The best makeup travel bag for models on the go should double as your durable and reliable friend and look super cute as a handy prop (if need be).

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My Top 5 Picks for the Perfect Makeup Travel Bag

Models know the following situation well … You spent hours thinking of EVERYTHING you might need for a photoshoot, only to arrive on site and for the photographer to ask if you have any cute bag accessories handy for a prop – insert extreme frustration emoji! 

(Ps … For a quick list of everything you might need on your next travel photoshoot, find my recommended items list HERE!)

To help you find the perfect makeup travel bag, I’m here to share with you my 5 favorite beautiful and functional makeup travel bags and breakdown my likes and dislikes for their use as a busy model on the go.

Let’s get into it!  

My Criteria for Travel Cosmetic Bags as a Model on the Go:

As a modeling coach with over 10 years experience, traveling as a model comes with some criteria. Below are the qualities I look for in a makeup travel bag:

• Small and Easy to Pack
• Great Organization with Compartments
• Durability and High Quality
• Zippers that Last!
• Hand Washable and Water Resistant
• Sophisticated, Classy and Cute (or dare I say SEXY!)

With these Qualities in Mind, Here are My Top 5 Choices:

• 1 – Metro Cosmetic Case by Monos
• 2 – Perfect Travel by CAIA
• 3 – Quinn Makeup Bag by Pottery Barn
• 4 – Travel Makeup Bag by Eachy (on Amazon)
• 5 – Hanging Washbag – Blush Pink by Wolf & Badger

1 – Metro Cosmetic Case by Monos

Likes
Small, sleek, compact, organized and well-made, the Metro Cosmetic Case by Monos comes in as my number 1 pick for traveling models. Made from vegan leather, this case comes with a great zipper (Monos’ signature product is luggage, they know zippers!).

Not only does this case come with multiple organizer holders for all your cosmetic needs, but it also has an inside zipper to hold even more of your cosmetics neatly inside (#love).

Dislikes
Only 2 color options leaves me wanting a little bit more variety (though you can’t really go wrong with black and tan). It’s durability can also be seen as a drawback because it won’t ‘smoosh’ into your suitcase and the size it is, is the amount of room it will inevitably take up.

2 – Perfect Travel by CAIA

Likes
Maybe I’m a sucker for the Vegan leather look, but Caia’s travel make-up bag is the trifecta of beautiful, durable and spacious. Also, with a well-made zipper, Caia’s vegan leather cosmetic bag is easy to clean with a damp cloth and is water resistant for those beach and poolside photo shoots (although Caia’s website warns to avoid ‘excessive water’).

Dislikes
Caia’s almost luxury-looking cosmetics travel bag comes with one major flaw – a lack of organization. It sports only one organization zipper compartment. The size is also just a tad larger than I would prefer in a make-up travel bag especially one that (similarly to Monos), doesn’t compress in your luggage. That being said, if you aren’t one to usually travel ‘light’ and maybe you aren’t exactly sure what cosmetics you may need for your photo shoot, this is a beautiful and roomy option.

3- Quinn Makeup Bag by Pottery Barn

Likes
This stylish cosmetic travel bag comes in a variety of color options. It is made of 100% polyester which gives it that fabric-esque look while maintaining adequate durability. The size too is just right for a travel bag with an unobtrusive carrying handle that lies flat against the side of the bag. Although not pictured above, the Quinn bag sports several organization elastic side pockets that hold a variety of cosmetic needs.

Dislikes
If I had to grumble about something, it is that polyester may be a little more difficult to clean and a metal zipper (while attractive and timeless) can be prone to corrosion and is a tad more difficult to open and close than a nylon or plastic zipper.

4 – Travel Makeup Bag by Eachy (on Amazon)

Likes
The Eachy travel makeup bag is stylish, cute, small, compressible and VERY ORGANIZED. This is what I love most about the Eachy bag. As a model on the go, you want to travel with lots of mini make-ups, not just throw every cosmetic you own into a bag. Part of the lifestyle of modeling is to have things be easy and seamless (or at least make it look that way!). Having mini make-ups already placed and organized in your travel bag, ready to pickup and go, makes for one less thing you have to stress about when preparing for your modeling shoot.

Dislikes
What the Eachy bag makes up for in organization and accessibility, it lacks in refinement and durability. I wouldn’t plan on this being your ‘forever’ make-up travel bag, but it does the trick and is still fashion forward enough to look good as a handy prop.

5 – Hanging Washbag – Blush Pink by Wolf & Badger

Likes
The Wolf & Badger Travel Cosmetics Bag has so much to offer in terms of organization, durability, great zippers, lots of space and ease of use. Reviews come in as perfect and A+ quality. This bag’s signature ability is having it hang in your bathroom hotel or Air B&B space as well as just how many products it can fit. Not everyone wants their products to lay down, and Wolf & Badger provides standing room for your products, multiple inside zippers and elastic straps. It also sports an exterior durable vegan leather that is easy to clean with a damp cloth.

Dislikes
My biggest dislike might be someone’s like – I prefer my travel makeup bag to be smaller. This verges on an overall toiletry bag that can fit one’s shampoos and hair products as well as their makeup needs. BUT if you prefer to travel light, this bag certainly won’t be for you.

Want more modeling tips?

As a modeling coach with over 10 years experience, I can assist with all your modeling needs and get you signed by top agencies. Find out more about me at www.eliteimagemodeling.com.