MAC Cosmetics Image

May 3, 2014

Grace K.

Soooo I'm currently in school for business and I'm doing one of my final presentations on MAC Cosmetics. Basically, we could have chosen any company we wanted, I chose one that was appealing to me. I have to write a huge paper on the company (which is mostly finished, yay!) and then have a rehearsed presentation on it, to present in front of my class / professor. The focus of the paper is around the "dominant image" our company creates. For example, when I think of Whole Foods, I imagine healthy people who like to go hiking and drive Subarus. Lmao. So for MAC my established "dominant image" is Prestige? I used the sleek "black on black," look MAC has, the employee dress codes, the all black packaging, the easily recognizable, (again all black) MAC shopping bags, as well as a bunch of other stuff to build my dominant image of "Prestige." Would you beauties agree / disagree with this?! Sorry if this isn't closely enough related to makeup and gets removed, I just figured since it was about MAC it would be a cool discussion! 😘

May 3, 2014

Grace K.

I also thought this could tie into the appeal of MAC- why is it sooo popular? I love MAC and totally buy into the hype hahah. But I do think the black on black look and signature MAC black packaging plays a role in it. :3

May 3, 2014

Kimberly A.

I agree. I think the simplicity and classicness of it all has helped make them such a household name. well maybe not all households, but in the homes of make up lovers haha. the black on black dress code, the black packaging, the bags all black with just the name is simple because that's all it has to be. They don't need gimmicks and fancy packaging because they stand behind a good product. Although don't get me wrong, I am a sucker for pretty packaging lol.

May 3, 2014

Mariana E.

I think this is a very interesting thread. I hope your presentation goes impeccably. I have to say I totally agree with Kimberly. I believe they know how solid their product is and can effortlessly choose something simple (yet classy) as their trade mark.
I'm crazy about make up. I don't mind investing in good quality. For me MAC is prestige, but most importantly, (even though many of my purchases originated in a whim) a smart buy.

May 3, 2014

Traci L.

Good luck hun,and I do think there packaging matches the look and I love sleek black packaging just like nars black an white and sleek I think it looks classy.

May 3, 2014

Sabrina K.

Well I don't know if my opinion will help you since I am anything but a Mac love, I agree that their packaging is nice and simple in comparison to something like Maybelline, which screams cheap "childish" makeup even thoug some of their makeup is a lot better the it looks.

But Mac's image, to me, screams that they think they are better then others. I went into a mac shop to look at a lipstick I had seen on here and the employers was so stuck up and could barely be bothered to look my way or offer any kind of help. Also the crazy makeup they all wear and their wanting to be so different gets a bit to much because it's doesn't feel real. I would any day choose to by my make up from other brands.

May 3, 2014

Naomi S.

I think there's more than just the packaging and the fact that the product is "quality". Mac offered colors that were not avail to the masses. that is a bigggggg part of what made them stand out. they pushed the norm of colors avail n offered pro products to normal folks in dept stores. also, their supply and demand is on point! they never have enough, that pushes folks to hurry and order quick.
theyve made themselves a staple n the arts world and that has pushed them in front. they weren't afraid to b bold when bold was uncommon.. ;-)

May 3, 2014

Traci L.

loveeeeee ^^^^^^^^

May 3, 2014

Mariana E.

Oh @Sabrina! I know exactly what you mean!! But I think stuck-up sales people have little to do with the brand itself. I remember back when I was a Mac Virgo, I went to one, looking for a red lipstick. The stuck-up person in turn, asked me (eyebrow up high) any particular color? I wanted a red one (little I knew there were about a hundred different reds) and I felt kind of out of place. The tone, the intimidating all black-we're-all-pros-here outfit and the sometimes overwhelming inventory made me feel like I didn't belong. But I really wanted my red lipstick. So I said "yes, I'd like the whore-red please!" I said it so nicely that she had to play along and got me my now cherished ruby woo.

May 3, 2014

Naomi S.

Lmao @Mariana.

May 4, 2014

Mary T.

Soo.. Jackie took my thoughts and made it waaay cooler sounding and added a ton of info!! When I think of Mac I also think of the professional image as well. Good luck on the paper! Sounds like a cool project!!

May 4, 2014

Jay M.

Lmao Mariana! I have yet to go into a Mac store...I think I would feel the same way kinda outta place. I love how you handled the snobby sales lady! Good luck on your presentation Grace!! How fun you get to do a report on something you really love. Wish I would've thought about doing papers on make-up. (I did mine on the Saturn car company....yawn how boring) Yours sounds like a ton of fun! And your right it will make for a great discussion in class.  :)

May 4, 2014

Shelley W.

