Traveling With Your Kit

Having local jobs and having jobs where you have to take an airplane are two different things.  Not different in the sense of work but different in the sense of traveling with your kit.  Many of you already know that living and being a city girl, I already heavily condense my kit to better my public transportation.  Taking your kit in a crowded train is no joke.  The less I carry, the better.  To see how I condense my makeup kit, please check out my past post: What's In My (condensed) Kit?

If you are not checking in your kit (highly recommended):
Packing your kit for flight can be a tad tricky.  According to TSA Regulations: "you are permitted to carry on containers of liquids, gels or aerosols of 3 ounces or less in a 1 Quart clear bag."  This means you can stuff that bag till it can't fit anymore so long as all the products in there aren't over 3oz.  You cannot have more than one 1qt bag so don't think that you can have multiple 1qt bags filled to the max.

What does this mean for you?  This means that unless your containers are already 3oz or less, you will absolutely have to condense your liquid foundations, brush cleaner, moisturizer etc.

If you use FACEatelier and are like me and buy them in the smaller pro size, then you don't have to condense them (unless you want to).  The FACEatelier pro bottles are travel friendly and already come in a .68oz bottle. Although the glass bottles are 1oz, I highly suggest condensing them into smaller bottles.  You'll fit more product into your 1qt bag and you don't have to worry about them breaking.  The same goes with the MUFE HD.  The MUFE HD bottle is also 1oz and fits TSA regulations but seriously, can we talk about how bulky that bottle is?

For a wonderful post on how to condense your foundations please visit this blog.

So, what will you need?

1 Quart Storage Bags

If you own a Zuca Pro, your bag most likely already came with a TSA friendly 1qt bag.  That's what I use to store all of my liquids.

1qt clear bag with all my liquids

A better look at what's in the clear 1qt bag

What are things that are considered liquids/gels?
*Liquid Foundation
*Some Creams such as Moisturizers, Makeup Removers etc.
*Hand Sanitizer
*Brush Cleaner
*Toner
*Lip Tars

Now, if you check in your kit (which I don't recommend at all), then you don't have to do any of the above.  I personally don't like to check in my kit because I've heard too many horror stories about airlines misplacing and/or losing their bags.  Without your kit, you cannot work and trust me you do not ever want to be caught in that situation.  The only bag I check in is my personal stuff which has my clothing, personal toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste etc.  If the airline happens to misplace or lose that then my job isn't at jeopardy.  I can always rebuy a pair of jeans and a toothbrush if needed.

If I'm doing hair, I also check that in.  It's easier and cheaper to replace a can of hairspray and a hair dryer than buying a whole makeup kit.  Plus, many stores let you return stuff if you're "unhappy" with the product (hair irons, dryers etc.)

A few of my favorite places you can visit for smaller containers to condense:
Yaby Cosmetics
Muji
Qosmedix
Container Store
Manhattan Wardrobe Supply

Another advice I'd like to give is to always carry your business cards or your resume with you at all times.  You never know when the TSA wants to get picky with your bag.  Having proof that you are traveling for work and that you are in fact a makeup artist (and not just some weirdo with a bag full of cosmetics) just might save you.

Condensing my kit was the best decision I've ever made.  It weights way less and until this day I've never had a problem with the TSA.  This storage solution really does work out for the best.  Happy condensing!