As a new makeup artist your old makeup bag just won’t cut it. A pro makeup artist kit is bigger and more complex than your prized makeup brands you hoard at home for personal use.

You need the best kit and set bags you can afford, as professional makeup artists spend their working lives on the road, often travelling to far flung and remote locations. And you often end up feeling like a pack mule with the sheer weight of kit you need to carry.

So, it is vital that your pro kit and set bags can store all that you need and literally help take a load off your shoulders.

Find the right makeup kit bags for you:

You want a kit bag or case that can be customized to suit your own personal organization system. Knowing exactly where everything is in your kit and being able to find it easily, helps you become a faster more efficient makeup artist.

And that makes you more employable, makes you more money and helps you become more successful in the long run.

Your kit will grow as you gain more experience, so you want a pro kit and set bag system that is going to last. Choosing the wrong bag can cause you backache and arm ache and it may well fall apart on you at the worst possible moment.

So, it’s vital you choose wisely. But there is so much to consider before you say yes!

Your Kit Bag Needs To BE:

Portable

Durable

Organized

Lightweight

Spacious for storage

Made of quality materials

Easy to clean and sanitize

Your pro makeup artist kit and set bags must protect your kit. They also should help make your working life easier as well as represent you and your business.

Your Search for the Ultimate Kit Bag:

The search for the ultimate pro makeup artist kit and set bag is like the holy grail – it’s vital you choose wisely and there is so much to consider before you say yes to the one.

Truth be told, I don’t believe the ultimate kit bag exists – yet!

There are some excellent options on the market, but there isn’t one ultimate makeup artist kit bag. This is because every makeup artist is different and so it every job.

There are so many kit variations depending upon the type of work you do, from film and TV to fashion and editorial to bridal.  I’ve bought many throughout my career, so I’m giving you my completely honest and unbiased feedback on the pros and cons of what’s out there.

You also need to be prepared to switch up your set bag every two or three productions. There just isn’t one that exists that will last you a lifetime.  Kit and set bags take such a battering during your working life, exposed to the elements, constant travel, working in a wide array of challenging terrains and landscapes, in all types of weather from artic temperatures to sweltering deserts. Your kit and set bags take a real battering.

What is an MUA kit bag/case?

A pro makeup bag or case is designed to hold all your makeup kit while you are travel to and from a job – it is portable and can come in a range of sizes. Some have straps and can be carried over your shoulder or in your hand and larger ones have wheels and can contain more kit. 

Most pro MUA’s will develop a kit bag and case system which is a combination of both types. As you gain more experience your kit will grow and you will most likely want larger bags and cases to contain everything you need fully portable, as you work on a wide variety of locations and job types.

Some of the best types have multiple sections and pockets, as well as smaller insertable packing cases, that allow you to sort and organize your kit into product categories and types.

TOP 5 Makeup Artist KIT BAGS and Cases

1. ZUCA Pro Artist Case , PAM £290

The slick silver and black combo of the Zuca Pro Artist Case makes it a shining star in the world of makeup artists cases. It’s slick and ergonomic, sturdy and super smooth on its’ nifty four wheels. The Zuca is lightweight and highly maneuverable. It also works as a great seat for your actor (or you) on location. 

It has a front opening zip and comes with four large utility pouches which you can cram full of products. There is also a smaller pouch and matching travel cover. The Zuca pouches are fully lined with durable, clear, easy to clean vinyl.

The Zuca is cabin approved with some airlines, but still sturdy enough not to get damaged if you do have to check it and it gets thrown around. For me personally it’s not big enough for my kit, especially when if I need to bring wigs, postiche, hair tools and special effects kit. I always need to invest in at least two or three kits bags for it all. At nearly £300 a time that’s a considerable investment. 

However, the Zuca is great for smaller jobs and combined with a set bag it would work well for most new makeup artists.

2.The Large Makeup Artist Kit Bag, Get Set Go – £49.50

The improved design of the Large Makeup Artist Kit Bag makes it a real work horse. It’s completely sealed with separate, large, zipped brush pocket with another two zipped front pockets. It’s also wider and more spacious inside with internal dividers helping you better organize your kit.#

There are three tall front pockets which are great for bigger bottles and you can also stack small towers of product in there. This is such a durable kit bag. It is easier to keep clean and hygienic. You can use alcohol-based products to clean it as well as detergents – so much easier than the aforementioned Zuca and other fabric options.

