is MAC really all that?

Nov 14, 2010

Johanna T.

I have a pretty big make up collection and I have MAC eyeshadows, paint pots, lipsticks.. I don't know. I just don't think MAC is all that. I get more joy finding a great drugstore product. On the high end products, I think Smashbox is better. Am I crazy? I just don't think MAC is worth all the hype.

Nov 14, 2010

Yu A.

I think it's all down to preference, but at the end of the day, MAC may seem like the most high-end, expensive company but it isn't. In comparison to the likes of Chanel, YSL, and Estee Lauder, even sometimes Clinque, it really isn't that expensive for being an actualy make-up company, whereas the others mentioned do loads of other things. It's also unlike Benefit or Anna Sui, which tries to make money off of their packaging, which gives MAC more of a genuine, made-for-make-up-artistry feel, which I think is worth the hype. Also, I think there's a massive hit and miss with MAC, not just in terms of which products (I don't think their Liquidlast are all that for example), but what colour eyeshadows (i.e. the texture) and stuff. 

Nov 14, 2010

Tiffany H.

I just went to the MAC store and sephora for the first time yesterday and I loved it. I want more MAC now but I can do without sephora. It's too expensive. So ay MAC I picked up the fix+ and the mineralized skin finish in golden luster and I love them both!!!  

Nov 14, 2010

Johanna T.

Yu A. I agree with you that it's all about preference. I don't think that MAC is by any means an expensive make up brand. In fact I think MAC is pretty affordable. I just think that MAC is branded to be a total makeup experience. They don't sell their items in Sephora or Ulta. You have to go directly to a MAC counter or a MAC store. I have yet to find myself feeling like I had great service at MAC and that their "artist" educated me about my product, the application etc.. I also have yet to find that holy grail product from MAC that I can't live without. In terms of made-for-make-up-artisty feel, I have to disagree. If plain black packaging with a simple logo is all it takes to give off the impression of made-for-make-up-artisty then it even further supports the fact that it is not worth they hype. There are many brands out there that sport that simple style of packaging. I can also say that I am certain that MAC factors product packaging into the price you pay, so they do make money on that packaging. I am just wondering if anyone else feels this way. All of your basic items you would use to do makeup: lipstick, foundation, eyeliner, mascara etc.. There is not one item MAC seems to make that I feel is superior in quality, texture, easy of use that can't be found at your local drugstore. For example: Dazzleglass is $18. I like it but I think my Milani 3d glitzy gloss is the same or dare I say it, better than Dazzleglass. For professional make up artists ( I know a few personally) I get the impression that MAC is not the go to brand for a lot of them either. I am not saying I don't like MAC products, all I am saying or asking is "is MAC worth all the hype?"..............

Nov 14, 2010

Melissa ..

I think that's true as well...that MAC is very hit or miss with products. I think that in comparison to brands like Benefits, Urban Decay which are generally more expensive for shadows, concealers, or mascaras, MAC's quality is great. I think it depends on what you are looking for in makeup and what your expectations are. I think MAC is amazing for eyeshadow and lipsticks in range and pigmentation of shades. However, for mascara you can definitely find better quality at the drugstore for alot cheaper. So really with each makeup brand you probably do find some amazing products and then those not are not so amazing. That's why it's great that there are so many brands to choose from!

Nov 14, 2010

Kiana L.

I think it depends by what you define as "hype." Like I think all the MAC LE collections and products, that are only put out in limited quantities and get sold out before non-makeup enthusiasts even know about them (and then sold at rip-off prices on eBay, smh)...to me, that's hype that isn't worth it. (But I do really like my Stereo Rose MSF!).

But if you mean is MAC worth its popularity/weight...then I would say yes. MAC is very affordable in the U.S. (it's about twice the price in Asia!) and I always have a great experience at MAC. All the MUAs are very helpful (although some are more knowledgeable and skilled than others), you can return a product if you're unhappy with it (they don't allow this in Japan), and I've always had fun booking makeover sessions (you just have to buy $40+ worth of any MAC products at the time).

Of course, I don't think every product is great, but that's true with any brand. Then again, everyone is different so while you might not like a product, it can be someone else's HG. Overall, MAC is probably my favorite because I love the variety they offer in colors compared to other brands and products are relatively affordable for their quality.

