About a job at mac.

[FatalxDoll]

Ive been lurking the site for a while but never really knew what to say, so this is my first post.

Im only 15 right now and ive been wondering how old you have to be to work at mac..

I would also like to know if you need any previous experience, even if you know how to apply makeup well

I would really appreciate your help :]

 

[MisStarrlight]

18...and yes.

It's highly unlikely that you will be hired at MAC, as your first job, straight out of HS without any training/prior retail experience...especially here in NYC. That is, unless you know the right people/apply at the right time.

 

[FatalxDoll]

Thank you :]

 

[MACActress]

I'm 16, and it's definitley my dream pre/during college job =) And if it doesn't work out, my plan is to get a job at Nordstrom, so proximity to the makeup is cleansing for the soul =P

 

[FatalxDoll]

lol, my dream job is deff mac. my mom keeps telling me i cant do it forever but i cant think of anything that i would want to do instead.

 

[Shimmer]

As you age/mature you'll have a different opinion.
It's probably a decent job, and one that many many people enjoy doing, but ultimately it's a retail job, and retail blows.

 

[giz2000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimmer As you age/mature you'll have a different opinion. It's probably a decent job, and one that many many people enjoy doing, but ultimately it's a retail job, and retail blows.

I could not agree with you more...if you do it for yourself, and get into the movie/tv/theater industry, you'll be doing pure makeup...no selling required...and yes, retail DOES blow!

 

[claresauntie]

Use it as a launching pad!

 

[FatalxDoll]

Yea, my mom and i had a conversation about that yesterday after i told her about the response i got on the post, she said that workign there all my life would be a good idea, and ive realized i wouldnt want that either. as claresauntie said, i should use it as a launching pad.

Thank you guys :]

 

[NikkiHorror]

Yeah, a career in makeup definatley has a sort of ladder-effect. You have to start out at the lowest of the low, take baby steps, and prove yourself at every point before you can go anywhere awesome. Oh, and I don't mean to say your mom is wrong, but you can seriously do makeup your whole working life (well, until you're 65 and your hands are shaky.) There's a certain percentage (like 89% or something) of people in the world that don't enjoy their work. Makeup artists don't fit into that statistic

I too, someday aspire to be with MAC. However, when I walk into a MAC Store or counter, I see women mostly around 25 or older that are working there. Most have come a long way to get where they're at, and that's why they're so respected and confident. What I'm saying is I don't want to rush myself, and you shouldn't either. By the time I am with MAC I want to be confident that I'm close to being the best I can be. I want to have an outstanding portfolio, impressive resume, and be exactly what they want: a GREAT makeup artist. As you're working for other cosmetics companies, always keep MAC as the light at the end of your tunnel.

The way I'm doing it is starting out with smaller lines, and gaining sales experience and technique. After I feel like I'm good, I'll work with photographers to get TFCD/TFP shoots to start building my portfolio to show. After working with two or three lines or stores for about a year each, I'll probably feel like I'm ready to take on MAC, and sky's the limit when you're with them! You'll get paid more and be more in demand for wedding makeup, get to do fashion shows through the company, and whoever you want to get hired with after that will most likely hire you. MAC has the best training in the industry and is the epitome of perfection to people who seek your skills.

My advice is just to take it slow, be patient with transfers and promotions, and always ALWAYS do your absolute best from the beginning of your makeup career to the end.

 

[FatalxDoll]

Nikkihorror thank you soo much.

im confused. its what i really want to do. i read somewhere here that they get paid about 15 dollars an hour. and i counted it up and my mom said that wouldntbe realistic for ME to work at mac cause apartments are so expensive here so are cars and clothing and stuff.

btw. i have seen your posts before on other threads. and i just wanted to say i think ur really pretty and super talented :]

 

[littlemakeupboy]

I think you can turn it into a career and if not at least its a good place to grow
I started with m.a.c almost two years ago
I didn't have MUCH training because I had just started cosmetology school,but my boss loved the makeup applications that I did and decided to basically take a chance on me I guess
In these two years I've grown alot as an artist and as a person too
I see myself with m.a.c for quite some time,the pay is good and they treat their employees well

