Boycott MAC Makeup and save our jobs.

[kjbennett]

Thanks to the Estee Lauder Companies Inc. buyout of MAC Cosmetics, Professional Makeup Artists worldwide are watching their ability to make a living disappear.

The Estee Lauder Companies (who acquired complete ownership of MAC Cosmetics in 1997) have methodically diluted and changed the professional quality of the "original" MAC Cosmetics to "consumer friendly" levels, making them unable to stand up to the needs of many professional makeup artists. This was only the beginning of the new money making plans coming from the Estee Lauder marketing geniuses.
The "original" MAC, as a courtesy, extended a pro discount card (the PPID card) to working makeup artists, hair stylists and even actors. Within a year of taking over the company, MAC/Estee Lauder instituted a yearly "membership" fee ($35) that had to be paid before they would renew/replace a PPID discount card.
So now you have to PAY to get a DISCOUNT? No other cosmetic company in the world that offers a Pro Discount Program charges for it.

And this ws just the beginning of the insulting, unethical behavior the 'new' MAC would inflict on the artist community that made them famous...

The Estee Lauder Companies/MAC Division has aggressively approached designers, production companies, photographers, advertising agencies, etc. and offered them tons of gratis makeup and free use of "their" staff makeup artists in exchange for product placement or production credit. They have even gone as far as paying CASH to get their foot in the door of some agencies/companies.

The MUA's (makeup artists) that work for MAC are brainwashed into thinking that they should feel privileged to do this work and it will be "important to their career". They are also told that they MUST do these gigs to gain their "certification" to merit promotions within the MAC organization. These "certifications" carry absolutely no significance within our industry (usefulness???). The MAC artists are manipulated into working these high profile jobs for an hourly rate (anywhere from $13-$18 average) while an experienced professional freelance makeup artist would usually book the same jobs for 10x that amount.
The saddest thing is, these clueless MAC employees might get a MAC certification, but they usually get no credit (tear sheets, etc) for the actual job...MAC does. Without credit for your work (tear sheets and images for your portfolio), you get NOWHERE in the working industry outside of the MAC corporate structure. So they get "pimped out" by EL & MAC while inadvertently taking jobs away from professional MUA's who rely on this work as their income.

Professional MUA's are the people that put MAC in the iconic position it sits today. Now we are being systematically eliminated by the Estee Lauder Marketing and Promotional departments. They are compromising our means of making a living (paying bills, feeding families) to sell more lipsticks.

You have every right to buy/wear whatever makeup you prefer, but why support a company who willingly treats the people responsible for their enormous SUCCESS with blatant disrespect and underhanded, deceitful business practices.

CLICK HERE for a list of great alternatives to MAC products.

Thanks,
KJB

[karmaX]

where did you get such information?! that is mind boggling to read how a company can do that. well not really but i never would have expected that from MAC. After wanting to have work for them for sooo long I was starting to have second thoughts.. now reading this kinda makes me wonder if its really worth it...

[kjbennett]

Originally Posted by karmaX

where did you get such information?! that is mind boggling to read how a company can do that. well not really but i never would have expected that from MAC. After wanting to have work for them for sooo long I was starting to have second thoughts.. now reading this kinda makes me wonder if its really worth it...

This is pretty much common knowledge now. Most of us haven't been booked for NY Fashion week in ages because Estee Lauder companies have provided most designers with $$$, free makeup and free artists from one of their many brands (MAC, Bobbi Brown, etc.) Why would a designer want to pay us Pro MUA's when they get freebies and a wad of cash as extra incentive?

[carmanj]

I will listen to you Kevin. I will not buy any of there products at the New York Makeup show. I hope to meet you there and say hello.
I am just getting into this business and I hope it isn't a dead end career choice now with this news.

[kjbennett]

Originally Posted by carmanj

I am just getting into this business and I hope it isn't a dead end career choice now with this news.

Nooooooooooooo...

That is so not the impression I wanted to make. I just wanted fellow artists to be aware and to also let the general public in on this so we can keep these companies from doing such underhanded things. Knowledge is your best weapon, always.

[EmElle]

Actually, we've been discussing this for months on my forum.

Original (very long) thread:
http://p082.ezboard.com/fmakeupandre... D=7896.topic

Follow up thread:
http://p082.ezboard.com/fmakeupandre... D=8856.topic

And we've even started looking for MAC conversions to other lines so that we aren't missing some favorites. MUFE is a great alternative in many respects.

Thanks for getting the word over here, Kevin.

[deanna]

I have been phasing MAC and other Lauder products out of my kit for just this reason! For anyone that does grooming, Bumble and Bumble is really doing this to the hair people as well. And for any artist that doesn't think it affects them, this is even going on in small cities for things like magazine covers, big name concerts, news programs, local fashion shows, etc. I have personally seen this happen! Even Cher had free MAC support for her performers on her tour a few years ago--in every city.

The only thing that I am having trouble with as far as switching over is eyeshadow. I don't like the new colors that MAC has come out with, but I am having a hard time replacing some of my old bridal and editorial standbys like sable, quarry, and shroom. What are some of you using to get the pigment payoff? I tend to prefer powder shadows. Emelle, I am going to check your forum for the replacements, too. Is there a MAC conversion thread?

[kjbennett]

Make Up For Ever, La Femme and Il' Makiage make highly pigmented, quality eyeshadows in a vast amount of colors that can replace your neutral MAC favorites.

[EmElle]

There isn't one singular MAC conversion thread there, but there are a few that should all still be active on the main forum. Sorry, it's 20 pages, but they are there.

