Taken any good trips lately? I have. Weekend getaways, family visits, out and out vacations. But you know what really makes me nuts about it? If I get there only to find that my shampoo has leaked all over my underwear. Or that that great little bottle of face wash is now indistinguishable from my hairspray. I did make these rookie mistakes once upon a time. That was before I discovered the essential tool that every girl should have in her beauty arsenal- the makeup bag.

Yes, I know- a makeup bag isn’t something you need to travel to the ends of the earth to find. So is it really necessary that I sit here and write beauty reviews on the subject? Ah yes, my lovely makeup maidens; I believe it is. Finding a decent makeup bag that will stand the test of time, face the indignities of post-911 airport security, and still look like something that a dignified diva can stand to be seen with is no small task.

A really good makeup bag should:

• Be attractive enough that you’d buy it for another purpose

• Be roomy enough for your specific needs

• Have zippers and closures to protect against leaks and spills

• Tempt me into writing great beauty reviews for it

Now your needs for a makeup bag and mine are bound to differ. A weekend trip to visit the folks and a weeklong honeymoon will call for dramatically different bags. But here are two makeup bags that earned their way in to my beauty reviews during a couple of my action-packed traveling adventures.

The Sephora Brand Core Nylon Double Handle Clutch Organizer is my favorite makeup bag for storing daily cosmetics or for a quick weekend get-away. OK-The name could use a little more sizzle, but frankly the style and functionality make up for that. It looks like a cute little handled clutch you could carry out on the town, but it’s full of mesh pockets, zippered enclosures, slide pockets, and even a removable makeup bag.

Not big enough for you seasoned travelers? Never fear- its big sister, the Sephora Brand Core Vinyl Double Handle Makeup Bag has 3 removable makeup bags. All sealed up tight when you need them to be. Who could ask for more of a makeup bag than that?

Let me know some of your favorites or give these little treasures a try.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos – founder of stillagirl.com – a positive place for women and girls

Tags: Ask the Experts, Make Up