MAC Cosmetics pair return to College to share tips working for a top-three global make-up brand

Well, that’s what happened to former York College & University student Charlotte Henshaw, who now works as a Pro Artist for MAC Cosmetics – one of the world’s top-three make-up brands.

Charlotte, 27, has achieved such professional success having been educated for five years at Sim Balk Lane, enrolling in 2014 as a Level 2 Hair & Beauty student and leaving as a graduate from our York School of Art BA (Hons) Media Make-up, Special Effects and Hair Design course.

She is also an Assistant Manager on MAC’s counter at York’s Fenwick store, where another York College alumnus – 19-year-old Kiana Humphreys - now works as a Retail Artist, having only completed her Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up studies last summer.

Kiana has already made her mark with the company – winning the UK and Ireland MAC Masters Artistry competition. 

Both Charlotte and Kiana recently returned to College to deliver a workshop and inspire our current cohort of students, sharing the stories of their inspirational journeys and their invaluable tips on how to progress in the industry.

Please read on to learn more about their time on Campus and experiences with MAC, starting with Charlotte first… 

How did it feel to come back to your old college and deliver a workshop?

It felt very nostalgic and a massive achievement. I always wanted to work for MAC, so it would have been a dream when I was at College to think that I’d be coming back to speak to the current students as a MAC Pro Artist.

We did two different looks – a glamorous, more achievable look for weddings and freelance work and, then, one that was a bit more creative and graphic to showcase the main core products that our artists are drawn to.

I remember somebody coming in and delivering a workshop on body painting when I was at College and also Stuart Bray for Special Effects. It was just amazing and I think it’s really refreshing when somebody comes in from the outside world to show you their first-hand experience in the industry.

It makes you picture yourself going that way and is very inspiring.

Why did you choose to do the courses that you did throughout your five years at York College? 

I always knew I wanted to do something creative and to do with Hair and Beauty and the way I progressed through York College, at the end of each course, I took myself in a slightly different direction.

I started off thinking I might be a Beauty Therapist but, at the end of that first course, I decided I really enjoyed the hairdressing side, so I got the skills as a hairdresser but, then, realised I liked the idea of working in TV and film with creative make-up, so that got me thinking about being a MAC artist again. 

That’s when I switched to Media Make-up, but I’m really glad I followed the pathway I did, because I’ve got the knowledge and experience of Hairdressing and beauty therapy and, then, Media Make-up, so I left with a bit of everything.

Why did you decide to stay at York College right through to degree level?

I like being close to home, so I knew I didn’t want to travel far away to uni, but I knew I wanted to get a degree and be the first in my family to do that. It was a big thing and I’m glad I did it here.

I get asked a lot in the industry where I studied and got my skills and I always tell them York College is where I did all of my learning. The college has got a really good reputation and people can see why.

What were the unexpected skills you acquired at College?

The thing we noticed about the courses, especially with Media Make-up, was the business elements. There was also a lot of written work in addition to practical skills.

It’s important to have those practical skills to shine in the industry, but you also need to be able to manage yourself and your business. You need that business head on you, so I left feeling I was really prepared for industry.

It was such a mixed bag as well, especially with doing Special Effects. We covered everything in the degree and I managed to get some really good start-up experience in wigs, body painting and special effects prosthetics.

What did you enjoy most about College?

I’m very big on team and community and, at College, it felt we had really good relationships with the tutors. They were very easy to talk to and you felt that you could go to them with anything.

Kiana has been at College a lot more recently than me, but she’s told me it’s still the same. There’s a family vibe, where everybody is very friendly and open.

Were there any particular modules or assignments that you particularly enjoyed?

The thing that stood out for me the most was when I did Special Effects for one of my assessments during the degree. My brother did Acting at College and I turned him into a zombie.

I liked the fact that I was turning him into a character, not just applying make-up, so I dressed him up in an American baseball style with the jersey and gave him a bat with nails in it to make it into a weapon. I felt the look that I had created was such a big achievement for me at the time and I love to look back at that image still now. 

How closely do our Inspired Training Salon and Beauty Therapy rooms mirror those outside of College?

The hair salons are so close to real-life industry and they really help prepare you for the real world, because you already know what to expect in terms of the set-up, how everything works and feel comfortable in a setting that you’ve known for so long. The beauty rooms are great for that as well.

How did you secure a job with MAC?

I always looked at the MAC girls and thought, ‘I hope that’s me one day’. I knew, to get into MAC, I needed that experience from College doing Media Make-up and more creative make-up and the sales part as well.

I went to another make-up brand to get that experience and then applied for MAC. I went on to work part-time with MAC alongside my degree at weekends.

It was a busy time, but great experience. Then, when I finished at College, I was looking for full-time work and a full-time position came up in Leeds.

How have you progressed with MAC over the past seven-and-a-half years?

I started out as a Retail Artist in Leeds, which is kind of entry level for MAC. Then, I moved to Harrogate where I was basically solo managing a counter.

That helped me progress into a promotion as a manager back in Leeds and, then, my artistry work had been seen by one of my managers and she asked if I’d done my advanced certifications. I hadn’t but told her I’d love to.

