OK, fellow MAC zealots, are you ready for a treat?
In this extended play (read: 33-minute-long!) makeup tutorial, MAC Senior Artist for North America Victor Cembellin works his magic on me with a “reverse” eyeliner look at the new flagship MAC Pro Store at 45 Powell Street in San Francisco (phone: 415-402-0658), which just opened its doors late last week.
The video is much longer than my usual 10-minute vids, but it’s jam-packed with Victor’s insider pro tips. I just can’t get over how much useful information he covers!

It’s neat seeing a real makeup master’s technique. Seriously, I could watch this man do circles in the outer corner for days!
The makeover was also a little historic in that it was the first makeover at the new store, and I’m kindasortathrilled to play a tiny part in MAC history. 🙂
The new flagship store is DOPE! Not only do they have everything in both the MAC and MAC Pro lines, but there’s also 45 of the Bay Area’s best makeup artists on staff.
There are stations in the center of the store for makeovers, and for even more personal attention, there’s a private suite in the back for more in-depth makeup training.
Sh*t is crazy! — but in the best possible way. I actually came this close to driving back into the city the next day to play some more, LOL!


I can’t wait to go back!
Products mentioned in the video…
- MAC Strobe Cream
- MAC Face & Body Foundation
- MAC Softpoint Sponge Applicator
- MAC Pro Longwear Concealer
- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
- MAC Powder Blush in Peachykeen
- MAC Bronzing Powder in Bronze
- MAC 116 Blush Brush
- MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Layin’ Low
- MAC Eye Shadow in Texture
- MAC Eye Shadow in Ricepaper
- MAC Pigment in Heritage Rouge
- MAC Superslick Liner in Pure Show
- MAC Chromagraphic Pencil in Black Black
- MAC 205 Mascara Fan Brush
- MAC Lustre Drops in Sun Rush
- MAC Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil
- MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Blossom Couture

















I hope you enjoyed this look at the the new flagship MAC Pro Store. Thank you very much for watching. I hope you learned a lot. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. In case you’re interested, here’s some more stuff I’m wearing in the video…
Jacket — BlankNYC
Dress — James Perse (here’s something similar)
Ear cuff — Kristin Perry
Necklace — Banana Republic (no longer available)
Bracelet — Nordstrom (no longer available)
Also, you should totally follow Victor on social media if you aren’t already. He’s super cool and incredibly nice.
MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin’s Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MAC_Victor_C
Victor’s Instagram:
http://instagram.com/victorcembellin
Victor’s Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/victor.cembellinmakeup
Victor’s website:
http://www.victorcembellin.com/
MAC Store Locator:
http://www.maccosmetics.com/locator/index.tmpl

