The M·A·C store is certainly designed to provide a destination for unrivalled artistry and service, where the brand can be experienced at its maximum. As you enter the store, you immediately have you first taste of the M.A.C experience. The fresh ambiance, modern decor, bright lighting, immaculate product placing and bold use of branding all add to the sleekness of the store. The store could easily fit in Sandton, New York or London. Living to its brand ethos, the Zimbabwean store is certainly international and brand consistent.
I was thoroughly impressed by the range and variety of products available from nail polish, to brushes and even a skin care line something that I was not aware the brand produced.
Demonstrating the brand ethos – All Ages, All Races, All Sexes – The extensive range of M·A·C products can be found from foundations to suit every skin tone, to an array of colours for eyes, lips and cheeks. The diverse clientele was also evident during my visit, as women of all colours and backgrounds stopped by the store and made a purchase. This is certainly something unique to the brand, producing products that appeals to a diverse market yet still maintaining quality. So far popular products in the Zimbabwean market, are the Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation and matte lipsticks with the Sin range already sold out!
Mr Greg Blanchfield (Managing Director, CADCO Zimbabwe) explains, “We are extremely pleased to be entering into this partnership with The Estee Lauder Companies and in bringing M·A·C to our market. The brand is perfect for the Zimbabwean woman who has a strong passion for fun, colour, creativity and fashion. We’re confident that this will be a long and fruitful relationship for both of us.”
The store also includes professional makeup artists who assist with finding the best fit product for your skin tone as well as advising on techniques and the latest trends. The friendly, Haseena one of the stores professional makeup artists assisted me with familiarising myself with the products and what best fits my skin tone. Store manager, Progress also shared some of their hot new products taking me through their skin care range which ranges from body lotions, removers to moisturizes. Products such as Oil control lotions for oily skin and mineralize charged water lotions help with hydrating and softening dry skin which can be used by both men and women. Something new I discovered!
My favourite section is always the lip makeup particularly the matte range of lipsticks which has also been well received by the market with lipsticks such as the trendy Sin already out of stock. The Zimbabwean store just as their other stores has a wide selection of lipsticks. I am definitely feeling their retro matte selection and a personal favourite is the Ruby Woo.
Generally the pricing of the products are quite similar to international pricing. In fact, a friend visiting from Germany said that the Zimbabwean store pricing was actually on par with German pricing, if not cheaper. In relation to South Africa pricing, the products are about $-2-3 more in Zimbabwe as a result of heavy duty in Zimbabwe So it is definitely exciting, that Zimbabweans can shop in their backyards for quality international products at mostly the same price as customers across the globe.
Karen Buglisi Weiler, Global Brand President, M·A·C Cosmetics has added , “We continue our expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa following the success in Nigeria, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Ghana and Ivory Coast.We are excited to open our first store in Zimbabwe. We are looking forward to serving our customers in the country with our bespoke retail experience, makeup services and wide range of authentic M·A·C products.”
M.A.C Store manager at Sam Levy’s Village, Progress
I am certainly looking forward to what the brand has to offer Zimbabwean women (and men) and the hot new productsthat will be available. I certainly will be keeping you posted on what is featuring on my #MimiMustHave list. For part 2 of my MAC experience, I will be sharing more on my M.A.C experience with professional makeup artist, Haseena. The post will feature professional makeup artist, Haseena who will demonstrate how to use MAC products to enhance your beauty as well as to transform your look to a stylish and bold glow!
My M.A.C experience with proffessional makeup artist, Haseena