These 16 MAC Cosmetics Products Will Remind You Why the Brand Is So Iconic
MAC COSMETICS is legendary. With a history that dates back to Toronto in 1984, the makeup brand was once a small line before it became the powerhouse that it is now. Recognized worldwide for their professional-grade products and skin-loving ingredients, the brand has collaborated with celebrities like RuPaul, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, and the original it-girl herself, Barbie. It was 10 years ago when the world discovered the secret to Taylor Swift’s signature red lip was all thanks to the brand’s Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo, which she admits she was “late to the game” in discovering.
Makeup artists and beauty influencers have known for years that MAC is the go-to for every makeup product under the sun. Foundation (Studio Fix is one of the top-selling foundations for the brand), concealer, eyeshadow, mascara—you name it, MAC makes it. Whether you’re new to the makeup artist-driven brand or have been a loyal customer for decades, we wanted to let you all know the best MAC COSMETICS products of all time. Read on for our top 16 products!
The Best MAC COSMETICS Makeup Products
1. MAC COSMETICS Locked Kiss 24Hr Lipstick
Longwear isn’t the only benefit this matte lipstick has to offer. Transfer-resistant, waterproof, and most importantly, kiss-proof, this lip product delivers full coverage without fading, creasing, or caking throughout the day. “I ran a finger across my lips and had no movement of the pigment and no transfer onto my skin,” shares one Ipster, who also notes that it didn’t transfer when drinking or eating. With a shade range of pinks, nudes, reds, and berries, there’s a hue for everyone.
2. MAC COSMETICS Love Me Lipstick
Looking for a lipstick that won’t dry out your lips? This is the formula for you. “This lipstick is fire,” says one Ipster. “Goes on smooth without drying your lips.” Want to know why? Argan oil. Long-lasting moisture is a given with this ingredient, plus you get a soft satin finish thanks to the hydrating formula.
3. MAC COSMETICS M·A·Cstack Mascara
One of our personal fave MAC products (and one of their bestsellers), this mascara provides length and volume beyond compare. “This mascara makes my top lashes so long they touch my upper eyelid/eyebrow area. In fact, they're so long with this mascara that when I wear my glasses/sunglasses, my lashes drag across the lenses every time I blink—crazy. I've never had anything like this happen before. Seriously, this is the BEST problem ever,” one Ipster raves about their experience with the makeup product. We can confidently say we’ve experienced the same lengthening with our lashes every time we apply this mascara. It really only takes one coat but if you want to add more, the non-clumping formula won’t stick your lashes together.
4. MAC COSMETICS Lip Pencil
A staple in every makeup artist’s kit, this iconic lip liner never skips or drags thanks to a smooth and creamy formula. “Smooth, creamy, and effortless lining,” says one Ipster. “I have 'mature' skin, and this works so well and looks absolutely fabulous.” Even better, there’s a shade of lip liner that pairs with every MAC Lipstick color. Plus, you can use these liners with matte lipsticks or lip glosses to create a lip look as unique as you.
5. MAC COSMETICS Retro Matte Lipstick
Arguably the most iconic MAC makeup product of all time (and definitely one of the best-selling!), Retro Matte Lipsticks come in some of the most recognizable shades, including Ruby Woo and Velvet Teddy. Makeup artists, beauty influencers, celebrities—everyone has a Retro Matte Lipstick shade they would live and die by. As one Ipster points out, “It lasts a long time and I am so happy to have it! It's no wonder it's on so many top 10 lists of best lipsticks ever.” With its silky matte finish, the lipstick offers eight hours of hydration, along with 12 hours of plumpness, long-wear, and non-flaking. You can thank the blend of coconut oil, organic cocoa butter, and organic shea butter for those lip benefits.
6. MAC COSMETICS Prep + Prime Fix+
Consider your days of reapplying your makeup throughout the day o-v-e-r with this setting spray in your beauty arsenal. “This setting spray is like no other,” says one Ipster. “It truly helps set my makeup so that way I do not have to worry about needing to reapply anything throughout the day. Sometimes I will keep this in my purse in case I need that refreshed feeling.” With green tea, chamomile, and cucumber extract, it’s the perfect midday pick-me-up for your skin whenever it’s feeling dry or stressed out. We find it the most refreshing on a hot summer’s day. So not only is it a setting spray but a refreshing face mist as well.
7. MAC COSMETICS New Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Oily-skin folks, consider this foundation your saving grace. The formula offers 24 hours (!!!) of oil and shine control while also being sweat and humidity-resistant. One review on the MAC website notes it’s “a nice powder foundation,” but it’s so much more than a foundation. It also doubles as a setting powder that offers a blur-matte finish to even out your skin tone with buildable coverage. And the updated range features 67 shades (more than ever before), so you’re sure to find one that best suits your skin tone.