3. Samas MUA 02, Makeup Armoury – £189

This makeup artist case has been specifically designed for all makeup artists and hairdressers who work on set. It may be compact, but it packs a punch. It’s lightweight and mobile but is as strong as an armoured tank. It has a rigid internal frame plus some serious padding for additional protection. Plus, it’s also fully waterproof and super durable.

The Samas MUA 02 is handmade in Italy and the quality shows. It has Velcro detachable pouches and pockets and you can buy additional inserts for more storage. The side pouches are zippered and can hold a tablet and are expandable. Again, cabin approved but more than able to survive check-in intact if needs must.

The only drawback for me is I am six foot tall, so I just wish the extendable handle was a little longer. But overall, this is a great investment.

4. Bags By Laura Trolley Kit Bag, Tilt – £90

I find that kit bags designed by makeup artists tend to be highly effective in meeting our needs on set. Bags by Laura is no exception. A unique combination of a transparent large kit bag that has been designed with wheels. It offers all the spacious advantages of a large vinyl bag combined with the ease of mobility of two wheel and a retractable aluminium handle.

Each of her Trolley Kit Bags come with four additional transparent, smaller pouches which allow you to further organize your kit in the spacious interior. You really can pack a great deal of kit in here. The two wheels do not manoeuvre as well as the Samas’ four wheels, but it does enable you to take the load off your shoulders and pack a lot of kit.

I am hoping designer and pro MUA Laura Hill, will create a version in black, as I’m not as big a fan of the red.

5. KaCase Backpack Kit Bag, Tilt – £99

The new kit bag on the block.

The backpack style KaCase kit bag was designed by yet another pro makeup artist who hails from Poland. The KaCase Backpack Kit Bag is small but perfectly formed. These are stylish and beautifully handcrafted in malleable vinyl. There is an internal pocket for a laptop, and they come with soft luxury faux leather detachable pouches in blush, black or red. You can also buy additional pouches to build up the internal storage system to your own needs.

These will never hold your full makeup kit, but the backpack style is super comfortable under your arms. Plus, with the weight evenly distributed across your back it makes it even easier to carry heavier kit loads.

The bag itself is incredibly light and flexible so I am genuinely surprised by how durable they actually are.  They are water resistant but not fully waterproof I wouldn’t want to rely on them for a long location day in the winter rain in Wales. Overall, a great addition to your makeup artist kit bag system and a terrific price point.

PROFILE ARTIST – Kit Bag Recommendation

Three-time BAFTA winning makeup artist Morag Ross has worked with some of the greatest directors in living memory and she is also personal makeup artist for Oscar winning actress Cate Blanchett.

I asked Morag what she uses to carry her kit when she travels to a job on location:

Kit Bag Safety

It’s important to remember that vinyl kit bags will not tolerate heated electrical devices. Don’t throw a hot curling iron in your kit bag and run because you will melt it. You also need to be careful re sharp objects such as tail combs and scissors as they can pierce the vinyl.

Talking of tail combs always be careful how you store those in your kit bag. A few years back I was rushing and went to grab something from my kit bag and punctured my hand with the sharp end. So, if you don’t want a trip to the hospital with a tail comb stuck in the palm of your hand be sure to pack your kit safely.

What is a film makeup set bag?

A set bag is a smaller bag which contains a personally curated set of hair and makeup products and tools. These are tailored specifically to the needs of the actor/s you are working on, during a film or television production.

As there is only limited space when working on a production – often very confined – a set bag is a smaller bag that contains only the essential products that you may need whilst on set. These will be products and tools required to maintain and touch up the makeup you created early in the morning during the ‘makeup call’.

Inevitably however we end up loading up our set bags with a ton of tools and products (just in case we need them) so they need to be tough and durable.

The best set bags often come with customizable compartments, expandable pockets, and detachable extras. As you will be working at speed you need to know exactly where everything is. You also want to have easy access with plenty of design features to optimize your organization and the way you work on set.

