Last week my adventures in Toronto led me and a group of fellow bloggers to the MAC production facility and Estée Lauder Companies Canadian Innovation Centre, where MAC and some of the other members of the ELC family create makeup magic. Both buildings are located right next to each other in the nearby city of Markham in Ontario, about an hour from Toronto.
The tour was only one of the reasons for my trip. I’ll share the others soon, but for now, help yourself to some steel-toe boot covers, safety glasses and a white lab coat — oh, and you’ll need to stow your jewelry in your purse — because where we’re heading, it’s safety first!
The inside of the production facility looks like a cross between a hospital and Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory (sans the Oompa-Loompas). The scent of vanilla fills the air, and you find yourself looking for MAC Lipsticks around every corner. As luck would have it, they are around every corner here. 🙂
Joining me on the tour: Aileen, Amber, Patrice, Lesley, Lianne, Christine, Wendy and Lily
With high ceilings, the huge rooms appear even bigger once you’re inside. Machines, some the size of trucks, crank out every conceivable kind of makeup, hissing from time to time like giant cats in a symphony of pumps and gears.
We stop by one machine as it brings a big batch of MAC Shy Girl Lipsticks to life. Steps away, other machines create Bobbi Brown Gel Liners and lipsticks for Origins, as the facility makes products for a number of Estée Lauder brands. Each gets its own TLC at the facility, and products are uniquely formulated for each brand.
At the Innovation Centre across the street from the production facility, a group of MAC chemists, including the gal who dreamt up MAC Acrylic Paints, discuss the science behind MAC’s Lipglasses and Eyeshadows. Apparently, it takes hydrogenated polyisobutene, pigments (some called flat; others called traveling) and carnauba wax, among other things, to make a Lipglass go.
They say that blenders make the world go ’round (isn’t that what they say?), and they certainly do here. In fact, they’re the same kind you make margaritas with, and they’re essential for properly mixing eyeshadow pigments.
Face o’ the day. And yes, that’s MAC Nymphette on my lips and Blushbaby on my cheeks.
And that brings us to the end of our little tour today. I hope you enjoyed yourself and learned something new. Please deposit your safety glasses in the receptacle on your way out, and have a wonderful day. 🙂 Gotta love science, right? Goooo science!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Since you’re here, it’s probably safe to assume that you like MAC Cosmetics as much as I do. 🙂 Have you seen my MAC Gallery? It’s a visual way to search for MAC reviews and looks on Makeup and Beauty Blog.
Wow! That truly is like the WIlly Wonka factory for us makeup lovers 😀 You are one lucky lady!
It did feel a little Willy Wonka, LOL! I would have been okay if a few Oompa-Loompas showed up!
I have to say that I am new to the Mac line and only have 2 lipsticks so far. I can easily see it turning into an addiction.
Did you get any type of feebies? That would be awesome 🙂
Oh, you look adorable too!
Hi Barb,
What lipsticks do you have so far? 🙂
I have Brave and a Lip Lustre call Till Tomorrow (I think). I don’t have it on me today. I’m wearing my cheapie Revlon lipstick with a BE gloss over it today.
I saw your post on Syrup and that will be next on my list.
I looove the Lustres! They’re my favorite MAC Lipstick formula.
I think you’ll love Syrup. Also, consider adding Viva Glam V on your list. It’s another great one:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/mac-viva-glam-v-an-unsung-makeup-hero/
Oh, that’s pretty too! I forgot that I also have the Viva Glam Gaga Lipglass too.
Oh, that’s one really pretty! I have to layer it with other things to make it work (it’s kinda pale for me), but I like it a lot.
I’ll turn you into a MAC addict in no time, girlfriend, LOL!
Haha be careful, I almost have 100 😐
I think they need to create a MAC Addict Anonymous.
Yeah they do! LOL
Hello karen. My question is how do i start my own makeup line. What are the steps i need tp take to make it happen. Having my own line has been a dream of mine
That is SO cool you went there! Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, Brooke. It’s kinda neat to see where stuff gets made, isn’t it?
What a fun post! I’m looking forward to hearing more about your trip 😀
Glad you liked this post, Gina! I’ll have more info in a bit…
awesome! I bet you and the other beauty bloggers had a BLAST! Can’t wait to hear more about the trip 😀
Hope you enjoyed the mini “tour,” Christy! 🙂
Awesome yellow clogs!!!