8. MAC COSMETICS Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 24HR Matte Foundation + Oil Control
For those who prefer a liquid foundation, the best-selling foundation is skincare and makeup all in one. Packed with hyaluronic acid for hydration and sugar kelp extract for oil control, the breathable foundation provides a natural, soft-matte finish in 67 good-for-skin shades made for all skin tones and textures. One MAC review swears this foundation was perfect for their sensitive skin, saying, “The old formula used to break me out. After using the MAC Studio Fix Foundation for a couple of days, I have not gotten a single pimple.” Happy days for acne-prone skin types out there. One last benefit we can’t forget to mention is the SPF. While you should still apply sunscreen, it does offer another layer of protection with SPF 15 baked into the formula.
9. MAC COSMETICS MAC 89 Megastar Lash
We have never experienced a more dramatic lash transformation than when we applied these false eyelashes. The 89 Megastar Lash provides all the glam you need for date night, a big party, or anywhere you want your eyes on full display. Many Ipsters rave about how “obsessed” they are with the falsies, noting that they are their “new fave lashes” to wear. One Ipster makes a point to share how much they “like the style” and how “soft and real” the lashes feel when they’re on. We love that too, along with all the drama, of course.
10. MAC COSMETICS Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer
Buildable and blendable, this soft matte bronzing powder comes in 10 makeup artist-crafted, color-true shades that enhance your natural skin tone with double-processed pigments. One MAC reviewer found their perfect match in the Matte Light Rosy, sharing, “This is the perfect bronzer for people with cooler undertones and fair to very fair skin. I do not tan and every bronzer looks orange on me.” This one does the trick to give you that sun-kissed look year-round even when you are in hibernation mode.
11. MAC COSMETICS Strobe Cream
People often rave that this product is the ideal highlighter, but did you know it also doubles as a moisturizer? It sure does. With ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, it keeps skin moisturized all day long while also providing a subtle shimmer tint underneath your foundation. “It’s great for a base to makeup or on its own,” mentions one MAC review. After applying our SPF, we like to lather this on our face and body to give ourselves an all-over glow during the summertime. It’ll make you the standout at any pool party or beach hang.
12. MAC COSMETICS Little Lipglass
Whether you’re looking for a high-gloss finish or a subtle sheen, MAC Lipglass is the ultimate lip gloss. You can wear it with your go-to MAC lip liner, top off your fave MAC lipstick, or wear it on its own. And before you wonder, no, it’s not sticky. “The feel of the gloss [is] not sticky like other glosses. My lips love the hydrating effect of [the gloss] and I love the shine and shimmer it gives my lips. Makes me feel like I have Megan Fox lips,” raves one MAC reviewer. We do love the hydrating properties as well, which come from the jojoba oil in the formula.
13. MAC COSMETICS Pro Longwear Fluidline Eye Liner & Brow Gel
An eyeliner and brow gel packed into one pot, this product has been a staple in our beauty routine for as long as we can remember. We use Dip Down (a deep dark flat brown) as a brow gel and liquid eyeliner and use Blacktrack as an eyeliner to create everything from a smoky eye to a graphic design. A MAC review raves, “This gel eyeliner is a game-changer—so easy to use and delivers amazing results. I can confidently say I'll stick with this forever and won't go back to traditional liquid eyeliners!” We have felt the same way since we’ve swiped this on our lids. The way it goes on so smoothly is unlike any other liner out there. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to control and looks incredible over any eyeshadow.
14. MAC COSMETICS Mineralize Skinfinish
Powder highlighter can be tricky but you don’t need to worry about this one. “Anytime I have used a highlighter before, it always created a cast or even a weird shade difference to where I applied it, but this shade really amplifies gorgeous skin with no glitter chunks,” shares one MAC reviewer. “I love that you really have a range if you want a more 'lit from within' look vs. shining bright like a diamond. Truly a gorgeous complexion product.” The sheer luminous finish isn’t too glittery so you won’t find yourself sparkling like a disco ball. Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested, it won’t mess with acne-prone skin either. So consider adding this highlighter to your routine anytime you need a subtle glow.
15. MAC COSMETICS Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette
As far as MAC eyeshadows go, the Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palettes are our fave collection of shades. Nudes, pinks, burgundies, even neon hues, the palettes contain an eyeshadow for every eye look you’re trying to pull off. “The shade range is perfect—versatile, flattering, and easy to use,” says one MAC reviewer of the palettes. “What I love most is how pigmented these shadows are. A single swipe delivers rich color, but they also blend beautifully, so I can build up the intensity when I want.” That’s what we love the most—whether we want to keep our eye makeup simple or create a daring style, the palettes allow us to fulfill our makeup desires.
16. MAC COSMETICS Powder Blush
Seeking a blush that “looks very natural”? You’ve found it, according to one MAC reviewer. Enriched with vitamin E, it’s designed to lightly adhere to your skin to create a natural-looking flush. The same reviewer notes, “It’s very buildable so you can apply more to achieve a more dramatic look.” With a range of 13 shades, we’ve found every color looks great on virtually every skin tone. We find that mixing and matching the shades also helps to customize a blush for our undertones as well. So yes, we’re encouraging you to give in to your blush addiction and add even more to your collection.