February 23, 2010
I thought about this discussion topic when I was browsing the Makeup Talk Forum and came upon this thread. The thread is basically about a user who is annoyed at MAC for increasing the price of their products and coming up with all these LE collections. So basically, she wants to back away from MAC and use other brands (MUFE, Nars, Illamasqua...).
I actually posted a reply to the thread but I wanted to share my opinion with you guys as well. I don't think of a brand (MAC or other) as a person to whom you have to be faithful to or you break away from. I like and use MAC most of the time as despite their price increase, they still provide the cheapest high end products for overall decent quality. I'm a big fan or their lipsticks, eyeshadows, lipglosses, pigments (I have too many from before so the size change doesn't phase me), paint pots, brushes and blushes. That's a handful already. Yes they do increase their price, but so do all other companies (not just cosmetics).
With regards to the LE fatigue, MAC has always been on trend, that's what the brand is all about. Complaning about too many LE collections is like complaining about too many fashion trends. You don't have to buy an entire wardrobe for every trend change the same way you don't have to buy every single thing from each LE collection. That's exactly how I look at it; if I like the trendy skirt and it suites me, I buy it. If the trend was not made for my body, I skip it! It's the same with LE collections. I don't care how big neutral stuff was past few months, I didn't buy the whole All Races, All Sexes collection coz I'm not a neutral girl.
Another reason I think some folks get tired of the brand is that all they bought for the longest time was MAC. Obviousely after a while you'll get tired of it. I always experiment with all brands available in Canada. I love Nars for their semi-matte lipsticks, matte velvet pencils, duo eyeshadows and blushes; I adore MUFE matte eyeshadows and foundation; Bobbi Brown makes amazing gel liners and shimmer bricks are divine; Stila has awesome Smudge Liners and high quality eyeshadows; Lise Watier is great for eyeliners, glitter liners and concealer. I also have had good luck with drugstore brands like Annabelle and NYX.
I don't think I'll be feeling MAC fatigued anytime soon, due to my line of thinking. What is you guys' take on this topic?
11:27 AM
February 23, 2010 at 12:39 PM �
I think most people come to a point when you've 'collected' enough to realize that you don't need another five highlighter shades or 38 MSFs.. LOL. When I'm picking up new items I try to look for items that would be unique against what I already have.
However, I do feel like MAC pushes out collections too frequently. It's one thing to stay up on trends, but it's another thing entirely to release more than five
LE collections before March. Once a month or month and a half would be my ideal. It's not so overwhelming IMO.
It's obviously a business decision, but I know it's alienated a lot of MAC-heads.
Awesome post!
February 23, 2010 at 12:50 PM �
I do sometimes get overwhelmed by the frequency that limited edition collections come out. It's like you feel you have to buy sometimes if you like it right now before it sells out.
The price increases aren't going to discourage me from buying them, all companies increase their prices. They're still affordable as far as high end goes. I'll continue buying for sure!
February 23, 2010 at 12:53 PM �
Nepenthe - I know exactly what you mean, I guess that's why I don't buy a lot of the LE stuff. I have TOO much makeup! I still do feel that trends also change more than once a month. Us average Joes might not notice it, but if you follow fashion mags closely, you'll see that there are more than 4-5 dominant trends per month (which MAC tries to keep up with).
I do feel that they could skip the annoying all repromote LE collections though. What the hell is the point? That really gets to me... More original collections, like the recent Riveting collex, would be better.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply :)
February 23, 2010 at 1:42 PM �
So Very Fabulous - I def agree with the price increase. MAC is still so much cheaper than Nars or Bobbi Brown. It would be better if they had more supplies for LE collections or did less collections per year.
Thanks for your reply :)
February 23, 2010 at 2:45 PM �
Last fall I thought that MAC was pushing a couple collections too many out onto the market, but only because I didn't have the money to buy whatever I was lemming at the time. I don't care if a product is LE or not - if I want it, and can get my hands on it, I will. If not, well.. then so be it. I'm not gonna cry over it.
I'm not really bothered by the price increase either, because I live in a country where MAC is hellish expensive - so ordering online is heaven to me. I do have a problem when they keep the old price, but downsize the containers, but you know.. I'm the only one who can either shut up about it and pay the price, or boycott it. My choice, no use in whining about it.
:) By the way, I'm DarkLocke from Specktra. :)
February 23, 2010 at 3:15 PM �
Shamini - thank you, I totally agree. I'd get annoyed if I wans't able to buy anything I wanted maybe a couple of years ago, I'm a full grown woman now. We can't have everything we want all the time.
I have a problem with smaller pigment container too. But it doesn't bother me too much as I have sooo many pigments already, I don't need any new ones.
So nice to see someone else from my Specktra family here <3
February 23, 2010 at 5:46 PM �
I love MAC but I would love even more if they would release collections more sparsely.. they have been doing LE collections to frequently..
February 23, 2010 at 6:11 PM �
I'm a bit MAC fatigued, but it's more with the permanent line since I basically have all that I want from it. As such, I actually really enjoy the new collections coming out, provided they're not just repromotes. I'm also expanding more into the PRO side of MAC, since I can order those products over the phone.
I'm getting into other brands as well...I'll be able to visit Sephora more frequently, so I can see some of the neat stuff they have on a more regular basis.
That all being said, I've really slowed down on my makeup purchasing since I just have so much of it, lol! I guess that's why I turned towards nail polish ;)
February 24, 2010 at 8:44 AM �
Fintia - I agree with that especially if they improve the quality of LE stuff :)
Shayla - You're the only MAC person I know besides me who has more perm stuff it seems. I agree, I've been getting more and more from the Pro line. There are still a few things I need from the perm line though.
It would be so awesome if somehow you could bring your stash with you here so we could compare what things we had in common, lol!
February 24, 2010 at 6:33 PM �
I would bring my stash, but it would take up an entire suitcase on its own...lol. I plan on doing "inventory" at some point, though...so we can compare that way ;)