Editors Compare MAC vs. NARS
On the Cosmo beauty team’s list of truly iconic makeup brands, both MAC and NARS have permanent spots at the top. But which one of these brands reigns supreme? We recently got into a heated (but loving) debate trying to decide this very thing. So naturally, we wrote down all our thoughts and turned it into an informative guide for anyone with the same question: What’s the better makeup brand: MAC or NARS?
Ahead, our love letters to MAC and NARS, including odes to our all-time favorite mascaras, foundations, liquid blushes, and more—plus why they’ll always be staples in our beauty routines.
About the brands:
MAC Cosmetics
- The products: MAC makes basically every makeup product you could ever need—and then some. They have everything from skin prep that creates the perfect canvas for all your glam to eyeshadow palettes that could be considered literal pieces of art.
- The vibes: As one of the OG artistry brands, MAC’s makeup gives bold, editorial full-coverage glam. Think sparkly eyeshadows, eye-popping lipsticks, and unique textures.
- The price range: $16 for mini lipsticks and lashes and up to $90 for the Hyper Real Serum.
NARS
- The products: NARS covers all the essentials (foundation, blush, you name it) and
is stepping into the skincare game with some luxe formulas. - The vibes: Effortless cool-girl beauty. NARS is known for their celeb-loved and multitasking products that give a ‘your-skin-but-better’ glow.
- The price range: $15 for a mini Climax Mascara and up to $80 for the Light Reflecting Firming Serum.
Our MAC reviews:
Julee Wilson beauty editor-at-large
“MAC Cosmetics is a brand that’s been serving face, fantasy, and fierce for decades—and still manages to stay beyond relevant. Not gonna lie, NARS is also a personal fave, but for this particular matchup I’ve gotta play on Team MAC. As someone who lives for a good beat and believes that makeup is both self-expression and art, MAC will always have a special place in my glam heart.
Let’s start with the legend that is the Lipglass in clear. The SHINE! It’s like a glossy time machine straight to the ‘90s, especially when I pair it with the Chestnut Lip Liner. That combo? Chef’s kiss. It’s the ultimate ombré moment—rich, brown-lined lips melting into crystal-clear lusciousness. Timeless. Effortless. Always that girl.
Now, Chestnut Lip Liner deserves her own standing ovation. She’s the Beyoncé of my makeup bag. Smooth, pigmented, and that perfect brown hue that works with everything—from clear gloss to bold berries. I’ve whittled down so many Chestnut pencils into little wooden nubs.
And don’t get me started on the MACStack Mascara. The mascara comes in both a regular spool brush and a micro brush. I’m obsessed with the micro brush because it really gets in there, lifts, defines, and suddenly I have lashes I didn’t even know existed.”
Beth Gillette, beauty editor
“MAC is back, baby! MAC products were actually the first I ever bought outside of the drugstore. So, for nostalgia’s sake, it makes me so happy to see the brand getting so much love again. Plus, their ability to bring back old favorites and make them even better is genuinely changing the game.
Now, listen, I get it: MAC has always leaned a little more artistic, a little less everyday makeup wearer. Because they have a whole trend team, they’re constantly ahead of the curve, predicting what’s going to be cool before it even hits. But as someone who loves following trends and playing with my look—whether it’s a cool-toned lip I spotted on Gabbriette or a wash of purple shimmer fresh off a NYFW runway—I love that MAC makes experimenting with makeup feel so exciting and accessible.
You know how models on the runway have skin that looks plump and juicy and fresh, yet doesn’t really even look like they have anything on? I’ve discovered the easiest way to achieve that is MAC’s Strobe Dewy Skin Tint. It’s filled with itsy bitsy micro shimmers—though, don’t fret, because they don’t really show up on your face—that give your skin a sheen without needing to be outrageously shiny.
Although I just started testing the Strobe Liquid Blushes, I’m already a huge fan. Consider these a highlighter/blush hybrid. They add pigment and color to my cheeks, but also amp up the glow with a shimmery formula that’s also got a bit of dewiness. I’ll just dab it onto my cheeks and blend out with a brush to get a watercolor-esque glow. The liquid is super lightweight and buildable, so it’s easy to sheer out or layer for more opacity.