Girl, that MAC store looks SO cool! I’m not sure what I’m more impressed with — its brights-on-black design, Victor’s awesome skills, or these super-crisp photos. Seriously: did you sell your soul to Tabs in exchange for photoshoot-level clarity in all of your snapshots from hereon in?
On a more serious note, though, the brand-new store does look really, really cool. I would love to see more of this bold, energetic side of MAC!
Hi Rae,
Actually, Tabs is now my photographer. Just kidding. LOL!
If you’re ever in SF, I highly recommend stopping by the store. I think you’ll have a lot of fun.
Have a great week!
Great video. You and Victor are awesome
Hi Vanessa,
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I hope that you learned a few techniques. 🙂 If you do the look please send me a pic. Would love to see it on ya.
There’s so much to love here!
Hi Hanna,
I hope you enjoy this video!
I love the look Karen and beautiful pictures!
Hi Gowthami,
Thank you! Glad you liked it. 🙂
I love sparkle! I love watching videos like these, and the bonus is the good quality so we can really see what he’s doing in detail! Great look! Bold, yet subtly so! Got a few tips from it, so that’s great! I usually work from the darkest color on the lid and go lighter up, but I’ll try Victor’s way, and go the reverse. Would you recommend one way over the other?
Hi Sarah,
I usually do the same as you, so this was a first for me. I really loved it! I think it’s very different and kind of unusual, and I love the flash of the light sparkly metallic gold along the lash line. It adds a very unique sort of pop. It’s one of those makeup looks that really generates a lot of attention, I think, because it’s different. 🙂
We filmed this video at literally the crack of dawn, and for the rest the day I was out and about in SF wearing this look, and I got quite a few compliments from ladies and gents working at other makeup counters and from random people I chatted with throughout the day!
Seriously, try it! And when you do, send me a pic. I’d love to see it on you.
You look fab! This tutorial makes me want to buy a bottle of Face and Body and Mineralize Skinfinish Natural ASAP (although the few times I’ve tried Face and Body I wasn’t able to get such great coverage…)
Love these videos and tips from you and Victor.
Hi Dhariane,
Face & Body is my absolute favorite MAC foundation, hands-down! Sculpt comes a close second.
I do have to say that the first time I tried Face & Body years and years ago, I wasn’t that impressed by it. It took a couple tries to really get the application right. Once you get it down, though, you’ll fall in love! It looks incredibly natural in pics and in person, it doesn’t feel heavy and it just wears really well.
Wow! Your makeup looks awesome, and what a beautiful store!
Hi Erin,
Thank you so much, girl! I hope that you stop by next time you’re in SF. 🙂
#1 I’m bummed I missed opening day
#2 I was in a class Victor was teaching a few months ago!
#3 Why don’t I own any Pro Longwear Lipglass?!
#4 I loved the look on you!
Hi Jessica,
What class did you take? 🙂
Also, yeah…I feel like I need more Pro Longwear Lipglasses in my life ASAP, especially Persistent Peach. Spring lip looks, here I come!
Fantastic make-up, great lesson, thank you Karen !!!
Hi Edyta,
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I hope that you learned a few new techniques and picked up few product recs for your wishlist.
Do you live near a MAC store? Might be fun to swing by and take a lesson!
Hi Karen,
I live in Poland (Warsaw) I was today at MAC store and I have already my Pure Show and Blossom Culture 🙂 Awesome products! Eyeshadows and other things next time 🙂 Hugs!
I am trying to make the decision of my life by switching to MAC foundations.
Hi Sarah,
One thing you can do is ask for sample. I know that at some MAC counters, I’ve been able to grab samples of foundations that I’ve been interested in. I take the sample home, try it for a week, and if it doesn’t break me out and if I like it, I go back and invest in a jar or tube. MAC has a ton foundations to choose from; my favorites are Face & Body and Sculpt. HTH!
What an awesome video, Victor is so knowledgeable, I loved all his tips. And the final look and that reverse eyeliner look is simply gorgeous! Thanks for filming this video for us!
Hi Agata,
Glad you enjoyed the video, and I hope you try the look! If you do tweet me a pic.
Also…I owe you a hella long email. I didn’t forget, I promise!
I’d like to try this look, the only gold eyeliner I have though is the Urban Decay glittery one and it’d be too much I think…:)
And I hope you didn’t forget and cannot wait to get your email!
Victor did a great job, and he seems like a really nice guy!
Hi Chris,
Yes, Victor is super nice, and I always learn so much from him. I hope that you follow him on Twitter/Instagram if you aren’t already doing so.
Have a nice day!
love love LOVE this makeup look. The gold eyeliner is amazing against the burgundy pigment! I’ve had that pigment in my MAC shopping cart for ages now, and I think I just found motivation to press ‘purchase’ today. Great post!
Wha….?!!! Isn’t that just a few doors down from Sephora? I’m so there!!!
Hi Alice Ann!
Yes, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away. You can go back-and-forth between the stores in less than five seconds. Watch out wallet!
And then when you’re done you can walk down to Pinkberry to get a froyo. Just sayin’. ;D
I am going to sit and devour the video when my chores are done! I am thrilled they picked you for their first makeover- You and MAC are pretty symbiotic. The final result was beautiful.
Thank you, Betsy!
Hope your chores go by quickly. I have to do laundry later on today, le sigh.
I can’t wait to finish watching this video! I started it while making dinner only to realize how long it was!
oh my you are so lucky to have this wonderland a short drive away!
enjoying the vid so far *my shitty internet connection keeps buffering, so i’m reading comments in between*
Love the look, love the photos, and I love how colourful and exciting MAC stores are!
That eyeliner is something else 🙂
What a dream of a MAC store! Our little MAC counter at the mall is a joke compared to this lol… 🙂 By the way, Karen, you looked iiiiiincredible!
You make me want to go to San Fran! I think you should write a blog post about all the flagship makeup stores in the bag area for people that might want to take a vacation. I live in the Midwest. I wish would more makeup brands would have a flagship in KS City. We love makeup out here too!! 🙂
I flew in to SF for a day on Sunday and MAC on Powell was my first stop! (I was going to Union Street per your previous posts but found out about this new store). Thanks for your continued and awesome make-up guidance!
There was something very soothing about watching him work on you. I love hearing makeup artists talk through their work. Plus the look was really different and pretty. I’m going on vacation in California next week and I definitely plan to stop by a mac store and nerd out on all the pretties and pick up some new stuff. 🙂
I really enjoyed watching this! I have to get the Pure Show now! And probably a few other things. 🙂
Hi Karen, I was thinking of going, would have loved to meet you but I decided against it for some unknown reason!
I’m mesmerized by all the colors at that store!!
http://www.cindyslittleblackbook.com
Love that pop of gold! And I really like your leather jacket Karen!
I am speechless.. it like a makeup Heaven..
Iam scrolling down and up and enjoying the pictures.. 🙂
Love this post! This totally justifies a trip to SF from STL, right? 😀
OH MY EFFING GAWD!! That “reverse eyeliner” look he did is AMAZEBALLS!!! I am soooo in love with it; its the most beautiful look ever!! I want to try it but what colors to use on dark blue-grey eyes?
I just moved to San Francisco and I’m working at the Sephora right next door to the new Powell street MAC store. Come back and visit! 🙂
Aw wow, so are there 3 SF pro stores now? I just went to the one in Cow Hollow (I think? I live in East Bay so I forget all the neighbourhoods other than the big ones.) and got some mixing mediums. I totally forgot a list and am kicking myself for forgetting that mascara brush! (found the video & site searching for it)
Where on earth do you park for this shop? I would love to go!
I was a little traumatised by his rough handling of your face and the poky poky sponge, but the end result was lovely! I used to do white eyeliner all the time, I need to try silver! And definitely need that pigment. I am addicted to red eye makeup (the reason for the mascara mixer, can’t find a red one!)