M.A.C Cosmetics is commonly known as just MAC, as in the computer and as in Big Mac. It is a line of cosmetics that has a large following all around the world. To many, to use (or in makeup parlance, wear) MAC is considered having reached the pinnacle of makeup mastery.
I however, do not number among the MAC fans. These are my reasons after the jump.
Impracticality
I cannot deny that MAC is tops for colour. If you have ever walked into a MAC store or to a MAC counter, you’ll know what I mean. They have just about every single colour available that you can think of. There are about 20 different shades of green alone and they keep coming out with more.
Some shades and collections however, are just unwearable for normal day to day activities, unless you are a makeup artist or model. If you are, then MAC is your friend. Their colours are excellent, pigmented and bright. But if you hold a day job some colours may just be too bright to pass muster.
An example is MAC’s latest collection – C Shock. I’m not overly fussed about the bright colours on the eyes. But I must admit the blue lipstick threw me for a loop. That is something that only a company like MAC can pull off, and that is also why I say they are too impractical. Innovative and eye catching yes, but impractical for us everyday folk.
Limited Editions every week
MAC launches a new collection just about every week with “Limited Edition” items and colours. The collections don’t get here as quickly as they launch in the USA, the homeground of MAC which is a relief. If you are a MAC fan, keeping up with the many collections can burn a huge hole in your wallet. Also, if you watch the colours closely enough, you’ll notice that colours start to repeat themselves after a spell. If not exactly, then with just a twist in the shade. If you are a MAC fan, you probably already own something in your collection that you can use to dupe the new colours.
The bonus is that since it comes out earlier in the USA, there are lots of reviews of the products around so once it gets to our shores, we’ll know what works and what we should steer clear of.
Eyeshadows fade on me
I don’t have oily eyelids and I don’t usually have a problem with eyeshadow colours fading on my lids. MAC colours however, do. After a couple of hours, the colours fade away to just a hint of color on my lids which is quite awful if you work a full day. This is however, limited to just me and curable with an eyelid primer.
The lipsticks dry my lips out
Again, I don’t usually have a problem with lipsticks. MAC lipsticks however, cause my lips to dry out. I asked around before I tried, for the most moisturising, and was recommended the Lustre lipsticks. I bought one in Blossom which is a lovely coral pink shade. My lips however, hated it – darn!
Price
I wouldn’t consider MAC high end. However, here in Malaysia, our prices are pretty high compared to the prices in the USA. For example, an eyeshadow pot costs US$14 (RM48.50) but here retails for RM57. A blush pot costs US$17.50 (RM60.50) but reatails for RM70 here. I suppose the import fees and taxes should be factored in for us but if you like MAC stuff, and know someone in the USA or someone going there, ask them to get it for you – you save a bundle.
Looking at the USA prices its clear that MAC is not being branded as a high end brand. I’d go so far as to say they are a mid-priced range of makeup which is affordable to the masses. Here however, the pricing puts it out of the range of most of the young crowd to whom this brand is targeted.
Texture of the makeup
Maybe its the makeup I’m used to but I don’t like the texture of MAC eyeshadows and blulsh. The pigmentation is excellent, I admit. However, I work a lot with my fingers and I found that it leaves a film on top of the colours that really bugs me. Its from the oils in the fingers and quite common. However, I don’t find this happening in Japanese brands or in some of the higher end brands, so I don’t like it. The blush colours are nice but somehow I never got into it as a brand for blush. This is however changing with the times.
Scary salespersons
I’ve never really had a good experience with the sales persons at MAC except for one or two at the MAC store in KLCC. Other salespersons tend to border on being rude. They don’t try to show you what they have, they are quite curt and condescending if you know more than they do about their upcoming collections, and their makeup scares me. The complaint about them being rude doesn’t seem to be limited to just here in Malaysia however. I’ve read about many people experiencing this problem at other countries around the world, so it looks as if its a worldwide phenomenon. Not very encouraging.
The scary makeup bit is also a common complaint. Maybe MAC encourages creativity but its a bit of a turn off to customers, especially if these are the same people who are doing a makeover on you. Heavy makeup is fine. Creative makeup for an event is fine. But it might be easier to lure someone into the store with strong but wearable makeup.