So, I rarely wear lipstick anymore, because I just cannot fuss with having anything other than a simple gloss on my lips most days. But then I tried the updated MAC Macximal satin lipstick formula (actually, the entire Cosmo team tried it and it won a 2024 Readers’ Choice Award). It’s creamy, buildable, and smooth—like a lipstick from the future, basically. It doesn’t feel like I have something sticky or heavy sitting on top of my lips, but rather a comfortable balm that just so happens to have incredible color payoff.”
Beth’s MAC Faves
MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tint
MAC Strobe Beam Liquid Blush
Our NARS reviews:
Jasmine Hyman, assistant beauty editor
“Okay don’t get me wrong, I’m obsessed with everything MAC has been doing in terms of celebs and campaigns recently, but as a makeup minimalist, I’m going to have to go team NARS. I try hundreds of beauty products a year, but something about NARS’ formulas continually holds a solid spot in my routine. They’re easy to use and ideal for my less-is-more makeup routine. Not to mention the formulas have won soooo many Cosmo beauty awards over the years.
I’ve been using the NARS Laguna Bronzer since college. Most makeup I used in college I now cringe at, but this powder has stood the test of time. It leaves me looking sun-kissed, and the formula is not patchy at all. It plays so well with my other cheek products instead of getting muddy, which is hard to come by when layering complexion products.
When I found out NARS was discontinuing their OG liquid blush, I panicked. I loved the super dewy finish that you could achieve with the smallest drop of product. However, when I tried the new Afterblush Liquid Blush formulation, I soon recovered because it had that same pigmented glow, but without the messy pump packaging. It’s my little hack for the days when I want to add some life back into my face without the fuss of using both a blush and highlighter.
And last but not least, I need to wax poetic about my current favorite lipstick. You will not catch me wearing anything matte on my lips, so I struggled to find a full-coverage formula that was glossy enough for my liking. Then, I found the NARS Hydrating Lipstick, which is basically as nourishing as a lip balm but as pigmented as a classic lipstick, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. Not to mention, it won a 2024 Cosmo Holy Grail Award for best shiny lipstick.”
Jasmine’s NARS Faves
NARS Laguna Bronzer Powder
NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush
NARS Afterglow Shine Hydrating Lipstick
Lauren Balsamo, beauty director
“MAC is fully in its cool girl era, but if I’m being real, my makeup vibes aren’t very cool girl these days. They’re more 33-year-old mom who needs their tired skin to look supremely glowy with minimal effort. And for that reason, I’m team NARS. To be clear, NARS is definitely cool, but it’s more focused on complexion staples rather than trendy products, which is why I love the brand so much.
The iconic Radiant Concealer (which won a Cosmo Reader’s Choice Award last year) and Sheer Glow foundation are a foolproof combo for covering up pimples and dark circles and making skin look even-toned and healthy. The concealer is full-coverage but not cakey, and the foundation is really buildable—I mix it with moisturizer for ultra-sheer coverage or stipple it on with a foundation brush for more of an air-brushed effect. No matter how I use them, I can rely on them to make my skin look good without a ton of fuss, even when I’m breaking out and running on no sleep.
Another easy go-to for me is The Multiple Cream Blush, Lip and Eye Stick. I love the South Beach shade for a bronze glow and Orgasm (a literal icon) for a peachy one. The shimmer is subtle but substantial enough to brighten up my face, and the creamy formula blends in seamlessly with just fingers so I can apply it to each cheek in roughly 10 seconds apiece.”
Lauren’s NARS Faves
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
Final thoughts:
MAC and NARS are both well-deserving beauty hall of famers. While team Cosmo is divided on their favorites, MAC remains a go-to brand for artistry and trend innovations with celeb fans like Chappel Roan and Julia Fox. Meanwhile, NARS continues to perfect elevated essentials, offering easy-to-use staples that deliver seamless glam, with stans like Alix Earle, Ciara, and Hailey Bieber.
Ultimately, the choice between MAC and NARS comes down to your personal beauty aesthetic and skill set. But whichever team you find yourself on (or if you can’t choose), one thing is certain—both legendary brands have hero products that are deserving of a spot on your vanity.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers all the best beauty launches and trends. For this story, she, along with the rest of Cosmo’s beauty team, including beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson, beauty director Lauren Balsamo, and beauty editor Beth Gillette reviewed their favorite old and new products from both NARS and MAC.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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