Zuca & James Vincent

Zuca with protective cover

ZUCA PRO ARTIST CASE

So, after suffering bag envy for about a month, I finally succumbed and purchased the pro artist Zuca Bag (£194 from Screenface). Readers of my previous blog on carrying equipment, will recall that my current suitecase (one of several I have purchased over the years) was on it's last legs, so the life time guarantee on the Zuca appealed to me, but I was worried about the actual size. It did look rather small!!

Well after watching various Youtube videos of other artists with their Zuca's, I could take it no more.  So here I was walking in the pouring rain with my new case covered in plastic, just in case I wanted to return it!

It's smaller than I imagined but it comes with lots of pockets in the sides and the front, also 5 zipped mesh pouch inserts, in various sizes.  Even so, I still could not see how a medium sized suitcase of makeup, could fit into such a small case.  Like a child at Christmas, I started emptying all the plastic zip bags that held my compartmentalized makeup and started putting them into the various Zuca pouches; Blushes in one, foundations in another etc. as I completed each one, I  loaded them into the Zuca case.

Colour coded zip pouches of various sizes

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I got as far as the fourth pouch. It could hold no more! Even though I had put all the cleansing products into the side and front pockets, I still had a considerable amount of makeup still waiting in my old and slightly dog eared suitcase! I called up reinforcements.  A makeup artist friend who has had her Zuca for years.  She said she fitted ALL her make up in hers and that the only thing she didn't fit, was the stuff she never uses.  So back to the drawing board for me.

I went through and threw out old cream blushers, lipsticks and glosses that were way past their sell by date (really need to keep on top of that stuff). Blot Powders that you would need a knife to scrape around the edges to get any powder out, the same with powder blushers. (I know I'm running low and so I buy new ones, only to keep hold of the ones with hardly anything in...why????).  Any pencils that were less than an inch long, gone! (I hold on to the ones discontinued, but if it's so short, it can no longer be gripped by the sharpener, why is it still in my kit???)  I then started to repack the Zuca pouches in a flatter and neater manner (common sense when you think about it).

Now all 5 pouches are neatly stacked in my new Zuca. The more than generous side and front pockets takes everything else, from my cleansers and tissues to dental floss and plasters.   I feel like Dr Who and his Tardis.  It's hard to believe I can now manage with such a small case. 

Zuca with hair bag stacked on top

I have used it for two jobs now. Once using the car and the other using public transport. It's amazingly easier to carry up the stairs, due to the location of the handle. I felt quite smug sitting on it on a packed  tube train, my own personal throne! It cannot hold makeup AND hair equipment.  But I found resting my hair bag on top of the Zuca and pulling them together, also saves the ache from my shoulders.   So am I a fan?....you bet your sweet fanny I am!

 

James Vincent

Today I attended The Makeup Show event at Inglot in Westfield. With demonstrations from James Vincent an American makeup artist, who has done the likes of Lady Gaga.  As a makeup artist, we should never forget there are always new tricks to be learnt, and I am glad to say,  James did not disappoint.  Not only were there new tricks of the trade demonstrations, but also sound advice about how to get on in this industry.  One that sticks out in my mind is when he said it didn't matter about your size, colour or nationality, but your success was based on your talent (bearing in mind that this was from a slightly rotund gay man who was clearly addicted to tattoo needles ) never a truer word said.


He is here basically to promote The Makeup Show in Berlin (17-18th Sept).  Unlike IMATS this will be solely for professionals.  There will be agents there who will critique and advise you on your portfolio.  There will also be makeup brands like Makeup for Ever as well as the usual favourites like MAC and INGLOT.  We were also informed that not only will the top makeup brands be there, but the main makeup artists behind the brand (as apposed to the usual makeup counter staff) There will be free seminars from industry professionals and most importantly, a networking party, where makeup artists can mingle with industry bigwigs and photographers etc.  Discount has also been arranged with various hotels and airlines.  Well, I for one have booked my ticket already.  Contact www.themakeupshow.com if you wish to join me!