MAC: what's the hype?

May 8, 2013

Kathryn R.

(Oops! Got cut off!)

Addendum...

M.A.C. was available in select Bay stores, because many of those locations had previously been Simpsons dept stores. Simpsons had given Frank Toskan his first location (Queen/Yonge Street in Toronto). Simpsons was bought out by The Hudsons Bay Company...

I digress.

The brand grew too quickly (word of mouth), and people began misrepresenting it: buying products for diverted sales in other markets (I.e. Hong Kong), clearing out North American inventory.

Lauder approached Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo, purchasing about 55% of the company in 1995, to help M.A.C. grow and expand. It was done quietly; M.A.C. staff at head office didn't even know!

That is when people (the general consumer) began to see M.A.C. locations pop-up, and were introduced to the brand.

Frank Toskan intended to buy back the 55%, but... his business (and life?) partner, Frank Angelo suddenly died. Lauder bought the remaining shares in 1996.

Part of the deal was that Lauder maintain the Viva Glam campaign, Cards for Kids, never advertise (except for Viva Glam fundraising), and... maintain the image/quality of M.A.C. products.

Guess what? Those product formulations were CHEAPENED by Lauder, and the reputation coasted on that which had been built by the original owners/creators.

Every brand, from high end to low end, has stuff they do well, and stuff that they don't. M.A.C. is NO LONGER what it used to be (particularly their foundations), and hasn't been for a very long time! This includes their now shitty brushes.

But the general consumer, or person who is too young to know the difference... they buy into the marketing.

Lauder essentially crapped on the people who M.A.C. was created for: makeup artists. The products were created by Vic Casale, to meet the demands of hot lights/flash photography of artists such as his brother in-law, Frank Toskan. Concentrated pigments, longer wearing formulas, matte colours (during the frosty mid-80's).

The formulations don't cut it anymore. The products LOOK pretty in their slick packaging, but they do not have endurance.

M.A.C. is just another money-making gem in Lauder's crown. It's uniqueness went out the door as soon as it was bought-out by Lauder.

The staff receive a lot of training, but it's no longer about the makeup. Instead, it's all about selling (the Lauder way: 3 items per transaction!).

If buying M.A.C. makes a person feel good, better, or unique: so be it. They'd be smarter to buy Cover FX foundations (Vic Casale: sits on the board of directors for CFX), and better products from indie companies, who invest pride, blood, sweat, and tears into their products, branding, and marketing. Such as what M.A.C. used to do, when it was still an indie brand.

True: the have some classic red lipsticks. But... there are better products out there, for a fraction of the cost.

So... no, I do NOT endorse M.A.C., its products, or otherwise.

BTW: they rely on a lot of young, naive consumers. A grown woman or professional doesn't need... effing "Barbie", "Archie" comics, "Hello Kitty", or clown faces like Nicki Minaj to sell makeup.

May 8, 2013

Fernanda A.

I'm a big fan of MAC. I think that we like a brand depending of how much they attend our expectations. Buying randomly is not a good idea.
A must have.MAC item is their foundation. Can be hard to get what is the best for you alone, but the attendants will help you base on skin type and what do you expect of a foundation (cover, long wearing etc).

Their concealers are the same thing. Pro longwear is the only concealers that I know that stays day but is not too heavy.

Their pigments are also amazing and I don't know other brand with so much quality and color options.

I think is really important to buy items based on your needs and not out of thinking. Forexample, I would hate the Face and Body foundation if I buy one cause I like good coverage e dewy finish. In other hand, the Studio Fix.Liquid foundation does all that for me and it's my #1 choice when I'm having a bad skin day.

May 8, 2013

Fernanda A.

"...cause I like good coverage and matte finish."

May 8, 2013

Jenna D.

I recently spent a lot of money on MAC products. While I did manage to find a few gems, I found that the quality of their products does not live up to the hype at all. A lesson learned.

May 8, 2013

Kadri T.

I can't live without mac studio fix foundation. Being years suffering from heavy acne this was only foundation that let my skin breathe and you can build! I have never seen foundation so buildable. You can just dot large amount on pimple, leave it try, pouder, no blending and you can't see difference with rest of face! Amazing. Next is 130 brush. Cant apply my foundation without it. Their eyeliner brush for eyebrows, god most natural finish! And studio careblend powder and fix it! These are only things I use and buy for years and despite trying other brands, there is nothing that comes even close. Don't care about mascara, lipsticks or eyeshadows much but for face base I can't think of using anything else. And it took me while to finally go down to make road mainly for topics like this one. I'm glad I did!

May 8, 2013

Tara G.

Tara T.: Bless your heart! Thank you so much, I'm going to check it out!

May 8, 2013

Martha D.

I always thought mac sucked and didnt see why everyone was buying their products...are the brushes even that great.

May 8, 2013

Honey B.

Lol I am so glad I'm not the only one...

May 8, 2013

Missy P.

I quite like Mac. I haven't fallen in love with every single product but I'm sure that goes with every other line, be it Chanel or CFX.
PS: if you don't think MAC brushes are great, you've never had one.

May 8, 2013

Tara L.

Tara G: & Jacqueline H: your welcome!!