MAC Cosmetics

I usually go to Sephora for my higher end makeup since everyone is so nice there and they have a points program but I figured I would try MAC out. I had never been to MAC before nor had I ever tried any of their products but, I do like using makeup and trying to products so I figured I’d give it a try. I went into MAC on whim and decided to buy myself a new concealer because I didn’t like the one I was currently using (just a drugstore one) and I was greeted by a sales associate. She was very friendly and cheerful. Right away asked me if there was anything she could help me with, I told her that I was looking for a concealer and she asked me if I was looking for a full coverage or a moderate coverage, I told her I was looking for a full coverage that would last all day. She recommended the MAC pro-​long wear concealer and grabbed a couple shades and matched me. She was very clean with everything, cleaning the brush and the plate that she put the concealer on. She was very nice and asked me how my day was, no complaints about the service for my first visit except for the fact that she matched me to a concealer that was way too dark for my skin tone. It was much darker than my foundation and looked to be the same shade as my bronzer. So not something I would want to use under my eyes. I only realized it was the wrong shade when I got home. Anyways, I used it and it was an okay concealer, it did cover pretty well and it stayed on pretty well too but I didn’t like that I had to build it so much to get my desired coverage and I didn’t like how it came in a pump bottle so I had no way of getting that last chunk of it out (you can’t even unscrew the lid). Next time I was at metrotown, I was running low on concealer so I decided to buy another, since it was still a better concealer than most I had used aside from it being the wrong shade. My mom was also at the mall with me and she wanted to get a concealer as well so she went to MAC and I said I would meet her there since I had to go to Forever21. I met her there at about 10 minutes to closing, and my mom was already with one of the sales associates. This was the rudest sales associate I had ever had the displeasure of dealing with. She didn’t greet me, she didn’t ask what I was looking for, I had to ask her to help me, and when I told her that I wanted to get the pro-​long wear concealer again but I needed to be re-​matched because the last girl that matched me, matched me to the wrong shade I basically had to match myself while she just stood there. I had to pick out a shade and she went to go get it and walk over to the checkout but I hadn’t even got to try it! So I had to ask her if I could try it, and wow I really wish I didn’t because she was incredibly rough and made no effort to blend it out. I do spend quite a fair amount of time on my makeup and she just wrecked it. I should also mention that once again, it was the wrong shade! She also didn’t clean the brush or clean an area on my face. That’s very unsanitary, you don’t know what could have been on my face, what bacteria and germs could have been there. And not cleaning the brush, this is HUGE no in the makeup artistry world, your brushes need to be sanitized after every client. What if the person before me who she had used that brush on had acne or a contagious skin disease, then I would get the disease and I would have the risk of breaking out in acne. This is just disgusting! It is also a health hazard. I should also mention that the store itself wasn’t very clean. There was dust and dirt on the floor, the counters looked dirty and things were out of place. This sales associate was horrible though, she didn’t greet me, ask me how my day was going, or help me with picking a shade. It doesn’t matter if it’s 10 minutes to closing, you don’t treat a costumer like that. My mom was also treated horribly too by the same sales associate, my mom asked the sales associate for a concealer and she gave her a look and a pile of attitude and asked «well what kind do you want?» Are you kidding?! She doesn’t know, she’s not very good with makeup and besides that’s what your here for! What a joke! I ended up returning my concealer because I value how I’m treated more than a concealer. While I was there I also looked around the store and noticed that all the other sales associates who were helping people seemed incredibly snobby and stuck up. It was like the costumers were unwelcome and incoviencing them. I know that’s how I felt, like I was incoviencing this sales associate, I felt unwelcome and extremely uncomfortable. MAC is ridiculously over priced for the quality and the service. The only reason I gave this review two starts was because of the first sales associate that helped me, she also assisted me with my return and was once again very friendly. My mom and I both informed her of how horribly we were treated and she apologized and took action on the problem right away.

