Make-up Art Cosmetics

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Make-up Art Cosmetics
Type	corporation
Founded	1985
Headquarters	Toronto, Canada
Key people	Frank Toskan Frank Angelo
Industry	consumer goods
Products	cosmetics
Website	MAC Consumer Site MAC Pro Site

Make-up Art Cosmetics, better known to most as M•A•C, is a brand of cosmetics sold internationally, that originally became famous through word-of-mouth endorsements by professional makeup artists, models and celebrities.^[1]

The company has become synonymous with glamour due to its ever-growing presence in the fashion industry, continued use of celebrity endorsements and commitment to cruelty-free products and universal diversity.

[edit] History

In 1984, MAC was established in Toronto, Canada by founders Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo. Toskan was a make-up artist and photographer, while Angelo was the owner of a chain of hair salons. Both recognized the missing element of a versatile and reliable cosmetic to be used in fashion photography. The intense lighting conditions often employed created conditions under which conventional makeup either photographed badly or didn't hold up, so the two set out to create a line that would hold up to these types of challenges. They envisioned a makeup company that would be for All ages, all races, all sexes. This later became the company motto.^[2]The brand was also mentioned in TLC's smash hit, Unpretty.

[edit] Acquisition by Estee Lauder

The Estee Lauder Companies, who acquired controlling interest in M·A·C in 1994, finished their acquisition of the company in 1998 [2]. One year prior to the acquisition, original founder Frank Angelo passed away in 1997 due to complications during surgery. Shortly following the buy-out, Frank Toskan left the company to found another AIDS Charity,^[3] with brother-in-law, Vic Casale, an original M•A•C Chemist.^[4] The M•A•C AIDS Fund has been continued by the new owners. Money for the fund is raised by the sale of Viva Glam products (currently available in six lipstick colors and two glosses). 100% of the sale price of Viva Glam products is donated to help men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS. Since its inception in 1994 to the present date, the fund has raised over $100 million US Dollars^[5]

[edit] M•A•C PRO

The M•A•C PRO Program is provided to professionals in the industry.^[6] An annual fee must be paid for this service. The program provides professional support, special pro-only benefits and discounts. Make-up artists receive a 40% discount. Aestheticians, cosmetologists, hairstylists, fashion stylists, nail technicians, costume designers, models, on-air talent/performers, and photographers receive a 30% discount. International discounts may vary.^[7]

[edit] Promotion and Advertising

Spokespersons in the past have included:

• Phillip McManus, as part of their 2008 line "Tallaght Too Madddd"
• Sandra Bernhard
• Dita von Teese
• Debbie Harry
• Lisa Marie Presley
• Amanda Lepore, starred in a feature length M•A•C lipstick and Heatherette bag ad
• Rupaul
• Dresscamp
• Raquel Welch, M•A•C Beauty Icon 2007
• Paulina Rubio
• Barbie, as part of their 2007 line "Barbie Loves MAC"
• Eartha Kitt, for their 2007 pre-fall "Smoke Signals" color collection
• Alexander McQueen, collaborated with MAC to create "MAC for McQueen" collection for his fall runway collection
• A-mei, collaborated with MAC to create "MAC for A-MEI" collection 2008
• Fergie
• Fafi, collaborated with MAC to create "MAC Fafi!" collection 2008
• Heatherette, collaborated with MAC to create "Heatherette" collection 2008
• Wicked, uses MAC Chromacake in Landscape Green for character Elphaba

[edit] Social Initiatives

M•A•C has five social initiative programs currently in place.

• M•A•C Cruelty-Free Beauty
• Back to M•A•C Recycling
• M•A•C Kids Helping Kids
• The M•A•C AIDS Fund ^[8]
• The MAC PRO program

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• MAC Summer Promotional Site
• MAC Consumer Site
• MAC Pro Site
• MAC Product Reviews
• MAC Cosmetics 2008 Looks
• Complete archive of MAC color collections from 1996 - Present
• Latest Launch Information for MAC Cosmetics
• Extensive MAC Color Stories archive including all Facecharts, Product Pics, Swatches and more media

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