Pack it, Pack it good, Your Modeling Bag of course!

Here is the list of important items that you should pack in your model bag for set life and shows.

Female Model Bag:

• Oil Blot Wipes
• Toothbrush/Travel Size Mouthwash
• Mints (NO gum!)
• Water Bottle (Carry a straw, as not to smudge your lipstick)
• Snacks: Almonds (great for abs), rice cakes, trail mix, beef jerky, cheese sticks, etc.
• Lip Balm/Gloss (Always keeps lips moisturizer between takes)
• Basic Makeup Kit: Foundation, press powder, mascara, eye liner, drop, extra eyelashes
• Hair Products: Bobby pins, hair spray, brush, comb, hair ties
• Bra(s): nude, black, flesh-colored, sticky bra, pasties, double-sided tape 
• Panty Liners, tampons or pads
• Moisturizer (unscented), Lotion (unscented)
• Extra Underwear: Seamless underwear, G-string, boy shorts
• Make-up remover, towel, wash-cloth
• Deodorant 
• Safety pins, clothing pin/clamp
• Sally Hansen Body Spray
• Audition outfit: Black top, black slacks/skirt, pumps (4 inch heels, NO flats or sneakers!)

 Male Model Bag:

• Extra Underwear: Boxer Briefs, low-rise (NO boxers, might bunch or create bulk underneath clothing)
• Make-up remover, towel, wash-cloth
• Safety pins, clothing pin/clamp
• Hair Products: Bobby pins, hair spray, brush, comb, hair ties (for long hair), gel
• Snacks: Almonds (great for abs), rice cakes, trail mix, beef jerky, cheese sticks, etc.
• Water Bottle
• Mints (NO gum!)
• Toothbrush/Travel Size Mouthwash
• Oil Blot Wipes
• Foundation
• Razor, shaving cream
• Undershirt
• Socks
• Audition outfit: Black shirt, black bottoms, black dress shoes (NOT tennis shoes or sneakers)

Children Model Bag:

• Extra Underwear
• Socks
• Make-up remover, towel, wash-cloth
• Safety pins, clothing pin/clamp
• Hair Products: Bobby pins, hair spray, brush, comb, hair ties, gel
• Snacks: trail mix, beef jerky, cheese sticks, juice packs, animal crackers, goldfish, etc.
• Water Bottle (carry straw)
• Toothbrush/Travel Size Mouthwash
• Oil Blot Wipes
• Foundation
• Undershirt
• Audition outfit (See criteria above)
• Lip balm/gloss
• Blanket, pillow
• Toys, games, book, etc.
• Lunch Bag
• Recreational clothing (change for breaks between shooting or before the show)
• Bib for eating (I've even used a plastic rain poncho to cover outfits on set)

 Extra Gear

• Portfolio and Head shot
• Composite "Comp" Cards
• Business Cards (as a backup plan to comp cards)
• Vouchers (For agency models)
• Thank You cards (I'll cover why in my upcoming post: "Model Manners")
• Directions to set (Important!)
• Cell Phone Charger 
• Book, Tablet, iPod, MP3, Magazines, etc. (For wasting time on set during breaks)

Items to Consider: Travel Size Kit

Deluxe Travel Kit: for overnight shoots and out-of-town shows

Benefits of a Travel Size Kit 

• neatness and organization, with items such as: moisturizer, lotion, hair crème, toothbrush, mouthwash, etc.
• Great for jobs that include airplane travel or promotional jobs

Bonus Tips:

 I pack Extensions and Wigs. Why you may ask? While I have an amazing personal hair stylist, who accompanies me to every shoot, I prefer to prepare for the worst.  Here are a few reasons why I carry prosthetic hair.

• I can slap on perfectly styled hair in minutes, if surprise weather and extreme humidity occurs. (which blows my naturally curly hair back to the era of the 70s.)
•  It offers versatility to an outfit and the shoot design
• It protects my natural hair from extreme heat and damage, if I have back-to-back shoots
• I can add length or take away length or even add color, without damaging my natural hair
• If the hair stylist doesn't show, (and you don't have a personal stylist at your convenience) you'll have a backup plan.

The Spray on Panty Hose

Traditionally panty hose were a required item to complete your audition look. However, if you're like me, who can't stand wearing those itchy things (bad childhood memory, thanks mom). I use the spray on tan, Sally Hansen specifically, which gives my legs a smooth finish and emulates the look of panty hose.

If you have any items that you carry in your model bag, that isn't listed above, please list it in the comments! I definitely love to learn about new items that I can cram in my gigantic model bag.

Stay tuned for the next blog post: "The Perfect Audition Outfit", with examples of audition outfit Do's and Don'ts for both sexes!

Until next time, stay tuned and as always, stay fabulous! I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes!

"He who fails to plan is planning to fail" - Winston Churchill