MAC Cosmetics is jumping on the mineral bandwagon with it’s newest Colour Craft make-up collection.  This Fall collection (yes, Fall in 100 degree temperatures!) features mineral eyeshadow, marbleized blushes and face powders and with so many choices, there is something for everyone.   The wet/dry eye shadows (four colors in one pan for 19.50!) and tri-color face powders are collection standouts for their beauty and versatility.

For make-up artist Codie LePors, MAC’s Colour Craft Collection will always have a very special place in her heart.  Codie is a MAC feature artist at Dillard’s Park Plaza in Little Rock, Arkansas and created “Madly Creative,” one of the looks from the collection.  Codie’s design was chosen from thousands of submissions and is featured on the MAC website and at MAC counters all over the country.  I had a chance to catch up with Codie and ask her about her start in the beauty biz, her “Madly Creative” look and some of her fave beauty products.

Southern Beauty:  Codie, how did you get your start in the beauty business?

Codie LePors:  I got my start like a lot of people did… I did my friends make-up in school and decided that’s what I really like.  I went to cosmetology school when I turned 20, but took the makeup route instead.  I remember seeing a hairstylist that came to the school to do a training.   I remember her having on all MAC make-up and thought “you know what, I think that is what I want to do”. 

SB:  Is this your first look (face chart) that has been published?

CL:  Yes.  There are always face charts from artists submitted from around the world. I have always wanted my face chart to be in there.  Hopefully I will get some more in there. It’s amazing.  I feel lucky.

SB:  What inspires you to create these different looks?

CL:  Fashion Blogs, Fashion Magazines, Celebrities.  I get a lot of inspiration from clients and other artists.  I go on websites on a daily basis, getting inspiration from fashion and inspiration for looks.  For the ‘Madly Creative’ look, I wanted a smoky eye and I wanted it to be a soft,  smoky that anyone can wear .  You can also make it a little more stronger if you want to make it a little more dramatic.

SB:  Can you give us some tips on how to achieve the ‘Madly Creative’ look?

CL:  When creating a smoky eye, I always recommend applying your foundation and concealer after you have a done your eyes.  With a smoky eye, 99% of the time you are going to get eye shadow ‘fall out’ underneath your eyes and it’s pretty much a waste if you already have concealer and foundation on because the shadow will fall onto that.  So just do your eyes first, wipe off any fallout  underneath the eye, then apply your foundation and concealer.  Another tip is to use MAC’s Smolder Eye Kohl to create a very smoky, kind of messy look.  Even though it is a pencil, you can use it on the lid as a shadow as well as a liner. 

SB:  Is there a particular look or aesthetic you are drawn to? 

CL:  Right now I am really enjoying this messy smoky look and I am enjoying more natural make-up too.  On myself I still like to rock it with more dramatic shades, but I have been enjoying working with clients with more natural looks and colors.  I also find that it is more challenging to do natural make-up that dramatic make-up.  Let me explain, with dramatic make-up you instantly have color pay-off, and with dramatic you can be chunky with the look and don’t have to be so blended.  With natural make-up you have to be careful with placement.  You can overdo the shimmer it can be a hot mess real quick. 

SB:  What products are you into right now?

CL:  I’m a primer addict right now so I am trying everything.  Everyone should use primer absolutely.  It makes your foundation look amazing.  Skincare and primer… you have to have it to create that flawless look.

<<<<< Create the messy-smoky look:

1>  Apply a MAC paint pot  (highly pigmented cream eyeshadow) all over the lid. 

2>  Use MAC’s Smolder Pencil all along the lash line and smudge it out with MAC’s 219 brush

3>  You can even draw that pencil out all over the lid, even if it’s messy, it’s so creamy you can buff it with a brush.

4>  From there, just pack color on top whether its one of the Color Craft Quads, a black eyeshadow.  Pro Tip:  You can even use a bright eyeshadow over the black smolder pencil base. 

Codie LePor’s MAC Must Haves: 

• Foundation:  Studio Fix Fluid
• Brush:  #217 (Blending Brush for the Eye)
• Mascara:  Dazzle Lash
• Lipstick:  Cremesheen Lipstick in Creme Cup (light blue pink)

See more of MAC’s Colour Craft Collection at select Dillard’s and at www.maccosmetics.com