Thread: The Best Train Case for Cosmetics?

My trusty Caboodles train case is dying...I love it for the most part, but I'm ready for something a little fancier.

The Sephora Metro case looks pretty good. Can't tell if the MAC one is worth the price since the web shows you almost NO details and for $249, I need a little more info.

Any other recommendations?

caboodles has new styles out that are metal-looking and both the interior & exterior look a lot like the sephora types. have you seen those? I got a big ol silver one for my regular makeup and a separate smaller silver one for my mineral stuff. I'm strangely drawn to the itty bitty animal print ones, though I have no clue what to put in them. Maybe like 3 nail polishes?


eta: ok, just saw the sephora chocolate snake print! Ah! I want it! Ah! the silver snake!

Hello mish mish!! i have the MAC train case and I LOVE IT!!! i've had it forever :) it is very roomy with sturdy fabric and build and will probably last you a really long time. if you want more details your best bet is to check on ebay because they typically show you the inside and other details.

i highly recommend it!! hope this helps! :)

p.s. i bought mine on ebay for a steal :)

Originally Posted by joanneraks

caboodles has new styles out that are metal-looking and both the interior & exterior look a lot like the sephora types. have you seen those? I got a big ol silver one for my regular makeup and a separate smaller silver one for my mineral stuff. I'm strangely drawn to the itty bitty animal print ones, though I have no clue what to put in them. Maybe like 3 nail polishes?


eta: ok, just saw the sephora chocolate snake print! Ah! I want it! Ah! the silver snake!

That's what I've have right now--it was about $40--metal with the lift out trays, but the material that holds the trays together is falling apart. I have had this particular model for about 4 years and it gets used daily and takes a beating! I need something bigger now.

Originally Posted by mish_mish

That's what I've have right now--it was about $40--metal with the lift out trays, but the material that holds the trays together is falling apart. I have had this particular model for about 4 years and it gets used daily and takes a beating! I need something bigger now.

ah, man. Mine are still pretty new, we'll have to see how they hold up.

I have this one also - it's holding up really well. But, can I confess: I have a case full of make up that is years old. Then, I have a pouch that has the stuff I use everyday. Then I have a hanging travel case that has the tools and other stuff I use sometimes. It's ridiculous. I hang on to old make up for no reason, particularly as it goes bad.

Originally Posted by joanneraks

ah, man. Mine are still pretty new, we'll have to see how they hold up.

Hey mish mish!!

I'm a makeup artist and have researched and gone through tons of kits; I hope this will be useful info for you.....

First of all, I'm in Canada so I don't know what's available in Walgreens, Target etc...

I'm actually an artist of many years with MAC. I can tell you that the MAC case is really good (depending on how much makeup you have and are carrying around). It lifts to allow 3 different levels.....great for organizing! Price I think is a little much for the "regular paying" customer-I guess I'm a little tainted because I don't pay full $$$ for it. If you do not have that much makeup, or you are looking for something to carry around with you more often, MAC has something called the "Carry-All". It has no levels, just one space with a zippered compartment inside and slots that you can securely fit bottles in. It also has a mirror in it.....great to carry to shows!!! MAC also just came out with a new style case. Actually I was looking at it yesterday when I was at working. Personally I don't like it. I think that is is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay to heavy (and that was with no makeup in it)-Not worth the price!


Not sure about Caboodles.....I always thought that they sold cases equipped with no name makeup in it.....or maybe that was years ago.

Try going to an art store. I have seen great cases at some before. In fact, I purchased one from there years ago. Also check out luggage stores.....sometimes they have cases stocked in the back.

Try beauty supply outlets, and of course check ebay!

Hope this helps....if I think of anything else I will let u know:))

Oh, 1 more thing-sorry, I forgot to mention before.....A few months ago I purchased my third MAC case. I actually haven't used it....in fact it's still in its box. I don't actually think that I am going to need it all. If you fall in love with it and want it you can buy mine from me.....I paid 30% off its regular $$$:)))

I would suggest your looking on eBay to buy a train case, if you're wanting a large one. I really don't think MAC's train cases or even Sephora's are worth the price they charge for them - the prices can be astronomical, IMO.

Also, they may not be as pretty, but tool boxes/tackle cases work just as well.

Originally Posted by danidance

I have this one also - it's holding up really well. But, can I confess: I have a case full of make up that is years old. Then, I have a pouch that has the stuff I use everyday. Then I have a hanging travel case that has the tools and other stuff I use sometimes. It's ridiculous. I hang on to old make up for no reason, particularly as it goes bad.

yup. I actually bought these train cases when I finally, finally had to replace my beloved tackle-box type caboodle from highschool!!!! I loved it that much. I had intended to save my pretty new train cases for a big purge of the old dumb cheap crap that I hardly even use and a coordinating splurge (um, I mean investment) in beautiful, matching high quality products that I would thoroughly research. Well, it ended up that I could only afford the dumb train cases, no makeup. So I at least put my better stuff in the new cases and I still have my silly old caboodle with all my makeup I can't bear to throw away but almost never use. I've had the stuff so long I've gone from one decade to the next in life and the products probably don't even look right on me at this age.... I think it's my way of hanging on to my 20's or something. But once in a while I'll bust out something that I end up totally loving, and of course this reinforces the hoarding habit - like my never used Revlon skinlights - don't even know if they sell that anymore. I am totally diggin it now!

I'm cheap
I got a tackle box at the local Kmart/Walmart type store ,r:;

have a larger one for all my sewing stuff

I have a Sephora Chocolate Brown Faux Croc one and I love it!

I have this one:
http://www.yazmo.com/silveraluminumm...casets-28.aspx
I chose it because I wanted one with the three level foldouts, and because the price was right. what I *love* about it that I haven't seen in other train cases, is how the foldouts aren't as wide as the interior of the box, leaving room to put a container or two that will hold upright all of your brushes and things like mascara, pencils, glosses, sticks, etc.. it comes with a brush holder cup, but I found it too small and too deep so I use two round plastic tupperware type containers in there. it is awesome. when I do my makeup, I take out the brush and stick cups and put them on the counter and everything is at my fingertips.

what i don't like about this particular case is the scaffolding that supports the trays is not very strong, especially when it's loaded up with stuff - I prop it against a wall if I can, because I'm afraid the supports might bend.

aziza always used to use a bassmaster brand fishing lure case to store all of her makeup, jewelry, zills and tips. :) she still uses fishing cases for all of her gear.

I got a cool organizer by Martha Stewart at Kmart a few years back....not the sexiest item, but works really well--it's also clear, which can be useful for huntin' down lipglosses

My husband brought me home a tackle box since my caboodles kept falling apart. Not glam at all, but very sturdy

I like this one Pro Soft Sided Rolling Cosmetic Case w/ Trays TS-100 it seems kinda cool and there's a possibility that you can stash a costume in the top. Are there any pros and cons to this item?

I bought a make-up case last January from Sephora and I looove it. There are 2 styles, I got the stacking style, which isn't sold anymore...but they do have a similar one in violet. The only draw back is that when it is opened, I kind of have to lean it to something, but other than that, its perfect for all my make-up needs. Here is the Midnight Train Case:

Sephora: Sephora Brand Midnight Train Case: Train Cases

and the violet case like mine, but I think made cheaper:

Sephora: Sephora Brand Violet Train Case: Train Cases

I hear tackle boxes are the best. They aren't pretty, but I imagine that they get the job done

It's hard to find a tackle box without the narrow inserts that are normally made for the little fish hooky thing-a-ma-bobs. Nothing really fits in those narrow spaces. I'd like to see a tackle box that looks a little like the MAC boxes.