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How do you pack your makeup brushes when traveling?

I’ve used a brush roll, which is probably best for keeping the shape of your brushes, but I often just use a wider, structured makeup bag. That’s usually good enough for me (maybe one brush is a little squished!).

— Christine

24 Comments

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Katherine T. Avatar

I don’t have expensive brushes, so I usually pack them all in a ziploc bag, so they don’t get wet if something leaks. Or sometimes in a brush pouch, from an IT Cosmetics set

Nancy T Avatar

Hard to believe that I have never invested in a brush roll, but also never really felt like I needed one. But I DO have a makeup bag that does have the squared off shape you described! If I’m going somewhere for a few days, I keep the brushes and other more delicate items on top, making sure nothing is pressing hard against the handles or smooshing the brush heads as best I can.

Tracey E. Avatar

I carry a few precious brushes in a Lancome brush holder passed down to me. I carry other brushes in a structured makeup bag that has brush holders, with some flexibility to place in netted compartments. I tend not to travel with my best brushes – I’m too scared to lose them.

Have been thinking about a brush roll. Any recommendations?

Cevou Avatar

Good brush rolls are hard to find in stores but I found a decent selection on Etsy and bought a large one. It keeps everything organized and rolls up compactly, and I actually just keep my brushes in it all the time for the sake of organization. Possibly the smartest $25 I’ve ever spent on makeup-related items.

Amy Avatar

I have a couple of Real Techniques brush sets, and when I travel I just use those cases. I pack the brushes in them such that half are upside-down so that they nestle in better. They do come out a little flatter at the end, but they fluff right out.

Marta Avatar

I’ve been using the Real Techniques case that came with my core collection for years. I also have one from the eyes pack, but I usually just need one. I fill it up and throw it in my luggage! They’re really convenient and I’ve never had any issues with them. I also purchased some Brush Guards a long time ago, but I hardly use them.

Amara Avatar

I should have a brush roll but for now, i have this amazing makeup bag my mom made for me that has a few compartments and is long enough for most of my brushes to stay in one section.

Connie Avatar

I usually keep the brushes I use the most on one of my real techniques brush pouches and also consider them perfect for travel. Is enough to carry about 10 brushes.

fuji Avatar

I don’t have a brush roll so I always have to minimize the amount of brushes/tools when I travel.

I basically skip all face brushes but use Beauty Blender instead. Man this little piece can do so much, from applying foundation to dapping on blushes. Then I choose eyeshadow sticks if I have some. MJB twinkle top shadow sticks can be applied evenly with no extra tools other than my fingers.

I carry one multi-use round brush just in case. I use brush protector (those net thingy) to protect the brittle and put it in hardshell/square makeup bag together with other stuff. Easy!

Patsyann Avatar

I use brush rolls. I really like the ones from Sigma. If I am only going off for a weekend or an overnight, I just chuck my brushes into an elongated makeup bag and hope they don’t get too squished! I never ever travel with my high end brushes though.t

Astrild Avatar

For longer trips I use a brush roll, but for shorter ones, for example weekend trips, I use one of the cases for a Real Techniques kit. I pack a few brushes so it has enough capacity.

Kat Avatar

lol… The last time I traveled with my brushes, I kept them in a spaghetti box. That’s not the cutesy name of a product — like a literal pasta box.

Long story! Worked quite well though actually.

Karen Avatar

Fortunately I have a zippered case from Smashbox and prior to that I’d use the case from Real Techniques. Even if they don’t get squished they will get dirty just thrown in a makeup bag.

Lindsay Avatar

I have a brush roll, or I will just put them in a separate bag! I usually try to grab a travel size brush kit and throw that in my bag but it doesn’t usually have enough brushes so it depends on where I’m going and for how long

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