Whether your makeup routine adheres to the latest minimalism trend with a slick of mascara, a swipe of gloss and a touch of bronzer, or full coverage means full coverage, you’ll need a place to stash your staples while you’re on the move.
Keeping your products organised and on hand, these cosmetics carries are handbag essentials to stow all the necessities.
It’s the little things that can brighten your day and this includes your washbag that can be adorned with a vibrant, playful pattern or in the hallmark style of your favourite designer label.
For those who like their accessories on the luxury side, the market is awash with logo-embellished styles that demonstrate your loyalty to the high-end name that dominates your wardrobe, be it a retro-inspired vanity from Dior or a clean, classic and elegant YSL-appliqued piece.
But if the latest penchant for quiet luxury has infiltrated each item in your collection, including your cosmetics case, there are more minimal designs that are equally as luxurious and crafted from hard-wearing or buttery soft leather. Look to Bottega Veneta especially with its Intrecciato weave.
While the brand may be of huge importance, so should practicality. You want a design that is as functional as it is fashionable so ensure that it is capacious enough to store your full regime as well as made from durable fabrics to withstand the knocks and bumps of travel. For this, leather is best as well as nylon, canvas and vinyl. You will use this daily so grained or patterned finishes will disguise any scratches or signs of wear.
Shop the best designer washbags below
Dior Travel Vanity Case
A testament to the impeccable craftsmanship of the French fashion house, this retro-inspired vanity case from Dior has fashion and function combined. The logomania case opens to reveal a capacious main compartment with three pockets and an additional zipped option.
Buy now £1600.00, Dior
Seletti wears Toiletpaper floral-print faux-leather case
Italian furniture and accessories label Seletti teamed up with Toiletpaper magazine to bring light-hearted, playful and vibrant aesthetics to your home. In both brand’s signature style, the creations are humorous and eccentric. House your beloved makeup essentials in this rose print pattern set on a checkerboard backdrop. Look closer and you’ll notice that each of the roses has an eyeball centre. There are also more out-there designs – but more on that below.
Buy now £43.00, Selfridges
La DoubleJ cherry-print makeup bag
The cheery cherry print of this makeup bag will put a smile on your face each time you reach for it. It comes from Milan-based brand La DoubleJ which is known for its eclectic, archival patterns. The designer’s Californian roots shine through in this particular piece with its playful design.
Buy now £110.01, Farfetch
PUCCI logo-print make-up bag
One look at this makeup brand from the house of Pucci will have you yearning for your next far-flung break. The pattern has a retro feel with its logo design that takes inspiration from classic beach signs, while staying true to Emilio Pucci’s legacy as the Prince of Prints.
Buy now £335.00, Farfetch
Gucci Ophidia Web-Stripe GG-Supreme washbag
From the house of Pucci to the House of Gucci, this washbag is distinctive of the Italian fashion house with its GG all-over print on canvas. This is the cosmetics bag you need if you like to go matchy-matchy with your accessories as you can coordinate to the Ophidia shoulder, tote, crossbody, top handle and camera bag as well as the cardholder and wallet in the same style.
Buy now £350.00, Matches
Anya Hindmarch Happy Eyes Pouch
For your fill of feel-good designs, look no further than Anya Hindmarch and the brand’s eyes hallmark. On this pouch, it sparks joy with a tactical zip that resembles a cheeky tongue-out expression.
Buy now £195.00, Anya Hindmarch
Missoni Home terry cloth-effect striped make up bag
Bringing a vibrant touch to your carry case is Missoni and its beloved home collection. This pouch can house your staple makeup, stashing everything from your foundation to your lipstick in its spacious interior. It has a striped print in lively multicolours and a terry-cloth construction that is both practical and soft to the touch.
Buy now £170.00, Farfetch
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato-leather wash bag
Bottega Veneta has not covered its wash bag in logos. It doesn’t need to. The brand’s Intrecciato weave construction is all the sign that you need that it comes from the Italian fashion house that is an expert in all things leather.
Buy now £1300.00, Matches
Burberry Leather-trimmed checked faux leather cosmetics case
This quintessentially British washbag has the instantly recognisable Burberry check adorning the faux leather piece. One you’ll be sure to spot at the bottom of your bag, it has the archival print all-over with a logo applique as the chic finishing touch.
Buy now £290.00, Net-A-Porter
Christian Louboutin Carasky leather cosmetics pouch
Fans of red bottoms will be delighted that the colourway will be infiltrating your accessories too. While this Christian Louboutin pouch is adorned with gold hardware on the exterior, inside it reveals the brand’s vibrant rouge – and you’ll find it on the base too.
Buy now £550.00, Matches
Saint Laurent Logo-plaque leather washbag
There’s no prize for guessing where this washbag is from. The French fashion house is offering this buttery soft lamb leather pouch adorned with the brand YSL insignia in a sleek gold plaque. Otherwise, design details are kept minimal, making this a timeless style that will be a workhorse in your accessory collection for years to come.
Buy now £660.00, Matches
Apparis leopard faux-fur makeup bag
Combining New York codes with Parisian flair is Apparis, a brand that specialises in faux fur. The makeup bag follows suit and much like the rest of the collection, is constructed from recycled and vegan fabrics. It remains sumptuously soft with an endlessly strokable exterior and can’t-miss leopard print.
Buy now £63.00, Farfetch
Longchamp Le Pliage Energy Toiletries Bag
Longchamp has taken its hugely popular Le Pilage silhouette and downsized it to create the cutest travel cosmetics bag to stash your toiletries for when you’re away from home. It comes in neutral colourways of black and navy with a canvas exterior that is hard-wearing and wipe clean. The top stitching is given a vibrant twist with a contrast thread in the brand’s characteristic green hue.
Buy now £110.00, John Lewis
Mulberry Darley Heavy Grain Leather Small Cosmetic Pouch
Coordinate your Mulberry bag and wallet with your cosmetics carry with this pouch from the legendary British brand. It has the label’s signature design details, including the heavy grain leather construction, Postman’s Lock and logo embellishment.
Buy now £325.00, John Lewis
Stackers Blush Pink Hanging Washbag
It may not be a designer brand in the most literal way, but we can’t resist the practicality of this travel essential. Fill with your cosmetics, tools, skin and haircare in the designated pockets and once you arrive at your destination, hang it on the back of a door, hook or on the shower screen for easy access.
Buy now £65.00, Sephora
SELETTI Toiletpaper Sh*t print faux-leather beauty case
Best for: a funky pop of colour
This bright yellow-hued beauty case will stand out in your Mary Poppins-esque bottomless bag when you need a quick touch-up. It is part of a collaboration between Seletti - the Italian brand known and loved for its quirky, fantastical designs - and Toiletpaper magazine founders Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari combining the signature styles of both parties for an eccentric and playful style.
Buy now £40.00, Selfridges
Prada Re-Nylon necessaire
Best for: sleek and minimalistic portability
Give a designer edge to your travels with Prada’s signature nylon accessories. Not only is the fabric stylish and sporty in aesthetic but it’s pragmatic too when accidental foundation spillages occur. You can wipe it clean with ease to keep it in perfect condition for longer. The design is minimal but features the Italian fashion house’s iconic triangular logo plaque and leather detailing.
Buy now £340.00, Harrods
