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

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!