Went with a friend to support them with a major makeup challenge: drag. Staff was helpful and informative, went out of their way to assist with my friend’s needs. Didn’t know how to «paint» for contouring, although my friend didn’t really need it anyway.
Only complaint was the cost, which I found a bit much considering how much product was purchased (several hundred dollars worth). As well, the teaching aspect was pretty similar to a normal makeup application process if you go in without an appointment… Only difference was this was longer and with privacy. The product however is excellent!

I had a bad experience at this location and will probably not come back. The place wasn’t busy when I was there so it shouldn’t have been hard to get some help. I couldn’t buy the product I wanted because the sales rep wasn’t helpful. I find it easier to order online.

Everytime I come here I’ve had bad experience, I find it really rude when I take my time to call in to put a product on hold and when I show up they don’t have it and they don’t even know who picked up the phone then turn around and say I must be dreaming because they don’t sell it at the store well someone should have told me when I called in right? Instead wasting my time drive there and being treated so rudely
I find this mac location don’t have good service compare to before or Robson or at the bay. They don’t even tell u or give u any suggestion or try the product on you because they don’t want to get their hand dirty, and just stand there wait till u buy something oh I buy stuff at least five things each Visit. Isn’t it your job to show me the products /​collection ?
The only good service I had was from the store manager rest of the team does not appreciate their business or maybe they hate their job

I’ve always had good service at MAC stores in general. They always seemed a tiny bit pushy (not sure if they’re on commission or not) but still they seem to have genuine opinions on what would look good for an individual.
But what solidified my review of them as 5 stars is their lenient return policy. It’s definitely more than fair. I would go into detail but I don’t want people taking advantage of their excellent customer service.

Visited MAC at Metrotown tonight and had the best experience I’ve had in a MAC yet. I went in for a new foundation and also had a question about doing a winged eyeliner because my eyes are a weird shape so I’ve had difficulty with it. Preeti took the time to try it out on me and explain her technique and then even let me try it out myself to make sure I could do it. Great service! I live closer to the downtown MAC stores but the next time I need anything I’m going back to Metrotown.

I try to avoid going in here. First and foremost, I hate buying makeup, and secondly, I hate buying costly makeup, and that’s just what me walking into any MAC location is going to entail.
Lucky day for me, the shiny black giftcard I received as a Christmas gift was burning red-​hot in my wallet, and I was ready to start looking.
I made my way around the store, pondering eyeshadows and lipsticks. Pass on the foundation and whatnot; the cheap version I use does me just fine. Finally, I reach the brushes, something which I really know nothing about. When it comes to brushes, I break all the rules. I use smudge brushes for the crease, blush brushes for powder, lip brushes for eyes. I’m like the outlaw of Brush Town, so you better watch out! Also, I really know nothing about buying them or how much they should cost, since most of mine were bought for me, some I bought at Walmart for ubercheap, and the others? Well, let’s just say my sister is probably still looking at her makeup collection scratching her head. But, I had it in my head that I needed a new powder brush, and that was my mission.
Unfortunately, the brushes are located behind the cash registers, so I couldn’t get closer to them, nor could I view them from afar without the associates wondering what on Earth I was doing standing there (seemingly) totally out of it.
I asked a girl what the cost of brushes were, and she informed me that they were all priced differently. Already, I was feeling the attitude, not in what was said, but in the tone of her voice. I pointed to the brush I had been looking at, and asked her the price. There were lots of people, and the store was loud, so I wasn’t sure exactly what she said. I asked her to confirm whether the price was sixteen dollars or sixty dollars, to which I received the following: a snarky response of ‘sixty’ (which is too high for me to pay, thanks!), a stare as if I was the stupidest person to have ever been born, a ‘these are high quality brushes’ FYI, all tied together with a classic rolling of the eyes.
In my younger days, still new to the world of cosmetics, and when wearing electric blue eyeshadow exuded coolness, MAC was the cat’s pajamas. And heck, the kaleidoscope of eyeshadows are about as tempting as a bag of jellybeans; all that color! But when it comes down to it, aside from the select few products (and I mean few) that I use to complete my daily face, the makeup here really is way overpriced for the quality. One can most certainly find makeup that yields high end results for drugstore prices, given a little trial and error, and some perseverance. It really is in the application.
As for the service, it seems to be hit or miss. I’ve encountered some real gems, both with excellent customer service and great cosmetic knowledge, in different stores over the years. That being said, I’ve dealt with one too many princesses here who act like painting faces is the same as curing cancer, and MAC needs to be taken down a couple pegs if they hope to keep customers choosing them over the competitor.

