Getting makeup done at MAC for the first time..

[Justine MarieGeek]

What should I expect/ask etc? It’s for my birthday so I don’t want to look TOO natural. (I usually just use foundation/eyeliner on upper lid/mascara). Whenever I’ve tried to pull off a smokey eye or a lot of eye shadow in general, my skin and/or eyes look really dull and washed out.. it could be just that I’m not using the right colors and techniques though. Will they know what looks better on me vs what wouldn’t? Also, will they use a face primer or should I put mine on before I go? Thanks!

[megz196Geek]

They should use a primer on you (if they know what they’re doing!), but you can just mention you want it to last all night just to make sure… I think it really depends on the artist, to be honest… I’ve seen girls get their makeup done at MAC and it turned out lovely, while others looked like cheap hookers… Unfortunately, you never know how good the artist will be, or how much they they will take your coloring, etc. into consideration… I would say try to be as specific as possible (e.g. I want a Purple smokey eye, or dewy-looking skin, etc.) and tell them what your issues have been in the past… Being direct will hopefully get you what you want!

[JessicaAllisonModerator]

I agree with megz about being specific- I’d let her know what you want and what problems you’ve trying to achieve the look on your own. Oh, and don’t be scared to speak up and tell the artist if you don’t like the direction it’s going- you want to feel confident with your look! At the same time, be open to new ideas- you see yourself in the mirror every day and have a certain expectation of what you should look like with makeup on. The MUA will be working off of a blank slate, which is sometimes a good thing.

Also, FYI, I’ve been a professional makeup artist myself for over 15 years, and we got along fine before primers existed Yes, they’re nice for some skin types and concerns (oily skin, large pores) but primer is in no way a necessity and there are plenty of us that know what we’re doing that rarely use it. Just don’t want you to be alarmed if the MUA does your face in a way that’s different than what you’re used to. We all have our own methods, and you have to trust that she knows her brand well enough to know what works best together (ie: most primers and longwearing foundation do not work well together, the primer will actually form a barrier that keeps the foundation from bonding to the skin like it’s designed to).

Good luck & Happy Birthday!!!

[megz196Geek]

@JessicaAllison Sorry, didn’t mean to be offensive to makeup artists! And that’s good to know about long-wearing foundations, would Colorstay fall under that category? I have it but don’t usually love the finish I get, wondering if I should try it without primer…

[JessicaAllisonModerator]

@megz196 oh, no worries dear! I just didn’t want @Justine Marie to worry if she got a MUA that didn’t use it. To answer your question, yes, Colorstay is exactly the type of foundation I mentioned- I actually use it in my kit and I find it works best when the skin is moisturized but not primed. I even like to let the moisturizer sink in for 5-10 minutes before I use the foundation. Then apply section by section, blending as you go

[DollyrottenGeek]

oh, no worries dear! I just didn’t want @Justine Marie to worry if she got a MUA that didn’t use it. To answer your question, yes, Colorstay is exactly the type of foundation I mentioned- I actually use it in my kit and I find it works best when the skin is moisturized but not primed. I even like to let the moisturizer sink in for 5-10 minutes before I use the foundation. Then apply section by section, blending as you go

Agree 100%

I use Colorstay in my kit as well. When and IF I use a primer with Colorstay I’ll use Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive and set with Skindinavia…that foundation isn’t gonna budge for a looooong while.

[Justine MarieGeek]

Thanks gals Can I wear at some foundation when I go in? I have kind of bad skin (redness in some places, a couple blemish scars) and I hate going out in public without some foundation on at least I need new foundation, so I’d like to try out one off theirs when I get there though.

[megz196Geek]

When I got mine done at Sephora, I wore some concealer and they did my foundation there (I couldn’t bring myself to go out with absolutely nothing!)

[ZorbaGeek]

Just echoing what Megz says – when someone else does your makeup for free, you get what you pay for! But you won’t know if you don’t go and “play”. I’ve had makeup done that really came out well, then there was the time I had raccoon eyes. Pretty raccoon eyes, but raccoon eyes nontheless!

Win or lose, you’ll learn something! Being a more-or-less clueless guy, I need all the examples I can get, both positive and negative.

[Author]

Posts