Choosing the right makeup or cosmetic case can go a long way toward helping you be more organized, especially when traveling. Whether you travel or not, you still want to be able to find your favorite eye shadow and eye liner! Just be careful to choose a makeup case that's right for you to ensure proper durability, usefulness and that it suits your own style. There are hundreds of fun and fabulous makeup cases to choose from. Don't worry, I can help! Let me give you some tips on how to choose a makeup case.

The smallest makeup cases, or makeup bags , are the zipper cosmetic cases that we carry in our purses or handbags. These makeup cases only hold a few simple makeup items. These small makeup bags can generally hold a lipstick, face powder compact and perhaps a small spray cologne. If you don't carry any other makeup, you should certainly carry lipstick, face powder and a small bottle of fragrance.

There are some small traveling makeup cases that come with zippers or latches, too. These makeup cases are made for short trips, like weekends on the coast or a ski weekend. The smaller size of these cosmetic cases means that they can only accommodate a small number of cosmetics. Small cosmetic cases like these can accommodate a few more cosmetic essentials such as eye shadow, mascara, eye liner, extra lipstick, and foundation. You may or may not have to pack your skin care essentials in a separate bag.

When I was working, I kept a small makeup case in the bottom drawer of my desk. In that cosmetic case, I kept a duplicate set of makeup, so that if necessary, I could apply makeup when I arrived at the office. There was a small jar of moisturizer, a bottle of foundation, blush, eye shadow, mascara and eye liner. I could also easily wash my face and reapply my makeup as needed.

Larger cosmetic cases with hard sides intended for flying are also known as train cases. These cosmetic cases are perfect for longer trips where you will need most of your makeup daily. They come with lots of trays and compartments and enough room to arrange beauty essentials like makeup brushes, etc. Some of these train cases have locks and identification tags. If you need these, you should make sure the cosmetic case you're considering has them.

There are also large cosmetic cases that are designed for use at home. These train cases are designed for an entire makeup collection. You can find cosmetic cases for home use that have unique features like mirrors and removable trays. They can easily be stored in the bathroom, cabinet or in the drawer. Personally, I prefer these at home myself. I have several palettes of eye shadow, a variety of eye liners and pencils and lots of lipstick! I used to lose them all the time in a vanity drawer, a cabinet or a basket I kept on the vanity counter. Now, I can easily find the exact eye liner I want to use, when I want it! What a concept - all my beauty essentials in one handy cosmetic case!

So now we know the different types of makeup bags and train cases; now how do we choose a makeup case? Here are some criteria for choosing the most convenient makeup bags or train cases for you.

• First, decide how big a train case or makeup bags you need. How much makeup do you carry with you or travel with. Consider any brushes, sponges, eye liner, eye shadow palettes, and any other beauty essentials you may want to have with you.
• Examine the compartments. There should be enough compartments in the size you need, to help you organize your beauty essentials. Consider whether you want or need pullout trays or removable trays ~ or both!
• Check the quality of the construction of the cosmetic case. You don't want to have it break apart suddenly because of poor craftsmanship. Make sure it's strong and well made. If you're flying with that bag, it could be handled very roughly!
• Examine whether the train case is easy to clean, inside and out, after using it. If you have a spill inside, will the spill spread easily or will the tray or compartment prevent the spill from spreading?
• Decide whether you want or need a soft side or a hard side train case. Soft side train case materials include fabric, vinyl and canvas. A hard side train case is often made of aluminum. A factor to help you decide: when traveling, will you be checking in your case? If so, you need a hard shell case.

I hope these tips on how to choose a makeup case prove helpful to you. It's important to have the right tools to help you organize and transport your favorite beauty essentials.