This was discussed in a MAC group on myspace, and a girl who works at a store wrote this:
As far as I know, these guidelines go for all freestanding stores, but different regions may have different services. Call ahead if you're not sure about the one near you.
There are a couple different ways to go about it. We have 2 different services. An Application and a Lesson.
An Application includes a 40-60 minute makeup application, a free mascara, face chart and $40 fee (not redeemable in product) and you are not required to purchase anything. Applications are good for someone who's going out or has an event to go to, a wedding, prom or wants a new seasonal look.
The Lesson is more in depth. This is for someone who needs to LEARN how to do their makeup or for a very dramatic look (ie; transformation drag m/up, halloween m/up..) Usually the artist demonstrates and explains on one half of the face, and you do the other, but can be done many different ways. It's 90 minutes includes a free mascara, face chart, $90 fee and 20% off any purchases made the entire month after (at the same store)!
Both of these services are offored in our private makeup studio without interruption from other customers. This is another aspect that differentiates it from the services at a partnered location (a counter at Nordstrom, Dilliards, etc)
The other option is to come in for a Peak Hour Demo, which Becky talked about. This is done on a "walk-up" basis. We can help you find colors, try a look on you and even do your full face! The downside to this is that your artist has to break away and help other customers as they come in. (no artist likes being interrupted, we wanna stay in our creative flow!) You're not guaranteed your makeup will be completed or how long you may be sitting there waiting . Bottom line is you're paying for the private time for the artist. If you dont have a time constraint and can spend some time waiting while your artist is assisting other people, you dont have to pay anything to have your makeup done, nor do you have to buy anything!
Aaaaaand we have Events as well. These usually marking a specific color launch or season. Stores vary but ours are done with a "pre-pay", usually of $50. You purchase a gift card and it is held at the store until your appointment the normal "Application" fee of $40 is waived and you can spend the $$gift card on anything you like! Along with the assumption of a purchase this helps against "no-shows" ensuring that the clients who really want to come learn, play and have fun, will!
The products sell themselves and are amazing, so why would'nt you want to buy them? On that note, why would you want to have your makeup done and not get anything? I'll be the first one to understand budget constraints but thats just silly torture!! As a make-up artist I love to paint faces all day long (and usually do!) My goal is to make people feel beautiful and give them the tools to create that when they want, but theres nothing more dissatisfying than someone not taking that with them.
Here's the link if you need it:
http://forum.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=messageboard.viewThread&group ID=100029209&page=1&EntryID=6311859&CategoryID=0&g et=1&lastpagesent=0&Mytoken=6B726759-99BA-4AFE-9832429A09D970DB1764187968