Love your project Grace. Let us know how the presentation went. ;)

May 5, 2014

Bree B.

I love M.A.C and a lot of that is tied to what Jackie said. Growing up in the burbs of Chicago and pouring over fashion mags and obsessing over makeup you couldn't get the colors you wanted at the drugstore or department store. I did shop in the city some but I don't remember encountering what I was looking for there either. And then...M.A.C came. Dun dun dunnnnnnn! I *think my first purchase was silver eyeshadow. It was just heavenly. The colors you wanted, there like a candy store. This was around 1994?95?
Another big thing I think about M.A.C is I think of Viva Glam. Total proceeds goes to HIV/AIDS. They began that in the 90's as well, at a time when HIV was still stigmatized. RuPaul as the first Viva Glam spokesmodel. They seem to have managed to straddle the mainstream and the "counterculture" and make it work.

May 5, 2014

Bree B.

As for the people who feel their staff is snobby. I've never experienced that. They've been nothing but enthusiastic and friendly and super sweet to me.

I worked in retail starting when I was 17. No manager wants you to be treated that way. If you are being treated that way calmly ask their name and how to contact their district manager. That shouldn't be happening, at M.A.C or anywhere.

May 5, 2014

Grace K.

Omggggg! Seriously ALL my favorites ladies commented on this thread! I usually just post from the app but after reading all these amazing responses I had to get on the computer so I can reply to each one of you individually <3
Kimberly - I definitely agree with the simplicity! :) MAC packaging is so easily recognizable, but still so simple. Thank you so much for the reply, I loved hearing your input!
Mariana - Thank you so much! My presentation is tonight! :) I definitely agree with you about MAC nearly always being a smart buy! They are very consistent with product quality. I know I like powders from MAC, as well as blushes, concealers, eyeliners, anything lol. I can go to the MAC store and pretty much grab whatever, I'll end up liking it!
Traci - YESSSS! Lol MAC and NARS packaging is my favorite! (Except everything sticks to NARS packaging?!) Hahah. NARS blushes look sooo cute sitting in my blush drawer it just makes me want all of them!
Sabrina - I TOTALLY agree with you about the narcissism! I love MAC but their employees definitely can be stuck up at times! My friend Clyde who is an English major was helping me revise my paper and he said when he thought of MAC, the first thing that came to mind was stuck up too! Lol. Some of the employees are sooo sweet and helpful but some are just there to be able to say they work for MAC Cosmetics, haha.
Naomi- I couldn't agree with you more! :) I definitely made that a focus in my paper. Although it's all in plain black packaging, the colors and formulations are so unique and fun! Also LOL about the supply and demand, that's too true! I'm always rushing to order things on the MAC website before they're out of stock!
Jaqueline - Omg! When I saw you had commented on my thread I was so excited! I totally agree about MAC being reasonably priced high end. When I first started dipping my toes into high end cosmetics, MAC was the first brand I played with, and I'm sure it was that way for a lot of people haha. :) I mentioned how Frank Angelo & Toskan changed the game, but I wish I could go back and revise the message of my paper after reading your input hahah you mention so many things I hadn't even considered before! Thank you so much for commenting!
Mary - Thank you sooo much beauty! c:
Jay - Omg! That was me for soooo long! I was too afraid to actually go INTO the store because I thought the employees would be stuck up or judge me if my makeup wasn't perfect or something! But then I started working retail and I realized that the employees will say anything nice to make a sale, and when I finally went they were truly helpul and nice. Now I know my favorite MAC employees by name I'm there so damn much! Thank you! I give the presentation tonight I'll let everyone know how it goes! :)
Shelley - Thank you so much beautiful! I've rehearsed it over and over I'm hoping it goes well lol!
Bree - Omg! You also bring in so many amazing points I haven't considered before! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this! I absolutely LOVE that you still remember your first MAC purchase :)
Also OMG girl I could not agree with you more about Viva Glam! My professor said that in our paper we should include an "artifact," something that is unique to our topic (in my case, MAC) and has a sentimental value. I chose Viva Glam and mentioned how long ago it started, how the proceeds go toward MAC's AIDS Fund, all the celebrities who have worked with MAC, and then mentioned Ru Paul being the first Viva Glam Spokesperson in 1994 and coming back again recently for the sentimental part. :) I seriously love your opinion on this!

Thank you again ladies! This was so cool to read, I love hearing all your opinions.

May 6, 2014

Grace K.

My presentation went well! Which I am so glad about :) Thanks again beauties xoxoxo.