Model Citizen: Caitlin Callahan

This senior cosmetic artist at MAC talks travel, food and fashion (and makeup of course!)

One of only three senior MAC cosmetic artists in Canada (and the only one based in Vancouver), Caitlin Callahan is just as likely to be artfully applying runway makeup at New York Fashion Week as she is her own for holiday parties. At MAC, “we’re encouraged to be ourselves and to treat makeup as fashion, not beauty,” she says. Her fashion style? “Eclectic, comfortable, and colourful, with a touch of Iris Apfel.”What’s the most beautiful item in your closet? A Maison Margiela blouse—I barely wear it; I just love looking at it.What’s your favourite piece of clothing? A Chloé pinstriped jacket—it makes me feel like a mobster.Name something in your closet you couldn’t throw away. A Dsquared2 bomber jacket I got after working on their fragrance campaign in Montana. It doesn’t fit, but it has such great memories.What influences your style? The variety of shows during fashion week.Your go-to hostess gift? Makeup!The designer you love the most and a piece you’d buy? Any of the dresses from Rick Owens Fall/Winter 2015.Favourite brand and style of jeans? I have two pairs of Denim & Supply on rotation.Other make-up brands in your cosmetic beauty bag? Tom Ford, Bobbi Brown, Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream.Favourite colour? Burnt Sienna.Most recent splurge for your home? Building a new back deck; it’s huge!Best make-up advice/tip? Don’t try to correct features you don’t like; instead highlight the good ones. I’m all about deflection.Name three things that are always in your fridge. Avocado, M·A·C Prep + Prime Fix+, Sriracha sauce.Your favourite bottle of wine to splurge on? Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc.What piece of art do you feel closest to in your house and why? An original oil painting by Canadian painter Michael Morris—it hung in my grandmother’s home.What unexpected item(s) do you derive inspiration from? Wallpaper, rugs, and vintage fabrics.Your favourite gift? Miu Miu pink suede sunglasses.List three things that you always pack when you travel. Melatonin, ear plugs, and M·A·C Cosmetics Wipes.Most interesting souvenir? I bought my daughter a caiman head from New Orleans. She loves it (she’s a little dark).Favourite vacation destination? Hawaii.What’s your favourite place to lunch and why? Ask for Luigi—the fried cauliflower is ridiculous.The one restaurant you recommend out-of-town guests visit? Fergie’s Café in Brackendale—for the food, the setting, and the drive there.When you’re feeling indulgent, where do you go or what do you buy? I go to the Scandinave Spa in Whistler—you aren’t allowed to talk so it forces me to relax.What’s on your nightstand? Melatonin, ear plugs, and M·A·C Cosmetics Wipes.What’s your favourite book? Beloved by Toni Morrison or Watership Down by Richard Adams. I’m reading The Three Sarah by Lotz right now—it’s a great spooky book.What gadget or article of clothing must every fashionable man own? A man corset. Just kidding—a motorcycle.I never, ever leave the house without…lipstick, headphones, and GPS.Biggest mistake women make with their makeup? Wearing too much.Best style advice? Stand out—life is short.