About three weeks ago, I took myself down to the MAC store on Chapel Street for a makeover (cosmetics, not Apple - see what I did there?). Now, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with MAC...love because MAC is the very first brand I tried when I was first getting into makeup as a teenager and I love their extensive range of colours and shades, and hate because I find the customer service usually appalling whenever I'm at Myer or David Jones. Each time I've tried to stop by a MAC counter, I've either been ignored or treated rudely; I once tried to ask a MAC salesperson a question about ten minutes before closing time, and she rudely snapped 'we're closed'. As a result, I've always taken my hard earned dollars somewhere else (like Inglot, Illamasqua, Kit Cosmetics or Benefit - much nicer people at the counter)!
Anyhow, a friend had given me a gift certificate for my birthday last year (if you're reading this, thank you again, RM ♥), which could only be redeemed at the Chapel Street Pro Store, so I decided to venture down and give MAC another chance...I valiantly tried to phone through to make an appointment, but had no luck in getting through. The number was either always engaged or it rang incessantly without anyone answering...I was getting a bit frustrated after a few days of this when they finally answered their phone (if anyone at MAC Australia is reading this, perhaps you could suggest that the store gets an answering machine?)! Fortunately, they were quite pleasant and made an appointment without any problems.
I rocked up on the day and was greeted very pleasantly by the lovely Kasia, my makeup artist that day. She asked me if I was after a specific look but I told her I was happy to just let her do anything she wanted and try out different products, so she tried on several products, among which I liked the Face and Body Foundation (we mixed several shades), blush in Ambering Rose, Pro Longwear concealer and medium Mineralize powder. She also used some MAC pigments on my eyes which were very pretty (but I am usually a bit lazy about using loose shadows). Here's the look I ended up with at the end of the makeover!
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| With the gorgeous Kasia. |
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| She made me look so gorgeously glowy! |
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| (Lipstick is my own) |
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| Stroke of Midnight Lip and Cheek Set in Coral |
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| Clockwise from L-R: Travel blush brush, Lipglass in Pure Sophistication, Cremesheen lipstick in Night to Remember, blush in Margin and travel mirror. |
Bottom line, perhaps I won't give up on MAC just yet...I made an interesting observation while I was getting my makeup done. The store was constantly inundated with walk-ins, and most of the staff were busy with makeovers or with other customers, so many ended up walking straight out again after waiting for a couple of minutes! Perhaps the key to a successful MAC encounter is a bit of a patience, or being a bit assertive and asking for help. Not an ideal situation, true, but it might be the only way you get attention at a MAC counter!
If you're based in Melbourne and looking for a good makeup artist, I highly recommend Kasia, she was incredibly friendly and very professional!
What do you think of MAC, lovelies? Have you ever received bad customer service at a makeup counter? Does it put you off the brand?
Much love,
MM.
x
Note: The gift certificate was a birthday gift from a friend, and I topped it up with my own cash to purchase the Holiday Set.
Wow loved the skin, loved the over all makeup, simple yet defined
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Saumya, she did a great job!
DeleteWow your skin looks amazing! Looks like it has been airbrushed-very impressed! I had MAC makeup when I was a bridesmaid and was really impressed with it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Madeleine! I remember that post, you looked gorgeous (not that you don't every other day too). :)
DeleteLooking gorgeous :) love the smokey eyes!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! The photos don't do it justice, it was even more gorgeous in real life!
DeleteI have to say it is a bit of a hit and miss with the sales staff. I went to a MAC counter when i was overseas in Scotland and the sales person spoke literally 2 words to me. And it varies with the ones in my local store, I actually find that the guy that works there is more friendlier and helpful than the females!
ReplyDeleteI hear you! Luck of the draw, I guess. :(
DeleteYou look absolutley stunning - love the radiance/glow. I think the problem with the Chapel Street store is that there are not enough staff who are specifically there to help customers with purchases. As you say, many staff are doing makeovers or trying products on customers. Perhaps they need a separate area just for makeovers. In any event there are problems. I have been there once many years ago and was not impressed with the customer service, hence I do not use many MAC products. I have the complete opposite experience with Mecca - even though there are some people having makeovers, there are still plenty of staff around to greet you warmly and assist you. The makeup set you purchased is gorgeous - have been eyeing it myself for some time! Enjoy your new goodies. x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Roxy! I agree with you...they might need more staff on hand just to handle people who walk in and need a bit of help.
DeleteI agree, Mecca always has great customer service. :)
That set is gorgeous, I hope you treat yourself to it, you deserve it. :)
Love it! do not give up MAC, they look great on your skin. You are def right about your makeup artist, she is good for she really knows what is great on you.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, they have great products, just a shame that there's hardly anyone around to help test it on your skin! She was lovely. :)
DeleteLove the eyes girl! It looks glam.
ReplyDeleteI found that MAC counters are notorious for BAD service, particularly the Sydney City Myer one. I found that they don't pay customers attention unless they're spending up big. I noticed that a lot of people get frustrated waiting for service or being ignored when I was getting my makeup done too.
But I always recommend people to book in at a counter (any brand) if they want a proper consultation done. That way you not only get to shop and ask as much questions as you want, you also get your makeup done too. ❤
Thank you!
DeleteI hear you, that's the experience I've had at almost every MAC counter here too. :P
I agree, I often make the same recommendation. :) It's a great way to try products you'd never have thought to try either. :)
Wow, you look so amazing, hun! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle! :) It's the makeup. ;)
DeleteMakeup looks gorgeous, but no more or less than when you do it yourself!!! OK I'm a tiny bit biased but I can see clearly! Love the clutch - I hope you were completely relaxed at the end of it. Take care,
ReplyDeleteWith love,
Trish.
Haha, very biased my darling! But thank you, the compliment is MUCH appreciated!
Deletexx
Amazing makeup! I agree about the service - I don't ever feel like they treat customers amazingly well.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteAgree, such a shame. :(
Nalini, your skin looks absolutely flawless!! Beautiful xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah! Can't take credit though lol.
DeleteOh my Nalini - you've taken goddess to yet another level ♥ That first photo in your red coat? Stunning, as is your jewellery. MAC and you are a match made in heaven xxx
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind, Kat darling! Not at all surprised you were drawn to the red, hehe!
Deletexx
This look suits you, sultry and sweet :) I haven't encountered a rude counter person as yet, most of the beauty counters seem rather friendly. Especially the Benefit counter, they are always a bunch of fun :)
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you, E-von! ;)
DeleteOh, good on you!
The Benefit girls are awesome. :)
Looking gorgeous! :D
ReplyDeleteBeauty Challenged
Thank you, Tegan! :) Credit to Kasia though! :)
DeleteYou're so pretty! So glad I came across your blog, awesome posts :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Fatima, that means so much to me. :)
DeleteSimple and very alluring! :D
ReplyDeletexo,
~Pauline @ MAC Philippines