The 9 Best Clear Travel Makeup Bags of 2023

ExPacking Store's TSA-approved 3-1-1 Travel Toiletry Bag is our top pick.

Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer.

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AOA / The Container Store / Amazon

Hitting the road soon? A toiletry bag is an on-the-go essential and, if you’re flying with a carry-on only, you may be left scrambling with a quart-sized plastic one that can tear before you even reach your destination.

When vetting the best clear makeup bags, we took into account features such as durability, function, style, and cost. Whether you travel a little or a lot, the best clear makeup and toiletry bags will be able to fit most, if not all, of your bathroom and makeup essentials, and withstand the wear and tear that travel can impart.

The EzPacking Store's TSA-approved 3-1-1 Travel Toiletry Bag came in as our best overall since it takes the guesswork out of whether you’ve got the right-sized bag, is durable, and has enough room to fit up to 10 3.4-ounce containers. Looking for something with reusable containers included? Or maybe you’d rather have something a bit more stylish or something that is sturdy enough to survive weekly trips? We’ve got you covered with these top picks.

Here are the best clear travel makeup bags to buy to keep your liquids, creams, and pastes in the same place on the go.

Amazon

It's TSA-approved so you don't have to worry or wonder about size requirements.

Its side-loading design requires you to take out items on the top layer to get things on the bottom.

This travel makeup bag is roomy enough to fit eight to 10 3.4-ounce containers, and has a convenient double-stitched carry handle for pulling out of your bag, carrying to/from your suitcase, or easy portability outside of travel situations. The fact it's TSA-approved means one less thing to worry about before your trip: just put in your makeup and toiletries, zip it up, and toss it in your suitcase. The clear PVC plastic top window and sides make it easy for you (and TSA) to see what's inside without having to open it or fumble through the contents. A colored nylon backing adds a splash of personality, particularly for those looking for something beyond the usual black, gray, and pink options (as there are 11 colors to choose).

The plastic and nylon materials make it splash-resistant so you don't have to worry about wiping down your shower toiletries before zipping them up, and clean-up is easy with a wet paper towel. This clear travel bag is manufactured to be durable, and the bag can be used to store other items when you’re not traveling. Note that fishing items out of this side-loading bag means you may have to remove some items to get to others.

Price at time of publish: $14

The Details: PVC plastic, nylon | 6.5 x 6.5 x 2.5 inches

The Container Store

Three sizes can handle various toiletry and makeup storage needs.

The slim design can make it difficult to fit in round or fat items.

This tri-pack of clear travel pouches from Lug makes it easy to pack all of your makeup and toiletries in a matching set. The large size is a bit over the limit for TSA, but can be used in checked luggage for larger containers over the 100-milliliter limit. The medium bag is perfect for heading through TSA, and the smaller bag is great for holding your smaller, nonliquid touch-up items like lipstick, lip balm, mascara, and oil blotters. We like the fabric-reinforced bottoms and zipper-line accents, but we would love these bags even more if they had a little more space for fatter items.

Price at time of publish: $35

The Details: Polyester, plastic | 9.75 x 8.25 x 0.5 inches (large); 8.75 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches (medium); 7.25 x 6.25 x 0.5 inches (small)

Amazon

The set includes a travel-sized container for practically everything.

The included spray bottles can malfunction.

This is one of the most complete travel toiletry and makeup sets we’ve ever seen. Shampoo and conditioner bottles? Child's play. This 16-piece set includes four widemouth, soft silicone squeeze bottles in two sizes, two spray bottles, and four screw-top containers in two sizes that can be used for creams, gels, or pills — all in black and white doubles, allowing you to pack two travelers’ worth of items and instantly identify whose is whose. Additionally, you’ll get a small funnel and two spoons for easy transfer of products into the reusable containers, plus a brush for cleaning the containers. (Test out the spray bottles before you travel as they can sometimes be faulty or get clogged.) All these fit into a TSA-approved clear plastic zip bag to make going through security checkpoints a breeze.

Price at time of publish: $17

The Details: BPA, food-grade silicone; plastic | 6.38 x 5.71 x 2.05 inches

Sephora

It's got soft and flexible sides, and can be reused many times.

You may get stopped in the security line since the bag is more translucent than transparent.

This simple, quart-sized travel makeup bag holds a ton of bang-for-your-buck. For a fiver, you’ll get a sturdy, soft plastic container that can hold liquids without leaking, and that is durable enough to reuse over and over (which is a win for the environment, too). Its sturdiness can hold small glass cosmetic jars without concern as well. The bag material is thick but flexible, and you can fit more inside than you may think. The pouch has a zipper closure that is leak resistant, though not entirely waterproof. However, if you’re looking for a bag that is crystal clear to ensure zero issues with TSA, keep scrolling.

Price at time of publish: $5

The Details: 7.5 x 8.25 inches

Amazon

It's got a large capacity for more items, plus it hangs for easy display and access in the bathroom.

