HELLO BEAUTIES!
After receiving tens of thousands of hits and about hundreds of emails, my MAC interview and MAC Hiring Experience posts are very popular here on the blog. So I figured it was time to come to you all with an update. I first would like to say how happy/proud I am for those who have landed a job at MAC and took the time to email me, comment or find me on Instagram to thank me for those posts. If you find yourself here on this post, this is MY experience and it should not sway you to leave your job at MAC in any way. I mean, if that's what YOU want to do, go ahead. You may have been wanting to do so for a long time. Just make sure the decision you make is because its truly what you want to do.
Before I get into why, here's the back story...
I believe the first time I thought about being a Makeup Artist was during my very first visit to a MAC Counter in 2011. The artist that helped me was very nice, and she matched my foundation perfectly. I had never wore foundation before so when she put it on, like any makeup newbie I was stunned at how good it looked. I loved how I felt, the artist, the environment, everyones individual style, etc. So, I said to myself, "I'm going to work here!"
So I went home and pulled out the one palette I had and got to work. Like any makeup artist, when I go and look back at those pictures that I proudly posted on Facebook with 12,000 colors on my eyelid, I want to scream. (LOL) I just want to take this time to call all my friends out for not being there for me and letting me know that I looked a hot mess.
Any-who, I knew that I wanted to work for MAC and I knew in order to do so I must come correct. So I dedicated my time to mastering all skin types and tones so that I would be ready for any one who came to my counter (when I got the job). Problem is, I'm a perfectionist and it took 2 years of me playing in makeup to get the courage to apply for mac. What's interesting is during that 2 years, I had gained a following as an Artist and Blogger. I didn't NEED to work at MAC anymore, however I still wanted to. No matter how many people told me I was "big time now because I did a magazine cover with Porsha Stewart now Williams" (so not big time) I didn't care. Even though I had work, I decided to apply anyway. No matter what I had done, the reason why I began playing in makeup was because I wanted to be a MAC Girl. The way I looked at it, I hadn't done what I set out to do, meaning I had accomplished nothing...or at least not the original goal at hand. I had to prove to myself that I could do it, and I did.
Working for MAC...
...was fun! Not at all what I expected, but definitely fun. It was nothing I imagined it to be. I was warned by other MAC heads, but I didn't listen. When it comes relationships/experiences, no matter what any one tells me about an individual or place of business I don't take their word for it. I like to find out on my own. So what did I discover?
- I loved working as a freelancer. I never wanted to be a full time artist because of how much time they require you to be at the store.
- Freelancers don't get any kind of training. You're just thrown in with no life jacket. Forcing you to catch up and keep up...QUICK.
- Mac isn't about the "ART", it was about sales. I don't mind selling, I just didn't like that 9/10 women left disappointed because they hated their makeup. Those artists knew how to sell, but some couldn't paint at all. This was really hard for me to deal with.
- Mac requires a lot of time during the holidays. With me having two little kids, this was non-negotiable. If I didn't have anything to fall back on I would've been sad, but I would've worked. But because I had my own business to fall back on, I refused to work holidays. This won't get you fired, but as a freelancer less hours will be handed to you if you always seem unavailable, especially during the holidays.
- I didn't need to stay to keep/get a discount as I already had 40% off with my pro card.
These are just a few of my pros and cons...
Working for MAC was difficult for me because I already had my own makeup career going on outside of the store. On top of like I said, having 2 kids under the age of 2 and a husband recovering from a life threatening illness. Unlike most artists there (no shade at all), I was working as a Makeup Artist outside the counter. Not everyone has to or prefers to, this is just what I had going on at the time. I was use to setting my own hours, working when I wanted to and charging what I wanted to charge. Also, after working with Lelee of SWV (90's R&B Legends for my young readers) for their reality show, she was requesting my services outside of the show. So I was like hmmm, do I go to the counter or do I go to Lelee. I could never do both, because I had to get home to my kids. I could go on forever. Point is I left because life was happening around me and I didn't want to miss it.
All this to say, my main reason for no longer being on the schedule at MAC is because I have a family. I had to chose between MAC and my pro career that was beginning to take off. Could I have done both, definitely! However, I was not willing to spend that much time away from my family. Now that my kids are older and in school/daycare, It would be easier to return. However, I still have an issue with working holidays, (oh yeah!) and Saturdays as I'm a Sabbath keeper, and at this point in my life its not needed. I do miss it though! I met some amazing people, learned a lot, and accomplished my original goal as a makeup artist.
If life turns on me to where I need to go back, I can and will! This is why I'll remain listed on as a freelancer. The last shift I worked at MAC was about a year ago.
Please share your MAC experiences with me below. ESPECIALLY if you have a family! How do you balance the demands of the job and still be present for your family?
Thanks for reading...
<3 Bee
Labels: mac cosmetics, Mac Discounts, MAC Freelancer, Quit MAC Cosmetics, Why I quit Mac Cosmetics
