MAC Cosmetics

Came here to purchase lipstick and lip liner for my daughter. Since this was her first foray into high priced makeup, l came, of course, as the financier of this shopping expedition.
Upon entering the store, it was brisk with customers and MAC associates priming and prepping folks with a multitude of cosmetics to snag that inevitable three figure sale. Well, l wasn’t the potential fall guy for that type of purchase, not today anyway. We perused the lipstick selections and when she settled on the shade that she liked, an associate approached us. They were pleasant and when we showed them what we wanted, they proceeded to disinfect the lipstick and sharpen the coordinating lip liner and applied it to my daughter’s lips. After application, my daughter viewed the end result and decided she liked it enough for me to purchase it. The associate then went about searching through the endless drawers of cosmetics to located my daughter’s desired shade. Once desired shade and lip liner were in hand, they proceeded to direct us to the front counter for payment. Check out was seamless (same associate) and we were off with our $ 35.50 purchase consisting of ONE lipstick and ONE lip liner. Since may daughter is not a true blue lover of all things makeup, l am glad that MAC offers a 30 day return policy because in the meantime, l will be on the lookout for a duplicate shade and lip liner at a more reasonable price, ijs…

They say if want Nordstrom service, go to Nordstroms. A truer statement was never made. The workers in the Mac story in Columbia Mall has terrible service. First their consultants have this non-​chalant «I can’t be bothered’ attitude. That’s all in addition to being out of every eye shadow that I requested. This is the exact opposite for the MAC counter at Nordstom. Excellent service and great suggestions. I was happy to buy several useful items at the Nordstroms counter. Should be the same everywhere that sells MAC. Smh.

I went to this store today because I needed a concealer, the store was not busy at all. The African American lady is always rude, I don’t care what time I go in there. She’s just has a bad attitude, I won’t spend another dime in this store, I will just do my back to MAC here, I will order on line. I heard she was the manager, if so, she needs to be retrained apparently she forgot she was in a customer service industry. I think they should add reviews to the receipts, at least then they will have to pretend they are happy to have your business.

I mean it’s mac! It’s not known for customer service! But what I have found is that if you build a relationship with an artist there you will alway experience great service! It sounds bad but it works! Now I have never had a problem out of this location! Every artist has always been attentive to me and not being short with me! But you have to understand it’s not that many employees in the store and they have to deal with erky people! People who can’t make there mind up, beat faces and still ring up their clients! So be patient when you go! Also go during slower times of day! Between school hours and when the mall opens! It’s alway empty!

This location is the absolute WORST. Go to the MAC in Nordstorm much better! I have had two bad customer service incidents with this location.
First, I was having a graduation party, I wanted my makeup done. I called this location first and asked if they were taking appointments or walk ins (due to Prom season). The person over the phone said they are accepting walk ins. I drove from New Carrollton, MD (because other locations were not accepting anyone) and got there just to be told they were not accepting any customers. I was pissed because I made that trip… thankfully Nordstrom was accepting customers and they did wonderful. With so much customer, they were still helpful and asked if I needed help when I walked through, which takes me to my next complaint…
Second, today I walked into MAC and I was greeted by one makeup artist that was helping a customer. There were at least 5 – 6 other employees, there. Absolutely NO ONE asked me if I needed help. There were a total of 3 customers, 2 were being helped. I did not get asked at all. Even with me standing by the lipsticks, confused… NO ONE asked me if I needed help. I stood there for over 5 minutes and left out of frustration.
They will never receive my business.

Just went there today to back2mac for an eyeshadow. I depot the shadows (x6) and exchange the packages. The woman who helped me took my shadows behind the pillar and whispered about them w 3 other women for about 4 minutes before finishing my transaction. She didn’t say anything to me about them and was done, however I feel like they’re a little rude in this shop.
Before I finally got checked out, I waited at the checkout counter for 10 minutes. 2 transactions were rung up while I stood there and no one asked if I needed help. Yes the store was/​is busy, but still, you can acknowledge a customer and put them in the queue.
I spend several thousand dollars a year on cosmetics, all split between mac, ulta and sephora. I don’t expect to be treated like a second class customer not worthy of an acknowledgment or whispered about when taking advantage of a company’s recycling program.
There used to be 1 nice artist here, but I haven’t seen her in a while. Many of the others act like they’re better than you if you walk in without a full face on.
The girls at department store mac counters are nicer — go there instead.

The trick to this store is to come during a non peak time. I usually come an hour before they close. This way, I don’t have to fight for attention and I’m not rushed. Depending on what time you come, I can understand those who feel rushed and not given appropriate service. But those have to understand, they are busy and only so many associates are on the floor. Because of when I go to the store, I usually never have a complaint.
I prefer to Nordie’s counter but will go to the separate store when taking part in the «Back to MAC» initiative. This store, 6 used containers can be traded for a lip gloss or an eye shadow. I usually buy other things as well. Make sure you are registered with MAC so that your purchases are tracked. It’s helpful when you can’t remember your foundation.
Today, I was served by Ashley. She was incredibly helpful in her suggestions and her make up also served as an advertisement for more colors/​shades to entice me. I’m definitely a satisfied customer.

I do not know why I bother trying to give this place a chance this customer service is terrible so I spoke to someone over the phone earlier this month about my past experience here and she apologized and stated that the people here were not suppose to ignore customers and that their suppose to take walk ins this morning so the previous person lied!
So I come in today at 10am for a walk in I was planning to get a make over and then purchasing more than $ 50 over the items used the man at the front said it would be a $ 50 sitting fee charged additional to my makeover! This is not what the woman over the phone said! This place is terrible! Even the site did not say such! This place is a rip off and employees are a joke they do not want to work with people they rather sit and gossip with one another there is no customer service!!!
Unilocal needs a 0 star option!

