My first tube of MAC Paramount happened circa 1995.
It was at the Arden Fair Mall in Sacramento, and the counter was just a tiny little stand right next to the entrance.
I remember the sales associate talking me into Mahogany Lip Pencil to go with Paramount Lipstick and me being, like, “SURE, GIRL, RING ME UP!” And I paid cash from money I’d saved working retail over the holidays that year… Little did I know that that small tube of Paramount would send me on a crazy, wild makeup ride that would someday take me to MAC headquarters in Toronto years later (craziness) and also lead to me make my very own MAC Lipglass.
I wish I had kept that first tube!
How about you? Can you remember the first thing you ever bought from MAC?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tatiana says
December 16th, 2020 at 11:37 amFirst let me say, I love the dress you’re wearing while standing in front of the Powell St store. That is the Powell St. store isn’t it?
And can I also say what thrills the photo of all the MAC lipsticks, all lined up gives me? Oh my word, that is such a beautiful photo to me. Give me ALL the lippies, please!
Can’t remember what my first purchase was, but I was just getting back into makeup and Dear Daughter and Dear Husband bought me a 4 pro pan and 4 shadows for Christmas. Brulé, Sable, Satin Taupe and I can’t remember the 4th color. So those were my first MAC products. Back then the shadows were $9 each. Dear Husband said the idea for the gift was Dear Daughter’s and that she picked out the shadows for me. She was 7,8 or 9 at the time. Lol.
Karen says
December 16th, 2020 at 11:51 amThank you! It’s so old. I bought it back in 2013 (!!!) and I still love it and wear it whenever I get the chance (and not just because it has pockets).
Yup, that’s the Powell Street store!
How cute is that story about your daughter picking out your colors. She chose some GREAT ones!
Rachel says
December 16th, 2020 at 11:50 amIn college, on a trip to California for spring break, I went to the very store you are standing in front of! I’m pretty sure that was my first purchase, it must’ve been 2005 or 2006. I bought a lot of stuff that I had planned and saved for. Studio Fix foundation, Studio Fix powder, a couple pigments, a couple of paints in the tube, and I made a 4 pan eyeshadow palette. Then the Barbie collection really hooked me, and that is when and why I started reading your blog, because of your review!
Kim says
December 16th, 2020 at 11:51 amMy first actual purchase of a MAC item was YOUR lipglass. EvRev, baby! 🙂
Julia says
December 16th, 2020 at 2:25 pmI remember! It was the mid to late 80’s, I bought a hunter green eyeliner (don’t remember the name) at Ogilvy’s in Montréal. I was proud to purchase a great Canadian brand!
Lily Kelley says
December 16th, 2020 at 2:30 pmMy first Mac purchases were Studio Fix Powder & Foundation, Paramount and Mocha lipsticks.
Jane says
December 16th, 2020 at 3:17 pmI admit that I was never. MAC lady. I always bought Bobbi Brown for years. My first MAC product was a single eyeshadow Brun which I bought in 2018 at the MAC store on the city. I used it as a liner and on my brows. I like it.
Big snow storm out East. The office is closed tomorrow.
Fern says
December 16th, 2020 at 4:40 pmWhat a fun question! My first MAC purchase was Contrast, Bamboo, and Seedy Pearl eyeshadows and Springsheen blush, back in 2004, to wear with a gown to go to then-boyfriend Hubbalicious’s company Christmas party. I might have gotten a lip product, but because I can’t remember it, I am pretty sure it was a gloss. All the eyeshadows and the blush are discontinued (!!!), and the company he had worked for then has long closed. But my love for MAC and Hubbalicious abide.
Nikki Wogoman says
December 16th, 2020 at 10:10 pmI am neither a MAC girl nor a sneakerhead, but I did buy a pair of the limited edition Pumas in 2018-my color of choice was Sin!
Allison says
December 17th, 2020 at 7:40 amIn college, circa 2012 or 2013, I picked out a 217 brush for my birthday gift and felt sooo fancy!
Vita Houlihan says
December 17th, 2020 at 8:59 amMy first purchase was a tube of the first Viva Glam lipstick – the original – a beautiful red that I chose after a makeup artist there did my makeup for my grade 12 grad in 1995! I still love the way that looks on me with my skin tone.
Thank you for this through back moment – so fun!
Lauren says
December 17th, 2020 at 11:23 amIt was mid-late 1980’s from the Nordstrom Oakbook MAC counter (no free standing near me yet)- I remember an XTC lipstick-still miss that shade.
Kelly says
January 25th, 2021 at 3:52 pmI remember XTC lipstick. It was like the sheerer version of Paramount.
Suzanne C says
December 17th, 2020 at 12:36 pmI’ve never been a huge MAC fan- I can’t seem to find any favorites other than Russian Red lipstick. We actually didn’t even have a MAC counter around here until about 6-7 years ago, so maybe it’s because I didn’t grow up with the brand. Clinique was my jam back in the day. Loved those Quickliner eyeliners and all things Black Honey!
Sherry says
December 17th, 2020 at 5:26 pmWow…Evolution Revolution is such a pretty color!! My very first MAC purchase was a tube of Fanfare Lipstick. Oh how I loved the CremeSheen finish!! That was probably back in 2009 or 2010. I have bought so many MAC lipsticks since then. In fact, MAC is most definitely my favorite lipstick brand of all time!!
Chelsea says
December 18th, 2020 at 6:28 amSo my first purchase was online, sight unseen and the color was NOT for me, Myth lipstick. My first purchase that I actually used was MAC Drive Me Wild lipstick from the Fabulous Felines collection (RIP).
Kelly says
January 25th, 2021 at 3:51 pmMine was Captive, Love ( which was a lustre lipstick back then called “ tone “ ) Cosmo and Twig. And Haux and Orb shadows. A slate eyeliner. N 4 satin finish foundation , Strada blush, Studiofix N3 and a mascara. I also think I had rosewood , spice and chicory lipliner. Rosewood no longer exists. Ahhh the 90’s
Savannah says
December 19th, 2020 at 12:46 pmI think it was wedge and retrospect eyeshadow, followed by high tea lipstick, pink swoon blush and more eyeshadows (brun, scene and a blue that got discontinued that’s close to steamy)… I found quite a few good things but I cringe to think on all the money I spent experimenting and all the products I eventually gave away…
Carina says
December 19th, 2020 at 8:46 pmKaren, Paramount looks fab on you 😍
My first MAC thing was a Cremesheen Lipstick in Modesty. Sadly it turned out that it dried my lips out like hell. But that did not stop me to buy the Lustre Patisserie next and use it up completely 😉
Have a merry christmas ❤️
Diana says
December 21st, 2020 at 8:46 amIt was all “the makeup” to have in high school circa 1996. My first purchase was StudioFix powder foundation and clear lipgloss. After that first purchase, down the rabbit home I went for YEARS!!!
Bec says
December 22nd, 2020 at 1:18 amI clearly remember my first purchases; it was Show Orchid lipstick (a little cooler toned than what I prefer now) and Woodwinked and Satin Taupe eyeshadows. It was October 2014 and I purchased them for my 18th birthday. Do I still own them? Well, yes and they seem just as good as when they were new. I am convinced that MAC lipsticks just don’t go off.