YAY!!! Need some last minute advice

[amoona]

I've been sooo busy this weekend I didn't even get a chance to let everyone know what went down on Friday! So I went to a freelance interview Friday morning (right before I got on a plane for Vegas!) and it was packed. At least 40 people there!!!! Well yesterday I was on my way home from Vegas and when I got off the plane there was a voice message from MAC asking me back to the demo interview this Friday!!!

Not to sound stuck up but I was expected the call. Mainly because my older manager from Macy's now works at the MAC counter and he signed me up for the interview. The manager was talking to me and asked "Are you Amanne? I've heard a lot about you from Jose!" You could see everyone giving me the evil eye after that haha. Luckily that day I work my good luck charm, my Ein (to ward off the evil eye) bracelet charm. hehe Middle Eastern cultures have a big thing about the evil eye so I didn't want it to get me!

Anyway I already have my model, it'll be my cousin who I've worked on a lot so that's good. I've also been reading through this site for months and months now about the interview process (not to mention I did one before).

I know my mistakes from last time - depending on their brushes and not using any skin prep. Now I'm bringing all my own brushes and I'm heading to Prep+Prim Face, Lips, and Strobe Cream first! Any other pointers? I know there's already a lot of info on here that I've read through over and over but just incase something wasn't mentioned before I just wanna know before I walk in on Friday.

Do I need to sanitize shadesticks?

When I do my own make-up I usually do eyes first then wipe off any excess with a MAC wipe then do Strobe Cream and then foundation if needed. Is this process ok for the demo too?

Should I put Strobe Cream first and then Prep+Prime Face?

When using the 205 to apply mascara should I still use a disposable mascara wand to pick up the color and then take the mascara from the disposable wand?

Am I allowed to touch the model's face at all? When I've gotten my make-up done at MAC the MAs have but they always ask me permission first. Is this acceptable at the demo?

If I'm given a day to night look scene what should I do? With me personally if I'm too lazy to change my make-up I just add black to the outher v and change the lip color if needed and add some silver dusk loose power as a highlight. Will they allow me to use some lashes? Is that slight change too simple of a change for the demo?

A non-demo related question: I'm currently working a M-F 9-5 job until school starts in September. My current job pays cash so I'd like to hang out to it at least until the summer but my only concern is basic training. I don't want to take a perm position when I start school if I have to miss school for basic training. I'd rather try to get one during the summer and quit my current job earlier. What's the basic training like? Is it something I can schedule around school or no? If I take a perm position do I have to go to basic training right away or can I wait until I get a chance in my school schedule?

That's all I can think of for now. If anyone has any other answers to unasked questions please tell me!!!

 

[SARAHluvsMAC]

Is this a freelance position? If so, freelancers do not go to basic so you wouldn't have to worry about that.

You also make your own hours so you don't really have to worry about it getting in the way of school or your other job for now, unless you decide that you want to become permanent.

 

[~LadyLocks~]

Sorry I couldn't be of help with any of your questions about but on a side note, I wanted to wish you luck at your demo. I'm sure you'll land the job!! Don't forget to keep us posted k?!

 

[MisStarrlight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amoona Do I need to sanitize shadesticks?

Yes-dip it in alcohol & then wipe it off w/ a tissue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amoona When I do my own make-up I usually do eyes first then wipe off any excess with a MAC wipe then do Strobe Cream and then foundation if needed. Is this process ok for the demo too?

I don't see why not...almost everyone at my counter does eyes first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amoona Should I put Strobe Cream first and then Prep+Prime Face?

Yes

Quote:

Originally Posted by amoona When using the 205 to apply mascara should I still use a disposable mascara wand to pick up the color and then take the mascara from the disposable wand?

Yes

Quote:

Originally Posted by amoona Am I allowed to touch the model's face at all? When I've gotten my make-up done at MAC the MAs have but they always ask me permission first. Is this acceptable at the demo?

I believe it would be ok. Make sure to sanitize your hands and ask permission, but if you want to play it safe, try to stay away from it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amoona If I'm given a day to night look scene what should I do? With me personally if I'm too lazy to change my make-up I just add black to the outher v and change the lip color if needed and add some silver dusk loose power as a highlight. Will they allow me to use some lashes? Is that slight change too simple of a change for the demo?

