I love being a makeup artist, but lugging around a heavy kit full of makeup is the bane of my existence! When I started out, I carried my makeup in the traditional aluminum case you get in makeup school. As my makeup stash grew, I graduated to a cheap carry-on luggage. Sure, it fit everything I needed but my makeup was loosely packed in there causing shadows and blushes to break from being dragged around the city. Eventually, I learned to cut down my kit and only take what I really used versus packing everything I owned. I was able to fit everything into a big shoulder gym bag. It was compact, but totally killed my shoulder.
Enter the Zuca! The buzz about the Zuca Pro Sport bag has been going on for a while and I know of many makeup artists that swear by it. For my birthday my husband, the sweetie that he is, wanted to buy me a Zuca that I had been lusting after for a while (but really I think he was tired of me complaining). Now, if it were in the budget the Zuca Pro Sport bag would have been my choice, but at $295 USD it just wasn't going to happen.
I ended up getting the Zuca Sport which is $130 USD without the utility pouches (on ebay it's $10 cheaper and I wasn't charged a custom's fee). The utility pouches, although really functional, were not a huge priority as I use clear packs already so to save on costs opted out. I figure when my clear bags give way, I can buy later on. It's 1 inch smaller in length compared to the Zuca Pro Sport which is not much. I was almost going to buy the soft kit with wheels on Yazmo but the double wheels are what sold me. Going up stairs, especially subway stairs, is a workout. The double wheels also make it easier on the kit and prevents getting banged up.
Here is where I store the majority of my makeup and tools.
Doesn't seem like much right? If I kept everything I've accumulated over the years as a makeup artist and a blogger, I would need a whole room dedicated to just beauty products! I even know when enough is enough! If you know me, then I've probably given you a bag of beauty products at some point. Every month or so I go through my stash and weed out the ones I'll never use. My friends love coming over because they know they'll be leaving with some sweet swag.
This is where I store products I still need to test and review (this is not including products laying around in the living room!). Some will make the kit and some will not. In the words of Heidi Klum, "You are out"!
And after all that, this is what I take on a typical bridal job (hot wheel car not included). Like I said, I've learned to cut down - am I really going to use a bright blue shadow on a bride? Probably not. Don't let those clear bags fool you (3 Clear Bags from The Powder Group and the flap velcro pouch from Make Up For Ever) - they are stocked up with loads of product and carry all the essentials I need. However, for a fashion or beauty shoot I'd have to stick my hair stuff in a separate bag that can sit right on top.
This is what the inside of the Zuca looks like after it's all packed up. I pack any miscellaneous items in the extra pouches and compartments - so handy for lashes, sponges, mascara wands etc. I love the mesh compartment inside the top of the bag for extra palettes and pigment powders. My clear bags fit really well in there, but I'm thinking the utility pouches probably carry more. I'll probably buy a few later on (on back order on the Zuca site until June!).
All packed up and ready to go! I've taken it out a few times now on a couple of jobs and so far I'm extremely happy with the purchase! Did I mention that the top of the bag can be used as a seat that can support up to 250 lbs? I was hesitant to sit on it but it came in handy waiting for a couple of buses. Yup, the aluminum frame is pretty solid.
The wheels move around really smooth and the bag is easy to maneuver. Mind you, I have to get used to lugging around something with wheels again! My first time taking it on the subway, I had stuck a large book in the side mesh compartments - bad idea. Two times I turned too sharp and the book got wedged between which almost caused me to fall back (have you ever tried running down an escalator going up??)! Thanks to some nice people, they helped move my bag and saved my life Zuca. Going up stairs is much easier with the double wheels as compared to a normal luggage, but definitely still requires some muscle-power.
I highly recommend the Zuca bag if you are a makeup artist especially if you are footing it all around the city. Even if you aren't a makeup artist and just have a ton of makeup, it's great for storing all your items especially with the utility pouches. My Zuca has got to be one of my all-time favourite beauty buys! My makeup finally has a home!
Not convinced? Check out some of my favourite Zuca reviews from makeup artists Rhia at artistrhi and Andrea Claire at Beauty & The Blog! How do you pack your kit or makeup stash? Leave a comment with your link so I can check it out!
What do you think of the highly coveted Zuca bags? Love it? Hate it? Want it? Too much hype?