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About M·A·C

LOVE, M·A·C

Canadian-born, universally loved.

M·A·C is the original pop-culture beauty brand, founded in Toronto in 1984. Our culture of creativity, self-expression and artistry has made us the world’s leading, and most inclusive, makeup brand.

INDIVIDUALITY

M·A·C celebrates diversity and self-expression for All Ages, All Races, All Genders.

TRENDS

Existing at the forefront of fashion, M·A·C Artists shape trends backstage at runways globally, collaborating with visionaries from fashion, art and popular culture.

COMMUNITY

M·A·C was created for the people it celebrated – artists, icons, innovators, outsiders – our community of progressive individuals, makeup artists and global M·A·C lovers who continue to inspire us and drive our creative vision.

ARTISTRY

We create art with passion, and have earned our position as the world’s leading professional makeup authority through our unrivalled expertise.

SOCIAL ACTIVISM

It’s not something we do, it’s who we are. VIVA GLAM and the M·A·C AIDS Fund are at the heart of our inclusive culture.

artist

Our Artists are backstage, on set and driving trends around the world. Find out how they got here and what fuels their passion.

  • GREGORY ARLTGREGORY ARLT Global Director Started in 1989 United States
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    SENIOR ARTIST GREGORY ARLT

    Senior Artist Gregory Arlt’s career begins on the streets of 1980s Los Angeles, where he became transfixed by the punks, new wavers and goths of Melrose Avenue. These days he opts for a quieter life. “My club days are long gone,” he explains, “so exploring and trying new restaurants or going to my tried and tested places make for a perfect night.” Still, a glass of Californian chardonnay accompanies nights spent at home, drawing, experimenting and trying out new ideas. His stellar career sees him head-up makeup teams for fashion week shows in Paris, Milan and New York as well as working with a roster of high-profile celebrities. It’s all about imagination, which Arlt believes can take you anywhere.

    CLUB KID

    “In the 80s of course I had a fake ID and would sneak into all of the hottest clubs wearing more makeup than the women! I also liked to watch my two older sisters and my mother applying makeup. I remember looking at the Scavullo Women book my father showed me when I was eleven and being mesmerized by the shots of models. Also, being a child of the 80s I was obsessed with Boy George and Nina Hagen and I’ve been in love with Russian Red Lipstick ever since 1989.

    CONFIDENCE IS KEY

    “When I compliment someone and they contort and wrinkle up their face and say, ‘really?’ I always say own the compliment. You’ll be begging for them when you’re 90! Radiant and flawless skin is also my favourite feature on a person. It’s literally the canvas; everything (eyes, lips, cheeks) benefits from the skin looking as perfect as it can. I love to bring out the features using highlighting and contouring on the face. I honestly couldn’t live without Fix+, Matchmaster Foundation SPF 15 (need the sunscreen), Pro Longwear Concealer for under my eyes and Lightful Foaming Cleanser.”

    TURN BACK TIME

    “A massive career highlight was working with Cher. I used to beg my parents to let me stay up and watch her show when I was a kid and then I find I’m designing her makeup for her farewell tour and a few years later her Las Vegas Caesar’s Palace show! But I’ve loved my whole career. One client was disfigured due to a car accident and after I did her makeup she looked in the mirror and said she’d never felt more beautiful, which felt good.”

  • DEBBIE FINNEGANDEBBIE FINNEGAN Senior Artist Started in 2001 United Kingdom
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    SENIOR ARTIST DEBBIE FINNEGAN

    is the tomboy-turned-makeup-artist whose love of all things gothic can be traced back to her childhood growing up in the Black Mountains of Northern Ireland. That said, she’s just as much at home in sunny Ibiza and shares her tips for taking your look from the rain to a more tropical climate. Here she tells us more about her humble beginnings, working behind the M·A·C counter and becoming an internationally recognized makeup artist.

    THE GREAT OUTDOORS

    “I'm originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland. I grew up just outside the city and had the Black Mountain as my back garden. My childhood was a jumble of random pets, dirty knees and climbing trees. Then, around my thirteenth birthday I stopped being a tomboy and discovered makeup. I never looked back. I attended a three-week long Irish-speaking summer school near the coast in Donegal. It was so much fun staying in a house with ten other girls of different ages. I began practicing makeovers on them.”

    HOLY SMOKES!

    “Later I spent six years working as a Retail Artist at different M·A·C counters in the UK and Ireland. The first product in the M·A·C range that I fell in love with was a kohl pencil in Smolder. The soft pencil allowed me to create a new level of smokiness and I loved the drama it brought. I'm such a fan of eye kohl pencils as they can transform the face instantly. I love Pearlglide Liner in Lord It Up as it's a super soft pencil in a warm bronze shade with a slight sparkle.”

    SPANISH SUN

    “My favourite place in the world is Ibiza. When I go I’m taking Extreme Dimension Mascara, as it gives me the longest lashes and is the perfect way to dress up the eyes. I'd also pack my Studio Finish Concealer, as I like to warm it and use to cover my dark circles, and also to hide my hyper pigmentation. Finally if I'm hanging out in the sun I need a strong lip colour to finish off my look. My shade of choice at the moment is Lipstick in So Chaud, a rich spicy orange-red in a dramatic matte texture. It makes my eyes look super blue and brightens up the rest of my face.”