That's kind of the thing they are looking for with a "bump-up"...use what you've already got, but make it more dramatic-I'd say brighten/darken up the eyeshadow, add a thicker top line, darken the lips, do something else to the cheeks. You'll have to check with lashes though-some places require it, others don't.


Quote:

Originally Posted by amoona A non-demo related question: I'm currently working a M-F 9-5 job until school starts in September. My current job pays cash so I'd like to hang out to it at least until the summer but my only concern is basic training. I don't want to take a perm position when I start school if I have to miss school for basic training. I'd rather try to get one during the summer and quit my current job earlier. What's the basic training like? Is it something I can schedule around school or no? If I take a perm position do I have to go to basic training right away or can I wait until I get a chance in my school schedule?

Basic is going to be all day for a week straight & there's not really any negotiation in the dates & times...so if you're looking to go permanent, that's something to think about.


Hope that helps! Good luck!

 

[amoona]

Ooo great thanks a ton! I also just remembered another question hehe. How do I sanitize the Prep+Prime Lip? I've never had an artist use it on me but I personally use it on myself and would like to use it on my model.

 

[MisStarrlight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amoona Ooo great thanks a ton! I also just remembered another question hehe. How do I sanitize the Prep+Prime Lip? I've never had an artist use it on me but I personally use it on myself and would like to use it on my model.

Same thing as the shadestick (and lipstick, and basically anything in bullet form like that)...dip in alcohol & wipe with a tissue...make sure to keep the end pointed down once you dip it so the alcohol doesn't fall back into the tube & mess up the lipstick or whatev.

 

[Bernadette]

Santize EVERYTHING. When I touched my model's face I placed a folded up tissue between my hand and her skin. Use spatulas, wands etc. to remove everything and place cream and liquid products in petri dishes.

I would make sure it's okay for you to bring your own brushes. I think they like to give you a random assortment to see what you can do with what you have and under pressue. The SOM at my demo interview said that having a small and random assortment of brushes is sometimes a reality at the counters. I think it was intended to be that way.

I was told that I will be going to some training for my freelance/on-call position. I don't think it's the same as basic, I'm not sure though. I can't wait for it

Just as a heads up, I was hired in December and just got to fill out my paperwork yesterday. Sometimes it's a long process so be patient.

Best of luck! Go get em hun

!

 

[amoona]

Thanks hun, I'm def. use up those tissues just to be sure haha. I was actually told I could bring in all my own brushes as long as they're MAC brushes. That's what screwed me up on my first freelance interview. The brushes they gave me. I have no foundation brush (and no sponges avaliable either) a 209, a busted 217, and a 252. By the time they got to me they had run out of brushes to hand out because there was so many girls there.

I just hope I remember all this stuff and don't get too nervous.

 

[FacesbyNiki]

Remember, you only get 30 minutes. I know some girls have done beautiful make up but ran out of time.

And it's weird, someone at my counter was a freelancer in Florida and he said he went to basic. Also I heard they might start doing that in my area because they want the freelancers to know what MAC is about and their procedures. LIke I said, I heard, it might not be true. LOL

good luck hun!

 

[Bernadette]

I got 45 minutes for my demo and they were kind enough to keep me updated on the time

Gosh Niki I hope I get to go to basic for my training! That would be awesome.

 

[amoona]

Aww I wish we had basic for freelancers out here. I know as of now they don't but maybe they're slowing changing that? I hope so because I'm not experienced in matching foundations. I seriously have never done it before. That's why I'm bringing my cousin as my model because we already know her foundation color. Foundation matching training would be amazing!!! I've tried to read up on it online but I don't think it's as easy to learn from reading you kind of have to do it.

Thats the one thing I'm scared of doing if I'm hired and work an event ... I wouldn't know how to get someone's foundation! For ladies who are already artists do you guys get annoyed if a freelancer asks you to help with foundation matching or teach them how to do it? I don't want to come off as a moron who doesn't know what I'm doing haha. Obviously I still wanna impress them enough to give me a perm position later on down the road.

Time shouldn't be a problem for me as long as I don't get super nervous haha. I already have an idea of what I'm going to be reaching for as far as primers and foundations and stuff. I just wish I knew the damn scenario ahead of time!!! I just hope it's not a face chart duplicate that one makes me nervous because they actually have something to compare your work to haha.