LOL, they do feel like clogs once you have ’em on. I was tempted to start tap dancing.
this was so cool to see! I am so jealous of your life, lol.
your pics are amazing, as always 🙂
Speaking of pics, have you had the chance to play with your camera lately? I bet you and the hubs are taking a ton of pics of the little one. 🙂
You know it! I’m taking lots of pics! There’s another lens I really want but it’s so expensive 🙁
I’m also interested in learning more about editing (e.g., photoshop). Just need more hours in the day!
GIRL, welcome to my world. I am always in some sort of state of lens lust!
Have you ever heard of BorrowLenses.com? It might be a good way for you to explore different pieces of equipment. That way you can really figure out what you want before investing.
That site is awesome but they don’t have the lens I’m interested in 🙁
That’s a bummer. 🙁 Well, I’m sure the lens you have now is good. I totally understand the temptation to keep upgrading though!
Tiffany – you could try lensrentals.com. We used them to try a macro.
I’ve never heard of them — thanks for the rec!
Karen,
This blog is in my favourite bar, I check it every single day (or maybe twice!)
And…I just love it.
Tabs is soo sweet and your articles (and the guests ones..especially Sam) always have to make me laugh so hard 🙂
Keep goin’, it always puts a little bit more sunshine in my little house in Switzerland!
xoxo
Hi Leah,
So glad to hear you enjoy the site. Tabs is especially thrilled to know he has a fan (he’s sitting on my lap right now).
Sending you good vibes from California!
You even look adorable in a labcoat & boot covers 😉 sounds very intersting, can’t wait to hear more about your trip!
Thanks, Jessica. 🙂 I hope to have more info on it soon!
Have a great Tuesday!
Why isn’t the tech wearing gloves? That really disturbes me. That’s completely unsanitary. That shadow wasn’t going to be sold, was it?
Hi Erin,
It was a special demonstration just for the bloggers. Nope, the shadow wasn’t going to be sold.
Whoa! That looks like it was so much fun. I want to go!
It was pretty neat! 🙂
That was so cool, your pictures are excellent. I felt like I was there:)
So glad you enjoyed this, Crystal!
ZOMG, that’s so cool Karen!
Hope you enjoyed the tour, Vijaya!
Great Post! Was so much fun reading it, Karen 🙂 Thanks for the tour 😉
You’re welcome, Appu! 🙂
Oh my gosh, look how cute you are!!! I used to do factory tours all the time with my former sales job, but never looked so cute 🙂
It’s so neat to get a behind-the-scenes glance at their facilities…. what a dream!
Aw, thanks Jill. I certainly didn’t feel cute in those boot covers, LOL! 🙂
Great post Karen! I love seeing how things are made x
Glad you liked it, Tass!
!!! That sounds so, so cool, Karen! And of course, you looked absolutely adorable ^^
Thanks for sharing the adventure with us! I can’t wait to hear what else you were up to during your trip 😉
I’ll have more info up very soon! Sorry to be all secret squirrel, but it’ll come, I promise!
This is so neat! One of my favorite shows is “How It’s Made” because I love seeing behind the scenes things and production lines. Thats nice that they let you take pics too!
Yeah, me too! 🙂 I love those kinds of shows.
Wow! Is that what makeup heaven look like?! Did they let you mix your own eyeshadow color?
Hi Jay,
Nah, I just got watch! It was still neat, though.
How cool is this?! You are living the DREAM!! This is so awesome thanks for sharing your experience!!
Glad you liked this post, Trina!
wow karen your body is tight ! nice work baby 🙂 i just went to a makeup factory in poland, willy wonka moment 🙂 good luch !
Hi Saby,
LOL, that’s the Spanx working its magic.
so jealous right now
Hey Shelby,
I hope you enjoyed the tour. 🙂 Have a good rest of your Tuesday!
Karen!!!! you are so gorgeous! and you would make a cute lab tech!
this is such a fun post! <3
Aww, thanks Nina. LOL… the last time I kicked it in a lab was 1996 (?). Chemistry class was a loooong time ago. They have much cooler safety glasses than we did back in the day.
iono about you but Chem class kicked my tootsie!
Ugh, I barely made it through Chem by the skin of my teeth. I did sorta enjoy o-chem in a weird way.
very cool! and you make a lab coat look sexy!
