MAC Must have Essentials

[check out my post below for Makeup for Sale!] anyone want a MAC 12 eyeshadow palette? $14, let me know if you're interested.

Hi everyone! I'm making a post about your must have MAC products (if you ever choose to buy MAC products, or don't know what to buy or wondering what you will buy next)

First off, brushes, you don't have to get them all but here are the ones you should really keep an eye for (these are my own recommendations and I also have all of them, hope this benefits someone!)

For Face
1) Buffer Brush (182) [perfect for pressed foundation (i use chanel's)]

2) Blush Brush (116) [picks up so much pigment]

3) Powder Brush (129)[perfect for mineral foundation (for me at least)] (you should get the bigger powder brush in 134 if you can)

4) Duo Fibre Brush (187) i love the smaller 188 too[perfect for my msf, others use it for foundation, mineral foundation that is [tip:spray fix+ on it and then use the mineral foundation, goes on sooooo smoothely]]

5) Concealer Brush (194)

For Eyes

6) Eye Blending Brush (223) [i use this for pigments, it goes off to smoothly because it's synthetic]

7) small angled brow brush (208) [i use this as an eyeliner using eyeshadow and sealant too!]

8) small angle brush (266) [can't live without this....it's synthetic, goes on soooooo smooth, use it with blacktrack]

9) small angled shader brush (272) [use for eyeshadows]

10) medium angled shading brush (275) [i like to use this for highlighting]

11) large shader brush (249) [i use this for paintpots, love it!]

12) eye shading brush (239) (you don't reallllly need this, because you could also use the 249, but i love this eyeshadow brush nonetheless)

13) tapered blending brush (222) [a little more stiffer than the 224 blending brush (which i really like, so it doesn't poof out like the 224 as much)

14) precision pencil brush (219) [i use this for the outer-v contour, you could also use a flat brush to do so while you're opening your eyes too, but i love this!, also you could use it as an eyeshadow brush

For Lips

14) small shader brush (231) (i use this for lips, lipstick and lipgloss, it's typically used for eyes, but works so well as a lip brush!)

MAC Trend Report

(a friend sent this to me) probably from mac website.
just thought you guys might be interested!

MAKEUP APPLICATION AND PRODUCTS
Right now I love the following combination in very sheer coats, it looks like magic to me: Fix+, Studio Moisture Fix, Face and Body Foundation applied with a 187 Brush, Select Moisturecover Concealer applied with a 222 Brush, set with Loose Blot Powder using a 136 Brush and a very sheer coat of Mineralize Skinfinish Natural. The key is to apply very little of each of those products to create flawless but natural-looking skin.Luc B, M·A·C Senior Artist, United StatesMy number one rule is to not over-prep the skin! I find if I do too much massaging and buffing and priming and prepping the skin becomes too slick. A little dab will do ya is always a good rule of thumb.Victor C, M·A·C Senior Artist, United States

Exfoliate skin at least two times per week to increase cell rejuvenation and help provide a natural glow. Wear SPF sunscreen everyday. Liberally massage and layer different moisturizers to plump up the surface cells and increase natural glow. Often, I like to add Strobe Cream to highlight the high planes of the face.Jane M, M·A·C Senior Artist, United States

ON THE SET
When prepping your model's skin, start by touching the skin and exploring all areas of the face. Go through the skincare rolodex in your brain to determine what will give you the finish you desire. Always carry primers and Fix+ to help hydrate the skin.Caitlin C, M·A·C Senior Artist, CanadaWhen working backstage, do not spend your time taking part in idle chit chat while waiting for models; find out which models are in hair, which ones will be arriving late, or which ones may have special needs…the first assistant is always a source of information when it comes to finding out the status of “the list”. Bianca A, Directory of Makeup Artistry, New YorkBefore you apply the makeup to your model, have a conversation with the photographer about the lighting conditions for the shoot. Doing so will result in your model's makeup looking extraordinary in the photographs. By knowing the lighting, you can evaluate things like how much shine you want on the skin and what contouring should be done.Paul Innis, Makeup Artist

FASHION AND TREND
Creating flawless skin makes people look that healthy and so much more beautiful that the colors we put on become of secondary importance as the person looked beautiful already. To me, the skin is my main focus. With Face and Body Foundation, I always give the perfect and natural finish I want.Beatriz C, M·A·C Senior Artist, MexicoWith foundation application, less is more. Start with a transparent finish and keep layering as needed. I like to start from the center of the face and spread the foundation outwards in long strokes.Fred V, M·A·C Senior Artist, United StatesTraditional trends in beauty in other outside global cultures provide an ample source of ideas on using color and texture in body adornment.Bianca A, Directory of Makeup Artistry, New York

MANAGING YOUR CAREER
To me, a great artist is someone that is constantly striving to perfect their art. I have seen amazingly talented Makeup Artists and Photographers stop evolving whe they thought they found their best way of doing things. They then become stale and even what they did best becomes just a routine production. Always strive to do better and you will.Luc B, M·A·C Senior Artist, United StatesDo as many test shots as possible to build industry contact and a strong portfolio.Gina B, M·A·C Senior Artist, United StatesIt's difficult to really tell someone how to start out because it depends on where you are and what kind of work you want to do. Many of the best makeup artist I know have started their careers right at M·A·C, or try an accredited makeup school. Either way, you'll need to create a portfolio with quality professional images. Start by contacting photographers and model agencies and prepare to do some work for prints or jpg images. Wedding and special events can be a good place to make money while building your book. Remember that you will need to decide what your areas of strength are and what suits the demographic. Research agencies and see if you can meet for an introduction or post your work on a website portfolio or networking site like Model Mayhem, Myspace or Facebook. Be open to feedback and keep your images updated.Jenn K, M·A·C Senior Artist, United States