so you only have to travel with what you need. It also comes in a variety of colors, from bubblegum pink to deep emerald green. The bottom compartment offers large dividers, ideal for hair styling tools, full-size products, and more. Whatever your style is—classic, modern, or dramatic, they have the case for you.

Cons: While the aluminum keeps water out, it is still a flexible material, leaving the case open to chips, dents, and scratches. If you frequently need to check your bag, this isn’t the right case for you.

Bottom Line: This super chic kit is lightweight and waterproof with detachable compartments for total convenience. It’s perfect for professional hairstylists who need extra room in their rolling cosmetic trunks.

Final Thoughts

No matter what your level of makeup artistry, cosmetic organizers are a must-have. They keep drawers uncluttered and your makeup safe and orderly. Take your go-to supplies on the road effortlessly with these cases.