Glad you liked this post, Jana. 🙂
LOVE <3!
i bet this would be a dream come true for many of us beauty bloggers!
p.s.
your makeup looks lovely 🙂
Thanks, Dani. 🙂
How fun to learn the science behind the beauty! You look great in all the pics 🙂
Thanks, Michelle! 🙂
My guess is there is some sort of Blogger Collection that MAC is planning on with items specific to each blogger…but I guess I will find out soon enough 🙂
I can’t say yet why I was there, but you’ll get the deets soon!
How neat! Thank you for sharing pictures of your trip!
Sure, Phyrra!
i am packing this weekend for my move from Michigan to Hawaii
Good luck! What island are you moving to?
So interesting! Thanks for sharing your tour, Karen.
You’re welcome, MKdallas.
Wooooooow!! That’s so amazing!! <3 I'm taking an undergrad lab class right now but it would be so much more awesome if we were making MAC makeup! X3
For the record, you and your blog totally turned me into a MAC addict 😛
So true! I think chemistry would’ve been infinitely more interesting if we made eyeshadows. I just remember doing a LOT of titrations… booooring!
I love your dress! Where is it from? As for the lab coat, that takes me back to my biotech lab days….those labs would have been way more fun if we were making lipstick instead of bacteria.
Here ya go!
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/beauty-tips/tuesday-beauty-tips-step-up-your-style-game-with-a-nordstrom-personal-stylist/
I wish there was more. That just combined my love for science with my love for makeup. lol Would you happen to know if they would allow non-bloggers to tour the facility?
Hi Vera,
Hmm, I don’t know, but I doubt it. This was a tour set up for the bloggers by the company, and from what I heard it didn’t sound like it was something they do everyday.
Oh my goodness this is the kind of tour we all dream of taking… thank you for sharing!!!
🙂 You’re welcome!
i would love to go on a tour there. haa
It was pretty neat! Glad you were able to make this “tour,” LOL!
That is so freaking cool Karen! I can’t wait to hear more about your adventure.
Did ya get the keep those steel-toe boot covers? That would be hawt. 🙂
LOL, I wish! I also wish they made those for kitties. Tabs would so rock those hard!
Karen, you look FIERCE in that purple top! WERK!!!
Awesome lab tour…..
LOL, thanks Adria! The funny thing is I would’ve NEVER picked that out for myself. Thank goodness for the Nordstrom Personal Stylists!
What a fun experience that must have been. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Heidi!
How was your trip to Vintage Oaks with your friend? Did you end up getting anything good at Sephora?
Hey, Karen! I don’t normally comment on blogs but thank you so much for this post. I’m starting University this year to read Chemistry, and working in the Cosmetics Industry is my dream! Seeing pictures like these make me happy 🙂
Hi Mandy,
Thanks for popping in to say hi. That’s so great that you’re studying to do this type of thing! 🙂
Omg! Thanks so much for posting this! This is what I am going to school for ! Formulation chemistry !
That’s so cool! I wish I knew about that job back in the day.
Pretty Cool! You look great in that lab coat!
Thanks, Tracy! 🙂
Wow, that is so cool! It is fun to see how makeup is made.
It is! 🙂
Love the color blocking outfit!
Thanks, Tzu!
LOVE this post!!!
Glad you liked it, Julie!
I work as a scientist in real life, so seeing science + makeup in the same photos is pretty awesome! Thanks for sharing. Very cool stuff.
That’s so cool, Jen! What kind of work do you do?
You totally won the “Gold Ticket” to the MAC factory. So awesome. Wow! I am so glad that they let you take pictures. I love to see the behind-the-scenes operation of how anything I really love is made. Did they send you off with any sort of samples?
Nah… I got to see the process, but they have to quality control stuff so nope, none that day.
Thanks for sharing this insider look at how MAC makes makeup!
Very interesting and informative, Karen. And kiss Tabs for me!
Will do, Singrsling. I’ll give him a big squeeze for ya, too. 🙂
The lab worker in me is dying for a job there…thanks for sharing K!!
It was the COOLEST lab I’ve ever been too, seriously!
I just love your purple dress! 😀
Thanks, Kristine! I got that at Nordstrom. If you want the designer name just let me know…
ZOMG you’re so close!!!
Have funsies 😀
Hi Mary,
I was there last week — back in California now!
That is so cool! It’s like being in one of those episodes of How It’s Made. 🙂 I love the purple dress; that Nordstrom guy was right on the money. Btw, you look super cute in the “Visitor” lab coat and accoutrements. You would have made a very stylish doctor. Oh, I hope your parents don’t see the pic! hee hee!
LOL! You’re right… my mom might get all misty eyed!
