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These Make-Up Bags Are As Pretty As They Are Practical
It's finally time to re-organise that make-up stash
Make-up bags: let's be honest, we're pretty lazy with them. From foundation to lipstick, we spend a small fortune on luxury beauty products only to chuck them into an eyeshadow-stained canvas bag or grimy plastic pouch.
A luxe, designer make-up bag may not sit at the top of your list of essential purchases, but it will make you feel like you've got your life together every time you reach for it. The best make-up cases are both pretty and practical, allowing you to organise all those tiny eyeshadow brushes while making a mini style statement.
Whether you're after a chic designer pouch to make you feel fancy on a daily basis, or a practical hold-all for keeping that growing lipstick collection in check, we know just the thing. Here, see the ELLE team's favourite designer make-up bags.
The Best Designer Make-Up Bags
For those days when you told your mate you left 15 minutes ago, the Flat Lay Co.'s convertible make-up bags are genius. Simply unfasten the bag for quick access to every last product, then pull the drawstring to bundle everything back up neatly.
If you're looking for a chic, minimalist make-up bag that will last a lifetime, look to this sturdy case from Smythson. Simple and sophisticated, it comes in a variety of classic shades which you can personalise for an oh-so-you finish.
The IT make-up bag of the season? It's Glossier, of course. Designed to fit every last item – including full-size skincare bottles – yet still slot neatly into a tote, it's a practical choice too.
Anya Hindmarch's make-up bag is not only unbelievably chic, it's also generously-sized with room for full-sized bottles – as the name 'Lotions & Potions' suggests. What better to house your favourite foundation and go-to travel spritz? Convincing case made.
How do you spot a beauty editor at the airport? They'll have their SPF, lipstick and foundation neatly displayed in one of these security-ready bags.
Fact: anyone loyal to their Pillow Talk needs this bag. Covered in bedazzled stars, it's the perfect make-up case for any lipstick obsessive's stash.
Trust Prada to deliver this chic make-up bag. The cream-coloured case has space for all your favourite beauty bits and is as elevated as the brand's cult handbags.
When you've spent a fortune on that set of make-up brushes, the last thing you want to be doing is squashing them at the bottom of your bag (not to mention the bacteria issue.) The Flat Lay Co.'s smart holder will keep all your tools in shape and sterile.
You'll struggle to find a more recognisable make-up bag than this checked cosmetics case from Burberry. Seeking something sophisticated and extra special? Add this to your cart before it sells out.
This monogrammed Gucci make-up bag screams 'I have my life together'. Now just to buy the matching handbag, belt, suitcase, bucket hat...
Capacious, clear, and ultra-minimal, you can't go wrong with Cult Beauty's travel makeup bag. It's roomy enough to fit all your essentials and then some, plus it's super easy to clean.
Kara is the Ecommerce Editor, Women’s Lifestyle at Hearst UK. Leading Cosmopolitan’s digital shopping strategy, she shares style advice for life’s big moments, reports on the latest fashion collaborations, and creates beauty reviews across skincare, makeup, and haircare.
Kara’s most popular guides include ‘Affordable Jewellery Brands to Shop’, ‘Ski Wear to Shop, According to an Editor’, and ‘The Best High Street Wedding Dress Brands’, while covering deals events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. When she’s not behind a laptop screen, she’s hosting shopping videos and livestreams for Cosmo’s TikTok Shop. Kara also creates shopping content for Red and Prima, and was previously contributing Fashion and Beauty Ecommerce Editor at ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar.
Since starting her career as a journalist in 2018, she has held the role of Fashion Content Editor at NET-A-PORTER’s Porter Magazine, Associate Editor at PopSugar, and written for Refinery29 and LOVE Magazine, where she covered fashion and beauty news, trends, and features. An experienced interviewer, Kara has spoken to Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles, and Tyla about life, work, and style. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Kara lived in Toronto, Canada before moving to London.
Follow Kara on Instagram @kara.kia
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