About MAC Cosmetics
MAC is one of the most iconic names in makeup, loved for its high-performing cosmetics. In its collection, you’ll find pigmented colors, full-coverage foundations, and long-wear liners.
Conveying its popularity almost seems unnecessary, but just to give you the full grasp of how successful and adored this brand truly is, a simple quote of its 24.3 million followers on Instagram should do it.
With write-ups in pretty much every popular publication, flip through any Allure, Glamour, or Harper’s Bazaar, and you’re sure to see MAC’s name.
If that’s not enough, MAC has also collaborated with some people and brands that you’ll surely recognize, from Rihanna and Nicki Minaj to Barbie and Hello Kitty.
So what’s in store for this MAC Cosmetics review? Mostly us grasping to convey how spectacular this brand really is through background information, best-selling products, and feedback. You’ll also find answers to important FAQs. Let’s dive in.
Overview of MAC Cosmetics
Inspiring beauty enthusiasts across the globe to get creative with makeup, MAC’s mission is to “enable limitless self-expression by turning makeup into art for ALL – you included.” The brand was launched in 1984 by Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo—and it quickly became a force to be reckoned with.
Over the years, the brand has come to stand for something so much bigger than makeup: equality, expression, and kindness.
But if you had the ability to rewind back to 1984 when the brand was just getting started, you’d see the two Frank’s mixing their own formulas at home.
Upon launching the brand, the pair chose to package their mixtures into what would become their signature black pots—something MAC is still known and loved for today.
Of course, those pots are just one thing that this revolutionary company is associated with. Throughout its history, MAC has always been one to give back, donating to help the fight against HIV/AIDS, rallying for equal rights, and supporting the LGBTQIA community.
Although MAC was founded in Toronto, it now operates from its headquarters in NYC. The brand’s products are sold in more than 100 countries worldwide, and it operates more than 500 stores.
Since you’ve now got a feel for the faces behind this iconic brand, our MAC Cosmetics review will move on to its celebrated makeup collections. Let’s first summarize its highlights to give you an idea of what the company is all about.
Highlights
- Wide range of products for face, eyes, and lips
- Inclusive & expressive color line
- High-quality formulas
- Affordable
- Accessible
- Tons of deals & discounts
- Ships around the world
- Free US shipping & returns
MAC has an incredibly vast selection of makeup, covering the must-have list of products for your face, lips, and eyes. The brand’s M.O is pro beauty, and in addition to makeup, it offers removers, tools, and brushes to help you get that flawless look you’re really after.
Coming up, this MAC Cosmetics review will joyfully dive into the brand’s makeup bag, pulling out crowd-pleasing lipstick, foundation, powders, brushes, and mascara.
MAC Lipstick Review
If you love options, you’re going to fall for this MAC line. It’s packed to the brim with dreamy lipsticks, glosses, and liquid lip colors, and, oh boy, does it pour on the color. Out of its large range of options, one reigns supreme, and just below, you’ll find out exactly which lipstick and color that is.
MAC Matte Lipstick Marrakesh Review
MAC is the #1 selling lipstick line in the US, and it’s not hard to see why. Offered in 30 delicious colors, the one featured here is called Marrakesh, a spicy, earthy shade that calls to mind hot nights and sun-kissed skin.
It’s the terracotta red your exotic dreams are made of, swiping on a high-pigmented shade and settling into a sexy matte finish. Pick up a 0.1 oz tube of MAC Matte Lipstick Marrakesh for $19.
MAC Foundation Review
Foundation is something that MAC is known for, and it has quite the collection to prove it. Ranging from full-coverage sculpting formulas to silky waterweight liquids, its best-selling foundation lies somewhere in between. You’ll find all the details below.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Spf 15 Review
Perhaps the brand’s most popular product ever, the MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 pulls its weight. You’ll get up to 24 hours of wear from this impeccable oil-free foundation, along with sweat and humidity resistance for the stickiest of climates.
Promising shine-free wear, Studio Fix Fluid provides medium to full coverage and comes in 63 shades. The end result is mattified and smooth, like your favorite filter. See what all the fuss is about with a 1 fl oz bottle for $35.
MAC Powder Review
MAC powders come in all shapes and sizes. In its collection lies shimmery highlighters, contouring bronzers, foundation, and those to give you coverage and a natural finish. This MAC Cosmetics review will showcase the brand’s number one selling powder, an all-day matte foundation.
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation Review
Powders are an oily face’s best friend, absorbing extra moisture and giving you a smooth, matte look without blocking pores and causing acne. The MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation keeps up with your busy life for 12 hours.
It doesn’t cake or settle or streak, only controlling shine and reducing the look of pores. In other words, it’s a selfie-hero. Get picture-perfect skin in your choice of 53 shades with a 0.52 oz compact for $35.
MAC Brushes Review
MAC is all about giving you professional results, so the right brushes are non-negotiable.
You’ll find an extensive selection of synthetic brushes for everything from blending to liner to lipstick online. Below, you’ll read about the brand’s most coveted brush, perfect for seamlessly blending concealer.
