Maybe I'm wrong but.. EFF MAC..

[tuffCOOKiE]

Am I the only one that think MAC is a TAD bit overrated? I like cosmetics as much as the next gyal but, how does anyone's skin handle this!!

Ok, por ejemplo, I purchased two Mac products, I told the woman I had dark circles to conceal and I had blackhead prone skin and she gives me a concealer stick (studio stick concealer in NW 50). The concealer doesn't last! Sometimes all I want to do is put on concealer and mascara and go, it off in about 3 hours.

Then, I got a concealer in the pot. That one's better when applied with a damp brush but after a couple of hours it creases and looks cakey

I aslo have a studio fix compact that is SO HEAVY. It evens out my skin tone, but EXTREMELY heavy and slides off my face in summer. i think I only wore it once in summer. It literally has the consistency of cake...

The blush broke me out on my cheeks and I don't even have acne prone skin, well.. blackheads= acne, right?

The point is, I think all MAC is good for is lipsticks and eyeshadows. I'm sure there is also a margin of error on my part, but I really feel like I gave this line GREAT chances to sell me and, they haven't. I feel like my skin is suffocating under all that stuff..

[queen_t]

The point is, I think all MAC is good for is lipsticks/lipgloss and eyeshadows. I'm sure there is also a margin of error on my part, but I really feel like I gave this line GREAT chances to sell me and, they haven't. I feel like my skin is suffocating under all that stuff..

Hell, that's all I use them for. Their foundation used to break me out and slide right off my oily skin!! The oil control lotion used to burn the crapola outta my eyes too! Needless to say, it didn't work. :ohwell:

[lexi08]

I would have to agree. I have not purchased much from MAC this year. I only buy the glosses, an occasional lipstick or eyeshadow. I like the blush but I did have an issue with one of the blushes breaking me out recently. I like Bobbi Brown and NARS for blushes much more. I'll pretty much be sticking with MUFE, NARS, Bobbi, Becca, and Stila from now on. I just don't think the overall quality of MAC is that great since trying products from other lines.

[queen_t]

I've been loving the Milani blushes, they're pretty pigmented (at a nice price too). I used their Minerals blush today and I like!!

[meka]

Well everything doesn't work for everybody. There are a lot of great lines out there but I think people flock to MAC b/c there is pretty much not anything you CAN'T find there. I worked for the company and still used other lines. If you applied Studiofix with the sponge it came with, you will have heavy application. If you want light application, its best applied with a brush. And priming the skin is a MUST. Im not saying you haven't tried these steps and sorry to go off on a tangent but with ANY makeup application, getting the right product for skin type and applying it correctly is key..

[HAIRapy]

I love the MAC's brushes, shadows and the glosses the most, but I'm not loyal to any brand of cosmetics though. :drunk:

[Divine Inspiration]

Co-sign with OP. MAC does a great job with shadows and glosses but anything else is a no go. I agree that it's heavy and can do horrific things to skin.

I always looked like I was wearing makeup on my face when I wore MAC...like, it was obvious and I hated that.I won't even let a MUA apply that mess to my face...if I have a shoot of any sort, I take my own and insist that they use it.

Op, you aren't alone.

[gabulldawg]

I agree to some extent. MAC is not the be-all, end-all, but I do think their products are generally great. There are also other great products out there that go unnoticed. I also agree with Meka that you have to apply the products correctly. For example, I use Mac's concealer in the pot as well. I don't apply it with a wet brush. I use my fingers and dab and blend it into the area(s) that I would like to conceal. It doesn't end up looking cakey on me. Maybe you could try doing different things to optimize the use of the products. :yep:

[HAIRapy]

I'm mad MAC doesn't go on sale. I see they have a 25% sale on the holiday stuff, but with this economy *looking into my :crystalba*, I see more % off of MAC's stuff coming sometime in our future :giggle:

[Curlee_lurker]

I like certain MAC items and there's things I would never wear and I wouldn't apply to a client.

I know I love that discount though, and Estee Lauder will continue to get my money as long as I have my Pro Card.

[itismehmmkay]

Well everything doesn't work for everybody. There are a lot of great lines out there but I think people flock to MAC b/c there is pretty much not anything you CAN'T find there. I worked for the company and still used other lines. If you applied Studiofix with the sponge it came with, you will have heavy application. If you want light application, its best applied with a brush. And priming the skin is a MUST. Im not saying you haven't tried these steps and sorry to go off on a tangent but with ANY makeup application, getting the right product for skin type and applying it correctly is key..

