I've asked myself this same question, because I'm usually not such a label queen, but 95% of the makeup I wear on any given day is MAC. It has completely taken over my collection and absorbs a lot of my attention as well. I think the main reason is that my first trip to a MAC counter was amazing - I loved how vibrant my eyes looked afterwards, how nice the M.A. was, and that she matched me with a foundation (NC15) that didn't make me look too tan or too pink or too overdone. (I wear select tint SPF15.) I looked amazing. The colors were true to how they looked in the pot, which had never been my experience before. I was immediately impressed by the obvious quality and couldn't wait to experiment.
Also, I liked the funky music that was playing while I was there (I think it was the Queer Eye soundtrack, and I was really into that show at the time) - the M.A.s seemed young, wicked queer-friendly, and willing o take risks, whereas most makeup counters had seemed dowdy to me. So the "style" of MAC was definitely influential. (I liked Urban Decay for the same reason - that and the colors.)
I like their corporate policies, too:
* Back to MAC (Sad though that we can't trade empties for LE lippies anymore!)
* "All races, all ages, all sexes"
* Viva Glam philanthropy
* Their emphasis on providing colors for all skin tones
* Their discount for pros (I am not one, but I think it's cool that they offer that program - good marketing decision too)
* The fact that they've had so many queer spokespeople! (Not to mention all the sexy boy M.A.s.)
What keeps me coming back, though, is that the lipsticks feel good on my lips all day (I hardly get chapped anymore), my makeup looks so good all day with only minor touch-ups, and OH THE COLORS. MAC just inspires me somehow. It's absolutely addictive.
