• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

MAC Seminar

February 20th, 2007 by Karen 3 Comments

mac-cosmetics-logo

On Saturday I went to a MAC seminar held at the Corte Madera Nordstrom. It was really fun and I learned a lot.

I found out about it earlier in the week from one of the MAC makeup artists. You reserve your spot by paying $50 beforehand, and at the end of the class you can use that $50 toward MAC makeup purchases. I already knew that I was going to spend about $50 on a few goodies from the new Barbie Loves MAC collection (see yesterday’ss post for pictures of my loot!) so I figured I might as well take the class and learn something new.

There were 45 women at the seminar, all different colors and ages. We all met at the MAC counter at 3:00 and then were whisked off into the inner belly of Nordstrom. Each person got a goody bag filled with samples of Studio Moisture Fix SPF 15 and Green Gel Cleanser, Barbie Loves MAC postcards, a mini technique book and a blank face chart to take notes. The instructor, a bubbly blonde who cracked a lot of funny jokes, looked exactly like Scarlett Johansson. At the beginning of class she picked three ladies from the audience to be her models. She asked us what three topics we wanted to cover. She used the first model to demonstrate the new Mineralize Skinfinish Foundation and Powders, the second to create an “open” eye with the Barbie Loves MAC collection, and the third to create a simple smoky eye.

I like how the instructor used an interactive class format to teach the class. She let us ask a lot of questions while she did the demonstrations — I must’ve asked “What brush are you using?” about four times and she always answered patiently. There seemed to be a lot of makeup newbies in the class as well, and one girl in particular kept asking questions that didn’t make sense, and the instructor was very good about clarifying the question so that she could give her a good answer.

But after the instructor completed the first demo using the Mineralize Skinfinish Foundation, it started to get a little hard to focus on what she was teaching. During the second tutorial on how to create an open eye, she would point out what product she was using and then two MAC makeup artists started to walk around the room with the products. If you wanted the product you’d raise your hand, and then they’d give you one to put in your goody bag for purchase at the end of the class.

I have a one-track mind so this was very distracting, because the makeup artists would sometimes walk in front of the teacher or block my view so I couldn’t always focus on what the instructor was saying. I’m also a terrible impulse buyer. I can see why a situation like this could end up being a hot financial mess of makeup overspending if I was in the mood for it. I actually did buy lipstick and Lipglass on impulse, but in an amazing and rare feat of self-restraint, I managed to pass on the Fit+, Strobe Cream, Mineralize Skinfinish Foundation and Whistle eye shadow.

I do like that the class was essentially free because I had planned on buying at least $50 worth of Barbie Loves MAC products. But while I did learn a few new tricks and some creative ways to use the newest MAC products, the seminars can end up burning a hole in your pocketbook if you are an impulse buyer. If I go again, I’m going to in with a list of specific products to purchase, no credit cards, and a set amount of cash so I won’t be tempted to overspend.

If you are interested in MAC seminars you should ask the makeup artists at your local counter. Try it, but keep in mind you might be tempted to overspend because the instructors will show you lots of cool ways to use the products!

MAC Seminar / Originally published February 20th, 2007

There are 3 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: MAC Makeup

Previous Post: Barbie Loves MAC
Next Post: A Cheaper Alternative to ProActiv Solution

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liz says

    July 20th, 2007 at 10:21 am

    besides going to your local counter, how can i find out about local MAC seminars in New Jersey?

    Reply
  2. Karen says

    July 20th, 2007 at 10:53 am

    Hi Liz,

    Thanks for stopping by. If you have a Nordstrom (or any other high-end store) nearby, you can go onto their website and usually they post their upcoming beauty events for the month. For example, on the Nordstrom web site you go to the “our stores” link on the site, enter your state and zip, and voila – they’ll list the stores within a certain radius and each will have their beauty events listed. They make it really easy to spend your money on MAC, LOL! You can also go to the MAC web site, hit the “Find Stores” link, enter your info, and then check the box which says “show stores with local events.” I love these seminars ’cause you learn a lot but I warn you – unless you have a lot of self control it can be easy to drop lots of $$$$$. Go in with a budget and some will power and have fun!

    Karen

    Reply
  3. Gigi says

    December 29th, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    Hi! I was wondering if you acually got to do any makeup or did everyone just watch? Thanks

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

SHOP THE STORE


Long Live Lipstick Tee 💄



Blush Is My Crush Tee



Mascara & Kitties Tee



Thank You For Being a Friend Tee



You Hair Me Tee


Recent Posts

mac studio waterweight powder pressed 2

This or That: The Face Powder Edition

laura mercier 2021 face of the day

A Polished Daytime Makeup Look With Gunmetal Gray Liner, Lightly Defined Taupe-Brown Lids and a Whole Lotta Laura Mercier ❤️

you have so much to look forward to

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 674

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 655

sumo citrus in hand

Saturday Surfing, April 17, 2021

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

red brown smokey eyes tutorial top pic 2

A Glamorously Grungy Makeup Tutorial: Smoky Reddish Brown Eyes and Vampy Matte Lips [MODERATE SKILL LEVEL]

Copyright © 2021 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.