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Original poster

Why is MAC make up SO mega popular?

44 replies

MordechaiVanunu · 29/01/2012 12:24

MAC seems to be taking over the makeup world.

I was in Selfridges this week and noticed the MAC counter has doubled in size since Christmas, and you could not get near it. Women were mobbing it like bees around a honey pot. They must have had about 7 assistants all run off their feet doing make overs, answering questions and serving the very long line to pay.

All the other make counters had one or two bored looking assistants with nothing to do except watch the mob at MAC.

I was there to buy some MAC myself, lipstick and fluid line eyeliner, but I was also getting some clinique too.

I just wondered why/how MAC has become such a phenomenon?

Also, they have male make up assistants! Fancy.

OP posts:

Msarsebiscuit · 29/01/2012 19:32

KateSpade, the staff on the MAC counter in Kendals are lovely, or have been lovely whenever I've been in there - the one in Selfridges is way too busy, I've only manged to be served there once, usually I get bored and leave.

therumoursaretrue · 29/01/2012 19:38

I find MAC really hit and miss, I know a lot of people who use MAC exclusively because of the hype. However I personally wouldn't touch their foundations, they are notorious for causing skin break-outs and oxidising. Obviously everyone is different but I know this is true for a lot of people that I have spoken to.

On the other hand they have some good schemes and are a fairly morally conscious company. Back to Mac is great and I know at pro stores in the USA you can get an eyeshadow or lipgloss instead of a lipstick. I live in the UK but have only ever done back to mac whilst staying in America so not sure if they have changed it here yet.

I like the eyeshadows, lipsticks and glosses. Good range of colours and good colour pay-off and they have some products like paint pots which I use a lot. Also their brushes are great and do last really well if looked after so worth every penny IMO. I think, like most brands they are great at some things and not so great at others.

Don't even get me started on the sales assistants though. One thing MAC have got very wrong is their brand attitude, and I have had very few good experiences with the staff. Think a lot of people find this! I don't subscribe to the idea that it's because they are busy either as good manners does not take time! And also I have been treated just as poorly at empty counters as at busy ones!

VivaLeBeaver · 29/01/2012 19:44

Lovely eyeshadow and lipstick. Good eyeliner. Good primer.

I used to use their studio tech foundation but have gone onto a non MAC mineral one now.

KateSpade · 29/01/2012 19:56

It really annoys me, bad customer service, especially when a brand thinks its 'too big' to be nice to people!

Is Guava the orange one? I got the red/pink coloured one. Total love!

southeastastra · 29/01/2012 20:53

i thought their online service was fab when an eyeliner i order arrrived snapped in half, they sent out another pronto and i kept the original, i sellotaped it together again

MrsMeow · 29/01/2012 20:59

MAC foundation just suits me really well and it took me that long to find the perfect one that I'm too scared to change now

I also have a few eyeshadows which are lovely, but I've recently tried Soap & Glory eyeshadows and cannot tell them apart, apart from the price which is half of MAC.

I've got lipsticks and lipgloss and they're just middle of the road IMO. I do like their foundations though - oh and the face powder.

MrsHoolie · 29/01/2012 20:59

I love Mac. I use Studio Fix foundation which is like a compact powder but with loads of coverage.
I work in a large theatre in London and all the stage make up is provided by Mac.

mrsmartin · 30/01/2012 10:35

I don't use anything other than their eyeshadows - the solid ones - and they are fantastic - really great colour payoff and THE BEST liquid eyeliner when wet down.

It is just popular because it is a cult brand - hype creates hype. That and the fact you can't buy it in Superdrug etc. Women feel like they are part of the 'in croud' when they pull out a mac lipstick etc rather than a boots no7.

salamanda · 30/01/2012 11:22

I don't think they'd have the cult following they do if their stuff wasn't so good. Their brushes, eyeshadows, pencil and creme eyeliners, lipstick, lipglosses and blot powder are great value for money as I use every bit of them every time. Same can't be said for chanel or any other make I've tried. It's all very pigmented for the price.

