Makeup

MAC Vibe Tribe Collection

Published: 2016-05-03 by Marina Milojević

A couple of weeks ago, we gave you a sneak preview of MAC’s upcoming Vibe Tribe collection for Summer 2016. The collection is said to be inspired by music and arts festivals, such as Coachella and Burning Man, taking place each summer out there in vast American deserts. The lively festivals, which are often being described as experiments in community and art, are perfect for experimenting with makeup, losing control, and trying out some of the most free-spirited shades.

If you’re a makeup or a festival newbie, you need to know that festival makeup means long wearing, waterproof formulas. The festival beauty look – as pictured on MAC’s visuals - is something that, if kind ‘a gets messed up throughout the day, is not going to look bad, but maybe just a bit smudgy and still very much appropriate for the occasion.

Every single item in the MAC Vibe Tribe Collection is a limited edition, since the line’s packaging includes Native American-inspired prints. Because of this, the internet community was quick to call it out for playing into the tribal stereotype. As you can see, the names are pretty much evocative, and the promotional images are showing people dressed in traditional Native American clothing, adorned with feathers and tribal tattoo’s.

After being accused of appropriating symbols related to Native American people, MAC quickly reacted with an official statement in which it claims: "The collection, including the visuals, product lineup, and naming, is inspired by art, outdoor music festivals, and the colors of the desert.”

While the name of the collection has “tribe” in it, and individual product names include “Arrowhead,” “Adobe Brick,” “Call of the Canyon,” and “Wild Horses,” MAC insists that the collection “has absolutely no connection to nor was it inspired by the Native American cultures.”

We all love MAC and strongly believe that the brand had no bad intent, but it would be so much better if they actually partnered with a Native American artist to pay tribute to indigenous people in a special way.

MAC Vibe Tribe Collection for Summer 2016 arrives online, May 12, at maccosmetics.com. The collection is hitting the shelves at all MAC locations on May 19th, 2016.

MAC Vibe Tribe Call Of The Canyon Eyeshadow Palette - $36.00