I'm a MACvirgin! - First appt. for a MAC makeover !

[athena123]

I'm 40 something and have spent the last couple years focusing on skincare. That focus, time and $$ spent have paid off with great skin and very, very few wrinkles.

I've supplemented this with fresh, natural looking makeup [Mostly Everyday Minerals and Dr. Hauschka] but now I'm ready to start using something with a little more "POP"! I also have a lunch date tomorrow afternoon, so I set up an a.m. appt. with MAC at my local Nordstrom's.

When I made the appt I was told it would take about an hour and this comes with a $50 minimum purchase. Do I tip the MA, what else can I expect and what SHOULD I expect?

I'd love to have the MA show me dramatic, smoky eyes but don't know if I want to go overboard with it for my date. But I want to take advantage of everything I can.

TIA!

 

[frocher]

...

 

[SnowWhiteQueen]

As far as I know you cannot tip a MAC MA. Your purchase will go towards their sales goal, though.
May I ask what skincare products you have been using to look so lovely??

 

[athena123]

Snow white thanks for asking but once I get started on my skincare obsession it's hard to stop me

I don't pay a derm for facials, that's how I justify the $$ I've spent on skincare.

morning routine:

PSF [Pure Skin Formulations] Papaya enzyme cleanser [gentle cleanser]
EpidermxII - [yummy home microdermabrasion]
Janson Beckett Organic toner [smells yummy, PH balance]
BHA/AHA 5%/10% serum [ keeps the blackheads away and pores uber clean]
Homemade anti-blemish serum
Cellular Skin RX Vitamin C serum [antioxidant and skin brightening
Janson Beckett AlphadermaCE and Skinprep [antiox, peptides to help reduce creases]
Camellia oil [super light hydration]
Homemade pearl paste [controls the oil]
PSF sunscreen
---- makeup!

pm routine is pretty much the same, except I use jojoba oil to remove makeup, follow up with a microcloth, skip the physical and chemical exfoliation straight to the toner and substitute 1% retinol for the Vit C serum every other night.

It took me about a year to find a regimen to control oil, keep breakouts at bay and reduce the appearance of dynamic creases around eyes and on forehead.

Thanks by the way for the "tip" tip re: to tip or not to tip the MA!

 

[greentwig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by athena123 Snow white thanks for asking but once I get started on my skincare obsession it's hard to stop me I don't pay a derm for facials, that's how I justify the $$ I've spent on skincare. morning routine: PSF [Pure Skin Formulations] Papaya enzyme cleanser [gentle cleanser] EpidermxII - [yummy home microdermabrasion] Janson Beckett Organic toner [smells yummy, PH balance] BHA/AHA 5%/10% serum [ keeps the blackheads away and pores uber clean] Homemade anti-blemish serum Cellular Skin RX Vitamin C serum [antioxidant and skin brightening Janson Beckett AlphadermaCE and Skinprep [antiox, peptides to help reduce creases] Camellia oil [super light hydration] Homemade pearl paste [controls the oil] PSF sunscreen ---- makeup! pm routine is pretty much the same, except I use jojoba oil to remove makeup, follow up with a microcloth, skip the physical and chemical exfoliation straight to the toner and substitute 1% retinol for the Vit C serum every other night. It took me about a year to find a regimen to control oil, keep breakouts at bay and reduce the appearance of dynamic creases around eyes and on forehead. Thanks by the way for the "tip" tip re: to tip or not to tip the MA!

I would really like to know more about your skincare, I have oily/breakout prone skin and I would really like to start a good routine. Could you PM me w/ more about your skincare and your homeade stuff?

Thanks!

 

[MsCuppyCakes]

Me too. I want to know more about your regime. I'm in Pasadena. Where part of SoCal do you live in?

 

[Divinity]

#1, expect to look FABULOUS! Make sure you ask for what you want and that you are happy with the look. I also like them to teach me how to do the look they do so I can apply it at home.

 

[Beautybugg08]

The MA's are not allowed to take any tips.. But if you go online and leave a compliment about them, its really good for her/him, and the counter! I hope that everything goes well! I know that your gonna love the makeover!

 

[athena123]

Greentwig and MissCupcakes, I posted my entire routine in the Skincare forum Take a look at this thread for probably more details than you wanna know!

http://specktra.net/f177/long-skinca...01/#post960461

Divinity, I'll be sure to ask them how they do it I'm so excited about this! Hoping I can get some samples as well....

 

[athena123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsCuppyCakes Me too. I want to know more about your regime. I'm in Pasadena. Where part of SoCal do you live in?

I'm in Riverside, moved here from Huntington Beach in March. I still miss my beach and still trying to orient myself inland...

