A makeup brand defined by appreciation of individuality, artistry and self expression
M·A·C was established in Toronto when makeup artist and photographer, Frank Toskan and beauty salon owner, Frank Angelo brainstormed a makeup line. Frustrated because of the lack of colours that would shoot well with photography; their aim was to develop a studio line makeup line that would fulfill their professional needs. M·A·C was homegrown in Canada – literally. The two entrepreneurs cooked up the cosmetics in their kitchen and sold them from the hair salon. Their first customers: fellow makeup artists, models, photographers…then came stylists and editors. With every colour, and every magazine credit, word-of-mouth popularity grew. In March 1984, the duo officially launched the line from a single counter in a department store in Toronto.
It was staffed with professional makeup artists, an industry innovation. Package-wise, it stood out too: it was chic utility. Everything came in black pots rather than compacts. One of the most popular new offerings was an intense matte red lipstick that was used on a photo shoot with a New York cabaret star named Madonna, later photographed wearing a M·A·C T-shirt, the revolution was on. While other major makeup brands were predominantly skincare companies, M·A·C chose instead to establish itself as the ultimate colour authority.
The company took the industry by storm, offering a wide range of products that managed to blend street savvy with glamorous style and panache. Behind the counter, the M·A·C approach was notably different. It was the first brand in cosmetic history to invest in the training and education of its staff as well
as the customer’s point-of-sale experience. Rather than driving sales through traditional advertising, gifts-with-purchase promotions and heavy sampling, M·A·C relied on the integrity of its carefully formulated product line. Adding to the image was a touch of outrageousness. A company that
honored individuality and self-expression above all else, this leaning inevitably brought a brilliant sense of drag and theatre into the sleek M·A·C stores and department store counters. In 1994, as AIDS spread across the globe, M·A·C’s co-founders searched for a way to respond to the epidemic. Encouraged by input from employees, they decided to make HIV/AIDS organizations the beneficiaries of the company’s charitable focus: the M·A·C AIDS Fund was born. To date, through various fundraising initiatives such as Viva Glam, “Kids Helping Kids Greeting Cards” and with the help of celebrity spokespeople from the entertainment and fashion industries.
The company’s strong bond with its customers, intimate relationships with professional makeup artists, hip and irreverent attitude and impressive array of award-winning products did not go unnoticed by the cosmetics industry. In 1995, The Estée Lauder Compa-
nies purchased a percentage of M·A·C, effectively extending the brand’s distribution across the globe. Freestanding stores and counters at the world’s leading retailers opened at a record pace. With its enhanced profile, M·A·C teams began working backstage at international fashion collections.
In 1998 Estée Lauder acquired the remaining shares of the company, and John Demsey was named president of M·A·C. Under his leadership, the link between fashion, beauty and culture has been strengthened, allowing M·A·C to stay on the edge. Mr. Demsey has also spearheaded M·A·C’s participation at prestigious film festivals worldwide and in support of the M·A·C AIDS Fund has also encouraged the sponsorship of pop music concert tours for such Viva Glam spokespeople as Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott. In addition, he has been instrumental in collaborating with celebrities such as Linda Evangelista, Liza Minnelli, Pamela Anderson, Catherine Deneuve and more, to endorse the M·A·C Viva Glam and Beauty Icon programs.
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Moving forward, M·A·C continues to satisfy the needs of its customers. Constantly developing existing and new categories, each of which grows out of a demand from professional makeup artists, M·A·C’s ultimate ambassadors. Equally important as the growth of its worldwide business is the company’s ongoing involvement in fundraising efforts and social awareness programs. Besides its commitment to the M·A·C AIDS Fund, the “heart and soul” of M·A·C, the company supports animal-free testing. M·A·C Cosmetics is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products.
M·A·C Viva Glam Lipstick
The founders of the company, Frank Angelo and Frank Toskan, banded together with the M·A·C artists to create the M·A·C AIDS Fund in 1994, in a grass roots effort to make a difference in the world with a community outreach for HIV/AIDS.
It all started with VIVA GLAM lipstick; the bullet in passionate red that was the shot heard around the world - the first lipstick created to directly confront and raise money and awareness for AIDS at a time when the pandemic dramatically affected the fashion makeup communities, and was greatly stigmatized as a gay disease. With 100 percent of the proceeds of every VIVA GLAM product going directly to men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS, it was an unprecedented move.
The idea of VIVA GLAM was to celebrate life and the outspoken attitude of the company. It was a connective tissue that encompassed the diversity of M·A·C and its mantra...all ages, all races, all sexes. It was, and continues to be, the signature and the heart and soul of the company. VIVA GLAM spokespeople are provocative, alternative and influential and reflect diverse communities. They are heroes we look up to for their personal triumphs; people who have invented themselves and people who created movements.
The Mission of M·A·C Cosmetics
" “All Races, All Sexes, All Ages” conceived to embrace all consumers. To be the worlds leading make-up authority among both professional make-up artists and consumers.To meet customers need for superior quality services and to provide secure & challenging work environment for all employees. To meet everyday needs for nutrition; hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good, and get more out of life. As an organization it commits itself to high standards and creative development with an enterprise concept that all pains have gains. M.A.CAIDSFUND.ORG was launched in 1994, supporting men, women, and children affected by AIDS/HIV globally. M.A.C. introduced the "Kid's helping Kids" which, with the sale of greeting cards, painted by the kids, will be donated to pediatric organizations."
The M·A·C cosmetics company is very ambitious, they strive for social responsibility.
M·A·C supports the environment by offering a recycle program named "Back to M·A·C". The idea of this program is to get people to return six of their empty M·A·C product packaging, and in return they get a free product of their choice. 
Customers are bound to recycle all of their M·A·C packaging at any rate to receive their freebie, which as a result helps the environment little by little. A program like this is beneficial for the Earth. It's also beneficial for M·A·C because it demonstrates that they care, and this attracts more people who will further develop this company and expand it even wider.
