The brand has collaborated with the likes of Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, and more to raise money and spread awareness for these efforts, whereby 100% of the selling price of exclusive Viva Glam products goes to organizations supporting healthy futures and equal rights for all.

Through the sale of its Viva Glam Collection, the fund has since raised over $500 million in support of people and communities in need. In 1994, the MAC AIDS Fund was established to spread awareness, help those affected by HIV/AIDS, and globally address the link between poverty and the disease. 'The brand has always stood for radical inclusiveness, with the founding credo 'all ages, all races, all genders.'' This fact aligns with MAC's original mission, too. 'To this day, MAC offers more foundation tones than any other brand, with 400+ foundations in different finishes and shades,' Drew Elliott, MAC's Global Creative Director, tells Byrdie. Today, it's known as an ultra-inclusive makeup brand with more shades than any other competitor on the market. 'We were manufacturing for models at first, but soon the models wanted our products for their sisters, friends, and so on,' Toskan once said.īy the early '90s, MAC Cosmetics sold its products worldwide and gained national recognition when Madonna began publicly repping the brand. They created the brand specifically for makeup artists and models, but it didn't take long for the rest of the world to notice. So, they began formulating makeup by hand in their kitchens, where the brand's signature black-pots packaging would ultimately be born. Makeup artist Frank Angelo and photographer Frank Toskan founded MAC Cosmetics in Toronto in 1984 after finding themselves frustrated by how poorly models' makeup would translate into photographs. Other Brands You'll Love: NARS, Estée Lauder Most Popular Product: Matte Lipstick, Pro Longwear Concealer, Prep + Prime Fix + Finishing Sprayįun Fact: 'MAC' is an acronym for 'Makeup-Art Cosmetics.'

Founded: Frank Toskan & Frank Angelo, 1984īest Known For: Providing makeup-artist quality products at reasonable prices.

Mac makeup certification