MAC is my favorite makeup! However, do not go on the weekends! You will never be able to purchase anything because not only are the artists busy but you can’t even get into the store. It is so crowded you won’t even be able to try their products. Also, most of the testers are used by the artist. On the weekends, I have a better chance of getting a product/​service at Nordstrom downstairs.

I bought some foundation online in the wrong shade and went to this Mac store hoping to exchange it for the right shade. You’d think that would be easy, right? It was pretty busy and there were probably only 3 employees, so I didn’t get too upset that I had to wait a while for someone to acknowledge me. But when I got to the counter to inquire about an exchange, the woman simply said «I’m on break now» and walked away.
So I waited even longer before I got another employee’s attention. When I asked if I could exchange my online order for the correct shade, I was told they couldn’t do that; I’d have to send it back through the mail and re-​order a new product. Seriously?
I asked if they would at least be able to help me find the correct shade. The woman said okay but she needed to finish helping someone else first. She took so long to get back to me that I ended up just leaving.
I have been buying from Mac for a while but this experience really turned me off.

The worst m.a.c. store I have been to and I have been a long time m.a.c. lover the staff is so disorganized and slow.

Each time I walk into this MAC store on the 2^nd level of Columbia Mall, I get no help. Today when I waited 15 minutes for the previous customers to complete their orders and wait my turn, I still had no help. There is no option for customers to self-​serve, and the staff does not seem to be customer service friendly (although it seemed that one associate had a good rapport with a customer). I will not return to this store since I have never been successful getting anyone’s attention for help. I promptly left and visited the Trish counter in Nordstrom’s where I’ve always been treated well with good customer service.

I love the staff at this store from the bottom of my heart, especially Desiree. I came in last weekend to get some make up to treat myself. Everyone was really nice and friendly. I was in and out and on my way.
Soon after me leaving the store, my bag was stolen. I was heartbroken. I went to the store and told them what happened. Desiree was a huge help. She told me that she would love to help and referred me to the corporate office, who help me as well. They were very sympathetic.
Based on this experience alone, I will continue to be loyal to the MAC brand. Thank you Desiree so much for your help!

This is not the most ‘eager’ to help Mac store. May be its a Maryland thing, may be not. But once the salesperson saw me pulled out the shopping list, everything is fine/​good.
They do have the maleficent lipstick in stock while it is sold out online. That makes me happy, very happy.

(2÷14÷14) My cousin invited me to MAC’s A Fantasy of Flowers launch event. I considered the fact that I don’t need anything right now, then quickly dismissed it because I’m a low-​grade beauty product «junkie». I’ve been a patron of MAC Cosmetics since the 90s, although I’m not wed to one particular brand. I also use items from Smashbox, NARS, Urban Decay, Bobbie Brown, and some OTC brands.
Back to the Event. We both decided to try the new line on our eyes. I advised my artist that I live in the nudes/​neutral color family. Unbeknownst to me, my cousin and I selected the same mineral shadow, Golden Hours. She has a fair complexion, mine medium brown, and our results were equally gorgeous. I also purchased Naked Bud, a new lustre finish lipstick. MAC says this color plus texture lipstick stands out on the runway. Maybe it will do the same on the streets of DC.
Meanwhile, the Fantasy of Flowers model started doing ballet. Her skin looked like porcelain and she moved like a fairy. Even the artists stopped to watch and take pictures.
Pro Tip: Just as other things in life, everything isn’t for everybody. Explain your cosmetic concerns to the professionals. Most likely, they have a product to suit your needs. I’m really loving MAC’s mineralize product line right now.

I typically go to the standalone MAC store located just past Panera Bread on the 2^nd floor. But, because I was already shopping in Nordstrom I decided to just do business with the MAC counter inside the store. Big mistake. I was shopping for 2 – 3 new lipsticks. 1) I could not tell whether the store was open as there were no associates around the counter. (I circled looking) I finally found one on the backside of the counter who snapped at another customer for asking for help. Stating that she was the only one working and was with a client, she dismissed this other customer. Eventually I saw another makeup consultant come to the counter who was aiding just one customer. 2) Despite standing at the counter, trying on 6 different lipsticks, and looking as if I needed assistance, I was not even greeted. Customer service associates would be amazed at how much a simple «Hello» «Thanks for stopping in» «why don’t you check out our new collection while you wait» would do to increase customer patience. After 15 mins at the counter with no acknowledgment, I put the lipstick back and started to turn away. An associate at this point says hello, I’ll be with you in a minute. That turned into 5 more minutes. I’m not going to beg someone to take my money at any store, so I walked away.
Additionally there was a Lancôme associate who while cleaning the counter looked at me several times, yet failed to greet me or ask if she could offer assistance.
This was hands down the worst service I’ve ever received in a Nordstrom or MAC store. Whenever I do return it will definitely be to a different location.

Ok so I typically go to the MAC makeup counter located in the Macy’s at Bowie Town Center for my birthday and special events… well the bowie location was completely booked… So I went to the one in Columbia Mall (the actual store not the makeup counter)… this was only my second time there (the first was back in 2009 when my friend and I were getting a consultation for her wedding makeup… btw KAT was the artist for that and she rocked it)…
So anyways I was in there getting my make up done for an event and I just had my makeup done the week prior for my bday at the one in Bowie. and I will say even though the one in Bowie did an amazing job… the columbia store is better at telling you WHAT they are doing, and teaching you how to do it… My artist I want to say her name was Asia or something along those lines, very cute spanish looking young girl… sweet voice, very sweet disposition… and just took her time and did an amazing job. I learned that at the store they do NOT make commission based on the products you buy (the MAC counters they do)… so I was even more pleased with the service she gave and recommendations, and answered any question I had for her… def two thumbs up!