Swapping from student to professional in the space of the summer is a tough one, not just for the lifestyle change but appearance-wise too.  Changing your Nike Airs for a conservative kitten heel isn’t a move that will be welcomed by most, particularly when, for most of us, it follows a long summer full of festivals, frolicking around in sandals and late, late club nights. But conservative needn’t be boring. Shedding more light on how to bridge the gap from student to Ms. Sensible, we scored some secret tips from a Senior Artist at MAC.

What is the beauty blunder students always tend get wrong?

“Trying to deconstruct beauty before knowing the basics! Learning how to get the skin right takes time; see what colours and textures work better on different skin types.”

In the workplace, is it always less is more?

“Same as before, if you work in a tattoo parlour, you can get away with a lot more than in a bank. However, keep in mind that too much makeup can sometimes make you look older than you are. If that is the case, yes less can be more beneficial, regardless of the style.”

What would you advise for a professional, first-day-of-the-new-job kind of look?

“It depends on the job. For a formal job, like working in an office, do not try to impress with a makeup statement. If you work in a creative environment, just follow your personal style.”

How would you advise showing a creative side through beauty, in a professional/ graduate environment?

“There is a time and a place for everything, same as clothes. If you want to wear something a bit more dramatic, you may want to wait and save it for a special event.”

3 hot beauty trends for the summer?

“Soft tan, not as dark as possible anymore, just the healthy natural tan that you get in the summer in the city, not on holidays.”

“Metallics; on lips, cheeks and eyes, but really buffed into the skin. Make the skin a main feature and aim for a glowing, pearlised complexion.”

“Mixing pastel colours with neons. Before, it was one or the other. This summer you can play with a soft, sugary palette, with accents in much brighter colours.”

Pablo Rodriguez, Senior Artist at MAC Cosmetics