15 Cute DIY Makeup Bags
Updated on October 26, 2017
If there’s one thing we love almost as much as our makeup itself, it’s a good makeup bag. Sure, there are plenty of makeup bags that we could buy in the store, but there’s just something more satisfying about making things ourselves. Besides, the store doesn’t always have the size we need or the colour and pattern we want! That’s why we decided to track down some tutorials and learn how to make cute travel sized makeup bags ourselves.
Just in case you’d like to make your own makeup bags as well but you’re in need of a little guidance, just like we were, here are 15 of the best DIY makeup bag tutorials we’ve found so far!
1. Matching makeup bag set with contrasting zippers
Did you first start researching makeup bag tutorials because you wanted a single bag, but the more you looked, the more you realized that you’d actually benefit from more? Then we’d suggest making yourself an adorably custom matching set! We love this design from Tabitha Sewer because making two different bags in two different shapes lets us store all of our differently sized cosmetics nicely when we travel!
2. Cute origami bag
Did you love the shape and fit of the square bag option we showed you in the tutorial above but you’re just not quite sure you’re ready to tackle sewing that shape, especially with stiff interfacing involved? In that case, we have a feeling you’ll prefer this tutorial from Anne or Shine! While they do show you how they sewed the bag shape you’re looking for, they also break down the steps for making a no-sew version.
3. Simple zipper top bags
Are you looking for a bag that’s actually so simple to sew that you could make many of them all at once? We loved the idea of making more than one because we thought cute little makeover kits would make great party favours at our next Ladies Night, and what’s better than giving your friends things that you actually made them yourself? Check out this great, simple cosmetic bag tutorial from Amusing MJ that shows you how to put a zipper right in at the top in just a few surprisingly easy steps.
4. Kitty cat cosmetic bag
Perhaps your personal style is a little bit more silly and novelty than a regular patterned cosmetic bag really accounts for? Don’t get us wrong, we think the bags we’ve shown you so far are totally cute, but there’s another style of makeup bag that really takes the take when it comes to making something adorable… because it’s shaped like a kitty cat! Check out how The Makeup Dummy made this simple DIY pouch that zips all the way along the bottom and is the perfect size for holding a few compacts.
5. Kiss shaped makeup bag
If you’re going to make yourself a makeup bag of your very own doing, why not run with the theme you’ve already got at hand- makeup itself? We adore this surprisingly simple DIY kiss shaped makeup bag. We actually made one for ourselves a few weeks ago and now we feel a secret sense of accomplishment every time we take a lipstick out of it and paint our own pout to match the bag! Find out how it’s done on DIY Crafts TV.
6. Crescent shaped cosmetics bag
For a very long time, the only shape of makeup bag we would buy ourselves is the kind that widens near the top to form a sort of crescent shape. Besides fitting the makeup better inside, something about those bags also just makes them fit better in a suitcase, which is great since we’ve got a crazy case of Wanderlust! As usual, however, We like making our own things better because then we get hours of DIY fun out of it too. Check out how Style Novice made this hilarious little makeup bag covered in curly mustaches!
7. Duct tape cosmetic bag
Have you always been a pretty big fan of crafting with unconventional tools and materials and you take the opportunity to make things out of stuff they’re not usually made from at every turn? Then something tells us you’re going to absolutely love this awesome rectangular makeup bag created from patterned duct tape! Susie even shows you how to sew in a zipper (which we didn’t even know you could do with duct tape).
8. Kawaii candy makeup bag
Have you always liked the oblong shaped makeup bags best because you like that all of your brushes and eyeliner pencils will fit inside, no matter how short or long they are? Well, here’s one that’s in the shape you’re looking for, but the real reason we really like this design is because it’s so incredibly adorable! 2 Cats & 1 Doll guides you through the process of making a zippered bag with tapered and twisted ends that look like the way an old candy wrapper closes. We love that they added a cute applique face as well, to really drive the Kawaii style home!
9. Translucent polka dotted makeup bag
Have you been scrolling through these adorable bags and liking what you see, but also wishing you could find a tutorial that will teach you to make a see-through bag just like the ones you see in the store, since that’s what’s trending right now? You might be familiar with the basic sewing requirements to get the shape you want, but sometimes it helps to have some guidance when you’re trying those techniques out with a new material! That’s why we loved this simple translucent bag tutorial from Lia Griffith.
10. Wide bottom makeup bag
Did you like the rounded top you saw on the crescent shaped bag we showed you earlier, but you’re actually not a big fan of the way the bag tapers at the bottom because you like to bring quite a bit of makeup with you when you travel? Then try this design that’s more of a compromise between what you like and what you need! Alma Lopez shows you the necessary steps for making a cosmetic bag that’s rounded at the mouth where the zipper sits but is still just as wide at the bottom as its widest point anywhere else. It will absolutely hold more things for those trips where you need a range of lip colour choices!
11. Sparkly makeup bag from a pencil case
Are you just inexperienced at sewing enough that you’re not quite comfortable with the idea of sewing your own fabric bag just yet, but you still want a closing makeup bag that’s your own creation? Then try altering a simple plastic sleeve pencil case to make it look a lot more fun and ready to hold your cosmetics! We love the way A Magical Mess used sparkly paper and ribbons to put a fun rainbow spin on their bag in a simple but effective way. This bag will stop cosmetics from leaking in your suitcase even better than a fabric one would!
12. Vintage inspired cylinder makeup bag
Are you quite experienced at sewing and ready to tackle things like rounded shapes and filled layers? In that case, we have a feeling this beautifully vintage looking cylindrically shaped cosmetics bag is the perfect project for you! Handmadiya guides you through the process of cutting the right shapes, sewing the layers together, and affixing the zipper. We love the way that the embroidered fabric they chose makes the whole thing look old fashioned. Your taller cosmetics, like foundations and primers, will fit right in without having to lay sideways!
13. A simple bag made two ways
Do you have a feeling that you’re almost prepared to make your own cosmetic bag right now, but you could still use a little more information and direction when it comes to actually choosing the techniques you’ll use? In that case, here’s an easy tutorial that’s 2-for-1! Bobeentina gives you a great tutorial that shows you how to make your bag with a simple seam or with an inner lining that hides the seam edges, in case you’re more advanced.
14. Patched makeup bag from old jeans
Whenever you do a DIY project that’s completely from scratch, do you try to also make it an upcycling venture whenever you can? Well, we often do the same thing, so we can’t say we blame you! That’s why we loved this adorable patched denim bag tutorial from MsJennyBee18 so much; they show you how to make the bag using cut sections of old jeans that you don’t wear anymore! Once you’re done the basic bag construction itself, they also show you how to apply some cute floral appliques for a little extra style.
15. Leather makeup bag with studs
Is your personal style a little more edgy than a lot of the cutesy designs we’ve shown you on our list so far? Then here’s the tutorial you’ve been waiting for all along! AK Workshop shows you how to make a longer cosmetic bag with rounded corners, but their steps are specifically for working with faux leather, which is great because that can be a much different sewing experience than most fabrics. Perhaps the best part, however, is that once you’ve finished making the bag itself, they also who you how to stud the sides to give it some extra style.
Do you know a makeup lover who’s also a DIY enthusiast with some sewing skills under their belt? Share this post with them to help them get crafty and keep their cosmetics safe and organized!