Hi, all.
Wanted to thank you for all of the previous posts in this topic. I've been reading into the night (and have read the post before, too).

I've convinced myself, with help from your posts, that it's worth applying to MAC even though I am not a trained MA, and am 35 years old. (*gulp!*) I was planning on taking a few classes before applying at MAC, but....

I talked to the manager of a store in another district while on holiday and purchasing Danse stuff and after chatting randomly about MAC for quite awhile I casually mentioned I was considering applying. She gave me one of those scary long looks while she evaluated my makeup (seemed to take hours!) and nodded and walked away, only to come back with the name and number of a manager out here at a freestanding store. Turns out this manager I was talking to used to work in the district where I live and was saying "apply here, don't apply there, this person is leaving, this person will be the new manager and is great for these reasons, this team is great..." and was very encouraging and enthusiastic.

Anyway, I took that all as encouragement and it made me think "hell, why not just go for it!?" So I'm reading Specktra and memorizing the Mac website and the history, etc... (trying to remember things like which brush is what number and all of that stuff I never cared about before because I just grabbed the brush with nary a care about what it was called!).

Now I have started thinking about my demo. I'm trying not to get my knickers into a bunch too much. I figure I have basic makeup skills, a background in art (so I understand brushes and color), I am personable and I have retail experience (specifically selling cosmetics, in fact, but not doing MA work) from back in the day, so the demo will be what it will be, but here's my dilemma:

I haven't lived here long and don't know many people. The person I have in mind for the demo is a lovely woman who loves makeup and has good skin. The twists are: she's not the model-type as she's over 50, is very overweight, and is clearly a very odd duck- something you notice as soon as you meet her. But I know she'll let me practice on her, and I know she'll be a great subject because she's not really into MAC too much but loves me to death so she'll actually be listening to the spiel and asking great questions. (I may even make a sale during the demo, if I know her as well as I think I do! )

Would you use this person as a model, or someone you may not be able to practice with as much who may be more "socially acceptable"? There's another very pretty girl I could probably ask (she's my age), or I could get my best friend to come for a visit from back home, but with both of these gals I won't really get practice time due to their schedules or their proximity (or lack thereof). I know the MAC philosophy is that MAC is for everyone, which is one reason I love the line, but (and I really don't mean to be harsh here) I really am afraid that with my age and lack of experience choosing the wrong model could cost me here.

Sorry for the long post, but I haven't seen this issue addressed in any of the posts here, so I thought I'd ask! Any and all advice is welcome. Thanks so much in advance!

*j

Ask yourself this question: Which one of your models would you feel most comfortable with? Who are you going to really "let go" with and bang out a fabulous face on? That is the person you should take with you to your demo.

You will not always be doing makeup on perfect, model-like faces. Those come few and far between. In my experience, you will be doing lots of makeup on regular, everyday looking people...young and not-so- young alike...people with undereye circles, blemishes, uneven skin, etc.

Don't sweat it too much...just go in there and do what you know how to do..you're going to do great! And don't worry about your age being a factor...I was 38 when I went to work for MAC, and I am still at it at 40. Working with all the "young 'uns" keeps YOU young! Trust me...

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"Don't think you can....know you can."

Morpheus - The Matrix

The newest hire at my store's oldest kid is 31. I don't know how old she is, but she didn't pop out her kid at 4, so she's a bit older than you. Don't stress about your age...let your personality & skill speak for itself.

And I definitely agree with choosing the model that you are going to be most comfortable with.

Good luck!

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"Dorks die when bullets hit them. Dorks cry real tears"~Kathleen Hanna

I don't think you would be "docked" in any way for bringing a model who is not perfect. I think it could actually work in your favour as it would show that you can do makeup on any type of person. Good luck! (Hey, I am in my 30s too! The 30s are the new 20s baby!).

Thanks, all. This makes me trust my instincts!b
*j

Are male models allowed? I imagine they'd rather see work on a female sadly.

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You probably shouldn't be listening to me because I may be wrong. At least according to many, I am.