Then again…
So you can tell I really don’t quite like MAC very much. I used to have a fair amount of MAC stuff but I gave them all away in the end to people who appreciate it more. However, there are 2 things from MAC I like:
- Pigments – I love working with these pigment powders and use them mainly as eyeshadow. The colors are more intense than pressed powder shadows and they come in a huge pot for RM80. It’ll last you a lifetime.
- Brushes – I’ve found that MAC makeup brushes are pretty good and don’t cost as much as some of the other brands. I’m not extremely picky about my makeup brushes, so long as they do the job well. In fact, although many don’t like the MAC travel set of brushes as they say the quality isn’t as good, I quite like these travel sets as they are value for money. I have a set and I’ve never had problems with it and it works well for me.
So, there you have it. My reasons that MAC Cosmetics isn’t quite for me. At the end of the day, it all comes down to individual likes and dislikes and what works for one may not work for another. For me, I guess I just prefer other brands of makeup.
I know there are many fans out there of this brand, who would happily disagree with me. I would like to hear from you if you are a fan of this brand, as to why you are a fan. It would be enlightening to us all.
Azura says
All i can say is i’m totally huge fan of MAC. My fav counter is at KLCC .. I don’t understand why people keep complaining about rude staf…bla bla bla… i went there almost every week. or else one of the sales girl will call me on phone or texting me that there will be a new collection or any event. They are nice to me and they never treat me the bad way.. I think it is stupid idea to treat customer the bad way as they got commission in every sales!
I have to agree that not all MAC product is good. But whatever it is, i love their eyeshadow and pigments. I don’t like the blushes, i have a couple but i sell it on ebay. I only have 1 blusher and the reason i keep it because it a limited edition product. To be truth, i know some malaysian think that MAC is hi end brand. But let us think back…If u compared MAC with other ‘luxury’ brand, u will find out that MAC has the average price rather than Lancome, Dior, Shiseido, Benefit, Stila……… But don’t compare MAC with drugstore brand as they have different quality.
Try to change ur mind, go back to MAC @ KLCC and asked for Estella to serve u. She is super sweet girl, and just tell her that i asked u guys to see her..
Rikairi says
I have encountered a fair share of rude MAC staff before as well. I live pretty near Mid Valley so naturally i would go to the Mid V outlet more than others, but i can say that most times the staff there make me want to walk out of the store. If it is not because i like a few of their products, i would not even go there at all. Unfortunately the staff’s habit has become somewhat as a norm for me so i have ‘gotten used’ to it. I even had a staff roll her eyes at me when i asked her to teach me how to use the concealer. Most of the time i have to go in, browse myself or ask for a specific thing, pay, and leave.
The one time i was very upset was when i was in the Pavillion outlet. I happen to need a replacement for a product that i had finished, so i went in. The staff were at the counter chatting with each other and completely ignored me (even though they saw me walking in) until i walked up to them and said “Excuse Me!” very loudly. Then one of the staff asked what i wanted, i told her, she got the product, gave it to me and went back to continue chatting.
Then, I wanted to ask for another product so i called the staff over again, and while i was in mid-sentence, she suddenly said “HEYYYY!!!” excitedly and ran off to say hello to her friends (who were not working in MAC) who had just come into the store to see her. I was appalled! I was practically standing there shocked and froze for a few seconds before i shook my head and left the store.
Mind you, i had happen to just finish a rarely big shopping spree before i went into the MAC store and i was carrying several big shopping bags from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, PRADA and Celine while in the store. So, i got such rude assistance not because they think i did not have enough money to pay for the items, it was because they DO NOT even want to BOTHER assisting customers. Why in the world were they hired in the first place? To stand there and chat all day? I was so furious. I noticed they did the exact same thing to a customer who had just came in just before i walked out. I was so furious.
So now whenever i go to MAC, i walk in, ask for the specific item i want, pay, and leave. I dont even bother trying to talk to the staff there or try new products because i couldnt be bothered to deal with the staff anymore.
jennifer says
Again, be a big girl and speak to a manager. Things don’t change by complaining to yourself. I work in dc. I really don’t care what bags a customer is carrying. All i care about is helping. If I am not doing my job and helping you tell my manager, tell another artist! Thats what I do…
Rikairi says
Sorry for double posting. I accidentally clicked too quickly and clicked submit.
I forgot to say that in the Pavillion outlet that i was talking about, i was asking politely for assistance several times but they ignored me, and it was then that i raised my voice louder. I did not just walk in and yell at them. Even when i raised my voice, i was still asking in a polite manner but just louder. I am pretty timid and it is not my nature to yell at people rudely (esp in public), so i am very sure i spoke to the staff nicely.
