Most of us expect a lot from our makeup and, really, what’s the point otherwise? After all, well-placed concealer has the power to erase a multitude of sins (read: a late night with one too many cocktails) and a pesky zit in one fell swoop. A gorgeous red lipstick can instantly whiten a smile. And, in a pinch, we all know that a touch of mascara and lip gloss is the difference between looking just-out-of-bed and work-ready in seconds flat. As an added bonus, keeping things organized—or at the very least, in one place—saves us all what we can’t ever get enough of: time. Here, a bag to suit your needs—big, small, or somewhere in between.
1. Tepper Jackson Train Case in Pop Blossom. This bag features a clear vinyl pocket on the inside of the lid for easy access to everyday essentials. A smaller, removable bag slips easily into a briefcase or office drawer for midday primping. ($56; sleepyheads.com)
2. Fluff Coquette Roll Case. Perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, the Fluff Coquette Roll Case has plenty of space for must-haves and an attached mirror, which conveniently tucks away in an outside pocket. ($16; sleepyheads.com)
3. The Darlene Deluxe Brush Case from Stephanie Johnson. The ultimate in organization: Six brush pockets in the lid keep tools neatly stashed away, while two removable interior pockets store the rest of your loot in perfectly sorted order. ($59; stephaniejohnson.com)
4. LILL Studio Liz Bag. Choose from a selection of gorgeous fabrics to create a one-of-a-kind 1154 LILL Studio Liz Bag, which, brilliantly, is long enough to fit brushes yet slim enough to fit inside your purse—not to mention stylish enough to carry by the wristlet strap and go. ($72; 1154lill.com)
5. Elissa Bloom Mesh Pouch. Stash your makeup and make a statement even the most die-hard Republicans and Democrats can agree on with the glamorous Elissa Bloom Mesh Pouch. ($55; elissabloom.com)
6. Grab-n-Go Clutch from Sweet Fletcher. Deceivingly spacious and available in an array of wipeable, laminated fabric, the super-chic Grab-n-Go Clutch from Sweet Fletcher accommodates lipstick, powder, blush, et al with ease—and has room to spare for diapers and wipes when your day job is being a mom. ($22.50; sweetfletcher.com)
7. Anne Taintor. We love the retro graphics (all of the artwork comes from advertisements from the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s) on Anne Taintor’s quirky bags. Our personal favorite? The “Beauty: It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure” pouch. Words to live by, indeed. ($17; annetaintor.com)
