I didn't actually formally apply online, I was in store and was approached by the manager who loved my makeup and pressured me to return for an interview the next day. I returned for the interview with my CV wearing all black as requested, it was fairly informal with the counter manager just asking questions about me and why I want to work for MAC, she explained there's a week long training course if you're successful and asked if I was okay with that, explained the hours and job itself and told me she would call within a week to give me feedback and let me know if I was successful or not. I had explained that I was on holiday for the next two weeks and offered my email address instead, I received an email two days later telling me she had been impressed by my knowledge and experience and that I was invited to a trade test in store when I got home. Organising the trade test was awkward as the trainer who oversees it only visits once a month so I had to wait a month before being seen but in this time the manager who had interviewed me called me and gave me personal feedback regarding my interview which was a nice touch. For my trade test I was required to bring a model (friend) to the counter and had to act out a role play with her as a customer looking to learn about/improve a feature of her makeup (eyes, contouring, skin etc) and my model requested a new foundation which would give her more of a dewy finish and also a powder to prevent her T zone from becoming oily. The trainer then walked around the counter with me helping me select products (letting me lead and choose products and mainly helping with shades) and then sat back and gave me 20mins to apply this look to the model whilst explaining what I was doing and interacting on a customer/artist level. After the 20mins the trainer then suggests a further element to "finish" the look, which for me was liquid eyeliner (not what you want to be applying with interview-shaky hands!). After this the trainer took photos to go with the notes she'd taken throughout the process and told me I'd get a call within a week about how it went. A few days later the counter manager phoned to congratulate me on passing the trade test and I was asked to return to store for an informal interview with the beauty manager (as it is a department store) who must approve new counter artists before they are allowed to work. The store approval was a brief 10min chat about hours, holiday and experience in retail and again I was told I'd hear from the manager within a week. Finally I received one last call to congratulate me on my new job and offer me my hours and start date!

The interview process I found to be smooth and enjoyable. It was a while ago but do remember needing to come back to complete a makeup look on a model (brought a friend) prior to hire as well.