I agree :up:

And I don't think they're over-rated

[Dayjoy]

I am not a makeup guru, but I think, as some ladies have said, that for glosses, lipsticks, and shadows, MAC is good. Oh--and brushes, can't forget those! They get so much play because they have a range of colors and have for a long time. I've heard that Bobbie Brown has the best concealers for women of color, NARS probably has the best blushes, and I love Prescriptives for matching my skin tone. I also like Urban Decay, Too Faced, Milani, HIP,and NYX for shadows. So they don't have a corner on the market from me.
I always looked like I was wearing makeup on my face when I wore MAC...like, it was obvious and I hated that.I won't even let a MUA apply that mess to my face...if I have a shoot of any sort, I take my own and insist that they use it.

Op, you aren't alone.
I think some people like that look, and if that's what they are going for then MAC is good.

[Sly]

LOL I agree. I only use the eye, lip, and cheek colors and the :love: brushes!

[ToyToy]

I do think they're a bit overrated as well. I agree with others that MAC is very good for eye shadows, liners and lipsticks/glosses. I hate their mascara, and I'm not too wild about their studio fix. It's ok, just not great. But I'd always go back for their eye liners and shadows, though.

[tuffCOOKiE]

Well everything doesn't work for everybody. There are a lot of great lines out there but I think people flock to MAC b/c there is pretty much not anything you CAN'T find there. I worked for the company and still used other lines. If you applied Studiofix with the sponge it came with, you will have heavy application. If you want light application, its best applied with a brush. And priming the skin is a MUST. Im not saying you haven't tried these steps and sorry to go off on a tangent but with ANY makeup application, getting the right product for skin type and applying it correctly is key..

I believe you're right. For example, i used the pot concealer and i applied with my fingers but it didn't look NEARLY as nice as when I used a concealer brush with a little water. but, still too heavy

[tuffCOOKiE]

I'm mad MAC doesn't go on sale. I see they have a 25% sale on the holiday stuff, but with this economy *looking into my :crystalba*, I see more % off of MAC's stuff coming sometime in our future :giggle:

bahahhaa, for real- not in this economy :nono:

[daoriginaldiva]

Am I the only one that think MAC is a TAD bit overrated? I like cosmetics as much as the next gyal but, how does anyone's skin handle this!!

Ok, por ejemplo, I purchased two Mac products, I told the woman I had dark circles to conceal and I had blackhead prone skin and she gives me a concealer stick (studio stick concealer in NW 50). The concealer doesn't last! Sometimes all I want to do is put on concealer and mascara and go, it off in about 3 hours.

Then, I got a concealer in the pot. That one's better when applied with a damp brush but after a couple of hours it creases and looks cakey

I aslo have a studio fix compact that is SO HEAVY. It evens out my skin tone, but EXTREMELY heavy and slides off my face in summer. i think I only wore it once in summer. It literally has the consistency of cake...

The blush broke me out on my cheeks and I don't even have acne prone skin, well.. blackheads= acne, right?

The point is, I think all MAC is good for is lipsticks and eyeshadows. I'm sure there is also a margin of error on my part, but I really feel like I gave this line GREAT chances to sell me and, they haven't. I feel like my skin is suffocating under all that stuff..


Girl..try Make-up Forever Brand!

You can either find a Make-up Forever Store or go to Sephora and specifically look for their brand. Their make-up line is catered to all skin-tones and I had a pretty good experience with them. I haven't tried their concealers yet but I heard from other experienced mua's that their concealers are also very good and goes on smoothly.

Also, if I remember, Bobbi Brown's concealer pots are very creamy and goes on very smoothy. I can wear this to cover my spots and dark circles and look fresh faced as I go along my day. It last quite a long time and doesn't cake up under my eys at all.

Good luck!

[Solitude]

I love MAC to death. I wear it religiously and darn near exclusively. I get a thousand compliments on my eyes & a little goes a long way, even though it is pricey. It's worth every penny, IMO. I credit the MAC artists for teaching me makeup application techniques.

But, there are other good brands. I like L'Oreal hip colors, Covergirl mascara, and just about anybody's blush.

[tuffCOOKiE]

i think one poster is correct. I think they did a very good job at anticipating what clients wanted to see and as a result of that there is a cult following. they had the largest range of colors for a really long time. they should be proud of that.

[LovelyLionessa]

As with many popular things in life, sometimes stuff gets hyped up beyond belief. I don't believe it's necessary to solely use MAC as one's only makeup line. I agree their shadows & lipsticks are great however. IMO however the Blot Powder is overrated, when you can get a matte colorless pressed powder (Sally Hansen Cornsilk) for a fraction of the cost.

I have heard people complain abot MAC foundation b4, I used to use Studio Fix waaaay back in the day, I don't any longer. I love the Studio Finish concealer though, I apply mine with a dry synthetic bristle brush. I hope you find products and techniques that work for you OP.