Sushi Blumen

I purchased my MAC Cleanse Off Oil from a CCO about 2 years ago (it’s in the discontinued old packaging, too). I used it off and on until I started using MAC Wipes, then it has been pretty much just sitting around. I would use it to remove makeup when I did swatches on my arms, and other small things like that.

Today I needed to remove my paint pot swatches, so I picked up my bottle of Cleanse Off Oil, and O M G!!!

It was filled with white particulate that would not go away even if I shook it. Pretty gross, eh? I had NO idea what it is, or if it’s a normal thing that happens with this product after a few years. (I have makeup remover from Mary Kay that is 5 years old, and this hasn’t happened to it so, I’m not sure it’s normal, unless MAC uses something weird.)

I figured it wasn’t worth it to keep it around (I think I’ll pick up some cheap remover at Walmart for washing off my swatches and other tasks not worthy of the all holy MAC Wipes). So down the drain it went… the oil portion poured out normally, but all the white stuff created this semi thick milky substance that was a pain in the butt to wash out of the bottle. Even with soap it seemed to resist?!

So on the MAC site I went… I guess this product is designed to turn into a lotion when it contacts water?

An industry-strength oil-based makeup remover that’s gentle on the skin. Botanically formulated with oils of olive fruit, evening primrose and jojoba seed and absolutely 100 percent mineral-oil free. Massages onto the skin to loosen all makeup, including waterproof mascara. Emulsifies into a lotion-type liquid with water: rinses off easily, no tissues required – and no residue! Protects with vitamin E. Skin softening and conditioning. Good for all skin types.

Weird… so I guess that explains the white lotiony type stuff floating in it. But why was it like that IN THE BOTTLE? Maybe water had gotten inside of the bottle? Either way, it was weird, freaked me out, and in the sink it had to go. And granted, it was two years old… not that I’m one for following product expiration guidelines (mascara… year old? sure!) but it’s my excuse for my Cleanse Off Oil mishap I mean, I guess it was “normal” for that white stuff to be there reading the description, but why was it forming in the bottle, ya know? And the product color had changed from a yellowy color to clear… yes, that justifies it! Hahah

One more empty in my B2M pile. And first MAC product on my list to be tossed out!

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Enjoy!

I see this come up time to time on the forums about how a photographer can go about obtaining a MAC Pro Card. Since I have my Pro Card as a photographer, I figure I might as well make up a good post, and maybe google will index it and hopefully my information can help others.

As background, I do mostly freelance photography work. I did work for an automotive lifestyle magazine, that feature cars, events, and models. They also had a troop of models that they used for promotion. Along with the magazine models, I would also do studio shoots with other models.

For the pieces of professional criteria, I submitted:

This is more than has to be sent in, but since I was already paying for postage to Canada, I wanted to include as much to help my case as possible.

If I recall correctly, I received my card 1 day shy of 3 weeks after I sent in my application. When two weeks had passed I did call the helpline and inquired if I had been accepted, and they told me that I had. My card arrived a week later in the mail.

So that is how I received my MAC Pro Card as a photographer. Honestly, I wouldn’t think just any photographer will get approved. Publication, I assume, is definitely a boost to getting accepted. I had my doubts I would get accepted, even with my proof of working with models. I would just suggest that one gathers as much supporting criteria that they have.

Hope that helps someone

I’ve seen this topic come up again and again on various forums and websites.  Obviously everyone wants their stuff to arrive safely, right?!

I had to move my stash over 1800 miles.  I didn’t have room in my car, so it had to go in the Uhaul truck, which made me nervous in more ways than one (bouncing of the truck, if something would fall and crush the makeup box, freezing due to cold temperatures…).  My solution?  BUBBLE WRAP!  And lots of it!

I am proud to say every thing made the trip safely.  The only incident, if you want to call it that, was my bottle of Cleanse Off Oil coming open and a tiny bit leaking out.  I did move from sea level to 7200 feet in elevation, so something like that was bound to happen.

(Which leads to a side note… if you go up in elevation like that… stuff will explode out of the container when you open it!  So be careful!)

For loose items like paint pots, pigments, cream bases, eyeshadows still in the pots,and lipglosses, I packed them into a small box with layers of bubble wrap.

The 15-pan palettes fit nicely into a “large” USPS flat rate box! Just a tip I individually wrapped each palette in bubble wrap.

Items like brush cleaner, removers, moisturizer, and foundation I stored upright in a small box and padded with bubble wrap. I also taped the lids closed on items like brush cleaner and removers to prevent excessive spilling.

All these things that I packed into smaller boxes went into a large box all together (see the first picture in this post).

My storage items and traincase went in another big box.

I keep my liners in an acrylic tray, so I removed them all and just put them in a plastic bag and tucked them in between boxes. I left my brushes in their cup and just wrapped bubble wrap around them.

And that’s that!

This is what worked for me. If I had movers moving me, I wouldn’t have put my makeup on a truck, and would have kept it with me personally. But that’s just me. Just like I would never check makeup in baggage for a flight. Since it was my family moving me, I was more comfortable (but still apprehensive) with having my makeup collection go in the truck with the rest of my belongings.

Oh, and when I unpacked I save any bubble wrap that was still good and the boxes to use down the road! I just used scotch tape to secure the wrapping so it was easily removed. I think the only piece that didn’t make it was the stuff that got the Cleanse Off Oil all over it.

Since these were impossible to find on google, I gave them a ring and got the information straight from them!

MAC Pro Store in New York City
Monday – Wednesday: 10am to 6pm
Thursday: 10am to 8pm
Friday: 10am to 6pm
Saturday: 12pm to 6pm
Sunday: Closed