Style

Behind the Scenes: at MAC cosmetics’ factory headquarters in, um, Markham, Ontario

Behind the Scenes: at MAC cosmetics’ factory headquarters in, um, Markham, Ontario

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We were not permitted to eat these pigments. (Image: Lia Parsley)

We recently had the opportunity to take a party bus to MAC headquarters (all the way up the 404), where, as some people may find surprising, their entire product line is manufactured in one of two factory facilities. Some may also be surprised to hear that MAC has been manufacturing its makeup on home turf (in Markham) for about three decades. We certainly didn’t know that, nor could we imagine prior to this visit that any global style brands were born next to Pacific Mall. Take a look at how the stuff we apply to our faces gets made—right in our backyard— in a gallery after the jump

On the tour of the facilities, we were challenged with colour matching (harder than it looks), lipstick perfecting (smoothing it over a hot flame, seriously) and mixing and pouring Lipglass. The most surprising part of the day was not the lack of Lady Gaga–inspired looks throughout the factory, or the fact that makeup is both a messy and sticky business, but how warmhearted and familial we found many of the employees, many of whom have worked at the MAC factory for more than 20 years. The Wonka culture was apparent everywhere we looked: safety goggles, hair nets and yellow steel-toe shoes, and the line workers spoke to us about the joys of the job and how their product ideas are actually heard, considered and sometimes implemented by a team of executives (so, no screams for help or legs locked by a ball and chain).

But what was most inspiring was perhaps the simple fact that a massive global brand was conceived here, just outside of Toronto, and that production has never jumped ship to reduce costs. We think this is something to be proud of, since we assume that almost every mover and shaker, celeb and C-lister is sporting the newest gloss, glass, lipstick or shadow from MAC. At least Dame Edna is, and she’s nothing if not an arbiter of taste.

See the slideshow »

Topics: beauty cosmetics MAC Markham Toronto

16 thoughts on “Behind the Scenes: at MAC cosmetics’ factory headquarters in, um, Markham, Ontario”

  2. It’s exciting to know that York Region has the power to attract that kind of manufacturing. If I’d have known I would have asked them for product for the Alzheimer Society of York Region Golf Classic for the golfer registration gift bags. You learn something new every day. Thanks

  3. Is it one not so bright reporter or all of Toronto Life that did not know that MAC is from Ontario? I suspect it is an age thing as I remember when Mac wasn’t available in the USA or even at local department stores, you had to go to their store to get it.

  6. Its preatty funny how people beleive in this.
    MAC is from china !!! it is packaged in CAnada
    its is from China, Macau…
    do you think they’ll pay 12 dollars per hour to make profit when the product sells???really? labor is super cheap in china.. HELLOOOO!!!! when you buy this (high quality product)youre paying for the f***ing name thats it…NOT QUALITY…

  7. Hi There,
    I am a makeup trainer in Australia, in our college we use MAC and I have been using it for over 6 years, I would love to visit the MAC factory when I head to Toronto next month, I was hoping you could give me details of whom I would speak to about this, a name or email would be much appreciated, I feel it would be great feedback for me to share with my students!
    Kind regards
    JO

  8. Dear supplier,

    This sarat, I would like to know about your product, i want to export to back home, Cambodia. So what would I will do? Do you have any special price and item list on magazine? If possible I will ship to my back home Cambodia. I do hope you reply back to me soon.

    Sarat lao,

  11. i am a coop science student in u of t. there is a project about cosmetic company lab researcher. who can help me to do this project ? i really need to interview someone who works in cosmetic company talking about their jobs…

  12. does someone knows where the factory is and how one can apply for a job there? Tx.

  16. @Aurora F. I hate to tell you but ruben is right. Canada packages the product but it is manufactured in China. Most things are now. If they weren’t, we would be spending loads more money on MAC products.

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