Got Extra Glam Bags? Here Are 15 Creative Ideas for What to Do With Them

New month, new Glam Bag. Each month, our team of designers create bags that reflect the season and trends (just take a look at the inspiration behind the March 2024 bag!), all of which are collectable in their own right. While we’d love to suggest framing your lineup of Glam Bags and hanging it on your walls...we get that not everyone’s decor style is the same as ours.

So if you’re a proud owner of a collection of past Glam Bags and don’t quite know what to do with them, you’re in luck: These small-but-mighty makeup bags are just as versatile as your lip and cheek tints—with tons of earth-friendly ways to repurpose without tossing. Whether you’re looking for ways to make your daily routine a little greener, clearing space for more beauty (hello, preaching to the choir!), or searching for an arts and crafts project to keep you busy on a rainy day, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for a list of easy and fun ways to recycle and reuse these monthly accessories.

1. Add to Your Wardrobe

Creator @ladygamez came in hot with one of the most creative Glam Bag repurposes we’ve ever seen. Using the fabric and drawstring from her April 2022 Glam Bag Plus, she sewed a cropped halter top so on trend, you’d be hard pressed to find something as cute in stores. And while her sewing skills are definitely #goals, the tutorial is simple enough that anyone can DIY.

2. Pay It Forward & Donate

Donate bags filled with unused grooming basics to homeless shelters, or donate self-care essentials to women’s centers and nonprofits, like Project Beauty Share. During times of crisis or depending on the specific shelter, certain items may be in higher demand than others—just be sure to check with your local donation centers for up-to-date needs and guidelines.

3. Dine Sustainably

With the Earth in mind, it’s always a good idea to cut back on single-use plastics. They’re a tough habit to break when you’re out and about, but a Glam Bag can help! Create a pack filled with the dining essentials (reusable straws, utensils, a corkscrew, and compact grocery bags for leftovers) to accompany on-the-go meals and impromptu picnics.

4. Get Your Glam Organized

Nothing takes the joy out of a morning routine like spending 15 minutes searching for your eyelash curler. Tidy up a chaotic makeup station by using Glam Bags to store smaller beauty items, like single-pan shadows, gloss tubes, liners, and more. Want to go the extra mile? Try coordinating your Glam Bag with the colors of your products.

5. Quick Clothing Repairs

Be prepared for wardrobe malfunctions while you’re out and about. Use a Glam Bag to build a repair kit with a needle and thread, safety pins, a Tide pen, and extra buttons to get a little extra protection for that inevitable marinara splatter at dinner.

6. Tech-Savvy Bags

Ever try to find your lip balm at the bottom of your tote but can’t get past the monster of tangled headphones and charging cords? Same. Tidy all your techy needs by keeping a Glam Bag dedicated to chargers, cables, USB drives, batteries, and battery packs. It’ll make it easier to find the things you do need. Plus, it'll make transferring your essentials from purse to purse foolproof.

7. Mini Emergency Kit

Picture this: You’ve just started your day of errands, but it’s 10 a.m. and a blister is already forming on your heel…with no bandages in sight. Keep a Glam Bag stocked with small medical must-haves—a couple bandages with Neosporin, an extra dose of medications, feminine hygiene products—and pop it into your car’s glove compartment or tote bag for when those mini emergencies (like breaking in your new loafers) hit.

8. Self-Care Packages

Have more mascara than you know what to do with? Save them before they expire by offloading your unused (!) extras to your beauty and skincare-loving friends and fam. Then, just donate any leftovers that don’t make it into your shipment—your vanity clutter will thank you.

9. DIY Spa Night

Destress and give your skin some TLC. If you’re hoarding samples, put them to good use by curating a facial-in-a-Glam-Bag. Create a full regimen with as many steps as you want—exfoliators, toners, essences, serums, masks, and more. Keep it on hand for your next spa night or snail mail your BFFs for a cute surprise.

10. At-Home Hotel

Give guests the five-star treatment while they’re staying at your home—another fun tip if you don’t know what to do with your old Glam Bags. Create a grooming kit filled with travel-sized toiletries like toothpaste, floss picks, shampoo/conditioner, and any other little things that are commonly forgotten when traveling.

11. Pack Like a Pro

It’s no secret that Glam Bags are the ultimate travel companion for storing your makeup and skincare. They can also be used to stash snacks for long journeys with little ones (and for yourself, let's be honest), socks and underwear for weekend trips, vitamins and supplements—the options are endless.

12. Plus Presents

The versatile drawstring pouches that used to accompany your Glam Bag Plus were more than just a handy way to stow your five full-size products—they also make the *perfect* gift bags. Just pop your gift inside the pouch, add a bit of tissue paper, tie the drawstrings into a bow, and you’re all set.

13. Expand Your Clutch Collection

When the bags are this cute, it’s kind of hard not to want to wear them everywhere. This one would look adorable paired with a coquette makeup look, and you could even attach a strap to the zipper pull to make it a wristlet.

14. Protect Your Jewelry 

Bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and watches all take a hit when we throw them in our purses or makeup kits without a second thought. Repurposing your Glam Bag as a jewelry bag can help with that. Stash an extra one in your purse or luggage so you have a soft place to store your accessories when you’re at the gym, in the shower, or going for a swim—really any time you know you’ll be taking off your precious trinkets and want them to be protected. 

15. Cute Little Coasters

Got a Glam Bag design you really love? Transform your bag into a coaster (or two!) that you can use around the house. You’ll want to look up a quick tutorial on YouTube to achieve this one, but we promise the results are well worth it. Not only will you get to refresh your home decor, but you’ll also get to exercise your creative side.

Want in on curated products, cute makeup bags, and more IPSY fun? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own beauty subscription. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

Like this article? Share it with your friends by clicking the icons below!