  • RUMIKO IKEDA HARRISRUMIKO IKEDA HARRIS Senior Artist Started in 1997 Japan
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    SENIOR ARTIST RUMIKO IKEDA HARRIS

    lives and works in Tokyo, Japan where she studied business before becoming a professional makeup artist. A devoted M·A·C fan from the beginning, she credits its “cutting edge style and approach” for fuelling her love of makeup. Having worked previously for Anna Sui cosmetics, Harris joined M·A·C in order to “take her career to the next level.” Here she tells us about working across fashion shows and editorials while explaining why makeup should be considered a form of art.

    FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES

    “The highlight of my career so far is participating in the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in my hometown of Athens! A M·A·C team of 45 Makeup Artists from all over the world executed the look of 350 artists, dancers, performers, athletes, volunteers and VIPs. The team was amazing, the atmosphere was very emotional and even though we were working for 18 hours, no one complained. I remember everyone in the end hugging and crying for the honour of having contributed to such a prestigious event!

    THE ARTIST

    “I really enjoy the process of applying makeup on delicate skin to create art. Iconic makeup artists such as Gordon Espinet, Terry Barber, Tom Pecheux and Kabuki all inspire me. In fact, I was lucky enough to assist Kabuki when I was younger. My own style focuses on the colours of nature and my main source of inspiration comes from the paintings I see in galleries.”

    BACK TO BASICS

    “I am a tomboy at heart. I love black and I love doing things differently. That rebellious streak creates new, exciting work. I believe in getting the basics right. Everyone should own M·A·C Lip Conditioner, a Studio Conceal and Correct Palette and Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder. Depending on the weather and health condition, the skin will always be different, so it’s important to choose the right skin care product and develop facial massage skills.”

  • FATIMA THOMASFATIMA THOMAS Senior Artist Started in 1995 USA
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    SENIOR ARTIST FATIMA THOMAS

    is a Southerner by way of the Midwest. She now lives and works in Harlem, where she spends her time hanging out with her friends, her two cats and dancing to house music. A range of interests inform her practice. In her own words, “I love abstract art, soulful music and dancing.” She also likes to work early, waking at the crack of dawn and tirelessly developing her ideas. For Thomas, the love affair with makeup began in the 1970s, with some stolen moments in her mom’s closet…

    WIGGING OUT

    “My earliest makeup memory was sneaking into my mother’s dresser, playing with her makeup and trying on her wigs. I was always trying to make myself look like Lena Horne or Diahann Carroll. It was the 70s and every woman had wigs. After that, my interest in makeup grew and I began my career working behind the counter. Things have changed a lot since then. A couple of years ago, a team of M·A·C Senior Artists supported the Life Ball in Vienna. I had the chance to work with Whoopi Goldberg, who is one of my all-time favourite entertainers.”

    ALL ABOUT THE GLOW

    “I feel fortunate to have good skin, so I use Lustre Drops in Sun Rush to add dimension and glow to my features. I’m a big fan of Lightful Moisture Creme and Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15. If you’re having issues with your skin I’d recommend Prep + Prime Moisture Infusion. Moisture is the difference between dullness and healthy vibrancy. Use with Prep + Prime Skin Smoother, which immediately improves the appearance of skin, making it look flawless.”

    HANGING IN HARLEM

    “My favourite way to spend an evening is just hanging out in Harlem, sharing a great meal with good friends, watching a good movie with my two cats, or dancing to house music. If I do go out, I like to wear Feline Kohl Power Eye Pencil. It’s the blackest black and makes my eyes look very sexy and alluring.”

VIVA GLAM AND THE M·A·C AIDS FUND

“I am the M·A·C Girl!” This provocative slogan announced the first face of VIVA GLAM – drag icon RuPaul, resplendent in shiny red leather boots and corset. A legendary campaign was born, one that would see many different stars and styles over the years, but which would always retain at its core that same spirit of irreverence, outrageous style and irrepressible love of life.

Created in 1994, the passionate red VIVA GLAM Lipstick raised money and awareness for HIV/AIDS at a time when the pandemic was dramatically affecting fashion communities in particular as well as the wider world. Then and today, an unprecedented 100% of the purchase price of any VIVA GLAM product goes toward the M·A·C AIDS Fund (minus VAT where applicable).

In the two decades that have followed since RuPaul made her billboard splash, the galaxy of stars who have fronted the campaign is unparalleled, including Lady Gaga, Elton John, Debbie Harry, Boy George, Cyndi Lauper, Nicki Minaj, Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, Dita Von Teese, Shirley Manson, Mary J Blige, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Taraji P. Henson and most recently Sia.

The M·A·C AIDS Fund itself is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with underserved regions and populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical giver in the arena, the M·A·C AIDS Fund is committed to addressing the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS by supporting diverse organizations around the world that provide a wide range of services to people living with HIV/AIDS. To date, the M·A·C AIDS Fund has raised over $400 million exclusively through the sale of M·A·C VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass donating 100 percent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS.

Long live VIVA GLAM! We are all the M·A·C Girl!

For more information visit MACAIDSFUND.ORG