I decided to write this post as a sort of 2016 reflection. I saw something the other day that made the wheels in my little brain start turning. This is a post about my experience as a MAC artist….

I never really thought makeup would land me any kind of career. I have always enjoyed doing makeup (on myself and others), but it didn’t really extend past that. In 2013 I started job hunting. I was currently employed, but “keeping my options open”, if you will. I knew that my current position wasn’t a carerr for me. I was in my senior year of college and wanted a change. Boppin’around Craiglist, I came across a post- “MAC CASTING CALL”. Of course, I opened it up, like “yes, I love makeup. yes I want a career doing peoples’ makeup. yes I am charismatic. I applied. Seriously, I really didn’t think I had a shot at the job. Makeup had only really ben a “fun” thing at that point. Everyone knows a MAC Girl. There was some time of majestic auro associated with the term. And I wanted to be one. I sent in my resume and kind of forgot about it. Well as we know, I did get a call back, went for an interview, got called back for a makeup interview, passed that, and got hired at the Nordstrom Towson location. The whole process took about 1.5 months, I believe. I was in awe. Ecstatic. I was going to be a MAC girl. Like, did my dreams come true???

Now the point of this post is not to tell you all about my experience working for MAC. I want to tell you what I learned and what I gained:

It takes skill to get hired by them., obviously that is why you have to bring a model and do a makeup interview. However, I don’t think I got the job because my skill level was off the charts. I got the job because I had extensive commission-based sales experience, a bubbly personality,  AND I had trainable skill. MAC is comprised of artists that are trainable (they provide continued education and they certify you) and good at selling products. Let’s be real, it’s a cosmetic company, if they didn’t sell their products, they wouldn’t make money. Selling the products was imperative to your success. I knew that going in. I was ok with that–I liked to sell and I was good at it. Not being the best makeup artist was excusable since skill can be taught, being a good seller, cannot. I outsold seasoned artists within my first couple of weeks. We had goals and sales expectations every shift. I thoroughly enjoy sales, but I enjoy makeup more. *que the reflection*

Working at MAC made me realize why I currently do what I do. I LOVE being a freelance artist. My sole focus is my client and the makeup I am applying to their face. I have no expectation other than to provide superb customer service and the desired look. I do not sell anything but myself. Leaving the makeup-retail world allowed me to embrace and enhance the skills I had. I am able to allow my passion for makeup to supersede any other expectation. I love having that power! I don’t want anyone to get the impression that I disliked my job at MAC, because that wasn’t the case. I loved working there. I met a lot of cool people and was able to enhance my skills. I am very grateful for my time there because it allowed me to prioritize my goals as an artist and gain invaluable experience.

It’s delightful to say that all the makeup I book now is based on passion and a commitment to provide great customer service. Even if someone HATED their makeup, they would still probably be pretty confident in saying that they liked me, and that’s what I strive for. Well, not the hating of the makeup part, but you know what I mean!

That’s all I got, ya’ll! Stay tuned for an upcoming post highlighting one of my favorite photographers and my experience with her!!

hugs & kisses

-A

 

 

**there’s probably typos- JUDGEMENT FREE ZONE (think Planet Fitness)

 

BYEEE