Is MAC makeup overrated?

Feb 17, 2011

Wingi H.

i wanted to try out a new foundation so i went don't to MAC an got the mineralized satin finish liquid foundation,i loved it in the first 5 min the it slowly started to fade in to a face full of glitter 100% of the coverage was gone i believe it was around $35 :( 

Feb 17, 2011

Savannah S.

I think it is becoming overrated, about a yr or 2 ago, it was the 'go to' brand for quality, but that quality is starting to fade a bit significantly. I will ALWAYS read reviews about certain pricy makeup's b4 making a commitment to a huge brand, you know....

Feb 17, 2011

Yasmin K.

YES!

I love MAC cosmetics, don't get me wrong, but considering there is a 40% mark up for non-pros and there is a slight mark up for pros (even whole prices have a markup for the company to make money) I think it's a complete rip off at times especially when they come out with collections after collections of colors that are virtually the same.

With MAC you have to be careful what you buy as some of the products are good and some not so much. This is especially true of their collections.

Feb 17, 2011

Louise-Lesley J.

I think it has went downhill recently too. When I first got into make-up my Mother brought me to a MAC counter and I got a foundation - now I wasn't big on wearing it back then so it took me a while to finish and when I went to get another one, I hated it! It was truly horrible compared to the first.

I think they are over-rated. Yes, I love their Ltd Ed items and their eye shadow range but there are plenty of other more affordable (and more expensive...) brands that are just better.

I fear newer people to make-up may get the wrong impression that all you need is MAC!

Feb 17, 2011

Wingi H.

damn its true an everything is so over priced,they can do a lil better gosh 

Feb 17, 2011

Shelly T.

I think, like every other cosmetics brand out there, MAC have their good products and their bad ones. It's all a matter of trial and error and deciding which products work best for you.

<<an everything is so over priced,>>

Compared to what, though? Overpriced compared to drugstore brands? Or overpriced compared to higher-end brands?

<<illamasqua is soo much better i mean you can get a cream blush and a blush for like maybe 10$/20$ less but at amazing quality>>

Less?! Here in the US, Illamasqua products cost MORE than MAC's equivalents! (Example: $14.50 for a MAC eyeshadow in a pot vs. $20 for an Illamasqua one at Sephora. The size of the two isn't much different -- .05 oz for MAC vs. .07 oz for Illamasqua.)

Feb 18, 2011

Yasmin K.

For me the price being overprices comes from knowing what pros pay over what non-pros pay.

Example, my daughter loved Dazzleglass and pays (I think) $18.00. 40% of that is $10.80 (before tax). That's along the same price as Sephora's lipglosses.

I already know that pros get a huge discount on products (some up to 50% off) and I think that's a complete rip off. Let's put this way.

There are 15 items in the Wonder Woman collection. If the entire collection was purchased, non-pro price, it would come out to $362.50 before tax (for me with tax it's $384.25).

$362.50 - 40% = $217.50!
That's a $145 difference! OUCH!

And it's not like there's a middle man like say with OPI or China Glaze where the cost for those items for pros range between $3.25 a bottle to $4 a bottle with retail being between $7 and $8 if you buy it at a salon. The salon owner in that case needs to make a bit of profit so I can understand the 50% markup on that but what's MAC's excuse for a 40%+ markup to consumers? Because it's sold at MAC there is no reason for a large markup like that and MAC doesn't allow anyone else to sell their products so I just don't see the reason for a high markup. I really don't.

Feb 19, 2011

Farah A.

I love the 'looks' often created in the marketing campaigns and I adore the eyeshadows.

But I have had horrible reactions to their formulations--blush, concealer, foundation, you name it.

My skin is just too sensitive to even try Mac properly. *tear?*

Feb 19, 2011

Christine R.

there are many companies with equal if not better quality makeup for cheaper. But, MAC is still amazing :)

Dec 2, 2012

Candice B.

Absolutely not overrated

Dec 3, 2012

Debbye J.

i use the same foundation from mac as well and yes it does fade. but i started getting into setting sprays and primers so my makeup could stay on til i wash it off. 

Dec 3, 2012

Shelley W.

When I first started buying MAC it was in the early '90's and the quality was off the charts. Pigmentation was intense (carbon was so creamy and super black that I was told to use it with caution....now carbon is just a dry gray mess). Lipsticks across all formulas were not drying and didnt require a lip balm application prior to lipstick. Lustre formulas dry my lips and I can't touch the matte formulas without a coat of vaseline. The MAC I know of today is seriously overrated. 

Dec 4, 2012

Brooklynn J.

I like Mac and I want some for Christmas, it's just there are sooooo many dupes for the products that are cheaper!

Dec 4, 2012

Lizzette G.

I love MAC and i know it is a very good brand, has very good products and quality ingredients. I personally think that you should give it a try again and this time express your needs to a makeup artist tell her what are your expectations with the product you want and also if you are trying skin products ( foundation, primer, moisturizers, concealer) make sure you describe your skin type. I am sure that they will give you a good product that will fill your needs. The good thing about mac is that it has a product for every skin need. I've been using mac for almost 6 years , i love it!

Dec 4, 2012

Shelley W.

Lizzette G. after my last go around with their foundation earlier this year I'm completely done at trying yet again. Raw, irritated skin is not my idea of fun. Plus, it wasnt a perfect color match. And with my sensitive aging skin I don't dare touch their skincare. Spent way too much time in researching and experimenting to find the perfect skincare items for my skin....its not worth it in my eyes to jump ship for MAC. I love some of their lipstick and lipglass shades but the love stops there. Happy that it works perfectly for you though. :)

Jun 8, 2013

Nicolette D.

I love Mac but they are not budget friendly 😢

Nov 18, 2013

Deandrea O.

Of course, not...but I believe that the choice in foundation is tailored around complexion and skin type and skin care rituals. I do know this, MAC's glitter/bronze foundations does not have good coverage because of the additional particles. As one perspires, the glitter causes the foundation to become uneven. Think if these particles as an exfoliator. It will remove or shift whatever is on the surface of it.

Apr 7, 2014

Mari M.

I love MAC products. they're my go to actually...pigments on eyeshadows are really good and I love the variety of lip color choices. and yes, I agree with Shelly T. There are good and bad ones like any other makeup products, you have to try them to know which suits you.
http://youtu.be/SIejvn4Ps48