Make-up Art Cosmetics

In March 1984, Toronto makeup artist Frank Toskan and salon owner Frank Angelo spotted a problem. The cosmetics available for photo shoots and runway shows just couldn't hold up under hot lights and quick changes. So they started mixing their own, launching MAC from a small counter at Simpsons department store. The acronym stood for Make-Up Art Cosmetics, and the products were initially sold only to professional makeup artists. But models and their friends wanted in, and word spread fast. By the late 1980s, MAC had a cult following for its bold pigments and unusually wide shade range, especially in foundations and lipsticks.

Estée Lauder Companies acquired MAC in 1998, shortly after Frank Angelo's death. The headquarters moved from Toronto to New York City, though the brand kept its Canadian roots. Today MAC operates over 500 standalone stores globally, with a presence in more than 120 countries. Each store is staffed by trained makeup artists, a model that sets it apart from most competitors. The brand remains a fixture backstage at over 100 fashion weeks annually, reinforcing its professional credibility. Its best-selling products include Studio Fix Fluid foundation and Ruby Woo lipstick, both consistent top sellers for decades.

MAC's VIVA GLAM charity line, launched in 1994, has raised over $534 million by donating 100% of the selling price of select lipsticks to organizations fighting HIV/AIDS and supporting sexual, gender, racial, and environmental equality. The brand's core philosophy, "All Ages, All Races, All Genders," has guided product development and marketing, making it an early adopter of inclusive beauty standards. Collaborations have ranged from Rihanna and Lorde to Proenza Schouler and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, each bringing new audiences. With annual revenue exceeding $1 billion, MAC consistently ranks among the top three global makeup brands. [edit]