I’ve been obsessed with this beauty brand for as long as I can remember, so imagine my excitement when I found out that they were opening a space dedicated to artistry in New York… I just had to go.
Located on the Upper East Side, the MAC Cosmetics Makeup Studio is a grown-up’s playground filled with hundreds of eye, lip and face products at your mercy. And forget fighting your way to the testers… the vibe here is much more laid back – it’s all about the experience.
Makeup counters are notorious for their bad lighting, but you won’t see any of that here. In fact, you’ll spot a blend of cool and warm tones inside that imitate natural light and provide an even spread of light across the face without shadows. Your selfies have never looked so good.
If you’ve ever wanted to master contouring or a dark smokey eye, then a Focus Feature makeup application (from US$10) is your calling. It’s a one on one appointment with an Artist, where their sole job is to teach you a trend of your choice. Running for as little as 10 minutes, it’s the solution for gals that want to get something right – quick smart. One trend that I find tricky to do on myself (and I’ve been trying for years!) is the winged eyeliner look. Too high of a flick, and I end up looking comical; too low and it drags my features down and I end up looking super sleepy. The secret behind the look, as I learned at my Focus Feature lesson, was to etch a line outwards, following the same angle of your lower lashline. Easier said than done – I’ll have to keep practicing at home.
MAC is also well known for their full face applications, and this is something they also offer at the Makeup Studio. It’s perfect for brides or other special occasions, where you need a makeover and want to get in on some professional advice too. At US$90 for 90 minutes, you can’t go wrong with this option for your big day.
One thing that caught my eye was their Makeup Party service – where dreams do come true. Book a VIP room, and bring up to six besties along to learn about two focus features of your choice, for US$50 for 90 minutes, per person. Sounds like the perfect Christmas party to me (hint, hint).
M.A.C. Cosmetics is located at 825 Lexington Ave, at 63rd Street, New York. Click here for more information.
