I am completely addicted to MAC started with Lancome and once I discovered MAC, Lancome was quickly given away and my crazed collection was started. I have only been into MAC for about a year. I really started around the time of Adorn and I believe that High Tea was my first experience with the whole collection anticipation thing. I have a crazy collector type personality. When I find something that I like, I have to have all of it so I came on mad strong when I started. Once a month, I was at my counter without fail and I would buy everything (foolishly). Then I discovered that the Pro Stores get the products a week early so of course, my routine was changed to taking the train into the city once a month for the new stuff.
So, I think I certify as a bonafide MACaholic and frankly, I am not quite sure that is a good thing...haha. When I first read that page, I was outraged. I mean, how DARE they talk about MAC like that but then when I thought about it, I kinda agree with a lot of what those ladies are saying. The monthly hype and speed of products that are released is like no other company I have ever seen. It's almost as if the company (EL) realizes that they are losing the artistic support and are feeding the masses to ensure it's place at the top.
I believe that the artistic backlash could be a dangerous thing and here is why. One of the greatest things about MAC, what makes it unique to me anyway, is the whole idea of it as a Pro product. I think that the higher ups at MAC exploit that uniqueness as well because really, it is to their benefit to do so. MAC is not just a makeup. Lancome is a makeup, Clinique is a makeup. One goes to the counter, buys their stuff and leaves. MAC has become an experience. There is a different feel when you go to the MAC store or counter. This experience is enhanced with the chic all black dress codes and the music pumping in the backround, the gorgeous MA's (male and female) who look larger than life. It is even experienced with the haughty attitudes that you run into sometimes, as if these people are part of something special that you can only get a glimpse of. The experience is enhanced with the minimalistic style of the store. Black and white. No fuss... very studio like. Of course these things are no accident. These are meant to draw the regular customer in and the product will keep us coming back.
What gives this whole thing legitimacy is the artistic support MAC has or had. What happens if that is taken away? That base is suddenly gone and then MAC is now a company that is merely perpetrating it's status in the PRO world. Now, I am not saying that if the Pros stop using MAC that I am going to run to Shu or Nars. No, I love MAC dearly but I feel that once the Pros are gone, the bar is kinda lowered ya know; that a discriminating standard that needed to be lived up to (the pro industry) is gone so that leaves the regular consumer for the company to focus on. That means that this crazy rollercoaster speed at which these collections are coming out is stepped up because hype is what drives the consumer in the end.
When there is almost this assembly line style of getting the product out quickly; month after month after month, it is inevitable that quality control is going to take a hit. Think, Prep and Prime and Paintstrokes.
Please don't take this as me turning to the darkside or whatever because that is not the case. I am as loyal to MAC as ever but I would be dismayed to see MAC lose it's edge. To see it cut corners to keep up with this monthly demand. For it to become just another makeup brand.
For a company like MAC that celebrates it edginess and avante garde styles, to promote complete blind loyalty is paradoxical. For MAC to be the best, we as their consumer base need to demand the best from it. If there is a backlash against the company by the pro industry, it might serve one well to think about the reasons before dismissing it as 'just backlash'.
Dissention is not always a negative thing. Dissention can cause change for the better. Keep the higher-ups on their toes because in the end, the higher-ups are about the money and if cutting corners or cheaping out on a product will make more money for them, they will gladly do it (Blue Pigment anyone?) . It is our job to make sure that doesn't happen.. because well, that would just suck.
Sorry for the ramble... lol.