I am SO asking that Nordstrom guy for help next time I need a dress. Homeboy saved me from myself!
Thanks for sharing! I love a good field trip!
Me too! 🙂
Eek! They mix the pigments WITHOUT gloves?!
That was just a special demonstration for the bloggers. The eyeshadow wasn’t for production — just to show how it’s made.
i was wondering if you had any sugestions for MAC lipsticks for me. im only 13 so something school appropriate would be good. I look like an average chinese girl ahaha (but american) and my skin is lmedium light olive. By the way..loved this post1
Lulu
Hi Lulu,
Check out MAC Viva Glam V. It looks great on everyone! Here’s a review with swatches:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/mac-viva-glam-v-an-unsung-makeup-hero/
Totally cool!
🙂
I’m so jealous! How great you were able to check out the behind the scenes for MAC.
Your outfit is SO cute too! You look great
Aww, thanks Sarah. I wish I could say I whipped up the outfit myself… I had a little help, LOL!
What an amazing opportunity! Thank you for sharing the adventure with us!
Thanks for reading and coming along on the “tour,” Kerri! 🙂 Have a great Wednesday.
That’s so awesome!
This is much more fun and exciting than the fruit/vegetable and pet food plant tours I do!
LOL, I would kinda be excited to take a fruit tour. I like fruit!
fruit plant tours are fun and smell much nicer than the pet food facilities I’d have to visit!
Eww, I can imagine the pet food tours being pretty darn stinky!
i never liked labcoats as i wear it on duty in hospital but these pictures and mac and labcoat ..wow its like giving value to labcoat 😀
and MAC ohhh i love it and i m glad u got chance to visit ,u truly deserve it 🙂
Thanks, Maxi. There were a bunch of us bloggers invited. May I ask what you do at the hospital?
This is amazing! Lucky you, Karen! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the tour, Vonvon!
Um, can I PLEASE work there?
LOL, I was thinking the same thing the entire time I was there.
that’s pretty fascinating! it’s so cool to see the science that goes on behind a cosmetics line. thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Marcy!
OMG, SO JEALOUS. On top of the whole “makeup overload” thing, there’s science everywhere! In college, I minored in chemistry (majored in physics and politics but not particularly related to this, lol). I love cosmetic chemistry; hell, the whole reason I even started reading beauty blogs years ago was because I started to read the Beauty Brains. Ahhh, touring that facility sounds so fun!
Sorry, I had to nerd out there for a second :D. It looks like you had a lot of fun! Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Karen.
Nerding out is totally encouraged!! So glad you enjoyed this. 🙂
Love your outfit, that dress is fabulous and I’m just happy to see that someone else does bold colored tights with bold colored dresses! 🙂 One of my favorite ways to pep up the day.
I would’ve been very worried if there were Oompa Loompa’s at the facility. They give me nightmares, and I would never be able to wear MAC or Estee Lauder or anything again. Although it would’ve certainly been…. interesting.
Anyways, so glad to know what your top secret mission was about! I was dying of suspense there. 🙂 That is one happy mission.
Hi Karen, I’d like to thank you for making me a complete MAC addict. I have over 200 lipsticks and over $100 Limited Edition palettes not to mention all the other things they sell. I was just wondering, can anyone take a tour of the MAC factory? Thanks. Love your Blog. Diane
OMG this was so interesting! I just love that you are such a big makeup fanatic! Besides going to Med School, while in college I was thinking of being a makeup chemist for MAC (I just never outwardly told anyone that, hahaha)! How cool would that be? Thank you so much for sharing your visit with us! You ROCK!
oh my gosh, i’ve been off the internet for a couple of weeks, coz been too sick with strep throat to get out of my bed…but i can’t believe you were here in markham, where i live! funny enough, i didn’t know estee lauder had labs here…..just know that i live very close to the estee lauder warehouse sales they have quarterly, all held in markham!!
too bad, could have met up and treated you to some bubble tea and condensed milk toast -yum!
Hi my name is maryam and im currently a life sci student at university of Toronto and its my dream to work for a cosmetic company especially mac. I was wondering if I could speak with you about the ways one can apply and join the research and lab team within cosmetics companies. Thank you.
Hi Karen,
Do you have any advice for how to get a tour of MAC Cosmetics? How do we contact HQ there? I’m hoping to take my teen daughter on a trip to Canada from the Sacramento, California area this Spring and she would LOVE to take the tour as she is a make up fanatic.
Many thanks,
Sarah