We’ve all been there, haven’t we – when we’re getting ready for a night out on the town on holiday, only to find our favorite makeup item in pieces. While we love lugging around our makeup just about everywhere, keeping our ever-growing cosmetic collection organized was turning out to be stressful. That’s why we went looking for the best makeup bags from Target to practically organize our intense beauty collection. The retailer is the perfect place to shop for different kinds, types, and sizes of makeup bags for those with a serious makeup collection. Not only did we find gorgeous and well-made options, but we also found the ideal bags to organize everything from brushes to eyeliners and eye shadow palettes.
Thankfully, they restored our faith in the thought that transporting our beloved cosmetics for staying glam on the go isn’t intimidating or exacting. Check out our detailed guide to choosing the best kind of travel makeup bags designed specifically for you.
Sonia Kashuk Loaf Makeup Bag
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We were looking for a comfortable and roomy makeup bag when we chanced upon the Sonia Kashuk Loaf Makeup Bag. What’s interesting about this bag is that it’s not available in different colors but six different versions. These range from faux leather and patterned ones to the puffy polyester one you see below, and that too across three patterns and four colors. Coming to its functionality, this straightforward makeup bag doesn’t have any bells and whistles, but that’s what makes it so good. We loved the single large compartment, which accommodated all our basic makeup while on the go. Everything is secured with a sleek gold zipper, leaving the bag looking chic.
Pros
- The bag stands up on its own, allowing for easy use.
- It’s very roomy on the inside.
- At 15 USD, it’s very affordable.
Cons
- There aren’t a lot of color options for each material.
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Sonia Kashuk Square Clutch Clear Makeup Bag
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One of the topmost reasons we love clear makeup bags is that we can see where everything is without having to rummage through the bag – or even open it! The Sonia Kashuk Square Clutch Clear Makeup Bag is much the same and is practical and super-stylish all at once. The main compartment is very spacious, and we could organize and stow away all of our beauty products. We especially appreciated the flat base, which allowed the bag to sit upright as we accessed the items during our beauty routine. Rounding up things is the champagne-toned zip closure, which certainly not only added security but also made for an elegant finishing touch.
“We were bowled over by just how easy it was to organize our makeup stuff in this bag. Oh – and the cherry on top? It’s easy to clean!”
WOW Travel
Pros
- This bag costs just 10 USD!
- It’s easy to maintain and clean.
- It scores top marks for functionality.
Cons
- It might be slightly less stylish than other bags on this list.
- Not everyone is comfortable with their entire makeup on display.
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Sonia Kashuk Weekender & Pencil Makeup Bag Set
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We gave both our beauty and makeup product storage a stylish upgrade with the Sonia Kashuk Weekender & Pencil Makeup Bag Set. This set features two makeup bags, one in a larger, rectangular shape and a smaller pencil case. Both bags stand up on their own and lay flat, allowing us to do our beauty and makeup routine easily. What’s more, the larger makeup case boasted an attached handle, which allowed us to carry it everywhere easily too. It’s equally amazing on the inside, complete with a spacious main compartment and an inner zippered compartment where we put eyeshadow palettes, foundation, etc. Moreover, the smaller, matching case held our lip, eyeshadow, and eyebrow pencils. The high-quality zippers with a shiny metal pull not only added a luxe detail but also kept all our items secure.
Pros
- Thanks to the neoprene build, the bags stand up to regular use.
- The dark blue inner and outer give the bags a classic look and make them easy to maintain.
- The bags are spacious, with a full-length zipper for easy access.
Cons
- It’s relatively expensive.
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SHANY Limited Edition Mini Makeup Tote Bag
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We were looking for brightly colored makeup bags when the SHANY Limited Edition Mini Makeup Tote Bag caught our attention – literally! The makeup bag comes in the most riot of colors we’ve seen yet, including the canary yellow we chose. This makeup bag allowed us to stay thoroughly organized while on the go and perfectly fit anywhere in our bags. Its nylon build and zip-around top made washing, maintaining, and cleaning it very easy. It even made it resistant to the heat! So, all our favorite makeup products and necessities, which easily fit inside the bag, were safe and didn’t melt or get spoilt. The leather “Shany” logo on the front and the little wristlet-like handle wound up the amazing features of this bag.
Pros
- The bright colors made it easy to spot the bag anywhere in the luggage.
- The mini bags are made using non-toxic paint.
