[lilchocolatema]

(1) B]It took me a month to get my paper processed.[/b]

(2) .Yep, I called every location and introduced myself, gave them my availability, and I began to receive calls for every week! Almost all the counter managers know me now, and I will always get calls b/c of this. Just sell yourself and your love of the product to them, it works!

(3) I would stay FL/OC for awhile to see how it really is. Like we always say, it isn't what its cracked up to be. It's stressful! We have to be magicians, plastic surgeons, shrinks, mothers, and mind readers to our customers! LOL! Not only is that stressful, but making your numbers, booking appointments and all that, it really adds up. Being a FL/OC artist, you don't have all the pressure. But to keep getting jobs, you have to prove yourself, of course. Freelancing has become my main source of income, I work every week for 2-3 days. There is the chance that you can work all the time, then there's the choice that you can not get calls for weeks or months at a time. I wouldn't quit my job to freelance, but try to get all the hours that you can. It's just not stable enough (in the beginning) But, you have a GREAT chance of being offered a perm position. Sell your ass off all the time, always preach Viva Glam, and Beat your face ALL THE TIME. Make the customer want to look just like you! Isn't that how we feel looking at other MA's?!?

(4) I think it takes at least a year to become a manager, but I work mostly at the MAC store, so I know about them. Don't know about counters too much. But I do know that it isn't easy, and being consistent is a huge part.

Hope that helps...its all from personal experience!