sam
Packing can be an arduous process. The mere thought of 'getting ahead' of it all can be overwhelming. I should know - I've been there. Nowadays, however? I take pride in packing. Not because I'm particularly good at it, but because I have the right tools. At the top of the list, right next to fashionable yet functional packing cubes and my Antler cabin bag, is a quartet of see-it-all beauty bags. With summer holidays a go, it's likely that one in particular has been flooding your For You Page on TikTok. Space NK's transparent travel bags have long been at the centre of every It-girl's #packwithme video, but a flurry of clear case beauty organisers have joined the ranks to ease our packing woes.
At the start of summer, Boots entered the aesthetic beauty bag fold with its Transparent Bags in Black, £15, and Pink, £20. Large enough to house your 200ml products, the medium-size bags make light work of getting your make-up into gear. Beauty Pie has just given clear cases a new meaning, with its all new small, medium and large make-up bags available in see-through summer shades of fresh green, zesty yellow and juicy orange, from £14.
While there is certainly a flurry of see-it-all beauty bags on the market, I will always revert to my trusty Space NK transparent travel bags. They range in various sizes, from mini to medium and large, which all come in a kaleidoscope of colours, making for easy categorising. There's even a Double Travel Bag, £46, for stacking packing which is handy for those who like to keep everything in one place. As for me, I'm a chronic over packer, but the method to my madness lies in the form of four colour coded Space NK Large Travel Bags, £36 each, which I categorise into make-up, skincare, body care and haircare edits. While a long haul flight hates to see me coming, I've found that this system of packing (while certainly a little excessive) helps to keep me and all my things in check, leaving little room for overthinking and stressing. That's a win in my book.
Shop: The best see-it-all beauty bags
www.boots.com
This newly launched medium-sized beauty bag from Boots measures 18cm (depth) x 26.5cm (width) x 10cm (height).
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says, 'Boots isn't new to transparent beauty bags, in fact the first one I ever tried was the Boots Clear Cosmetic Bag, £5, but the high street beauty giant's new take on clear cosmetic bags is far more robust, durable and high-quality, from its thick trimming to the gold zip.'
Pros
- Cheaper price point
- Effective for medium-size beauty products
Cons
- Only two colours available
www.spacenk.com
Space NK's Travel Bags are bestselling for good reason. The large size is perfect for housing all of your favourite full-size products in one place and is perfect for longer trips. The transparent panels make it easy to see what is inside and are fully wipeable.
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'I am wedded to my Space NK Large Travel Bags, I have four on-the-go when I'm on my travels and love categorising each into separate make-up, skincare, haircare and body care edits to keep my organised. I've used them for three years on the trot and they never fail me.'
Pros
- Large size bag
- Multiple colour ways
Cons
- High price point than others
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
The Essential+ Makeup Bag boasts a faux crocodile, patent black trimmings (with the signature gold VIEVE badge) along side a top clear panel to keeps your beauty bits organised while looking chic.
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'It's obvious that this case was cooked up by a pro make-up artist, like Jamie Genevieve. While stylish in every way from the croc trimming to the satin lining, it is also highly functional and makes for the perfect make-up organiser.'
Pros
- Stylish finish
- Faux croc trimming
Cons
- Only one clear panel
www.beautypie.com
Beauty Pie's newest travel essential comes byway of three new make-up bags which come in tinted finish and three different summer-friendly colour ways that include yellow, green and orange.
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'If you fancy something more exciting than a clear case, look to Beauty Pie's summer coded take on things. While still totally transparent, the three cases available boast a tinted finish aesthetic yet easy product finding.'
Pros
- Eye catching
- Tinted yet still transparent
Cons
- Only one colour available per size
www.marksandspencer.com
With three different sizes available in one set, this M&S kit really gives you more bang for your buck. Each bag can fulfil a different function for your beauty routine, all while being easy on the eye thanks to the black and cream trims and quality zip.
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer, says: 'This is a seriously clever investment. You'll receive 3 bags for the price of one and a shape that takes a departure from most other clear cosmetic bags which are often square and boxy.'
Pros
- Affordable
- Three bags in one set
Cons
- Shape of bag may mean you can't pack to the brim
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, covering all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).