MAC Offers Long Lasting Color and Keeps Grass Roots Green
A girl’s make-up is very personal decision. Some women get hooked on one brand and they are loyal followers. Personally, I am the type that chooses from a menagerie of make-up varieties, but I would have to say that MAC Cosmetics is my favorite.
According to Wikipedia, Make-up Artists Cosmetics aka MAC Cosmetics was founded by Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo in Toronto in 1984. The company’s products were initially designed for professional make-up artists. In 1991, the first American MAC store opened in Greenwich Village, NYC. Today, the company boasts stores all over the world and is now controlled by Estèe Lauder Companies.
At first, I was intimidated by MAC because of the whole make-up artist concept. I was never very good at putting on my own make-up and, even though I purchased it at Department Stores, I didn’t have the knowledge to apply it correctly. Essentially, I had accepted the fact that my make-up just vanished from my face by about lunchtime no matter what.
But many moons ago, while in Manhattan Village mall, I decided to check out the MAC counter. One look and I wanted to run for the hills. Each of the artists – as they are called – working the kiosk looked like they were about to head to the club…and it was the middle of the afternoon. I almost turned on my heel, when one of the gals asked if she could help me. Well, I didn’t want to be rude, so I told her my dilemma. She sat me in her chair and really scrutinized my face. I was skeptical of this woman, who looked like David Bowie from Ziggy Stardust, as she grabbed her paperwork to make notes.
After a half-hour, wha-la, I was done. I truly was scared to look into the mirror, but I was pleasantly surprised. The consultant had used a neutral color palette and it looked pretty good.
One of the things which hooked me was that the cosmetics seemed to stay on my face…all day …without making me look like pancake face. My MAC artist taught how to use foundation and primer so these products have a longer lasting quality. Also, how to use bronzer and a blush; and to apply my shadow so that my eyes popped!
So today, I always purchase my eye shadows and lip glosses from MAC. I use my favorite, Ricepaper, as a base underneath any eye color I apply, which is now a minimum of three. Boy, they got me! I purchase MAC eyes shadow palettes whenever I can – more bang for my buck. And, other than my Chanel glosses, I adore MAC’s Lipglass, Lustreglass, Plushglass and Dazzleglass. I truly can’t live without them.
Also, the company is a grass roots pioneer. According to MAC’s website, in 1994, the original owners Toskan and Angelo founded the MAC Aids Fund, a worldwide community outreach to help individuals with HIV/AIDS. It all started with VIVA GLAM lipstick in which the campaign was developed to raise money and awareness for AIDS. Since that time, MAC focuses on poverty and AIDS; the company has not given up its fight to help those less fortunate.
MAC is all about being green too. It also states on its website that MAC accepts returns of its primary packaging through the Back to MAC Program. By returning 6 primary packing containers, you’ll receive a free lipstick of your choice as the company’s thanks.
I have personally taken advantage of this program several times and I love that feeling like I am getting something for free.
I also get good feelings by checking out the cosmetic giant’s website each season to see what new products they are offering, as well as the different themes chosen to highlight new trends. Right now, they are showcasing the following collections: Surf Baby! Colour; Surf, Baby! Face; Sized to Go; FashionFlower; Flight; Magically Cool Liquid Powder; Packed to Go; Latest Greatest Accessories; and Viva Glam.
Each visit to MAC is like a journey with Alice down the rabbit hole – you never know what to expect, so check it – in-stores – or online this weekend. And MAC is even offering free shipping until Sunday June 19. http://www.maccosmetics.com/
My sister told me about a series of how to videos on youtube by makeup artist Kandee Johnson and now I am addicted to MAC lip products. After watching the tutorial on "How to make your lip look bigger", I ran (OK, drove) to the MAC counter at Nordstroms and bought 3 pencils, 3 glosses and 1 lipstick. (Kandee didn't actually recommend all these products. I was under the spell of a really sweet salesperson and the lure of a new collection).
ReplyDeleteBack home, I followed Kandee's directions and sho 'nuf, my lips looked bigger! Since then, I've been doing my part to keep MAC in business by buying umpteen more lip pencils in "Soar" because I keep giving them away to my friends and family. I want everyone to share in the wealth of this find. I also bought a Dazzleglass in "Baby Sparks" that I just noticed when I went to check the name is almost all gone! You know what that means...back to MAC!