Monday, September 3, 2012

A Rumble in Lipstick Land!

 ccccccc
First and foremost, I want to apologize for being away for a while.  I have been occupied with a busy work schedule and taking care of family issues.  For those of you who may know, my father is in the early stages of Alzheimers. Things have been good lately but some days are better than others.  I took my parents away on a little holiday to the beach for a few days and we all had a lovely time.

Nevertheless, I want to talk about the craziness that ensued regarding MAC Cosmetics' release of their "MAC By Request" collection.  Back in March, MAC had an open vote on their Facebook for customers to chose discontinued shades of lipstick, eyeshadow, and lipgloss.  Once the tallies were in, MAC debuted the winning three lipsticks, three eyeshadows, and three lipglosses. The shades were amazing for sure!  I really was pleased with the lipsticks.

http://www.maccosmetics.com/whats_new/9327/New-Collections/MAC-By-Request/index.tmpl

The collection was released exclusively online in three parts.  First the lipstick, the lipglosses (a few days later) and then the glosses (a week after the lipsticks).  Due to the buzz generated on various websites (ie Specktra.net), several people were 'site'stalking' the MAC online site in anticipation of the collections' release (especially the lipstick).  On Specktra.net, fellow MAC devotees stated how they stayed up all night waiting to get their hands on the coveted colors. I got up early on the first morning of the lipstick release and was able to order two "Moxie" lipsticks and one "Candy Yum Yum."
Once the lipsticks were made available for purchase, the real "feeding frenzy" began!  By mid-afternoon the first day, "Candy Yum Yum" was sold out. The next day, "Moxie" was gone too.  (MAC stated that once the colors were sold out, they would be gone for good).

The eBay auctions for the three lipsticks further intensified the flurry of buying activity.  Get this, these lipsticks were not even shipped to the sellers, and they were getting bids (even on the first morning the lipsticks were up for sale)!!  I saw one auction for "Moxie" with 7 bids and it was already up to $70.49 USD!  This was for ONE lipstick, girls! ONE!! MAC lipsticks normally retail for $15.00 USD and people were willing to shell out over 70.00 bucks.

Another ugly element to this makeup frenzy is how people were trying to buy 5  or even 8 of each shade! I called MAC customer service to place my order (my computer refused to work for a few days) and the MAC representative told me that MAC would reject any order that contained more than 4 lipsticks per color.  When I asked if multiple orders were common, the MAC rep said she had scores of customers calling to demand why their orders for 6 "Moxies" and 7 "Candy Yum Yum" were cancelled.  Now, I bought two Moxies but why would I need more than that?  I mean how quickly does one go through a lipstick?  I, for one, wear lipstick everyday, and I have colors I wear often (like Besame Red) but after nearly two years of having Besame Red, I still have quite a bit left.

I understand that these colors were limited edition but why do people go crazy when buying?  I am a self-confessed makeup nut but even I have my limits. Why buy scores of lipsticks that may or may not get used?  Why pay 70.00 dollars for a color (that's normally 15 USD bucks), even if it's "special?"  Now, my real question is: if MAC knew the draw this collection would have, why not make more available? Maybe it's the whole "supply and demand" aspect, I am not sure.

What do you girls think?  How do you feel about "limited edition" and/or special release makeup collections?  Do they warrant the buying frenzy and do they just encourage hoarding by customers?





9 comments:

  1. I am very cynical about anything like this it's all about the money basically isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes indeed! It was very crafty on MAC's part to limit the number of lipsticks released as well the number customers were allowed to purchase! Supply and demand means $$$!

      Delete
  2. Glad to see you posting!

    I for one back far, far away from limited edition products of any kind. I have been burned so many times by products I loved being discontinued that I can't stand the thought of buying something that I KNOW I will never be able to get again. But very interesting to see how this went... I can't imagine spending $70 on a lipstick!

    One exception-- before I had found other red lipsticks that I also liked, I heard a rumor that MAC Ruby Woo was going to be discontinued. I did order 2 even though the rep assured me it wasn't true. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment, Tasha! I, too, hate it when products get discontinued, especially ones I like! It was neat MAC brought back a few shades but I do not know why they just couldn't make them permanent! I mean, if they're that popular than why not?

      I also heard at one point that MAC was going to discontinue Ruby Woo and yes, I asked and a sales associate told me a big no! I was relieved! lol!

      As for items getting the boot, I just had my daily shine control cream by Elemis get discontinued! I was so upset! It is the only thing that keeps my oily and sensitive skin happy! Darn it! I even called their toll free customer service and they did not have an answer or a reason given behind the decision!

      Delete
  3. Oh wow! I had no idea this went on and I am glad that I did not partake. I love MAC lipsticks but I would never pay that much for one. At least your purchase was fairly painless and you got them at the retail price. Good job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment, Holly! I site-stalked MAC's online store until the lipsticks were released. The forums on Specktra.net were my "heads-up" regarding the release date and time. I kept hitting refresh over and over and then once the lipsticks were online, I pounced! I am glad I was able to get my three because MAC or not, there is no way in hell I would pay 70 bucks for a lipstick! Even if the shade was amazing. Even me, the makeup-crazed nut, has limits! lol!

      Delete
  4. I don't think I would ever go that far spending 70 for a lipstick.sometimes I think companies over do it with their contests.and they should offer first come first serve if someone orders more than one of a certain shade.not cancel someones order.if they ordered 4 first they should get it.Great post.xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment!! MAC did a limit and I am so glad they did! People were apparently trying to buy 8 or so of each color!

      I have my limits when it comes to spending money on makeup. I will spend 15,20, 22 (Besame's price), 25, or even 30. But above 30 dollars? No.

      I recently tried Cle du Peau's (Shiseido's luxury line) Extra Rick lipstick in Red Abundance (R2) $60 USD. (I was at Neiman Marcus and I was curious about all the hype surrounding this brand). Once I applied the lipstick, I realized the color was a dead-on match for MAC Ruffian Red (which I already have). But, here is the kicker: for that price the texture and quality better be outstanding! Sadly, the texture was too thin and as a result, the color was not rich enough and the lipstick itself wore off too quickly! Boooo!

      Delete
  5. I obtained a couple of free cups online and have absolutely received each of our eyeglasses currently. It does not consider same as Many of us imaged.

    ReplyDelete