 

[athena123]

Just an update - My makeup artist was very very young, so I wasn't sure if she'd be able to come up with an appropriate look for a 42 year old woman. She asked me where I was going [lunch] and listened to me when I told her my skintype [oily], asked me what makeup I currently use [mineral and Dr. Hauschka]. In short, she came up with a lovely combination that didn't look like I was getting ready to go clubbing, respected my preference for a more natural look yet took me out of my comfort zone. I didn't look like I was trying too hard, you know what I mean? She must have been doing something right; other MAs oohed and ahhed as they walked by!

I don't plan on switching to MAC foundation because it doesn't work nearly as well for me as my current MMU, but the eyeshadows, blush and lipglasses are truly a dream. I wound up buying much more than the $50 minimum. Got the LE eyeshadows in Ochre Style and Parrot, Bare Canvas paint [although I find this difficult to apply], BlushBaby sheertone blush and Lustreglass - Love Nectar.

Nordstrom's is also holding a class on MAC makeup for advanced or beginners in late January. Cost is $50 USD, which can be applied to more makeup. I'm definitely signing up and definitely sold on this line for eye makeup!

 

[purrtykitty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by athena123 Just an update - My makeup artist was very very young, so I wasn't sure if she'd be able to come up with an appropriate look for a 42 year old woman. She asked me where I was going [lunch] and listened to me when I told her my skintype [oily], asked me what makeup I currently use [mineral and Dr. Hauschka]. In short, she came up with a lovely combination that didn't look like I was getting ready to go clubbing, respected my preference for a more natural look yet took me out of my comfort zone. I didn't look like I was trying too hard, you know what I mean? She must have been doing something right; other MAs oohed and ahhed as they walked by! I don't plan on switching to MAC foundation because it doesn't work nearly as well for me as my current MMU, but the eyeshadows, blush and lipglasses are truly a dream. I wound up buying much more than the $50 minimum. Got the LE eyeshadows in Ochre Style and Parrot, Bare Canvas paint [although I find this difficult to apply], BlushBaby sheertone blush and Lustreglass - Love Nectar. Nordstrom's is also holding a class on MAC makeup for advanced or beginners in late January. Cost is $50 USD, which can be applied to more makeup. I'm definitely signing up and definitely sold on this line for eye makeup!

That's a lot of great stuff!! Just a tip on applying paint - I use a small concealor brush to apply all of my cream-based shadows. I find the small concealor brush size is perfect for the eyelid and since the brush fibers are synthetic, the cream shadows don't ruin the brush. Plus, it keeps my fingers nice and tidy, and I don't have to worry about getting skin oils on my eyelids. BTW, I also use the concealor brush to apply my Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP).

 

[productjunkie]

I'm not sure about in the U.S. but I know that at my counter in Toronto, Canada we are def. allowed to accept tips.
You tip for your nails, hair, server, taxi etc.... why wouldn't you be able to thank your artist.
We all def. appreciate it when people do!

 

[MacArtist]

We can accept tips

 

[erine1881]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacArtist We can accept tips

yes, we can.

 

[SuSana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by athena123 Nordstrom's is also holding a class on MAC makeup for advanced or beginners in late January. Cost is $50 USD, which can be applied to more makeup. I'm definitely signing up and definitely sold on this line for eye makeup!

I went to the class they had on Friday, it was called Basic or Natural and it was sooooo fun!! I already knew how to apply a basic face (my way at least) but they get detailed on everything. From skincare to a full face, they taught us how to do a 'prime' look. I really learned a lot, seeing it from other points of view. The class wasn't that big, so it was 1 MA to about 2 or 3 people. Leading the class were 2 trainers from Orange County, they were so nice and helpful. If you can go to these classes I would recommend it because it was great.

I would also like to go to the advanced just to see what they get into.

Sorry for going so OT but I wanted to put this info out there. This was the Nordstrom in the Tyler mall btw.

 

[giggles1972]

thanks- i just looked up any classes in my area for january. the one listed for us is called N Collection. I'll call and find out more.

 

[athena123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuSana I went to the class they had on Friday, it was called Basic or Natural and it was sooooo fun!! I already knew how to apply a basic face (my way at least) but they get detailed on everything. From skincare to a full face, they taught us how to do a 'prime' look. I really learned a lot, seeing it from other points of view. The class wasn't that big, so it was 1 MA to about 2 or 3 people. Leading the class were 2 trainers from Orange County, they were so nice and helpful. If you can go to these classes I would recommend it because it was great. I would also like to go to the advanced just to see what they get into. Sorry for going so OT but I wanted to put this info out there. This was the Nordstrom in the Tyler mall btw.

Very cool SuSana, that's the same Nordie's I go to! I'm really looking forward to this class!