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It’s often said that “necessity is the mother of invention”—an adage that describes the inception of M.A.C. Cosmetics to a T. The brainchild of makeup artist/photographer Frank Toskan and the late Toronto salon owner Frank Angelo, M.A.C. (Make-up Art Cosmetics) was born out of a quest to create makeup that would photograph well under the intense lighting of photo shoots. In the early ’80s, the two mixed up the first M.A.C. products in their kitchen, started selling them in Angelo's hair salons, and by March 1984, opened the first M.A.C. counter at a local department store.

Not long after its debut on the beauty scene, M.A.C. enjoyed runaway success in the fashion world. In 1986 fellow Canadian and supermodel Linda Evangelista publicly endorsed M.A.C.’s Spice Lip Pencil, and M.A.C. soon crossed the U.S.-Canadian border, settling in New York City with a counter at Henri Bendel in 1989 and a store on Christopher Street in 1991. Today, M.A.C. is an official sponsor of New York City’s Olympus Fashion Week and can be found in more than 750 locations in 48 countries.

Over the past two decades, the brand—which is now owned by Esteé Lauder—has redefined the scope of beauty by offering a multitude of professional-quality products. Its Artist Relations group serves as an ambassador between M.A.C. and the international makeup-artist community, conducting educational seminars, hosting informative events, and providing customized products to makeup artists who work with the entertainment industry. But while the brand was created with the needs of professionals in mind, the M.A.C. culture embraces beauty for all. “All Races, All Ages, All Sexes” is the brand’s simple yet profound motto.

Even more admirable are M.A.C.’s philanthropic efforts. The brand sponsors the Back to M.A.C. Recycling Program and supports animal-free testing but is most well known for its commitment to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. Although M.A.C. doesn’t partake in traditional forms of advertising, in 1994 it launched a bold ad campaign featuring Ru Paul for its Viva Glam lipstick, a product whose proceeds go exclusively to the M.A.C. HIV/AIDS fund. Since that time, M.A.C. has created five Viva Glam shades and raised more than $60 million for the fund, whose sole purpose is to contribute to community-based organizations worldwide that provide direct-care services to those afflicted with the disease. Celebrity spokespeople for Viva Glam have included Pamela Anderson, Christina Aguilera, Chloë Sevigny, Boy George, Mary J. Blige, Shirley Manson, Missy Elliott, Elton John, Lil’ Kim, and K.D. Lang.

The brand’s products have been equally newsworthy, developing a loyal fan base among beauty editors and consumers of all kinds. Some of M.A.C.’s best-selling cosmetics currently include its Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15, Select Cover-up, Tinted Lipglass, Blot Film, Powder Blush, Studio Tech foundation, and Pro Lash mascara. More recently, legendary beauty icon Catherine Deneuve teamed up with M.A.C. to create an eponymous collection of face and color products, and the brand’s spring 2006 lines include Culturebloom and Ultracheek, as well as the popular limited-edition Chromeglass lip glosses.

M.A.C.’s website, Maccosmetics.com, offers its makeup artists’ expertise to customers worldwide (although currently only Canadian and U.S. residents can shop the online store). Consumers seeking advice can email an artist for personalized tips, product recommendations, and application techniques, and their questions are answered within an astonishing 24 hours. Brides can experiment by checking out various looks on the Looks face charts, while M.A.C. artists list their top product picks in M.A.C. Faves section.

M.A.C.’s iconoclastic approach to beauty—evident in its philosophy, social initiatives, and high-performance products—has catapulted the brand into a leading force in the industry. There’s little doubt that with its continuing creativity and innovation, the brand will continue to define the way we wear makeup for years to come.

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