Frequently Asked Questions
What should you look for in a makeup bag?
According to Spickard, there are four main things to look for when shopping for a makeup bag:
Customizability
He recommends looking for bags with subdividers, so you can arrange everything exactly how you like it. He prefers a mix of at least one or two zippered pouches along with larger, open compartments that you can organize yourself.
Durability
You’ll want a makeup case that’s durable and won’t dent, scratch, or get dirty easily, Spickard says: “I also want to be able to wipe down the bag easily with an alcohol or makeup wipe to keep it nice and clean.” While leather may look nice, it’s not as easy to clean as a nylon interior.
Brush & Liner Storage
Spickard prefers bags with separate storage specifically for brushes and liners. “There’s nothing I hate more than dirty makeup brushes floating alongside makeup products,” he says. “Same for liners—they get lost so easily without separate elastic holders.”
Size
In terms of what size to opt for, this depends on your makeup routine, how many products you have, and if you also want to store your skin care and grooming tools along with your makeup itself, Spickard says. You might want something small and sleek if you’re carrying just the essentials, or something larger that can grow with your collection as you add to it.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best makeup bags, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.