BTW...I looooooooove the MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, as well as the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (or MSFs in general). <3 =)

Nov 14, 2010

Tamara R.

I think most people enjoy finding something at the drugstore (or dollar store) that's a good deal paired with good quality. I don't think that detracts from other brands; whether their professional or luxury. I've never come across a brand that was perfection with every product. Consider all the nuances from person to person; not everything will work for everyone for due to individual skin tones, undertones, skin types, and personal preferences. It's nearly impossible, and that's not even looking at the occasional formulation/marketing blunder - LOL!

I don't subscribe to brand loyalty, and I don't except companies to cater to my every needs. There are so many brands out there at so many price points, you're bound to find something you like - if you take the time to look.

I like MAC for a lot of products, but they are not the be all to end all.. the makeup world is a big, wide world that doesn't stop at the doors to the MAC store. ;]

Nov 14, 2010

Emma H.

I've never bought anything from MAC and have always wanted to but i dont understand how people can say that it is affordable. £11 for one eyeshadow is NOT affordable, okay some people have more money than others and may find that cheap but the majority of us dont have that much money and that in my eyes is expensive.
On the MAC uk website there is about 140 eyeshadows that you can buy all for £11, if you bough all of those eyeshadows it would cost over £1,500!
its just silly.
Whenever i go on the website, as i dont have a MAC counter or shop close to me, I never know what I would buy because I could easily find another, cheaper, brand that would do near enough the same job. Nothing from MAC really stands out to me that makes me think that i have to get it because no other brands have anything like that.

Nov 14, 2010

Tamara R.

It's relative thing. Obviously, if something is more than you're willing to spend that's a personal preference, but in terms of non drugstore makeup, MAC isn't the worst of the worst.

I'm not sure of the conversion to £, but you can still see the variation in USD. I just picked out a few of the more popular brands of eye shadow to illustrate. All of these are single shadows, no duos or palettes.. just one singular colour of shadow.

Bare Minerals shadow $13
Clinique shadow $14
MAC shadow $14.50 ($11 for just the pan - which if you plan on more than a few, I absolutely suggest!)
Smashbox shadow $16
Urban Decay shadow $17
Stila shadow refill $18 (you buy the pot separate for $2 if you want it - LOL - see, palettes all the way)
Make Up For Ever $19 (no option to buy just the pan - at least at Sephora)
Bobbi Brown shadow $20
NARS shadow $23
Chanel shadow $28.50
Guerlain shadow $35

Nov 15, 2010

Johanna T.

i agree with you Emma H. If you go on their website and you see a product, chances are you could do without MAC and find a very good alternative in your local drugstore. In the end it is all about personal choice. It just kind of suprises me that MAC gets so much attention on youtube's beauty community when there are so many other brands that meet or exceed the quality of MAC. I don't think that as a brand, MAC is worth all the hype. In my opinion there are very few unique qualities you get from MAC that cannot be matched by common drugstore brands or other high end brands. This is my opinion and I was curious if anyone else felt this way.  

Nov 15, 2010

Amanda K.

Yu A, excellent and well versed answer!

In answer to the original question though, i'm going to say that yes indeed mac is all that!! i like a few smashbox products but i think we are opposites-i think they're decent, a select few are good, but way overpriced and not "all that"

in addition mac is true products.. no crap, long shelf life for most products, great quality, excellent for makeup artists and the everyday woman without being over the top. that's why they offer the mac pro discount. you can't have a pro discount program, an entire course in beauty and such without being a decent company, can you? theres no such thing for maybelline pros and what not lol. that and they aren't made in china, taiwan, and the like, causing the products to be made with lower quality materials. for example, drugstore "mineral makeup", in order to be called mineral makeup, needs to have just one mineral and voila, mineral makeup, where as i was told mac mineral makeups range from 3 to 48 minerals in one product.

while i wont sit here and preach mac is the best!! because i certainly like MUFE's foundation sliightly better than macs, its definitely my favourite, and i like too faced primer over their primers, etc etc.. their moisturizers and face wipes are a rip off and i'd rather buy ponds and ivory wipes from the drugstores as well as certain mascaras. so i'm all for having multiple brands in your kit but i'm going to say that mac deserves the hype it gets! i used to firmly believe the opposite but alas, i am a changed woman!

