I never travel without a makeup bag. Whether it’s packed inside of my carry-on for a weeklong vacation to Italy or tucked away in my weekender for a one-night stay in the Hamptons, it’s always with me—fully stocked with my favorite beauty products. As essential as a makeup bag is for me, though, I struggled to find one that I truly swore by. That all changed when I got my hand’s on Parallelle’s game-changing makeup bag. And now after a year of regularly using the medium-size kit, I can honestly say it’s the best makeup bag I’ve ever traveled with.
Most cosmetic cases on the market today are simply a large empty pouch, no pockets in sight, where products get dumped on top of one another. This used to mean that when it was time for glam, I spent twice as long rummaging through my bag to find what I needed as I did actually putting on makeup. It also meant that if my foundation leaked or a lipstick tube opened in transit, my entire collection was a mess (and yes, that happened plenty of times). When I would arrive at a hotel or an Airbnb, I would have to empty my entire makeup bag and lay everything out on the bathroom counter just to find what I needed. Parallelle’s makeup bag, on the other hand, keeps my products more organized and easier to reach than ever before.
Why I love it
The standout feature of Parallelle’s makeup bag is its foldable shape. After you unzip the bag, each side can be pulled down to lie flat, allowing you see all of your products at once. It’s designed to keep each product secured in an upright position, again making them easy to spot and reducing the risk of any spills. The bag’s structured silhouette and flat base offers the stability and durability I want all of my breakable—and expensive—beauty products to have while in transit.
The other features I love: thoughtful pockets and flexible compartments. The medium-size case features 16 wall pockets, 4 elastic mesh pouches, and 3 adjustable compartments. The small wall pockets are ideal for holding slim products like mascara, eyeliner, lip liner, or lipstick. The four elastic mesh pouches hold loose items, like blush, bronzer, and pressed powder. The adjustable compartments are where you can stash bottles and containers, like foundation, makeup remover, and setting spray.
A few months ago, Parallelle launched an updated model of its original makeup bag that includes five elastic loops for makeup brushes. This upgrade saves me from needing to pack a separate case for my brushes—which is always helpful for an overpacker like myself. There’s a place for everything in this makeup bag—and I mean everything.
How it’s held up
I’ve taken the Parallelle makeup bag with me on countless trips near and far. It’s accompanied me on a number of weekend getaways down the Jersey Shore, a bachelorette trip to Scottsdale, and most recently a few days in Banff National Park. Whether it’s squeezed into an overpacked suitcase or at the bottom of a small duffel, the sturdy bag never lets me down. No spills or leaks, and everything is always in the correct place. When it’s time to get ready for dinner in Old Town or an afternoon exploring Lake Louise, I simply pull out each product I need and slip it right back into place after I’m finished with it.