I hate how it’s always so busy in here but the staff is quite friendly and attentive. If you go during peak mall hours expect to wait a while for someone to help you.
My last experience there was great. The girl that helped me was very nice and helped me pick out exactly what I needed. She even showed me how to pencil in my eyebrows properly and now they look fantastic when I do them myself. She also took great care to make sure I was buying the right colour of face powder — we tried several until we found one that was just right! This made me very happy because my last experience buying powder at the Downtown location at The Bay, I almost had to argue with the makeup artist over what colour I needed because she was trying to make me buy a shade darker than my paper white pale complexion in case I got tan during the summer and I patiently had to explain to her that I wear 75spf sunscreen on my face and tanning was out of the question.
I like this location and will be back next time I need something.

I am so disappointed with Mac cosmetic store. My family came to spend the month with me from Brazil and back there Mac is very fancy and super expensive. So I went at Mac store with my aunt that wants to buy a few products there and also a cover for her sun marks in her face. I politely ask one of the mackup artistic if they could apply a base on her face so she would see what covers better. (my aunt is almost 70 years old by the way) The sales woman look at me and said that my aunt need to go to the doctor. I could never see so much rudeness at once. She does not speak English but she understood, I was so embarrassed and will never go back there again. Look for the lady with mice face, she is the one who said that. I would give 0 stars if I could.

I have a love/​hate relationship with Mac Cosmetics. The guy I am dating gave me the best Valentine’s Day gift ever which was a Mac Gift card that still had some $$ on it that I wanted to wait to cash in full so that I had fresh make-​up. I didn’t want to spend it at the pro store, even though, considering that being a pro store downtown, they have more of the stuff I want, I still wanted to get my basics from this location. The staff were more down to earth, friendly, helpful and seemed more real. I got the attention that I deserved, especially since I love my eye make-​up. Some say I wear my make-​up like Mimi from the Drew Carrey show (compliment to me). I needed to feel that the focus was on me and my make-​up needs other than having to be shifted around like a juggling act from one person to the other like what happened at the pro store downtown last weekend with my girlfriend. I just wish that the Metrotown location carried what the pro store carried so that I didn’t have to go between one customer service environment to another. I bought NC35 concealer for my eyes

I might change this later, if/​when I actually try the products and/​or expertise of the associates. This review is for customer service only.
I am not a makeup-​wearer, and when I do, it is minimal. I had heard good things about MAC products and after a very heavy-​handed session with a professional makeup artist (bridal trial) I decided that I’m the best to cater to my own style for my wedding. So I thought a little DIY with guidance would be the best way.
I went in there, at opening (10am) on a Friday, hoping and expecting it to be dead. It was. Still, I was not greeted when I entered, and when I explained what I wanted to an associate some minutes later, I was told I would have to wait for the other employee to get there. Really no problem yet — mediocre, but I can deal.
So, then I explained to the second associate what I wanted, what I was looking for. She said that today was going to be super busy for grad (fair enough… but the place was still DEAD) and that she could «start me» but then would have to leave me. No thanks. I suggested that I make an appointment (she said she had another appointment coming in, so I took that to mean that maybe an appointment was the way to go). She told me to come back at two (pshyeah, like I’m just going to hang around Metrotown for four hours) but that there would be not guarantee that anyone would be available. Basically, she redirected my request for an appointment, and denied me one. Which I don’t get. I had been ready to spend WELL over the minimum for one of those complimentary demonstrations… I think the fact that I was not lacquered from forehead to chin when I came in there worked to my detriment, which is a strike against them, and not me. I think if I’m looking for a dramatic-​yet-​plausible look, these clown-​faces are not the way to go anyway. Maybe Sephora?
When I walked by again 45 minutes later, the place was still dead and I could see that I DEFINITELY could have been accommodated. I can’t figure out why this girl would have turned away business; I know so little I could have been talking into buying a LOT of things. I don’t think the owner would be happy with the behaviour of these salespeople. If they were my employees, I would fire them.

