Jamie Matusow, Editor-in-Chief02.05.20
M∙A∙C Cosmetics celebrated its impressive 35th year in 2019—and looking at the brand’s history through the lens of some of today’s leading beauty trends, it was way ahead of its time upon launch. Not only was it one of, if not the first pro makeup brand created by artists for artists, it was a ground-breaker in many ways, such as with its principled messages of individuality, inclusiveness and philanthropic initiatives.
An acronym for Makeup Art Cosmetics, M∙A∙C was launched in 1984 by two members of the artist community—makeup artist/photographer Frank Toskan and salon owner Frank Angelo—expressly for their peers.
Created in their Toronto home, the founders placed makeup artists and artistry at the center of their radically new brand. Their first offering was 30 eyeshadows, lipsticks and polishes, as well as the first full range of professional foundations with 30 Studio Fix tints. The pair packaged their products in black pots, rather than traditional compacts, which quickly became the brand’s avant-garde look.
In 1998, 14 years post-launch,
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