I say start practicing now,Get some inspiration online and try to recreate looks,but also come up with your own,take pictures,create a whole look a document it,then you can build a portfolio
the face is a canvas that you can create however you want

Alot of people have been saying mac doesn't care about artistry and only sales,but that's changed

I love my job,I went to college and hated it,dropped out and started cosmo school and got a well paying job that i LOVE before I even graduated

 

[FatalxDoll]

Thank you so much :]

 

[littlemakeupboy]

no problem love

 

[NikkiHorror]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carpediemmang Nikkihorror thank you soo much. im confused. its what i really want to do. i read somewhere here that they get paid about 15 dollars an hour. and i counted it up and my mom said that wouldntbe realistic for ME to work at mac cause apartments are so expensive here so are cars and clothing and stuff. btw. i have seen your posts before on other threads. and i just wanted to say i think ur really pretty and super talented :]

Hey, you're welcome!!

I think knowledge is so valuble, especially in this industry. Whatever we can share with each other is so important. I'm here for you!

And it looks to me like you're not confused; you obviously know what you want!

That's AWESOME! Alot of people change their majors in college an average of 5 times before they decide what they want. I went to fashion school and dropped out because I found out I hated the technical part of it, the sewing and patternmaking and stuff. I love every part of makeup. If I could turn back the clock, I would use all of my college money to go to cosmetology school and learn everything: hair, skin and makeup.

When you work in cosmetics, you usually get paid anywhere from $12/hr-$25/hr, sometimes plus comission, depending on experience and position (e.g. if you're just a makeup artist or if you're a counter manager, store manager, etc.). Think of that compared to minimum wage jobs at $8.00/hr (CA) working at Taco Bell. It is a very realistic job. You can always live at home while you start work, or rent out an apartment with one or two roomates to help you share living costs. I used to get paid about $15/hr, plus comission at my old job and I share an apartment with my husband. We split the cost of everything right down the middle, and I always have alot of money left over for everything we need, and more. Don't give up hope, and don't let others talk you out of your dreams, it's not healthy. You could be the next Kabuki or Eve Pearl!

 

[kimmy]

they generally won't hire someone without retail experience. let me tell you, in retail...having retail experience is huge. people will be complete assholes to you, and they'll treat you like dirt. they want to know that you can handle that before they hire you, and previous retail experience is the only way to prove you can.

i don't know what laws are in New York, but i know here in California you can get a work permit at 16 and go get a job, so i'd suggest getting a part time retail job as soon as you can

and start building your portfolio now! you have 3 years to make an epic portfolio and a good portfolio is going to get you some major points when you walk up to that counter and hand the manager a resume that says you have retail experience under your belt AND that strong portfolio!

 

[NikkiHorror]

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE ANTHEM and start building your portfolio now! you have 3 years to make an epic portfolio and a good portfolio is going to get you some major points when you walk up to that counter and hand the manager a resume that says you have retail experience under your belt AND that strong portfolio!

Yes, yes yes!!! Start working in retail ASAP (anything to do with fashion or the beauty industry), work on that portfolio and in a few years blow them outta the water with your skeeeEELz!! Make MAC say: "We MUST have this girl!"

 

[FatalxDoll]

AW, you guys are great. thats for the support lol.

You can have a job in nyc at the age of 15 just, in my area i cant find anythign interesting to do. the only thing that comes to mind is the petco they are opening 3 blocks away lol

oh and since u guys rock so much, do u know any 1 giving lessons in nyc. that would be wonderfull.

and about the portfolio thing, i take pics almost every day, so i think if i look thro my pics i can find some good makeupones.

:]

 

[MisStarrlight]

MAC in NYC pays a bit more than $15, but if you go to Macy's Herald Square or Saks or some other ritzy midtown store-other lines pay up to like $25...While MAc is wonderful, and definitely the most fun, it's not the be-all-end-all of retail cosmetics. Keep your goal in mind, but don't block out other options.

Which part of the city are you in? And what type of lessons are you looking for? Just someone to sit you down & show you things, or an assistant/apprentice thing?

 

[FatalxDoll]

Im in brooklyn. Like 10 mins away from kinsborough college. and im looking for some 1 to just sit down and show me some stuff. to help me improve. like tips and stuff.