Interview with Juli, MAC Freelance Make Up Artist

Temptalia had the opportunity to speak with makeup artist Juli (age 29) who works as a freelancer for MAC. She has been working as a makeup artist for nine years, with the past year and a half at MAC. Juli has two certificates; one in Applied Cosmetics and another in Makeup Artistry (including paramedica, camouflage, theatrical, and special effects).

Temptalia: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?
Juli: How shy people are to try new things. Part of why I love makeup so much is because it’s always new: new colours, new formulations and new ways to put things together.

Temptalia: When did you first fall in love with makeup?
Juli: I think I was about 5 and a neighbour girl did myself and her little sister up in her clothes and makeup for a “fashion shoot” and I couldn’t believe how pretty I felt! After that I wouldn’t leave makeup alone.

Temptalia: What do you consider “beauty” to be?
Juli: To me, beauty is anything that catches the eye in a pleasing way. It can be anything from makeup and clothing to the way the sunlight reflects off of a lake. It’s such a personal thing.

Be sure to check out the rest of the interview,

Temptalia: What feature do you love to accentuate?
Juli: The eyebrows. They’re such a great frame and really finish a look.

Temptalia: Do you love working any specific brands or lines?
Juli: I do love MAC, and I used so many of their products for years before working for them, but some of my other favourite brands are Christian Dior for lip products, Chanel and Urban Decay for eyeshadow and Lush for skincare. I love anything with a good colour payoff and fun colour choices, brands that aren’t afraid to do something different.

Temptalia: How do you relax after a long day?
Juli: I curl up with my cats and a book, or play some online games.

Temptalia: What advice do you have for those wanting to become a makeup artist? Play!!! Do all the makeup you can on everyone you can. There’s only so much that can be taught in theory, the rest is all practice. If you think something might be too difficult, dive in. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, it washes off!

Temptalia: What are three important skills required to be a makeup artist?
Juli: Creativity, an experimental streak and good listening skills.

Temptalia: Could you share your three beauty tips you could not live without?
Juli: 1) Invest in brushes, they make so much difference. 2) Take good care of your skin. 3) Be confident in what you have on. If you’re not comfortable with how you look, no matter how good it looks to everyone else, that’s going to shine through like a beacon.

Temptalia: What’s in your makeup bag right now?
Juli: Zoomblack Mascara, Light Mystery Powder, Opal Lusterglass, and Shush! Tendertone

Temptalia: What does your 10-minute look consist of?
Juli: I use a mineral powder all over my face, a shimmery blush, lipgloss, mascara and eyeshadow on my brows.