Your Makeup SET BAG Needs To Be:

• Light weight
• Waterproof
• Easy to wipe clean
• Washable
• Zippered
• Padded for protection
• Durable
• Expandable

What to LOOK FOR when buying a SET BAG

• Quality materials
• Good construction
• Portability

You also need to be prepared to repeatedly invest in new set bags. How often you change up your set bag is dependent upon how many productions you work on. Early career makeup artists often begin as dailies, working with large numbers of supporting artists. This is an especially fast-paced, pressurized environment and your set bags are essential to your working day. You will probably need to invest in at least one new set bag every third or fourth production.

Every MUA has their own personal system for how they like to prep their set bag. This will be based on the way you like to work and the needs and requirements of each production/job you work on.

If you want a professional makeup artist kit list and a guide to what to put in your set bag, then check out my blog post HERE.

“You are working at speed and pressure – you need makeup artist set bags that enable you to perform effectively AND safely, so you can create your very best work.”

TOP 3 Makeup Artist SET BAGS

1.TML Vivian Baker Set Bag, PAM – £95

Created by the charismatic, Oscar winning, makeup artist veteran Vivian Baker. The Vivian Set Bag was designed in partnership with The Makeup Light and is a fantastic set bag. These bags are made from a highly durable neoprene like the material worn by deep sea divers. So, this set bag is designed to hold up under tough conditions.

‘The Vivian’ has a spacious interior, divided into three large compartments, which help you quickly locate what you need while you are working on set. You can easily store all your on-set products and tools in the Vivian.

You can also work hands free as it attaches to your body with an expandable waist belt. This also helps you better distribute the weight of your kit, while carrying it.

The reflective edging makes it very easier to find your set bag the dark, during night shoots on location.

It can be anchored and locked with the waist band, but it also has a shoulder strap if you prefer to carry your set bag. There is an additional flap guard over the Tissue Pouch which is essential for Covid19 hygiene-compliance. Worth investing your hard-earned cash!

2. The Spotty, GET SET GO Bags – £49.50

GSG for those in the know are a fabulous company, super helpful and a set bag powerhouse. GSG set bags are incredibly strong and durable. This is personally one of my favourite set bags. I loved the distinctive design. Mine is very battered now but still holds a special place in my heart. Highly respected by the industry, these set bags and are designed by the lovely @miss_t_noor who has more than twenty years in the business as a freelance hair and makeup artist.

This is a fully transparent set bag that is very lightweight as well as durable. It has its distinctive polka dot side panels along with three front pockets, including a tissue pocket and mesh pocket. There are also two internal side pockets with a good-sized interior. I particularly like the comfort grip handles which are a god send when you are carrying your set bag around.

This set bag is also fully waterproof, wipeable and easier to keep clean than combination vinyl and fabric options. The only drawback is you need to leave heated styling tools to cool down before you put them in a vinyl set bag. Otherwise, you will melt a big old hole in your set bag.

3. The Marlene Set Bag, Makeup Armoury – £59.50

The Marlene Set Bag is the very popular Bette Set bag’s bigger sister. This is a superstar of set bags. It is more spacious with additional pocket space and it has serious compartmentalization for the uber organized MUA. You can use the compartments to sort your kit products into categories. There is also enough space in some of the compartments to add smaller interior dividers such as those from the brilliant and much loved MUJI.

What sets this apart is that the Marlene set bag is dual purpose.  You can also use the Marlene set bag as a portable workstation that you can set up anywhere you are required to work.

The Marlene Set Bag

The Marlene Set Bag has eight internal pockets as well as a detachable tissue pouch, with two zips and internal Velcro fastening. It closes completely with a clear, reinforced vinyl zippered covering which protects everything inside. It can also be spray disinfected and wiped clean.

The Makeup Armoury also offer an interest-free, budget payment plan making this a super affordable option for you at the start of your career.

Bonus Recommendation

West End Wiggies Hair and Makeup belt, gsg – £37.50

This cunningly designed belt gives all hard-working theatre ‘wiggies’ the pocket space to fit longer hairbrushes, combs, hairspray plus hair pins securely. There’s also mesh pockets for makeup essentials like powder puffs and tissues plus space for brushes and lipstick. Everything you need is at your fingertips, in just the same way as a traditional makeup brush belt.

Top Tip

Label or mark your set bag so it is instantly recognizable to you. This is especially helpful on productions with large crowd makeup teams who all have set bags, often the same brand as yours. Making your set bag instantly recognizable will help you find it among all the others.

Happy hunting for your perfect pro kit bag.

Enjoy!

P.S Let me know your favourite in the comments below