This bag is best used if you’re checking a bag as well as a carry-on.

This four-compartment clear makeup and toiletry bag is comprised of two large central compartments to hold larger items such as hair sprays, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and the like (or even just regular-sized makeup brushes). The top and bottom compartments are more like zippered sleeves and work well for sheet face masks, makeup palettes, or smaller brushes. Though the larger compartments are best for packing in checked luggage, the bottom-most compartment actually zips off and can be used as a TSA-approved clear bag for going through security. Overall, the waterproof layers and zippers will protect your clothes (and other precious items) in case of any pressurized pops.

Price at time of publish: $26

The Details: PVC plastic; metal hook | 10.24 x 2.36 x 12.2 inches

Calpak

It's got four compartments for easy organizing.

You’ll get more bang out of this pricey bag if you travel frequently.

The Calpak Mini Clear Cosmetics Case is a godsend when you’ve got a long trip — or just travel with a lot of toiletries. We love that this bag has four internal compartments, so you can divide up your items into separate spaces, all with easy zipper access. It makes organizing a cinch for retrieval in a pinch. The clamshell design and all-clear sides allow for easy spotting of packed items. Plus, the faux leather rim works double duty by upping up the style quotient and giving the bag a sturdy outline. This is an investment bag, and may only make sense to purchase if you know you’ll be traveling frequently.

Price at time of publish: $75

The Details: PVC plastic, faux leather | 8 x 4 x 6 inches

Mark & Graham

It looks good enough to use as a clutch, if you wanted.

Only the small size is a go for TSA 3-1-1.

Looking for a monogrammed makeup bag that is versatile — and stylish — enough to use on the daily? The Mark & Graham Clear Pouch has a simple A-line pouch design, highlighted with vegan leather trim in black, camel, sky blue, or navy on the bottom and top. You’ll also get a shadow-blocked monogram for up to three initials. We love this bag because it's the right size and level of clear to get through TSA security checks, but can also work as a clutch on its own or as an accessories bag to toss into your purse. It comes in two sizes, but only the small will work for TSA carry-on purposes.

Price at time of publish: $59 for small, $69 for large

The Details: Vegan leather, TPU | 8 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches (small), 10 x 7 x 3.5 inches (large)

Amazon

The sturdy boxy design keeps your items safe from crushing and holds up against the bumps and bangs of travel.

There are not a lot of color options.

This TSA-compliant travel makeup bag has a boxy design with a dual-zipper zip-around closure. Load in your items from the top — they’re easy to spot since both the top and bottom are clear. Upgraded PU leather trim, reinforced sides, metal zipper, and durable vinyl (versus PVC) help keep this bag in tip-top shape over time and travels. The 3-inch depth means you can fit fatter containers in (just remember to keep the volume within the TSA limits). To keep it clean, just wipe with a wet cloth or paper towel. We just wish it came in more colors than just black or pink.

Price at time of publish: $26

The Details: PU leather, vinyl | 9.2 x 7 x 3.1 inches

AOA

It's got a waterproof zipper closure.

The graphics may not fly with some TSA agents.

It's harder than you may think to find a clear pouch with graphic design, and this AOA Clear Makeup Pouch offers clear makeup bags with nine different graphic designs ranging from cute cacti to sweet lattes. We love that the zipper closure is designed to be waterproof, sealing off the contents of the pouch and then clicking into place (which can be hard to find, especially at rock-bottom prices). You can fit about six or seven small-sized containers inside. Although we appreciate the graphics, travelers who buy this bag should know it's not technically considered clear, so you may be pulled aside at TSA screening points.

Price at time of publish: $2

The Details: PVC plastic

In an effort to save money and lower plastic waste, choose a clear travel makeup case that can be used again and again. If you travel frequently, you’ll also want to make sure you grab a bag that won't easily tear, rip, or bust at the seams — or your clothes could pay the price.

When it comes to packing, space is a hot commodity. Before you purchase your clear travel makeup bag, take a look at what you’re aiming to put inside of it. If you can get away with a smaller bag, why not take up less space? If it looks like you’ll have too many items, think about what you can pack in your checked luggage or see if you can break up the items amongst several different carry-on bags in your party.

Square quart-sized bags should measure roughly 7 inches x 8 inches.

Any makeup or toiletry items that have the potential to leak should be placed into a clear travel bag when flying. This includes (but is not limited to) lotions, shampoo, conditioner, foundation, facial serum, toner, and usually gels, creams, and pastes. Remember to keep these in containers that hold no more than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters.

You can use a bag smaller than quart-sized to hold your makeup and toiletries, but using bags larger than a quart can be risky. Places such as the U.K. are extremely strict about not going over the quart-sized bag limit.

For this list, Travel + Leisure contributor Katherine Alex Beaven researched dozens of clear toiletry bags and used her own personal experience as a travel writer to find the best options that adhere to the TSA 3-1-1 rule.

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