They seem like they’ve backed off collections almost TOO much! I miss some of the creativity they showed through limited edition collections, but overall, I like the direction they’ve been going in. They still make amazing core products!
— Christine
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I absolutely love their lipsticks, the satin, and amplified ones. I like their glosses, and blushes as well. I used to use their eyeshadows a lot back in the day, but then came along ND, and PML, which I find much better than Macs eyeshadow formula.
I don’t like that they backed off of being trendsetters, why haven’t they done any multi chrome? Why have they stayed very Estee Lauder like on the sabe side? No new exciting eyeshadows or lipsticks
MAC was the first non drugstore brand I ever used, I was introduced to them when I was only 15yrs old. I still use several of their products and will still buy some some items from their collections.
That being said, I was super loyal to them until maybe 5 years ago. I feel like they’ve increased their marketing but aren’t actually innovating much. I think though, that their biggest flaw isn’t a flaw at all: it’s that they did nearly everything first. They had a huge range of shades, finishes, products, the recycling program, the on-site makeup counsel in stores… and, for the most part, they still offer much of the same products they did when I started buying from them. I still use Omega shadow on my brows, Melba as blush, still love their setting spray more than any other, but I won’t buy more Ruby Woo no matter how many times they repackage and reformulate. Makeup has boomed in recent years, every celebrity has a brand, and so many lines are available with Sephora now all over North America and, unfortunately (for MAC), people love buying the latest trend. I personally must own 20 red lipsticks from probably 15 different brands. Buyers want new textures, new promises, new new new and MAC, even though they give great consistency and quality, they’re no longer giving much of anything new… I wish that weren’t a negative against them but it is, considering what buyers seem to want.
I look through the seasonal collections now and most of it is repackaged regular collection shades, so I almost never buy. I used to line up outside the shop on launch days, but now I just wait until it ultimately goes on sale…
It makesw me sad because I do love the brand, and I know their products are good, but so many I used to repeat-buy are now just ok compared to innovative new formulas from other brands. Also, lipstick and eyeshadow was $13.50 Canadian plus taxes when I started buying 20yrs ago. Now it’s $25 I believe and it’s probably the exact same formula…
Same here,when i strarted using MAC in 2002 single eyeshadows and lipstick costed 12 euro and now there up to 24 euro.The new MAC Stack Mascara is 34 euro,more expensive than DIOR , is there anything more to say?
MAC’s packaging is so boring. They switch up the designs on the packaging once in a while, but the packaging itself is so old, cheap, and/or unattractive.
I love MAC in general (foundation, blush, lipstick). Their permanent or core products are excellent. I hardly but LE collections.
They discontinue so much of their BEST stuff (and I’m not even talking “LE” here, though Moth Brown….I still ache a bit over missing out on that one). They dc’d several of the Extra Dimension eyeshadows that they had the wisdom to make “permanent” (impermanently permanent!), they’ve done the same with a few blushes and lipsticks that I love(d) and some of their core collection of permanent shadows. And I was surprised to learn they’d also got rid of the Waterweight Concealer. I could go on and on but you get the picture!
DUH – I forgot to mention what I like, which is a lot. MAC was my first makeup love and you never really get over or forget your first love! Plus, they still have some wonderful products – concealers, some of their foundations (I do like the powder one and Mineralize Skin Finish Natural); their Extra Dimension “everything”….there is just so much I will always love about MAC!
I will ALWAYS love and treasure my collection of Mac blushes – they remain among my top favorite blushes of ALL TIME. I don’t really buy much Mac these days – but I still have a collection of their single shadows which I have integrated into my singles collection. I also seem to ALWAYS have a Mac Fix+ spray in my makeup collection. I think that Mac has some reliable products that when they work for you, you always want token them around. However, Have to say that Mac is not the brand I always go checking for like I did a few years back – but that; son – they still in the my mind remain a steady companion. I would like though for them to take some leaps of faith and move into some new territories with their makeup innovations because I would like to see them still around and doing well in years to come. I think its because they were one of the first brands where I started growing a “collection” (single eyeshadows, matte lipsticks, blushes).
Their regular non-LE packaging has always been blah, but they’ve made their lipstick tubes even worse. They’re suddenly made of very flimsy, shiny plastic that shows fingerprints and feel like something from Cover Girl or Maybelline. They really lost their edge even though I still rely on them for some staples.
It took me 20 yrs to discover MAC’s NW10 shade and 5+ yrs later, it’s still the best match I’ve found. Studio Fix Fluid is my holy grail full coverage long wearing foundation, Satin Taupe is my go to one and done shadow and Viva Glam VI was my most repurchased lip product for yrs until they discontinued it in 2020. I also love the Flash & Awe highlight palette. I’ve never been a fan of the limited edition products, although I did stupidly buy the 2020 and 2021 Lunar NY highlights even tho Double Gleam is too dark and warm, but that’s just bc I don’t like having to fight for products that may sell out in minutes.
