Target and MAC Cosmetics

The other week; twitter, facebook and other forums were full of questions around MAC Cosmetics being available at Target. A number of questions were circulating. Are these authentic MAC products, is Target and authorised retailer now of the brand? where have these products come from?

You will have seen a few people asking MAC for a response. I was one of those people and I personally knew what they would state back to me in regard to Target. I have today received an official response from MAC Cosmetics comms team via email and it was as I thought! See below

'MAC products are only distributed for sale at our authorised retail store accounts, or at our free-standing stores. Products purchased at one of our authorised accounts are genuine MAC merchandise of recent production. In addition, consumers can feel confident when they are serviced by one of our trained representatives, who are familiar with our product line. Target is not one of our accounts, and we therefore have no way of knowing how they obtained our products.'

The products in Target stores and online may be authentic MAC Cosmetics products but you can not be sure so I would personally take the side of caution and check the batch numbers where possible. When I visited Targets online store I noticed that the products they did have are actually a good few seasons old so you will not be purchasing current MAC stock. I still actually have to see them physically but I certainly wont be buying from Target even though they have them at a very good price. I react easily like many people so knowing the product is 100% authentic via an authorised retailer is important to me especially after an ebay incident! I never buy cosmetics of ebay/grey market sites now because of a similar situation.

Have you purchased any MAC Cosmetics from Target? How did you find it? Does the fact Target is not an authorised retailer concern you? Be great to hear your thoughts on this. xx

Update 17/8 - Please see The Beaute Buzz where Lisa has a comment from Target. Target is sourcing via a Melbourne based supplier, at this time I personally can not be sure if that is an authorised supplier. 
Update 20/8 - Please see The Plastic Diaries where there are other statements from MAC & Target
Update 07/9 - All MAC products have been removed from all Target stores a week or so ago. A legal suit and investigation has commenced against Target. See article
Update 15/10 - MAC Cosmetics are continuing their legal action after they continued to test the MAC marked products that were being sold by Target Australia were proven to be counterfeit. Click here to see statement.