[High Fashion]

Isn't that so sad how greedy people are? I don't own a ton of MAC as it is but now I know to not build up my kit with it. Poor Estee Lauder- they will lose business in the end, no doubt. I'm in this profession cause I love it not to just make money and I think people have lost that sense of passion. I'm sorry to hear that boycott it is!

[Barbarella]

I agree with U 100%. I am a former MAC employee in Miami Florida. The lack of respect and politics for upper level positions regardless of your time with the company is DISGUSTING! Our fashion shows were with no credit what so ever(NO Tear sheets) or notable mention. As for the Pro Store in South Beach, horrible service! For all the wonderful MA out there, please boycott this company. It is really a horrible reflection on us to use a product with no integrity and no love for the art. If any young and hungry MA's are reading this...remember...If you can't Beat them, GO somewhere else!

Originally Posted by kjbennett

Thanks to the morally bankrupt, maniacally driven

steamroller called The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. and their take no prisoners attitude of "If you can't Beat Them, Buy Them!"...
Professional Makeup Artists worldwide are having jobs ripped out from underneath them.

The Estee Lauder Companies (who acquired MAC 4-5 years ago) methodically reduced the professional formulas and quality of the "original" MAC Makeup products to drugstore levels, rendering them un-usable by professional makeup artists. This was only the beginning of the new, improved money making scams coming from the feverish brains of the Estee Lauder marketing division.
The "original" MAC, as a courtesy, extended a % discount card (the PPID card) to pro makeup artists, hair stylists and even actors because they understood how expensive our professions were to maintain. Within a year of taking over the company, MAC/Estee Lauder instituted a yearly "membership" fee that had to be paid before they would renew/replace our PPID discount cards.
PAY for a DISCOUNT? WTF!

As if this wasn't a large enough slap in the face to the community that made them famous...

The Estee Lauder Companies/MAC Division has aggressively approached designers, production companies, photographers, advertising agencies, etc. and offered them tons of gratis makeup and free use of "their" staff makeup artists in exchange for product placement or production credit. They have even gone as far as paying CASH to get their foot in the door of some agencies/companies.

The MUA's (makeup artists) that work for MAC are brainwashed into thinking that they should feel privileged to do this work and it will be "important to their career". They are also told that they MUST do these gigs to gain their "certification" to merit promotions within the MAC organization. These "certifications" carry absolutely no cache or significance outside of the MAC company (usefulness???). The MAC artists are manipulated into working these high profile jobs for their usual hourly salesperson rate (maybe $16-17) while Pro MUA's would usually book the same jobs for 10x that amount.
The saddest thing is, these poor kids might get a MAC certification, but they usually get no credit (tear sheets, etc) for the actual job...MAC does. Without credit for your work, you get NOWHERE in the real industry. So they, in effect, have been PIMPED OUT BY MAC/ESTEE LAUDER and have taken jobs away from legitimate, professional MUA's.

You, the buying public and other MUA's have to help us out and make your voice heard. Professional MUA's are the people that put MAC on the map, made you covet the products because WE used them and now we are being systematically eliminated by the Estee Lauder Marketing and Promotional juggernaut. They are compromising our means of making a living (paying bills, feeding families) to sell more lipsticks.

Please don't support a company who willingly treats the people that are responsible for their enormous SUCCESS with blatant disrespect and underhanded, deceitful business practices.

Please stop purchasing MAC Makeup Products and help Professional Makeup Artists worldwide continue to work in the industry that we love.

CLICK HERE for a list of great alternatives to MAC products.

Thanks,
KJB

[Barbarella]

The information is CORRECT! The company has been taken over by Estee Lauder marking branch and it's no longer the product it use to be.... The truth is that even tho you kill yourself to get further in knowledge, their certifications are BOGUS - good for nothing! and YES>>> you also DON"T get paid for fashion work or events. Sorry to burst your bubble but I was also let down by all these changes. Good Luck in your career and if you have any questions on MAC - please feel free to call upon me! I worked for them for the past 5 years of my life and went thru all the changes!

Originally Posted by karmaX

where did you get such information?! that is mind boggling to read how a company can do that. well not really but i never would have expected that from MAC. After wanting to have work for them for sooo long I was starting to have second thoughts.. now reading this kinda makes me wonder if its really worth it...

[Dark Dreams]

does that mean that bobbi brown make up is now crap? That sucks because Bobbie brown is the only eye shadow I can use that doesnt run. ( I use bobbi Brown balck eye shadow as eye liner) /crys....

[Makeup 101]

Where it is true that MAC has been changing its formulations and is a part of the Estee Lauder Corporate Umbrella; it is still an independent company being run by its "people".
Lauder has a rule when it purchases other cosmetic/frangrance companies. If the company is profitable they don't touch it, if it is not they "Lauder-ise" it. They also require certain launches, like fragrance and fuller body/skin lines. They allow the company to do the development, create the products....as long as they keep adding sku's and making money.

This was seen with Bobbi when she first sold to Lauder. She came out with the baby line, fragrance, and more skincare products. She retained creative control. Lauder did not change any of her formulations, her products are still manufactured independently.
With Lauder Corps distribution and production capabilities, MAC has gone from a pro line to a shopping mall candy store. It is no longer hip amoungts those in the know, and has lost its luster.
I don't think however that Lauder corp gets all of the blame. MAC is still guiding itself, at least for the most part.
However, I am losing my enthusiasm for both the line and the "discount".

[rnglover]

Originally Posted by kjbennett

Make Up For Ever, La Femme and Il' Makiage make highly pigmented, quality eyeshadows in a vast amount of colors that can replace your neutral MAC favorites.

What about Smashbox cosmetics? What are your thoughts on that brand?