Makeup artist against MAC/ MAC pushing independant artists out of the industry

shygirl · 09-19-2005, 05:22 PM #1 (**permalink**)

I just came across this site while searching for MAC Pro articles:
http://p082.ezboard.com/fmakeupandre....topic&index=6

I can only speak from a consumer's perspective. I like MAC because of it's quality and quantity, and not because I assumed make-up artists use MAC for popular models. I know that I'm not a professional and don't plan to become one. I'm simply fulfilling a dream of a little girl who snuck and played in her mom's make-up. I do sympathize with them, though.

I love Brian Kinney · 09-19-2005, 07:08 PM #2 (**permalink**)

Wow..some of their opinions of MAC are pretty harsh but I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I personally know a few people who can't stand MAC and wont even come into the store with me when I look around. But I will always love MAC!

MACgirl · 09-19-2005, 10:38 PM #3 (**permalink**)

they are harsh but some are true, i love mac, and i belive i quality of thier products. As a freelance makeup artist i only use mac but not becuase of the name but because mac makeup actually does something for me and my clients. I dont see The mac vehicle slowing down soon and the only bad thing is that the quality of mac might be put to the test with so many color stories coming out so quickly, it doesnt give the consumer to buy any of the perm stuff which is great....

litlaur · 09-20-2005, 10:46 AM #4 (**permalink**)

They do bring up some interesting point, but some of those responses are a *tad* melodramatic.

user4 · 09-20-2005, 11:28 AM #5 (**permalink**)

"MAC is great for MUA wannabees at this point."
"Again, this is just my opinion, as I am sure there are many out there who will argue with me and think that they are more bomb diggity than ever...."

WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAND IS WHY PEOPLE FEEL THE NEED TO SAY SHIT LIKE THIS AND DISRESPECT OTHER'S OPINIONS. PEOPLE CAN BE SO SELF INVOLVED IN THEIR LITTLE IM A MAKE UP ARTIST WORLD THAT THEY FORGET THAT THEY STARTED OFF IN THE SAME PLACE AS EVERYONE ELSE DID... STEALING THEIR MOMMY'S LIPSTICK WHEN THEY WERE 5!!! MAKES ME KINDA MAD!

leppy · 09-20-2005, 11:43 AM #6 (**permalink**)

Its a sad fact that whenever something becomes very popular there is a certain amount of backlash that is almost guaranteed.

Also I'm sure that MU artists, like any other specialized person want to feel like they are privy to certain information and products, like they are part of an exclusive group who "know better" than the masses.

Not everything MAC comes out with is great, some of it is not even good, but I can't help but think that if MAC was not so popular at this point, and had more exclusive to pro stores (and possibly if the average consumer was excluded from getting those products all together) than a fair number of those people would be singing a different tune.

Not to say that all of the negativity is invalid, I think we all know that MAC has stepped up their collections and new products, sometimes at the cost of quality or irregardless of quality. They've also come out with some truly great products in the past year or two as well though.

PhonyBaloney500 · 09-20-2005, 11:55 AM #7 (**permalink**)

Youch someone called it a heartless backstabbing company! Wha??

litlaur · 09-20-2005, 12:15 PM #8 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhonyBaloney500

Youch someone called it a heartless backstabbing company! Wha??

Exactly what I was talking about. Let me tell you, the things MAC has done to these people is a real "tragedy"...

bluegrassbabe · 09-20-2005, 02:30 PM #9 (**permalink**)

There are some valid points there, but it won't change my feelings for MAC. 10 yrs ago
I had a hodgepodge of about 6 brands of makeup in my case. When I found MAC those others just faded off into obscurity in my mind. The products would stay forever without sacrificing the feeling or the look. The e/s had textures like butter, so easy to work with. MAC is just fun. 100x more fun than any other line I had seen. I loved the kookiness of the names, counter people, the bizarre looking post cards. It has all the personality I haven't seen with other makeup lines and it is the reason I wanted to work as an MUA.
I have noticed the negative influence of the EL brand in the last few years. THe collections are coming out waay to fast now, and some of them aren't very interesting. The quality is lacking in some of the new products, but the classics are still as good as they ever were, IMO. Maybe my perspective is different because I am
pretty small time. I work in a small city where MU is not my primary income, but a
nice supplement.
I still love it, and have no plans to remove it from my kit anytime soon.