Now if I want to use Prep+Prime Face and Prep+Prime Lip but someone else grabs it first do you think they'd have a problem with people sharing products? I'm sure the PP Face isn't an issue but the PP Lip might be.

Damn can you guys tell how nervous I am? I'm coming up with random questions and every scenario I can think of haha. I even told my cousin(who's my model) she better buy some shit I used on her before we leave lol.

Everyone's being very helpful, that's what I love about Specktra! Thanks everyone.

 

[ms.marymac]

I don't get annoyed if someone asks me for help with foundation; I think most co-workers would be glad to help! It may take a little time, but you'll get the hang of it. I think it is a matter of trial and error, getting use to seeing undertones in a person's face and understanding what pigments make up each color. After a while, you'll find yourself nailing it on the first try, or at least pretty close. I always try a couple shades just to be sure.

Good luck!

 

[FacesbyNiki]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernadette I got 45 minutes for my demo and they were kind enough to keep me updated on the time Gosh Niki I hope I get to go to basic for my training! That would be awesome.

My trainer who was doing my demo kept me up on the time too which I thought was nice. I was so nervous.

Yeah, I was wondering how he was going for his certification test already. He said he already did basic. And then he explained in Florida, freelancers go to basic. Then we heard they might start doing that everywhere because alot of freelancers don't know how to sample out out stuff and such. To me, it makes so much sense though. Just because you are a freelancer you aren't less of an artist, to me. Our holiday help was an awesome girl! We gave her gratis and everything. Now she is perm and apart of the team. We don't treat anyone different. I know some folks talk about the difference between Nordstrom MAC folks and others but in my region, we are all treated the same. It's great. Ok, I'm going on and on. I've just had dinner and I'm full. LOL

 

[MisStarrlight]

You aren't going to foundation at Basic...it's really just that-a basic overview of products, procedures, customer service & info on the company itself.

The best advice I can give for foundation is to try to match everyone in you head..on the train, in the store, every person you come in contact with every day...first determine if they are an NC or NW & then try to figure their shade. It's actually quite amusing-for a nerd like me anyways.

 

[maxcat]

Re: touching faces... the official MAC policy, as far as I understand it, is you can only touch faces if your hands are completely clean - no fake nails, no polish and no rings. You have to sanitize your hands anyway. Good luck - and remember to talk about every product.

 

[mzjae]

Good luck! I think you'll do great!! You seem to have everything down.

Gosh I need to get off my lazy butt & call or go in personally. You've given me some motivation to do this. =D I know I definitely learned from my mistakes on my first demo interview & this helps too so I think I'll do better this time like you most likely will if I get a demo interview.

 

[amoona]

mzjae go for it girl! omg we could possibly work together haha. where did u do ur first demo? i know downtown union square and the new mac at macy's serramonte (where i'm doing my interview) have freelance interviews every month.

they're also opening up a bunch of new stores in our area. i know on burlingame ave. they're opening a f/s store in april and my cousin in dublin said they're opening a store at stoneridge. those are the only two i've heard of so far ... see bay area mac needs us! haha

 

[ms.marymac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisStarrlight You aren't going to foundation at Basic...it's really just that-a basic overview of products, procedures, customer service & info on the company itself. The best advice I can give for foundation is to try to match everyone in you head..on the train, in the store, every person you come in contact with every day...first determine if they are an NC or NW & then try to figure their shade. It's actually quite amusing-for a nerd like me anyways.

Wow, did they change it? We went over foundations and had to make our own by using primary colors.

Oh, and I still catch myself mentally matching people I see out in public..he he.

 

[amoona]

Yea I always thought basic went over products and stuff but also foundation matching. i thought they'd teach you who's a nc or who's a nw and so on.

as long as i can get that help at a counter i'll be happy though haha.

 

[FacesbyNiki]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisStarrlight You aren't going to foundation at Basic...it's really just that-a basic overview of products, procedures, customer service & info on the company itself. The best advice I can give for foundation is to try to match everyone in you head..on the train, in the store, every person you come in contact with every day...first determine if they are an NC or NW & then try to figure their shade. It's actually quite amusing-for a nerd like me anyways.

Love this idea.