MAC 270 Synthetic Mini Rounded Slant Brush Review
The key to professional-looking makeup is all the brushes. The MAC 270 Synthetic Mini Rounded Slant Brush is sure to please, using soft fibers to blend and buff liquids and creams into a stupor, working them into a natural, soft look.
Rounded and domed, 270 is a miniature version of the 170 Brush. Affixed with a wood handle and nickel-plated brass, MAC brushes are pretty enough to keep out on display. Pick one up for $25.
MAC Mascara Review
Add dimension, lengthen, and perk up your lashes with the MAC mascara collection. With a range of formulas and brush types, we’ll tell you all about the brand’s top-selling mascara below.
MAC In Extreme Dimension 3d Black Lash Mascara Review
Mascara is easily one of the most popular cosmetic products in existence, and the MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara promises lovely length and curl.
Along with making your lashes look great while wearing, this formula will actually condition and soften them, giving you a gorgeous, natural look too.
Carbon black for intensity, this light-as-air mascara uses three reservoirs that pile on the drama. The formula is non-clumping, flake-proof, and safe for those who wear contacts. Get a 0.44 oz tube for $25.
MAC Concealer Review
MAC Concealer is the first step to any flawless look. The brand’s collection is small but includes lots of room for personalization, offering custom shade palettes, as well as brush-on liquids and compacts.
Up next, we’ll fill you in on its number one selling dermatologist-tested concealer adored for its long-lasting coverage.
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer Review
Foundation is great, but it doesn’t always do the trick for dark circles, patches, or redness. For that, the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer is king, and this full-coverage formula promises to put in the work.
It’s technically light enough to be considered a foundation but has the cover-all effect you love from your favorite thick formula.
Experience non-smudging and non-creasing coverage for up to 24 hours of whatever environment you find yourself in that day. Water park? Go for it. This one is water-resistant and won’t transfer onto your fav white bikini.
Non-acnegenic, Pro Longwear is even safe for sensitive skin. Grab a 0.3 oz bottle for $28.
Who Is MAC Cosmetics For?
MAC Cosmetics is for true lovers of makeup and for those who want more from what they swipe on. This brand is certainly one for the books, and those who wear it, wear it with pride.
With high-performing cosmetics, you won’t find wishy-washy colors or formulas here. They’re made with ingredients that are good for your skin, packed with purpose, and designed to turn any makeup novice into a full-blown cosmetics queen.
Whether you like neutrals or bold shades, MAC has you covered, but its formulas are definitely more substantial than your average corner store brand. Be prepared for a lipstick that actually lasts all day and foundation that won’t budge.
Is MAC Cosmetics Cruelty-Free?
MAC doesn’t own animal testing facilities, nor does the brand itself test its makeup on animals.
With that said, it does sell its cosmetics in China where animal testing is required by law. Our featured brand doesn’t personally do the testing, but a lab in China will so that the country can sell its products.
MAC Cosmetics Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Hearing from customers is a crucial part of determining the worth of a brand, and in this section of our MAC Cosmetics review, that’s exactly what we’ll do.
We’ve scoured the web for feedback to help us better understand if this iconic brand really lives up to its reputation. Spoiler alert: it does. But let’s go ahead and see why.
Our first stop for feedback was MACCosmetics.com where we gathered a selection of ratings for some of the brand’s best-sellers. You’ll find those below:
- Pro Longwear Concealer: average of 4.1/5 stars from 962 reviews
- Magic Extension 5mm Fiber Mascara: average of 4.2/5 stars from 1,304 reviews
- Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation: average of 4.5/5 stars from 953 reviews
- Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15: average of 4.4/5 stars from 5,131 reviews
- Matte Lipstick: average of 4.4/5 stars from 609 reviews
Because the Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation looks to be the brand’s most popular product, we decided to take a closer look at the comments. Buyers said it matches well with their skin tone, is breathable, and gives a flawless look. One MAC Cosmetics review read:
“I’m new to the makeup world and I wish I would have tried this makeup line before I wasted so much money on the others. I purchased NW50 and this product blended in so beautifully. I have teenage daughters and they both told me how beautiful my makeup looked.”
Since teenagers are the new makeup experts (these days, they truly are), their praise means a lot. But besides that part of the comment, what we can learn is how well Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 blends and matches, two things you want in a foundation.
For our next dollop of feedback, we headed over to SiteJabber to get an overall feel for what customers think about the brand and what their online shopping experience was like. The site shows a score of 4.1/5 stars from 343 shoppers made up of the following ratings:
- Service: 4/5 stars
- Value: 4/5 stars
- Shipping: 4.4/5 stars
- Returns: 4/5 stars
- Quality: 4/5 stars
After browsing the comments, we came to understand a few things about the brand. The number one being the quality of its products.
In almost every single MAC Cosmetics review the company’s quality was noted, and while some argue about its affordability, the fact that its products are high-performing is agreed upon across the site.
