So i finally went to the MAC counter...and i'm confused.

[lilsparkle825]

The last time I stopped by the MAC counter was about 2 years ago, and I got my eye makeup done on a whim by a black girl with beauuuutiful skin and makeup. Needless to say I didn't buy anything. Now that I'm in my last year of college and my bank account has grown up a little, I decided to get the liquid foundation I really NEED (MMU is my weakness, but acne meds = flaky skin = big no-no for bareMinerals).

I went in last night and the clear girl at the counter (the girl from last time doesn't work there anymore, sadly) told me I was a NC45 in Studio Fix, so i swatched it on my hand and my forearm to see. She didn't offer to apply it so I gave her the side-eye and went home to try it myself. It looked ok till this morning, when I stepped in front of the mirror I keep by my window and realized I was ORANGE. (I am deathly afraid of my face and neck not matching, especially in the summer when I break out the spaghetti straps and tube tops.) I took it back and got another clear girl who pegged me as an NC42, and this time she actually applied it so I could see. It looks nice, but how do I KNOW for sure that this is it, other than buying them all and standing outside with my foundation brush and some baby wipes?

[MizzBrown]

Stand outside with some foundation brush and wipes! LOL Ask for samples if possible.

What i do is let them do my face, then i will go walk the mall and shop looking at my face in different lighting and store mirrors and then make a decision and go back to the counter.

I remember my first MAC experience. White MUA and she applied my powder and then took me OUT into the mall area to get under the skylight to make sure it matched.

I also hate the artists who act like they dont want to help/touch you. I shouldnt have to apply the tester on myself with you lookin' there watching me. Bad customer service.

[Cholet112]

I agree. The best way is to go in different lighting. My experience with MAC foundations leave much to be desired because they all left me orange as well. I have a new love Make UP forever HD Foundation. The MUA applied three different shades to the lower part of my cheek and the one that disappeared is the one that matches perfectly. Dont swatch your forearm swatch your lower cheek.

[MeWantLongHair]

This post is right on time. I use MAC C8 but no one helped me pick my color. I am almost out and will be making a MAC trip tomorrow but I want to get the RIGHT color! I also want to get a concealer. I am about to search threads so I will know how to pick the right shade :)

[lilsparkle825]

Stand outside with some foundation brush and wipes! LOL Ask for samples if possible.

What i do is let them do my face, then i will go walk the mall and shop looking at my face in different lighting and store mirrors and then make a decision and go back to the counter.

I remember my first MAC experience. White MUA and she applied my powder and then took me OUT into the mall area to get under the skylight to make sure it matched.

I also hate the artists who act like they dont want to help/touch you. I shouldnt have to apply the tester on myself with you lookin' there watching me. Bad customer service.
this was the chick last night all the way...then had the nerve to give me a receipt with a phone number on it to take a survey, talkin about "call this number and tell them how great i was..." they weren't THAT busy, she was talkin to homegirl who sat there for 45 min waiting for a ride :look:

but i have been looking in mirrors in different settings all day...i know i look like a fool doing it. in the car, at CVS (went to get the chafing gel, yayyy), walking through the mall. i just dread when i lose my tan and have to go through this again.

[lilsparkle825]

I agree. The best way is to go in different lighting. My experience with MAC foundations leave much to be desired because they all left me orange as well. I have a new love Make UP forever HD Foundation. The MUA applied three different shades to the lower part of my cheek and the one that disappeared is the one that matches perfectly. Dont swatch your forearm swatch your lower cheek.
we get a sephora this fall! yayyyy

(so till then i am SOL, boooo)

the 2nd girl swatched my lower cheek, actually, so this makes me feel a little better about the color she gave me. i had heard that the arm wasnt too reliable but no one was helping, so...lol

[MizzBrown]

this was the chick last night all the way...then had the nerve to give me a receipt with a phone number on it to take a survey, talkin about "call this number and tell them how great i was..." they weren't THAT busy, she was talkin to homegirl who sat there for 45 min waiting for a ride :look:

but i have been looking in mirrors in different settings all day...i know i look like a fool doing it. in the car, at CVS (went to get the chafing gel, yayyy), walking through the mall. i just dread when i lose my tan and have to go through this again.

IMO, a MUA should be EAGER to help you and want to touch your face as a blank canvas and perform her art.

I remember being in a mall in Atlanta and was overwhelmed by the MUA's who would literally stop me and say "Girl, come here and lemme do your eyes...YES, YOU...lemme try this blush on you...come here so i can do those brows!" LOL...I loved it!

Almost had to tell them to "get off us, we just lookin!"

People don't realize the tanning thing. I've had to switch my stuff around as well because of color changes...You can exchang it when/if you lose your tan as long as you've used less than 40% of the product i believe.

I happily exchanged my concealer when my skin color darkened up and the MUA told me this.

[Tee]

Sounds like you have the right shade. All great advice has been giving. Wear it around the mall and look in different lightening before you buy. (I also go out in the natural light). Trying it on your cheek is best to match your true color.

I change colors from winter to summer; so I keep two different foundations on hand.

[lilsparkle825]

IMO, a MUA should be EAGER to help you and want to touch your face as a blank canvas and perform her art.

I remember being in a mall in Atlanta and was overwhelmed by the MUA's who would literally stop me and say "Girl, come here and lemme do your eyes...YES, YOU...lemme try this blush on you...come here so i can do those brows!" LOL...I loved it!

Almost had to tell them to "get off us, we just lookin!"

People don't realize the tanning thing. I've had to switch my stuff around as well because of color changes...You can exchang it when/if you lose your tan as long as you've used less than 40% of the product i believe.

I happily exchanged my concealer when my skin color darkened up and the MUA told me this.
thanks for the tip...it's already september so hopefully i wont go through this stuff too fast and i can take advantage of this come november or so.

[Curlee_lurker]

I went in last night and the clear girl at the counter (the girl from last time doesn't work there anymore, sadly) told me I was a NC45 in Studio Fix,

That's because they tell every woman of color that they're an NC45. Looking at your pictures that sounds too dark to me. Some of the MAs are total idiots. Sadly I have more luck buying online because of that.

I change colors from winter to summer; so I keep two different foundations on hand.

Yep. Sucks, but if you're lucky you can also mix the two to get the middle road color.

[Diamond75]

In the month of August, I was at the MAC counter 5 times (at 2 different locations). The first time I had my whole face done and the lady used a NC50 concealer and Studio fix.. the only think I liked was the Ambering Rose blush, but I purchased a few things. When I got home to see what she did in my light, the light I am used to, I didn't really like the color. For the last few months I've been using NW45, but now I see that was too red. NC50 seemed too light at times and especially when I just wanted to wear it alone.

Long story short, I've returned and purchased about 3 different mixture of colors for concealer and SF... and everytime the MUA seemed happy to help and work with me and answer my questions. Because my forehead is a little darker than the rest of my face I settled on NC55 Studio Fix and NW40 concealer for most of my face and NC55 concealer for someother spots on my face (and I'm using it on a few marks on my legs..lol).

This is the first time that I am wearing concealer and learning about the different tools and applications to wearing.

I pray my color doesn't change so dramatically in a few months with winter coming.

[LivingDoll]

Yep. Sucks, but if you're lucky you can also mix the two to get the middle road color.

That's what I have to do...I'm a mix of NW45 and NC45...right down the middle. That sucks.