Just wanted to mention that to make it clear that i was not treated rudely because i treated them rudely first. I remained composed and spoke politely even when i was fuming mad and walked out of the store.
raphael says
I am very new in the make up thing and seems to be interested to know more about the M.A.C products. I came to know their product through online and i was excited to visit their stores one day. But unfortunately, while i was searching for more information about their products, i came across this articles and other news which are more towards negative ones. I suppose these news were particularly on the bad services given by the salespersons. And i was “amazed” of how they were described as being rude and very unhelpful towards the customers. I am planning to go to the Mid Valley M.A.C store one day but i fear of getting some rude treatments from the salespersons and that immediately lowered my interest and confidence in buying their products. I think this do not only affect me but many of us who have read about the negative news will feel just about the same as me. I hope they would change on the way they treat the customers before they really get less support from the consumers and most importantly those targeted consumers who can support their sales. Basic training should be given just to teach those salespersons on how to assist the customers nicely, not only how to make sales. That’s what I think. Well, i hope to hear on any more good or bad news about MAC in the future. It assist us to make the correct choices.
jennifer says
This is the problem with forums like this! It is not MACs culture to be rude! I am a MUA for MAC. I work in the US. We go through extensive training in customer service, product knowledge and artistry. There may be rude sa at any store, any counter, any brand. For instance when I go to sephora no one ever speaks to me! That doesnt stop me from going to sephora! If i have a problem i go to a manager! You have never been there and now you have a preconceived notion which may cause you to come in with the “bitch face”. Come on in approach the most aporoachable looking artist and start asking questions! Most of us loooove helping people and looove makeup….thats why we work here!
sarah says
i have to disagree. all of the sa’s i’ve ever had at a mac store or counter here in america have been very nice and helpful! they were more than happy to help me find products or assist me in picking the best colors for me. as for their makeup being “scarey”, they work at a cosmetics company! they obviously have a passion for creating different looks and they are lucky enough to work in a place that embraces their indivuality and creativity. on another note, i love the products this company has to offer. they are so bold and different it’s refreshing.
Maya says
HIi to all of u, Im a big fan of Mac. I just happened to see this site while i was browsing about careers in MAC ., just simply love to put on make ups :)I’ve noticed that many of u guys are complaining about the services and not the brand. I agree with what sm says that Nobody’s Perfect.But I guess this site helps to the SA’s who have read this too, atleast they know the feedbacks of the customers. But in my experiences, i find the SA nice and approachable…
MH says
I happened to come across this site while looking for info for my project on MAC Cosmetics. I agree that some of their products are not nice to work with, for eg their eye shadow’s texture is pretty rough, that’s why I bought Dior’s instead. But I guess it’s the difference in the price paid? MAC’s about S$28 for black eyeshadow (if i am not wrong), and Dior’s about S$60 (I can’t remember well) for the dual coloured ones. I’m using their Lipstick, foundation, paint pot and gel eyeliner, those are pretty neat. As for the service, I didn’t have a problem when i went to Malaysia, they were really helpful and friendly. Singapore, however, had quite a few disappointments here and there. I don’t think it’s a problem pertaining to MAC alone, just service in general isn’t all that great in Singapore. But then again, we are all humans.
Wendy says
I’ve started using MAC about 6months ago. i went in to the shop and was browsing for a compact powder for my sensitive skin. I remember that time i was wearing a shorts, slipper and T-shirt, and yet the SA serve me very well. He asked me a lot questions to understand my skin conditions before introducing their latest skincare product and as well as the compact powder which is my main reason going there. From time to time i started to purchase few more product from MAC, eg: lipstick, Eyebrow pencil, eye shadows and brushes. I was not really suitable wearing the lipstick as it make my lips dried besides that the product was suitable and giving me good changes on my skin conditions. The most happy moment shopping with MAC was being serve by such a dedicated SA. I once remembered have a last minutes function in other states, and he promised to make a samples on how my makeup should be look on that night to match my dinner dress over the phone. When i drop by, he did make me 2 samples for my dinner makeup. That was my best moment with MAC. I do agreed the fact that females SA are rude compare to males SA. I do hope they will improve their service from time to time to gain more good image from the public.