JenniferDenise wrote:
I personally LOVE my Zuca. 
I fly with my bag every weekend and I like that it's sturdy, the wheels go over gravel and grass easily, and I can fit it into overhead bins.  It has a built in handle on the top and the bottom for overhead lifting. 
I also like that I can sit on it if all the airport seats are full, or talent can sit on it. 
The removable zipper pouches keep everything organized in case TSA decides they need to pull it all apart for a search.  And they keep everything secure so I can lay the bag on its side or back without items shifting too terribly much.

I check a small suitcase of clothing and carry on my makeup.  When I am leaving the airport, I put my suitcase on top of the zuca, and I can wheel everything with one hand.

+1 QFT  Zuca has become so ubiquitous for MUA'a that a hair stylist colleague of mine complains she's oft mistaken for the MUA on commercial sets because of her Zuca    

And best of all, you can get those charismatic Flashing Sport Wheels! Have gotten sooooo many compliments on those wheels... amazing conversation starter... lol   and they double for safety at night... having to dress in all black for professionalism can place one at risk on city streets... enough said....

Love my Zuca!

ArtistryImage wrote:
And best of all, you can get those charismatic Flashing Sport Wheels!

stop.  I might have to get those!

MeganCalfoMakeup wrote:
I hope I'm not too late. But for the longest time I wanted a Zuca because it was so sleek and lightweight and great for traveling. But… it's just not big enough. Stilazzi is twice the size, trust me your kit will grow and it will continue to grow and it's always good to be prepared. As a makeup artist you need to carry around things you wouldn't think you'd need (like, a first aid kit, hair spray, safety pins, tide pen, and so on) I'm actually considering getting the Godfather.
The Stilazzi does get a bit heavy (I have to bring it up a flight of stairs everyday), but it's nothing that can't be done and the weight isn't that big of a deal. It also depends on the type of work that you do, like if you worked in film and television, you'd need the Godfather. But if you just do bridal, then the Zuca could be fine. It's all just personal preference and what works best for you.

I am going to have to disagree with you.  I travel every weekend for a TV show, and I carry all my makeup, styling supplies for 'light hair', and extra items like a first aid kit, sewing kit, and snacks--all in my Zuca.  I typically have to fly to my destination, and it fits in the overhead bins perfectly, and though it is a stout, sturdy bag, I can still lift it overhead myself.  I think it really depends on how you organize it.  Keeping it super organized also allows it to be inspected by TSA and put back together quickly.
In other travelling tips, I carry this bag  as my 'personal item'; it fits neatly under the seat in front of me.

JenniferDenise wrote:

I am going to have to disagree with you.  I travel every weekend for a TV show, and I carry all my makeup, styling supplies for 'light hair', and extra items like a first aid kit, sewing kit, and snacks--all in my Zuca.  I typically have to fly to my destination, and it fits in the overhead bins perfectly, and though it is a stout, sturdy bag, I can still lift it overhead myself.  I think it really depends on how you organize it.  Keeping it super organized also allows it to be inspected by TSA and put back together quickly.
In other travelling tips, I carry this bag  as my 'personal item'; it fits neatly under the seat in front of me.

Okay Miss Jennifer, I wanna see pictures of your packed Zuca cause I have to put hair in another bag. Lemme see the magic. My dream is to do it out of one bag, but I just have to have hair stuff in the backpack for travel gigs. Ick. Help a sistah out!

Makeup Hair by Dani B wrote:
Okay Miss Jennifer, I wanna see pictures of your packed Zuca cause I have to put hair in another bag. Lemme see the magic. My dream is to do it out of one bag, but I just have to have hair stuff in the backpack for travel gigs. Ick. Help a sistah out!

Keeping in mind that I typically do 'light' hair, I do have a second bag for bigger hair supplies. 

Here is my weekend travel gear:


The backpack also carries my blowdryer, since it won't fit the zuca, obvs.  It fits under the seat in front of me on the plane (I fly Delta, if that matters)

Here she is opened up, with the cover off:


curling irons, flatiron, pot holder and cape


combs, brushes, bobby pins etc, sunscreen, hair product


this holds:


all this:

(more hair product, makeup removers, hand sanitizer, ibuprofen)

Then I use the untility pouches as my 'drawers'.  This also keep everything packed snugly and since they are clear plastic, TSA doesn't have to do much but lay eyes on them.  With the exception of the small utility pouch that I put my Yaby pallets in, it doesn't matter which order they are stacked.   I put the small on on top, which allows me to slide that small brown purse you see in one the above photos; I use that purse as a set bag. 

Foundations, powders, shadows, blushes, bronzers, and Ben Nye Lumiere cream pallet


sponges, qtips, cotton pads, lint brush, mints, sewing kit, static spray, wrinkle spray, tums, mouthwash, alcohol, water, first aid, fingernail files and polish remover, armpit sweat guards


lipstick and glosses


powders, cetaphil, primers, loose pigment shadows


pencils, glues, lashes (I carry about 10 pair) mascaras, gel liners, disposables


love these canisters from Yaby


Not pictured bc I am out: brush wipes Starbucks Via, and snack packet and bars.

Makeup Hair by Dani B wrote:
You are a doll for doing that! I was wondering how you fit a blowdryer in your Zuca! I think I do more than "light" hairstyling and that's what the difference is, cause my backpack is hair stuff. Always inspirational to see, I'm a visual person, so thank you for your time and effort in doing that!

Of course!  I always have my blowdryer in my suitcase, though I will tell you, I rarely use it.  Honestly, I think I could pare my kit down, but I am always afraid of not having that one thing I got rid of!