Interview and photo by Florence Noble
M.A.C makeup artist Larissa Lima loves helping turn someone’s day around using the magic of cosmetics.
Are you from Auckland?
No. I’m from London.
How did you end up here?
I’ve been in Auckland a year. When I first came to New Zealand, I went to Wellington and spent about two years there. Then I got a job offer up here with L’Oréal in Auckland. I was there for a year, and then I came here to M.A.C. Britomart.
How did you get into makeup?
Originally, it was because I had really bad skin. I was always the makeup person in terms of my friends, as I would always wear so much makeup, so I’d do makeup for my friend’s proms and things like that. I did a hair and makeup degree specifically for fashion, which was a three-year degree, and before that I did a two-year BTEC in the UK, so I’ve kind of always done it. I worked for Bobbi Brown in the UK, then came here.
How do you get to Britomart?
I normally train in from Remuera. I live right near the station. Sometimes we go out to different jobs, like a photo shoot for a brand or PR jobs.
What’s your idea of fun?
Probably hanging out with friends. I don’t go out out any more. My perfect fun night is all of our friends getting together at someone’s house, having a bottle of wine, playing some games, socialise.
What games do you play?
Catan, or we have amateur poker nights.
Do you win poker?
Not really. Sometimes, but I’m not very good at it, to be fair.
If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
I’d probably still be doing makeup. Maybe a scuba diving instructor in a really hot country. But probably still makeup.
Whats your favourite thing to spend money on?
Probably food. A good meal out.
Where’s your favourite place to eat around here?
Ortolana is the one I always go to.
What’s your favourite thing from there?
The two sides I always go for is the kale, goats cheese, pear and walnut salad, or the new season potatoes. The sides are quite big.
Where’s the best place for a beverage?
The Chamberlain. They do quite good Happy Hour specials, so I normally go there after work. And I always come to Miann for a coffee.
Have you got your eye on anything to buy at the moment?
Jo Malone candles. Definitely. I’m obsessed with them. The Red Roses one is so nice, and Pomegranate Noir.
What’s something not many people know about you?
I used to have two cats, one called ‘Whanga’ and one called ‘Nui’ ‘cause my mum’s from Whanganui. Nobody in the UK understood why.
So you’re a Kiwi!
My mum’s a Kiwi and my dad’s English. I’ve always lived in the UK. She moved back seven years ago. My dad still lives in London. My partner is Brazilian so we have to balance out where we travel to. We recently did a big trip through Brazil, and the UK and Greece.
What do you like about working here?
It’s a really nice area, scenic, lights around and lots of nice places to eat. It’s a nice place to have a wander not just go to work and come home. And working at M.A.C, when you get the feeling that you’ve made someone feel confident. When someone comes in having had a rubbish day and they leave feeling beautiful, it’s honestly the nicest feeling. That’s what I enjoy the most.