- The purse size is very convenient.
Cons
- The size might be a tad too small for some.
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Sonia Kashuk Makeup Organizer Bag Set
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We were finding it difficult to pack our vast arsenal of makeup products in a single makeup bag without it becoming bulky, huge, and unmanageable. That’s where the Sonia Kashuk Makeup Organizer Bag Set came in very handy. Whether we were headed out on longer adventures or taking shorter trips, this four-piece set was lifesaving. It featured a round-top pouch, a pencil case, a large zip pouch, and an even larger clear weekender bag! In short, it had everything we ever wanted, but in one set, rather than us having to choose different bags on our own. Hence, we ended up getting endless options for organization and storage.
When it comes to the bags’ designs, the transparent one allowed us to easily view the contents inside. Meanwhile, the black-and-white striped one added an on-trend, stylish look. Finally, the two solid black pouches are functional and chic all at once.
Pros
- This set includes four different kinds and sizes of makeup bags.
- For the number of bags, the set is value for money.
- They all come with zipper closures.
Cons
- There are no color options.
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Sonia Kashuk Double Zip Train Case Makeup Bag
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There’s no bag better than the Sonia Kashuk Double Zip Train Case Makeup Bag when it comes to timeless appeal. We felt like we were boarding the Orient Express with this train makeup case, which exquisitely blends function and form. Crafted from 100% recycled polyester, this bag’s design is built to last and isn’t just about looks. We loved the eight elastic loops that held all our favorite makeup brushes, and there’s even a mesh zip pocket and a spacious storage compartment for organization fiends like us. Thanks to the double-zip closure, all our things were secure. Wrapping things up is the top handle, allowing us to carry this case around with us easily.
Pros
- The black color complements the golden metal zipper pull and other hardware perfectly.
- There are enough compartments for organized storage.
- The top handle made it easy to carry.
Cons
- None.
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How To Choose The Best Makeup Bags from Target?
Bag type, size, and functionality
One of the most important factors when it comes to choosing makeup bags is the size and type, which is, further, a factor of the specific functionality that you’re looking for. For instance, if you’re looking for bags to hold your entire makeup routine, then you need larger, vanity-like cases. If you’re simply looking to transport a few brushes, a small eyeshadow palette, and a few lipsticks, a pencil bag is better suited. The best thing to do is to determine your daily makeup routine, or the one you’re going to follow on vacation, and how long your typical trips usually are.
Another thing to remember is functionality when you’re shopping for makeup cases. We looked for bags that could easily protect, organize, and store our products on the go. For that, we considered how much and what kind of makeup we usually traveled with. To wrap up, choose a bag that can easily fit everything but isn’t too huge.
Design
There are different kinds of bags with specific features that better fit someone’s travel experience. For instance, soft-sided makeup bags work well if you’re going to keep them in another bag, like a travel handbag. However, choosing a bag with a hard outer is better if you’re carrying it separately. That helps protect them since they’re being carried individually.
Also, you could look for special features that would make a good fit for your usual travel experience. For instance, hanging bags work well for small hotel bathrooms. If you’re a professional, design elements such as good hardware finishes could elevate your Target travel makeup bag to a chic design rather than just a utilitarian piece of luggage.
Finally, look for makeup bags with multiple pockets or compartments to keep all makeup organized. Not only that, but it also allows us to separate our face products from the rest of our makeup. Also, it’s great to have compartments to keep items such as cotton swabs or tissues separate from the makeup.
Maintenance
One of the most important factors of a good makeup bag is that it should be easy to clean. In case any makeup element spills within the bag, it shouldn’t make a mess of the bag on the inside. So, we made sure to choose a bag with a liner that we could easily clean with water and soap. For instance, ones with vinyl linings are the easiest to clean.
While we’re on the topic, you might also want to look at the best travel makeup kits for women and the best travel-size sunscreens.
What material is used for makeup bags?
Usually, easy-to-maintain makeup bags are made from PU, PVC, and waterproof nylon.
How do you keep makeup bags clean?
It’s a good idea to spray bleach-free antibacterial household spray on the bag and use a clean cloth to wipe the surface area, including the messy corners. Then, leave it to dry overnight.
How do you pack makeup bags for a carry-on?
Ensure that any liquids are 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less. Also, you can take multiple 3.4 oz. containers, as long as they all fit into a clear bag.
Some images on this article are copyrighted by Target.
