.: December 2011

Today I encountered 2 different stories of how can some supplier tries to deceive their clients by using MAC company as their excuse.

As mentioned by Atty Raymond Fortun (Wedding Photographer supplier) this is not to condemn the sinner but the sin or the act itself.

We, then the client, buyer, consumer, etc should learn and be intelligent enough before anything else.

Scene 1. I was in a mall for a meeting, I happen to see this area with all the MAC items being sold. I was curious then if MAC has opened a branch on this mall.

I approached and observed and to my surprise they are selling at a super discounted price.

Ex. A powder blush for 250php when in a REAL MAC counter it is sold for 1200php.

Good deal right?

A lady who was checking the item asked for the price, the saleslady answer and to my surprise again she added, its a Christmas Sale from MAC ma'am, original from Singapore?

In the eyes of a regular people or who is not really familiar on cosmetics to check the look and authenticity, it is indeed a good deal, it is MAC you know.

But for a beauty enthusiast, even when one is still in the escalator or on the top view, one can automatically see/ know its FAKE.

One more thing, the lady said, we have limited editions like wonderwoman collection, quite cute collection, tartan tale etc.

Hey those are limited edition collections and almost sold out already in MAC stores.

So its another big question mark.

I approached and ask the saleslady if I can open the box and check, I haven't taken the item totally out of the box and saw a palette that is what? FAKE.

I returned and stepped back and pretend I was looking at another item but observing how the other girls rave that its MAC and gladly take out their money.

One lady looked at me and as if was asking me, I just gave her a signal of nod then she got my point that I was telling her its fake.

SUGGESTION client tips:

a. Always research first, not because you were told its authentic it is authentic already.

b. as the saying goes, you get what you paid for, scrimping too much may at times sacrifice quality, (so showing it off to your friends you got your new mac items can cause you "pahiya" that you are from the "boons" especially when your friends are beauty enthusiasts., fake items can cause a lot of reactions may not now but wait till you turn 40 or those wrinkles starts to show

c. it pays to be smart and or knowledgeable even if its just makeup, clothes or even food. so read, read, research, its not necessarily mean you buy buy buy

d. there is not such thing as Singapore authentic Mac whatsoever unless its from MAC store, we heard a dozen of this line already even the perfumes, lotions, etc Singapore Authentic because the blah-blah workers manufacturers are paid lesser that's why its lesser from the main store. Go back to the mountains or tell it to the marines!!!

e. There is no such things a triple A, Quad A, double A quality makeup. If product batch made from a makeup company does not pass the quality standards, they don't release it to the market, leave that description to the batteries, double A triple A. This does not give you the same smell, the same quality, the same finish, the same care it gives to your skin.

Scene 2. I said I was in a mall for a meeting, so here goes my coordination meeting (by the way not hair and makeup meeting), we were waiting for the groom and best man to arrive, so it was just me, the bride-to-be and the maid of honor who is also getting married.

We had a few chitchats about the MOH getting married too.

She then takes out her file folder with shortlists of suppliers she has inquired, she was asking my opinion, when we were into the HMUA list she had, I saw all the details she had written, I saw this one makeup artist whose description is, worked before as MAC makeup artists, was sent and trained abroad too. The only thing about this certain HMUA is that I have worked with this HMUA, and knows its training and background.

I told myself, I didn't know that this makeup artist has worked for MAC before, so I called a few numbers to verify but received a confirmation that never did this person has.

Hmmm... interesting press release. plus other description that is totally alarming like going on a vacation is already going on training abroad.

I do not want to give my word to the MOH that this person is a blah-blah-blah.

So what I did was just give tips / suggestions.

Suggestions / Tips:

a. do your research, if someone has said any affiliation with the brand, go check, asked for certification or recommendation, ask for proof, oh! dropping by at MAC store and stayed there for 2 hrs trying to observe REAL MAC artist, does not make you a MAC makeup artist.

MAC makeup artist gets this MAC Pro training and certification from the head office, I bet this HMUA who claimed to have worked for MAC has not even reported or entered or any idea where the Makati head office is. That's deceiving a client.

b. Try to ask MAC counters especially their manager or senior makeup artist they have been with the brand for more than 15 years, I'm pretty sure before the brand has branched out to different mall location, they have worked with their co-artists as they are on rotational shift. Ask other makeup artists too, makeup artists' world is so small.

c. You'll know one, if you see one by his/her work, there is a MAC makeup strokes trademark.

d. Do not be wow right away like the first situation above if the saleslady or an artist says the brand affiliation. Check, look. investigate. It pays to be a smart buyer / client.

And for those deceivers, I'm out of words, really.

Its one pathetic move.

Don't give an excuse "naghahanap-buhay" po.

... the perfect letter award for this kind of scammers.