One MAC Cosmetics review that sums up customer feedback reads, “I ordered a lipstick and got shipped within a few days. I was satisfied with product as it was of excellent quality and beautiful colour. They have a wide range of items with color variety and reasonable price. Good and helpful customer service.”
In terms of the quality you get from MAC, the price really is reasonable. Maybe it’s a little high for those used to buying drug store brands, but its formulas are, of course, much better and worth it.
During our search for feedback, there was one particular product that kept popping up, the MAC Matte Lipstick Velvet Teddy. Apparently, this is a really popular color, and so we couldn’t help but look into it.
Heading over to Makeup Alley for an opinion from a broad audience, we found a 4.3/5 star rating from 353 shoppers—79% confirm they would buy it again.
A matte, mauve-nude shade, according to customers, this versatile lipstick is loved for daily and special occasions wear. One MAC Cosmetics review revealed why that is:
“Mac solid lipstick was one of the best I used. It spreads the same color all over the lips. It has a long shelf life and is not easily removed from the lips. For my wedding day, I asked my face stylist to use this brand for my face make-up to make sure it lasts.”
Long-lasting on your lips and in your makeup bag, Velvet Teddy Matte Lipstick appears to be held in high regard by the majority of those who have used it.
It’s a lipstick staple and must-have for your personal collection and promises the same long-staying power and saturated color that all MAC matte lipsticks do.
Well, we’ve reached the end of this part of our MAC Cosmetics review and we don’t want to say, “we told you so,” but, we kind of did. This beauty brand is incredibly popular and its feedback is a great reflection of how high of quality its products really are.
Is MAC Cosmetics Worth It?
A somewhat rhetorical question, if you haven’t got the vibe from us that MAC is totally worth it, then we’ll lay it out plainly for you here. The brand pumps out makeup that lasts, stays put, and is kind to skin. It also gives back, advocates, and supports noble causes.
Above all else, it makes professional makeup that looks accessible and attainable. We’re so here for companies that make products that actually do what they claim to and price them affordably at the same time. Believe it or not, that’s rare.
MAC Cosmetics Promotions & Discounts
During this MAC Cosmetics review, we were blown away by the brand’s dream-come-true formulas and colors, but we made sure to keep one eye on the lookout for deals. And boy, did we hit the jackpot—go ahead and see for yourself:
- Spend $75 and get a free Kit and Fix+
- USE code WELCOME15 at checkout to get 15% off
- Refer a Friend: Give $10, get $10
- Subscribe to save 10%
You’ll also get instant perks like free shipping and returns on orders over $25, as well as free samples with every purchase. Want to save big? Shop the going out of sale section for discounts up to 40%.
Where to Buy MAC Cosmetics
MAC is a global brand and you’ll find its boutiques around the world. To see which one’s closest to you, use the store locator tool on the website.
Rule the e-based world? All virtual queens can shop online at MACCosmetics.com.
FAQ
Who owns MAC Cosmetics?
MAC is now a subsidiary of The Estée Lauder Companies. It’s headquartered in New York City, NY.
Is MAC Cosmetics vegan?
It’s not considered a completely vegan company, but it does have many products that don’t contain animal-derived ingredients (think: beeswax, shellac, carmine, etc.).
Does MAC Cosmetics ship internationally?
MAC ships all over the world, but you’ll need to make sure you’re on the correct version of its website. To shop the one that does deliver to your country, scroll to the bottom of the webpage and click the link under where it says “choose location.”
What is MAC Cosmetics’ Shipping Policy?
This section of our MAC Cosmetics review will give you a rundown of the brand’s shipping policy for its US-based site, which ships to all 50 states as well as APO/FPO addresses. When it comes time to check out, you’ll have a few options:
- Standard: 2-5 business days $5
- 2nd Day: 2 business days $10
- Overnight: 1 business day $15
- Same Day: $8
Spend over $25? Your order qualifies for free Standard delivery. Orders are processed in 1-2 business days and once they’re sent out of the warehouse, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a tracking link that you can use to check in on your package’s progress.
What is MAC Cosmetics’ Return Policy?
One thing we really love about MAC is how it helps customers out. By now, you’ll have learned that the brand gives its US customers free returns, but it doesn’t just stop there.
There’s actually no time frame on when you need to start the returns process, technically, if you’re ever not impressed with its products, all you need to do is follow these steps:
Send their customer service team a message or give them a call to let them know you’d like to make a return
They’ll send you a free return label and a return shipping address
Print the label and attach it to the outside of your package
Drop it off at UPS or arrange a pickup
Alternatively, you can take the product back to any MAC store and do your return that way. Easy peasy.
How to Contact MAC Cosmetics
Didn’t quite find all the answers in this MAC Cosmetics review? The brand will be able to help. To get in touch, you have a few options:
- Message: via MACCosmetics.com
- To speak to an Artist, text: (1)646-461-4083, email, or video chat (via the site)
- For general inquiries call: 1.800.588.0070
- MAC Artists are available Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The customer service line is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 12:00 am, and Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm EST.