At the time, it wasn’t really common for people up north to get those kinds of opportunities. London was the main place for that but she put me forward because she told me she thought my work was amazing, which just demonstrates the power of social media.

They’d also seen stuff I’d done at College that I’d posted about. I went on to get certified in my advanced skills and became a Pro Artist three years ago. 

I’ve been a full-time counter manager, too, but am now an assistant manager at Fenwick in York as that gives me the chance to attend more events. From being a Pro Artist, I’ve done London Fashion Week for a few seasons and I was at the London Fashion Awards last year as well, where I did the make-up for the nominees and met a few celebs. 

I did the make-up for Stormzy’s sister – the DJ Rachael Anson, who was doing a set there. Ellie Goulding also came into the room because she needed to change her dress! 

I got word vomit and just looked at her and said, ‘Oh my God, your make-up looks amazing. You look gorgeous!”

What are your day-to-day duties with MAC now?

During a typical week, I’m mainly on counter, but I also do a handful events every year. I do make-up appointments, train up the team, support them with sales and serve customers.

What do you enjoy most about working for MAC?

There’s a saying at MAC for people who have worked for the company for a number of years and it’s, ‘Cut me open and I bleed black’, which is our colour. For me, we stand for inclusion and diversity, and the company has lived by that same motto for more than 40 years.

I love that feeling of community. For example, I went to Spain a couple of years ago on a hen do and, at the airport, I thought I’ll have a look at the MAC counter. 

Then, before I knew it, I was having my photo taken with the guy who was working on the counter, because my old trainer was now his trainer in Spain. Wherever you go across the UK or the world, every MAC counter feels like family. You are instantly welcomed in.

What would be your advice for students looking to forge a career in the industry?

Always listen to feedback and learn from your peers. I feel the biggest thing you can do is to stay open-minded and look at how differently other people work so, anywhere that you find yourself alongside people who are experienced in the industry, make sure you gain experience by watching them like a hawk. 

It might not be the way you do things, but it’s worth considering how they do it. You always need to try new things and be experimental. 

Trial and error is such a massive thing. The power of social media is also massive, so never doubt the work you create, just post it and get it out there, because you don’t know who’s going to see it.

When I was at College, it was all about having a portfolio and keeping that book up to date, but social media can be your portfolio now and so many people can see it. The biggest standout for me with social media was, a few Halloweens ago, I posted a couple of looks and, before I knew it, I was getting reposted by MAC in Italy, America and France! 

They were all wanting to use my work and, as a budding professional who had just got into the industry, that was massive. It’s also a great way to reflect on your previous work and I still look at posts from when I was at College. It’s nice to see how far you have come on your journey.

And, now, switching to you Kiana...

How did it feel to come back to your old college and deliver a workshop?

It was a bit nerve wracking, because it was my first masterclass, but it felt good to be back at College and I felt prepared for it.

I remember we had people from Laura Mercier in when I was a student and they were very inspiring. It was nice to show the students how far I have come since leaving College and show them what they could do as well.

Why did you choose to do the course that you did?

I’ve always been in to make-up. Also, looking at the course and seeing how it was hair and make-up combined, I knew being able to do both is a big part of the industry.

It was really good and the people here want you to achieve your best. The tutors really push you to be your own person and encourage you to be creative by finding your own style and doing what you want to do. They don’t just shove you in a box.

There’s plenty of opportunity to explore and discover your potential. The teaching is really good and all the facilities are up to standard to set you up for industry.

How did you secure a job with MAC?

I’d just completed my Level 2 in Hair and Media Make-up and, then, I saw a part-time job opportunity come up with MAC, so I just applied for it. It was really helpful that I’d acquired the skills I had at College, and I’ve been with the company for two years now, because I was working for MAC part-time, alongside being at College. 

I was doing three days a week at College and three days at MAC and it was really interesting to take the tips I Iearned at College and apply them to my work.

What were the highlights of your time at College?

In the second year, we had to create a whole look combining hair and make-up together. I also enjoyed the competitions when we did period and fantasy hair and designs.

Tell us a bit more about the competition that you won?

It was for the whole of the UK and Ireland. There were five different winners over the five weeks and I was one of them. 

The theme was Viva Glam, which is our charity lipstick and supports different organisations. I had to create a look and concept based on that. 

I chose Racial Equality and what that meant to me and how the brand supports inclusivity. 

What are your day-to-day duties with MAC now?

I still work three days a week in Fenwick on counter and doing make-up appointments with regular clients. Outside of work, I freelance as well.

How does it feel working with another former York College student in Charlotte?

It’s great. We bonded over York College and our manager Laura also did night courses here.

What do you enjoy most about working for MAC?

No day or client is the same and I enjoy that variety. You get new experiences every day.

What would be your advice for students looking to forge a career in the industry?

It can be quite intimidating just being let free to get on with things, but I’d definitely advise trying to get on a counter and get some experience with any brand. Also, put yourself out there on social media and appreciate the value of word-of-mouth recommendations.

You can check out Charlotte and Kiana’s work by visiting their Instagram accounts - @charhenshaw_artistry and @kiana_artistry

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