MAC Haul

Finally after a long awaited two months since my graduation as a full-fledged pro makeup artist, I received my diploma!  Which means now I can start applying for pro discounts from Mac, MUFE, Face Atelier and other possible pro makeup companies.  The perks!!!

First thing's first, I went downtown to the MAC pro store. They have all sorts of stuff that a regular MAC store does not carry (such as blue and yellow lip colour!  Hello, fashion shoot!).  The great thing about MAC is that they honour my 40% discount on all the purchases I make on the day I hand in my application for my pro card.  So this begins my two hours of that evening. 
 

I don't know if it's necessarily true, but I personally feel that the MUA who work there have more skills than the ones in the other stores or the ones at the Bay.  First of all, I notice that most of the people who work at the pro store tend to be a bit older and generally more experienced.  Funny thing is a few months ago when I went there with Jason, he noticed that almost all the women working there were pregnant.  Just a funny side thing.  Anyways, I asked one MUA (long blonde hair tied back) for her advice on the 'must-have' items for bridal makeup.  Originally, I had asked a MUA at the Richmond store to write me a list of items that would be great for bridal and she came up with a list that seems like I have to buy out all the eyeshadows in the store (hence another reason why I say that they seem to lack experience).  So, I whipped out the list and showed it to Blondie and she was in the process of showing me all the colours and started to help me narrow down to the 'must haves', which was great!  At that point, I started feeling tremendous pain in my stomach, a little nauseous, and light headed.  I cut her off and told her I'd be right back because I was feeling sick.  I'm thinking it's food poisoning from the dimsum I had earlier.  After a good 20 minutes at Blenz Coffee (thank you!!) and Jay waiting outside for me with tea, I felt a bit better.  

Back at the store, Blondie was just leaving because her shift ended so she referred me to another MUA.  This one has been working for 15 years with vast experience.  After my many questions and trying to be decisive, she helped me narrow down to 9 colours based on who it can be used for and which can be mixed to create a different colour (shown in the palette below).  The other four colours were originally already part of my kit from school.  She was so nice in understanding that I was on a budget and was really honest with me, not trying to sell me what I didn't need.  I love all these colours and I can't wait to use them on a bride!  I've already used them quite a few times testing on myself what would look good.  

On top of the eyeshadow palette, I also picked up an orange creme colour corrector (absolutely necessary for Indian makeup), a lutre lipstick called Syrup (very natural shade for brides), and Lashes #42 (for a photoshoot).  I really wanted the Soft and Gentle Mineral Skin Finish but it was quite pricey and the MUA suggested that if I wanted to stay on a budget for now, that I could replace that with one of my eyeshadows named "All that Glitters" (yet another great suggestion!). 

In general, I was really happy with the purchases and I realized that quality does matter.  After having used these, I realized how difficult it was to use certain colours on my Coastal Scent palettes.  They just didn't adhere to the skin the same way.  I don't mean to say that I'm a MAC fanatic.  For example, I've never found a good foundation there before and seems like many people are allergic to them.  There are so many lines of makeup out there and each of them have certain things that are great, even the less expensive drugstore brands.  That ended my first MAC haul and then it was dinner at Benkei Ramen.  Delicious and satisfying!

Much love to Jason who waited for me until he fell asleep and almost fell off the chair o^_^o.  Didn't realize what time it was until I left and realized that the door was locked and it was already past 7 pm.  I must say that I would not have been so patient if he was spending 2 hours looking at toys and other things that I have no interest in.  <3  <3 <3