In the late 2010s, bags shrank to extremes. Minis became micros, and many couldn’t even fit an iPhone. Gone were the days of midday makeup touch-ups or having hand cream on hand (literally) in the winter. At most, you could squeeze in a lip gloss alongside the essentials—card, cash, and keys.
Before mini bags took over, though, I was firmly in my big bag era. Totes and satchels were filled to the brim with both necessities and plenty of extras I didn’t need (magazines, four snack options, five chapsticks—you get the idea).
Back in college and during my early internship years, when the Louis Vuitton Neverfull was my bag of choice, I relied on its inner pocket to corral loose items—powder compact, lip gloss, hair ties, and other beauty bits. Most of my bags had similar compartments, and it wasn’t until I started carrying more mid-sized styles that I considered adding a cosmetic pouch into the mix.
The Case for a Cosmetic Pouch
As bag trends shifted yet again, those mid-sized silhouettes got smaller, and I edited down what I carried day to day. It was partly about making mini bags work, but also about cutting the clutter.
Fast forward to 2026, and the big bag is so back. I’ve found myself reaching for bigger bags once again, and while it’s nice to finally have enough room to tote with me some cosmetics, multiple lip glosses, hand sanitizer, and other miscellany, I’ve realized that I’d rather not have them floating loose.
That shift became especially clear after a recent lip gloss explosion inside the slit pocket of my Loewe Puzzle Hobo, which has a fabric lining. It was messy—and a clear sign that it might be time to revisit the idea of a cosmetic pouch. I never really needed one before, but now it feels essential.
I don’t mind investing in something I’ll use daily, and Prada nylon feels like a natural choice: durable, lightweight, and practical. The micro size feels just right for a couple of lip products, a compact, hand sanitizer, and a few small extras (though there’s a small size could work as well).
What about you—do you keep your beauty essentials contained, or let them roam free?
i’m team live ur life! But saw Alexa Chung carry a LV cosmetics pouch once as a bag and i’m like that looks v chic but sadly i have to be hands free
Perhaps more than one Prada example might have been useful and interesting.
I know Megs is a pouch person and while I don’t have everything in a pouch, I do put lip balms and lip sticks in a couple pouches along with other hygiene items. One is a handmade pouch from a trip to Mexico City and the other is a CDG Denim effect pouch. I leave hand sanitizer and hand cream loose to grab easier
Can you please provide any info on the white flower purse charm dangling from the Puzzle? It’s very cute!