When Sephora and a neat MUA at Shoppers Drug Mart rolled into my life, I stopped coming here. The smell, I cant describe what that smell in there is, but it usually gets me kind of nauseous.
The MUA I had there always some how paired me with the wrong colors or making me look like I’ve got a black eye.
The last thing I ever bought from MAC was the Lady Gaga for Viva Glam lipstick.
Any how, with some random tips taken from online tutorials, I’ve gotten a lot better at it myself, but lord, if you want it done, its best if you do it yourself.
Not to mention, its either you get no service because theres not enough of them to go around or you don’t look like you’ll spend enough for them to spend that much time with you.
I dont know whats with this place.

Snobby and rude. Only one of their BA’s greeted me even though she was super busy working on someone’s make up. The other 3 on the floor talking to customers saw me look at them a few times and NEVER approached me or asked me if I needed ANYTHING. Eventually, I went up to the counter to grab what I needed quickly and bounced out of there as soon as I could.

I am a huge MAC fan. I usually go to the Oakridge Mac in the Bay but have also gone to Richmond Centre Mac in the Bay and Metrotown MAC for make over /​lessons spending $ 50 on products (I thin MAC is a bit higher). It lasts usually 1 hour and they take the time to teach you how to put on the make up and for me it is the eye make up that I love to learn and can not do the same as they do. I have gone quite often because I do love to buy MAC stuff (probably what I have the most in my collection, particularly brushes) and I would say 80% I have absolutely loved my make up leaving the store. There is one Asian lady at the Metrotown location that was AMAZING. I think she said she had 8 yrs experience. There were a few times when it came out not what I was looking for and I thought I looked more like a clown than anything but the other times (over many years) I really loved it. I have to say my make up skills are a lot better taking their tips, so I am definitely a fan! Oh and their false lashes are the very best, but quite expensive at close to $ 20 per pair. I have also tried Ardelle lashes at more than half of that and very similar.

Sometimes this MAC store gets too busy, but most of the time (weeknights, Chinese New Year, earlier in the morning) it is pretty okay and you can get some decent service. The staff are helpful and friendly, as Gina mentioned. Their make up lasts quite a while. And I love the Back to MAC policy they have where you return 6 empty make up containers, you get a free lipstick, lip glass, or eyeshadow.

This is the best MAC store I have encountered. Friendly and helpful staff.
Way better than the Robson street location where I’ve been left waiting at a counter for 10 minutes. when there was barely ANYONE in the store. Not cool and not acceptable, bad customer service.
Back to the Metrotown location. It’s always busy & these ladies know their stuff. I’m many a times a returning customer to these cute ladies.

MAC is the only reason I show my face… well maybe not that far, but this place is super awesome!
MAC was originally created by makeup artists, so they know what is important — blending and pigmentation. I don’t even own eyeshadow that isn’t MAC anymore, and I think I own half their colors sometimes! I have fallen asleep with my make up on and when I wake up in the morning my MAC eyeshadow is still on. At $ 16.50 a pot (I think) this is money well spent because it does last forever, I had one I used daily which lasted nearly a year. I am also addicted to their face make up now, and the lip glass.
Aside from the superior quality of MAC the best value add is the staff. I have a really strange skin tone (very very pale, yellow and olive undertones which is odd for how pale I am) and they are able to match shades for me perfectly. They never sell you things you don’t need, and will always make great suggestions.
If you want to feel pretty, just go there and they will give you the products to make you feel sexy and beautiful every day!