M∙A∙C Cosmetics launched their third free-standing retail space at 540 N. Michigan Avenue in Chicago in October and has continued to impress shoppers with the brand’s collections with a hands-on approach to beauty. “M∙A∙C has had a strong brand presence in Chicago for many years, and expanding our influence in such a thriving area feels natural,” said Karen Buglisi Weiler, Global Brand President, M∙A∙C Cosmetics. “We’re thrilled to be able to cater to Chicago’s most discerning, fashion-forward shopper on this world famous and critically important avenue.”

M∙A∙C is a vibrant brand known for unique celebrity collaborations (like high profile DJ Mia Moretti), all the while featuring some of the most talented makeup artists in the business. We recently had the opportunity to check out the new store and meet one of M∙A∙C ‘s star makeup artists Keri Germain—and the best part—while getting our own one-on-one makeup application with the artist. “M∙A∙C-trained Artists are unlike any other makeup artists,” said Gordon Espinet, Senior Vice President, Artist Training and Development, M∙A∙C Cosmetics. “The extensive, continuous education that M∙A∙C Artists undergo, paired with global opportunities to hone their craft during editorial photo shoots and international fashion shows, translates into world-class makeup artistry in-store.” We couldn’t agree more. Germain transformed our face, from tired mom of three to glam girl ready to take on the town.

M∙A∙C Makeup Artist Keri Germain first dreamed of becoming a makeup artist when she came upon a M·A·C counter at the age of 15. She grew up in Swartz Creek, Michigan, a small town about 85 miles outside of Detroit, and longed for the kind of culture that comes with living in a big city. After graduating high school, she became a licensed Cosmetologist and Nail Technician, and started doing makeup in house at a local salon before she transitioned to a part-time position with M·A·C near her hometown. She ultimately moved to Chicago to continue her career with the famed makeup brand, while taking in all of the culture Chicago has to offer, inspired by our countless museums and fine dining options. Being at M·A·C for close to a decade has given her the opportunity to work on high-profile projects like charity events to working closely with the Joffrey Ballet, traveling to Tampa, Florida to do makeup for the International Indian Film Awards and even traveling to Barcelona to attend a Master Class with Baltasar Gonzalez Pinel, the Director of Makeup Artistry for Europe.

FACTIO MAGAZINE: Tell me a little about your role at M∙A∙C, along with the new store on Michigan Avenue.
KERI GERMAIN: I have several different hats that I wear. As of right now, I’m considered a full-time artist. At one point, I did work in management at some of our other locations. Coming to the new store on Michigan Avenue with our Counter Artist Program, I kind of act almost as a trainer, mentor, supporter, big sister to the team. Our team is pretty diverse, we have a lot of tenure staff and we actually have a lot of brand new staff, so my job is to familiarize them with product, get them inspired, and teach them how to use Pro product. With us being the only Pro store in the Midwest, it’s really important that our Pro business remains a big focus.

FM: What are some of your best tips for caring for skin in winter?
KG: My must-haves for winter are our Essential Oils. I absolutely love our Mineralize Charged Water  Face and Body Lotion. It actually is a water-based moisturizer. So the beautiful thing about it is it immediately penetrates into the skin and gives you immediate hydration, whereas some moisturizers don’t absorb as fast. This gives you immediate hydration instantly. The Prep + Prime Essential Oils can be paired with them to help smooth out the texture, while still giving you long lasting hydration. So those are two of my must-haves. I also really love our Studio Sculpt Foundation. That’s a really beautiful foundation for winter because it’s gel-based, water resistant and semi smudge resistant so it’s really good with the fact that with harsh winds and when we start to get teary eyed and it starts to streak down our face, you could take your hand gently and press at the cheek and you’re not going to destroy your makeup.

FM: What is a beauty product we should avoid during winter?
KG: I don’t love powder for winter just because everyone is so dehydrated. Powder just tends to get flaky and crusty and doesn’t do justice for the skin. You want to be as radiant as possible in this harsh weather!

FM: What are your must-haves for taking a look from day to night?
KG: I would say a deep, rich liner of your choice–a dark emerald green or a really pretty eggplant plum or the standard chocolate brown or black, anything that is a rich, saturated color for liner, an ultra black mascara, and a bold lip to change your soft daytime look makeup into a night time look.

FM: Who are some celebrities that you get inspired by as far as creating looks for regular people?
KG: I would say our most popular celebrities that people come in and ask for are obviously all of the Kardashians and Jenners. Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez are probably our top requests, as well. Some of my personal favorites, though, are a little more softer. I’m more of a lover of minimalistic beauty and am inspired by Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Gardner, and Jessica Alba. I’m all about enhancing the natural features and giving a radiant, really pretty glow to our clients.

FM: What are some of your favorite beauty tips in general.
KG: I would say always have a good moisturizer. Skincare is key. If you don’t have a great hydrated palate, sometimes the makeup doesn’t get enhanced as much as it could.

FM: What are your best tips for break outs?
KG: Actually the Essential Oils. The lavender in them acts as an antibacterial so it actually goes in and helps sanitize the pores. We also make Refine Zone, it goes in and actually cleans the pores and over time, makes pores smaller–up to a third of the size.

FM: What would you say is your biggest makeup faux pas?
KG: I don’t really think there is one just because everyone is so different, a faux pas to one person could be another person’s saving grace. I always tell my clients the most important thing is when you leave the chair, you feel the best version of yourself and whether that’s having glitter all over your eyelids or your lips or whether it’s a super smokey eye or barely any makeup with a focus on skincare, so that you feel fresh and natural. That’s the most important thing at the end of the day to me. The biggest faux pas is that people think that they have to look like someone else to be beautiful and to be excepted and things like that. If anything, I think originality should be embraced more than it is.

FM: What M∙A∙C Products can’t you live without?
KG: I love our Strobe Cream—it looks beautiful on everyone. It’s really hydrating. It’s very nourishing. It has a crushed pearl extract in it which creates immediate radiance, and it also has an apple extract in it which is a tightening and firming ingredient. So over time, you see actual benefits and improved health in your skin. I love Ruby Woo and Lady Danger, those are two of our top selling and best promoted lipsticks. They are really rich and saturated in color. Ruby Woo is a blue-based red and Lady Danger is an orange-based red. They’ve been featured in countless magazines, some of the best in the market. They are both matte in texture, so you can wear them alone or add a gloss to them.