Nov 15, 2010

Ashley G.

Personally I pretty much only buy MAC products because they're cruelty free. I'm not going to say that they are affordable, not everyone makes the same amount of money, so you actually can't just say it's affordable because for some it's not. I agree with pretty much all of you, it's a hit and miss. I personally hate MAC mascaras, plus they're quite expensive, I also don't care much for there skincare products. The only thing I really buy from MAC is eye shadows and lipsticks, I find that they both last a really long time, and they're both pigmented. BUT I've had a few MAC shadows that were really poor quality, I guess it wasn't my lucky day! Overall I think that they're a good brand, but they definietly aren't the best!

Nov 15, 2010

Yu A.

Johanna, I get what you're saying.. I think ultimately it IS down to preference. If you haven't found a holy grail product then it just isn't for you, and that's just normal. I think many people have, but just because MAC is, in the end, high quality products. For example, their concealers I think are unbeatable, and some of their colours in the eyeshadow range are undupable.. Club being one that comes to mind. However on the topic of packaging, of course they charge for the packaging, but what I was saying is that they don't invest in over-the-top or decorative packaging that you end up having to pay for in the end, which as a customer, I'm happy about. And it contributes to me wanting to buy more from them - thus an aspect of the 'hype'. I'm not really talking about other companies who do black and simple, I'm talking about MAC's packaging and MAC's hype. In terms of the exclusivity of MAC being a store/counter - I think that's just good marketing! In my mind I always think MAC as being more high-end than Benefit, even if Benefit is more expensive, because it's so limited access :) Maybe that's why people think it's a hype! But I think most people are just hyped about it because they've found a holy grail product :)

Nov 15, 2010

Shawna J.

Wow great convo. I too must agree it's comes down to preference. It also has to do with the fact that many people haven't tried many of the other products available today. But I must say I too use to be a MAC junkie until I started venturing out and trying other products both drugstore and higher end and realized that there are other products out there that are just as good if not better than MAC products. I do still love MAC but I find myself venturing out to see if there is anything else out there that is better.

I think that the MUA at MAC need more training about the products though because I have yet to find one that can properly answer any of my questions about many of their products. I find myself looking to youtube for the answers I need.

What I don't understand is the need to have some many limited edition collections. It seems like every month there is another MAC collection out with tons of repromotes which to me is just unneccessary.

I tend to shop MAC because I have the pro card and I get my discount. But I don't find myself shopping MAC as much as I use to.

Do I think it's worth the hype. As far as providing a one stop shop of everything you need makeup and range of colors available.... Yes. Everything else you can find elsewhere if you looked and probably for less.

Nov 15, 2010

Johanna T.

Shawna! :) Thank goodness! This is what I mean exactly! I used to go to MAC for everything and just like you I started looking at other products. This happened after repeatedly leaving MAC feeling like the MUA knew just about as much as I did about products and also being a little put off by the way they were wearing their make up. Then I found Ulta and Sephora and all the different brands and products that I felt were better or the same.

When I discovered the beauty community on youtube, I was amused at how much attention MAC cosmetics gets. I think that I personally watch more vids on products that are outside the MAC brand.

And as far as the limited collections, there is a lot of dedication to packaging and drawing you in with the unique designs. They have way too many limited collections!!! The repromotes are totally unneccessary! You totally hit the point dead on Shawna!
But I have to admit there is some great marketing involved because limited editions sell like crazy :)

I still don't think it's worth all the hype. MAC is good and some of the colors are great. I think for me, I find more unique undupable colors in brands like Urban Decay and Too Faced. Speaking of undupable, The Naked palette from UD for me is worth all they hype!! I think the color selection was well thought out and there are so many unique colors for a neutral palette. I think as far as skin care goes, MAC Fix + is nicely scented water that does next to nothing for your skin. I Ben Nye has more professional items in it's line for setting make up that actually works. I think that a lot of the lipsticks are ones I could do without even though I like their lipsticks. Maybelline has some nice ones and so does Revlon. I will always own some MAC because I am a makeup junkie and if there happens to be a MAC counter or store I will go in. I just think everyone should branch out and try other things from ELF to Rock and Republic..... I have found more holy grail products this way.

I like all the input!! Everyone has had a lot of great points which I appreciate.