A list of the best Australian makeup bags for every occasion
IMAGE VIA @meccamax/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY TESS FISHER
Cosmetic cases, bags and pouches for all your beauty goodies.
If you ever come to my house, I can promise you three things. A cup of coffee, a biscuit and a rogue eyeshadow brush that has somehow launched itself off my bathroom shelf and into the tiny space between my vanity and the wall. If you see said brush, please pick it up for me.
A simple solution to my problem would be to buy a cosmetics bag that houses every trigger-happy foundation, primer, and lipstick in one beautiful, well-organised space. But do I really want to invest in a functional bag that just chills out in my bathroom, never seeing the light of day?
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Well, to quote Rowan Atkinson, a cosmetics case “is so much more than a bag”. In addition to helping you Marie Kondo your bathroom drawers, the makeup bag is also the bosom buddy of the anxious traveller. If you cringe every time you pack your cosmetics for a trip away – envisioning scenes of smashed glass bottles and serums oozing through your belongings – you’re not alone.
I’m ready to change my life, step up my organisation and quell my travel anxieties by investing in a good cosmetics pouch. Join me on a tour of Australia’s best bags to store, snap and zip your beauty woes away.
Mecca
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With over one hundred stores across Australia and New Zealand, Mecca really is a one-stop-shop for makeup, fragrances, skincare and, of course – bags to put it all in! Mecca’s own brand of cosmetics carriers includes the Weekender Bag, which has a peekaboo plastic window to easily peep what’s inside, and the electric orange Brush Bag, which “ensures your brushes can stand as tall and proud as Beyonce on stage”.
Oroton
Australian heritage brand Oroton is known for making leather goods that stand the test of time. Its range of cosmetics bags is no exception – they come in a wide range of styles and colours, my favourite being the Harriet Beauty Case in that infamous shade of Bottega green.
Yu Mei
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Yu Mei is from across the ditch (aka New Zealand) but its Emily makeup pouches very much deserve a place on this list. Available in brown, black and olive, this slimline cosmetics bag is made from French lamb leather and looks particularly sleek as a clutch too (we love a multi-purpose product).
Adore Beauty
Naturally, Australia’s largest online beauty retailer has the goods when it comes to makeup bags. The brand’s vegan leather-trimmed, clear cosmetic bags come in a range of sizes, ideal for frequent flyers and home organisation fanatics. If you’re not sold yet, remember all Adore purchases come with a Tim Tam.
Lucy Folk
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Sydney brand Lucy Folk’s cosmetic bags bring a beachside, holiday feel to your bathroom. Made out of patterned towelling and available in a palette of soft pastels, they are a luxurious reinterpretation of the makeup bag.
Love By T
Australia’s obsession with terry towelling continues (or mine does anyway). Love By T’s limited edition 100 per cent cotton terry towelling cloth bag is handmade and promises to be both UV and water-resistant.
Étoile
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Whether you’re a crease-cutting cosmetics whiz or a budding beauty enthusiast, Melbourne label Etoilé caters for every makeup need. Its extensive bag range spans everything from simple plastic pouches to full makeup belts and cosmetic cases with handy removable dividers. Thoughtful touches like same-day delivery for Melbourne and Sydney locals, 14-day returns and optional customisation will make you an instant convert.
Gorman
An Australian fashion heavyweight for over two decades, Gorman is known and loved for its distinctive colourful prints. Gorman’s joyous aesthetic isn’t just restricted to wardrobes – shop your favourite patterns (including those limited edition artist collabs) in a range of cosmetics cases and travel bags.
Kip & Co
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Kip & Co really deliver when it comes to statement cosmetics bags. Its dreamy velvet padded cosmetics bags easily double as a clutch on the go, while its range of 100 per cent wax canvas designs promises to be totally bathroom-proof.
Saardé
Inspired by her years living in Istanbul, designer Verity Kizek wanted to bring the beauty of Turkish textiles to her Australian home. Saardé’s thoughtful homewares are crafted from high-quality materials in earthy tones like sage, clay and rust. The Journey Toiletry Bag is the brand’s carry-all cosmetics solution, made in soft cotton canvas.
Mon Purse
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Mon Purse has carved out a reputation as one of the country’s go-to personalised bag companies, and its extensive travel line is another step forward in the brand’s legacy. Shop wash cases and vanity bags in a range of pebble grain coloured leathers, ready to be personalised with your choice of text.
Rains
An honourable mention here for a brand that’s not Aussie, but is a staple in many of our wardrobes. Rains is a Scandinavian label known for its understated, minimalist rain jackets, but outwear doesn’t get to have all the fun. Like the brand’s classic coats, Rains’ sleek cosmetic bags come in a range of colourways, are made from matte, waterproof material, and offer a two-year warranty.
Poppy Lissiman
An Australian favourite, Poppy Lissiman is known for its range of bold, colourful accessories. Its range of makeup bags is no exception – the Cinci Cosmetic Pouch is available in a rainbow of colours and comes in a large or small size. I’m eyeing up the Mandarin colourway in size small for my work bag.
Esmi
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Beloved for its vegan, cruelty-free Australian skincare, Esmi also stocks cheerily-coloured bathroom bags. My personal favourite is the Rainbow Vanity Bag, which looks like the inside of a four-tiered, pastel rainbow cake. In addition to being cute as a button, the bag boasts a variety of zipped compartments to accommodate everything from skincare samples to jumbo-sized shampoo bottles.
Mimco
If you’re looking for a classic, refined makeup bag, Mimco has you covered. The iconic Australian brand has a range of sleek black and gold cases and depending on how expansive your collection of tools and products is, there’s even a large case with a sizeable mirror and separate sections for your brushes.
The Daily Edited
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Toss that slimy XL Ziploc bag straight in the trash. The Daily Edited has all kinds of organisational bags that will make you feel like you have your life together, no matter how chaotic you actually are. Its vanity cases come in various sizes, giving you the space to pack for a quick touch-up or a full face. The leather and PVC option has clear side panels to show off all of your favourite products.
Louenhide
We love a product that’s both beautiful and functional. The Louenhide Maggie Cosmetic Case is a compact quilted bag that can fold out a three-panel hanging unit for when you have limited space. So nifty!
Status Anxiety
Status Anxiety isn’t messing around when it comes to travel bags. Its cosmetics case comes in black or dusty pink. It’s waterproof (no leakage!), unisex and big enough to fit everything you’d need for a weekend away. Handcrafted from the brand’s signature, ethically-sourced leather and simple enough for day-to-day use, you really can’t go wrong with this one.
Saison
The Salus Wash Bag is exactly what I’d want to carry my toiletries in when travelling to and from the hostel bathroom. The waxed cotton bag shines in emerald green and it’s perfect for backpacking – although the fabric is durable, it’s lightweight and folds down to next to nothing.
For a selection of the best products to put into your cosmetics bag, head here.
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