The staff do all look hideous as do most of their adverts.

valiumredhead · 30/01/2012 17:05

MAC shadows are gorgeous, huge range and last forever and reasonable.

humblehippo · 30/01/2012 17:50

I do quite like MAC but find some of their products hit and miss.

The best IMO are their SPF 50 primer and the lipglosses. Eyeshadows are also pretty good. Their foundation on the other hand was rubbish for me - too yellow, watery, just horrible!

40notTrendy · 30/01/2012 17:59

I have one of their 'Amplified' lipsticks which is wonderful. Feels so good on, rich colour and lasts. Also think the lip glosses are great. Eye shadow v good too. There was a girl in the Nottingham store called Diane who was fantastic. She now works in a Mac store down south somewhere. If you find her she's top notch!

Havingkittens · 30/01/2012 18:22

Can I just say, with regards to customer service.....

I've made this point before but with regards to make up skills and huge sweeping generalisations about MAC staff, or any other make up counter staff for that matter. The staff are not factory produced from a mould. They are all individuals, so each one is different. Whether it be relating to their personalities or make up skills. Yes, it's true, a company like MAC does attract some artists who have a prima donna attitude or a heavy hand, but that doesn't mean everyone who works for them is the same. I worked for them years ago and many of my colleagues were lovely and helpful.

In fact, one of the answers to this question about the popularity of MAC is that you don't only get make up, you often get free expert advice and application tips from very talented Make up Artists who often are likely to have been working with high profile and celebrity clients, or fashion magazines when not on counter. So often you get more than just the product.

KateSpade · 30/01/2012 20:12

I understand their are a lot of sweeping generalisations, but MAC hasn't got that reputation by being nice to its customers.

Louise49 · 30/01/2012 23:32

The SPF 50 primer sounds good must try it. The Glasgow MAC counter is always buzzing the girls are always too busy to speak to you. Dont like the lipstick its too highly perfrumed. Love the blushers and highlighters. Not tried the foundations. I like the limited editions theres always something new. I really like Benefit too the packaging is cute and the products are excellent. the other make I like is Max Factor just discovered it recently as I used to think it a bit frumpy - the makeup has amazing staying power as good as premium brands the mascara is excellent and you can usually get the items 3 for 2 in Boots so it works out quite cheap. I used to love Chanel the lipsticks are amazing but it is getting too overpriced, the nail varnish chips really easily, Lancome foundation is the best

ICantFindAFreeNickName · 30/01/2012 23:35

I have had makeovers twice at a MAC counter (once by a young girl & once by a man) they were both lovely and gave me a really light natural look (which is what I was after) even though they were both very heavily made-up themselves.

ElphabaisWicked · 30/01/2012 23:36

I don't have any but I do know that they use green MAC chromacake make up to make Elphaba in Wicked green so it must be good quality and long lasting under those hot stage lights.

PastGrace · 30/01/2012 23:46

I love their eyeliners, but haven't bought a new one in a while after a shop assistant told me that the colour I was after was no longer in stock because it was a "limited edition 6 month one that only came out around Christmas" (this was last Easter). I said "I'm not sure that's the right one, because I've been wearing it for a good two or three years" and he just said "you can't have been" and walked off. I was pretty unimpressed.

I later found what I thought was the closest match online and asked a more helpful member of staff who agreed with me but in between I had bought a different brand to tide me over and am yet to make the jump back. I'm still licking my wounds that they discontinued my favourite colour.

RainbowBlue · 30/01/2012 23:56

I love mac lipstick, and their mineralise skin finish. Whenever I wear the latter I get comments about glowing skin . And trust me during my pregnancy there was no glow !!

Incidentally did you know mac is owned by Estée Lauder as is Bobbi Brown. And the cheaper make up of Bourjois is made by the company that makes Chanel's cosmetics!

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