Used to wear eyeshadow and lipstick for years from them but they were discontinued years ago. Haven’t bought anything from them in years and don’t like the fact the ingredients aren’t clean. I don’t ever shop their site, too many Indie brands that are really good for a fraction of the cost!
Yes, there was a time when MAC was doing a CP and releasing collections every 5 minutes and it’s good to see that they have slowed down – almost to a full stop now.
What I like about MAC – the brand has kept a core range of eyeshadows (mostly singles) that have been stellar products for them over the years (eg Satin Taupe, Amber Lights etc) and they have kept their best lipsticks as well (Ruby Woo, Russian Red, Fresh Moroccan, Chilli etc). But it’s hit and miss.
The MUA are also more friendlier than what they once were too (very snooty) – even here in Aus.
What I don’t like about MAC – Some of their collections are and were pretty disappointing over the years – especially their eyeshadow quads.
Unfortunately they also have d/c some of their best blushes, concealers and even eyeshadow ranges in the much better formulas.
I don’t think they have put out anything interesting in the past few years.
I agree with the d/c of heir best blushes and eye shadows. Shades i wore for years now gone!
When I think of MAC I always smile. They really were the forerunner of best laid out and cohesive counters. Alllll those lipsticks and eyeshadows, it was to me mesmerizing. They had a great Next To Nothing powder I used until poof it was gone. I had many, many tubes of Viva Glam V and VI and Sophisto was my go to! All, sadly, gone. I am devoted to Naked Lunch. I would go back to MAC and buy again but nothing excites me. It was fun though seeing the counter.
I like the quality of MAC old school products, they’re some of my holy grails, products I re-purchased time and time again: Prolongwear Concealer, Prolongwear Waterproof Foundation, Satin Taupe and Haux eyeshadows, Sculpt and Harmony blushes, Diva lipstick and so on.
I met many great make-up artists at the MAC counters, who taught me numerous tips and made me fell in love with makeup. I still keep contact after 6 years with my `MAC lady` from my home country.
I love the palette system, how I can build my own eyeshadow and blush palette… my custom made palette is the only thing I need.
It’s not an exciting or trendsetter brand anymore… it’s boring and practical, just like me.
I clearly hate that they discontinue some of my favorite eyeshadows… but half of them came back in a way or another.
I rarely have interest in collections, I don’t like limited edition items, if I like something I want to buy them again and again. The last collection item I bought was a lip liner from the Charlotte Olympia collection, years ago. But it was annoying how many they used to do a couple of years ago… just to stop suddenly. There should be a good middle ground, but creativity is clearly lacking at MAC.
I don’t have a lengthy relationship with MAC but over all I can’t find many lipsticks that beat Verve and Whirl as far as tone and finish. It’s like they were made for my face specifically.
I can’t get my make up done without fix+. I use it to change the viscosity of products, to set my face, to enliven eyeshadow.
Do I get excited about new MAC launches? No. But not many things do. I am more of a stalker and a lurker. I will stalk a product until it goes on sale or I have enough points saved at Ulta.
But these lipsticks from MAC are ride or die.
Mac isn’t as revolutionary as it once was but they still have some of my every day staple products. Mac studio fix concealers, their blushes, lipsticks and even their kohl eyeliners in teddy and smolder. All products I use multiple times a week.
I do appreciate them also entering Ulta as it made it a lot easier to access and even over the years their prices haven’t risen painfully high like many high end brands have.
Much the same as my feelings on Nars: a nostalgic brand for me, but rarely purchase. I see a lot of repackaging and not a whole lot of innovation at this point. Too many competing superior formulas in pretty much all categories. That said, I still buy their mascara. I so wish they would extend their paint pot and powder kiss offerings; two products whose formulas differ in unique ways from their competitors.
What I love: Mac still has bomb core products. My Mac lipstick collection will always be large. Blushes and eyeshadows are still bomb and blendable.
What I hate: They discontinued so many of their popular products- Hue, Pink Nouveau, Siss, Fresh brew, Soba, Spring bean lustreglass, I mean I could go on and on. They also have lost a great deal of creativity and always seem like they are struggling to refind their footing. The days of heatherette, hello kitty, and archie’s girls collections are gone. It’s a shame to see them fall from such grace. But I totally think if they’re going to have wack limited edition collections that they could make their permanent line better by bringing back the staples that people have been asking for. Siss and fresh brew for Black women were must haves. Just my two cents!
Not cruelty-free. As a veterinarian, I can’t wear it.
Their lipsticks and extra dimension skin finishes (powder highlighters)! They’re top notch and never let me down. I have a concealer with spf (studiofinish?) and while I like it, and enjoy having something with spf on hand for touch ups, it’s not the best color match. I find MAC’s complexion to not have offerings for me. They’re either too dark, too pink, and/or contain silicones.
Their brow pen was a complete bust for me. I’ve purchased two and could never get them to lay down color reliably. The powder on the other end was a complete misstep as well.