SonRisa · 09-20-2005, 04:32 PM #10 (**permalink**)

I actually agree with a lot of what was said :-X I'll post more on it later though . . .have to go to work.

leppy · 09-20-2005, 05:43 PM #11 (**permalink**)

I just now had time to go through the majority of the posts. I still say that some of it is the backlash thats unavoidable when something gets so mainstream, but it sounds like they have some pretty valid reasons for hating their corporate practice.

I guess being swallowed up by a big company & turning into a monster is unavoidable in our society. Bummer.

lovemichelle · 09-20-2005, 05:54 PM #12 (**permalink**)

This was very fun to read. I like these quotes:

Quote:

I hope no one feels powerless because we can truly make a change. Artists made MAC, Artists can break MAC (at least in the corrupt form that it exists in today). We don't have to just sit and watch the MUA's priceless place in this industry be minimized into oblivion.

I used to be sooo proud of the MAC name. "I work for MAC!" "I freelance for MAC" "Have you tried MAC"? "I have primarily MAC in my kit"! It is over :sad

I wish none of this were true but I know first hand that it is. I've seen the shade up close and I'm sad to see it isn't isolated.

Though the counter is behind me and I'm progressing well in the early stages of my MUA career I have still freelanced for MAC.

In addition to the embarrassingly lowest pay out there compared to other lines, they do as little as possible for their people. I also witnessed the "Artists" they send out to do shows. 2 ladies at one show were so new they were there earning their "certification", an impressive way of saying they were new employees earning the right to wear a piece of metal MAC jewelry. Not to belittle the actual people and there's still some talent left but the majority have truly become glorified cashiers - in my neck of the woods anyway.

A few times I've been reminded of how "out of touch" even the "higher ups" are with the real world of a working Freelance MUA. For example a Manager of the actual MAC store (not a counter) had no idea who a top name Agency was that I mentioned to her and though I explained my professional goals to her she keeps asking when I'm coming back to work for the company. How about NEVERUARY,2004!!!?

This is more lengthy than I intended. Though counseled (hi VIK) not to get MAC happy I still have quite a few MAC products in my kit (just got happy with the discount back then). I've since learned to "speak" many other Brands besides "MAC". I'll use up what I have and find superior substitutes for the favorites.

As for freelancing, after the jobs I'm scheduled for I'm going to stick to accepting assignments from another line.

In light of the various negative trends in this industry I'm so encouraged to see that integrity still lives here with many of you.

Crystal

Quote:

Artists have each person in their chair for 30 minutes to an hour each....almost everyone questions me about products...do you know how much MAC I have sold over the years? the minute we start telling people "no, MAC isnt for artists anymore" the impact will be felt, I promise you. Patience Patience Patience....

Quote:

Though I despise doing the trend shows that all of the department stores are producing, I always get a huge chuckle at the shoppers who run over to the LM or BB counters because some Cyndi Lauper-looking idiot at the MAC counter made them look like a pale clown. As usual, MAC hires a ton of 19 year-old girls who like to apply garrish makeup on themselves and the clients. And those, fortunately for the other lines, are the ones working these events. MAC doesn't hire "artists" anymore - they would rather groom these PYTs into little corporate look-a-likes. Somehow - whether Spring or Fall trend, they use lots of silver and navy. Which is so not a good look on most people... And the horrified clients come running to the actual artist brands to be "fixed".

lovemichelle · 09-21-2005, 09:09 PM #13 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sxychika1014

"MAC is great for MUA wannabees at this point."
"Again, this is just my opinion, as I am sure there are many out there who will argue with me and think that they are more bomb diggity than ever...."

WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAND IS WHY PEOPLE FEEL THE NEED TO SAY SHIT LIKE THIS AND DISRESPECT OTHER'S OPINIONS. PEOPLE CAN BE SO SELF INVOLVED IN THEIR LITTLE IM A MAKE UP ARTIST WORLD THAT THEY FORGET THAT THEY STARTED OFF IN THE SAME PLACE AS EVERYONE ELSE DID... STEALING THEIR MOMMY'S LIPSTICK WHEN THEY WERE 5!!! MAKES ME KINDA MAD!

You must be mad to use all those caps.

martygreene · 09-21-2005, 09:32 PM #14 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonRisa

I actually agree with a lot of what was said :-X I'll post more on it later though . . .have to go to work.

I have a feeling we might be on the same page. I'll have to wait and see though.