L'Oréal Paris vs MAC:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, L'Oréal Paris had more branded searches than MAC among foundation brands worldwide. L'Oréal Paris had about 165,000 branded searches, while MAC had 74,000. L'Oréal Paris made up 6.2% of all foundation brand searches we track, and MAC accounted for 2.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about foundation brands, L'Oréal Paris appeared in three of the five answers and MAC in one. L'Oréal Paris was mentioned before MAC in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
L'Oréal Paris, about 2 searches for every 1 for MAC
Who does AI mention more?
L'Oréal Paris, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, MAC in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
L'Oréal Paris, named ahead of MAC in 3 of 4 answers
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Top foundation brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, L'Oréal Paris was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. MAC was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. L'Oréal Paris was listed before MAC in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
NARS1st
Estée Lauder2nd- L'Oréal Paris3rd
Maybelline4th
Fenty Beauty5th
MAC6th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Maybelline5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Estée Lauder4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- NARS4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- L'Oréal Paris3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Fenty Beauty2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- MAC1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about foundation brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which foundation brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best foundation brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best foundation brand for everyday makeup?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best foundation”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“full coverage foundation”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is L'Oréal Paris or MAC more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for L'Oréal Paris and MAC by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six foundation brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for L'Oréal Paris, MAC. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Estée Lauder | Maybelline | Fenty Beauty | NARS | L'Oréal Paris | MAC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 34.9% | 28.6% | 19.2% | 10.5% | 4.2% | 2.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 39.4% | 21.6% | 17.7% | 14.5% | 3.2% | 3.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 38.8% | 25.9% | 17.4% | 11.6% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.7% | 27.8% | 18.6% | 12.4% | 5% | 2.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.5% | 28.4% | 19% | 10.4% | 5.1% | 2.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 38.3% | 25.9% | 17.3% | 11.6% | 4.6% | 2.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 34.5% | 28.4% | 19% | 10.4% | 5.1% | 2.6% |
| May 2026 | 34.9% | 28.7% | 15.7% | 12.9% | 5.2% | 2.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 33% | 33% | 14.7% | 12.1% | 4.8% | 2.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 31.8% | 31.8% | 17.4% | 11.6% | 5.2% | 2.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 31.6% | 31.6% | 17.3% | 11.6% | 5.2% | 2.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 31.2% | 31.2% | 17.1% | 11.4% | 6.2% | 2.8% |
How has the L'Oréal Paris and MAC comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: MAC took it in November 2025, L'Oréal Paris took it in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, L'Oréal Paris’ share of searches among foundation brands worldwide moved from 4.2% to 6.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 148K to 165K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MAC’s share of searches among foundation brands worldwide moved from 2.6% to 2.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 74K.
How did search popularity change for foundation brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, L'Oréal Paris gained share of searches among foundation brands worldwide, from 5.2% to 6.2%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for MAC worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 90.5K to 74K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using L'Oréal Paris’ and MAC’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
L'Oréal Paris
2 branded search terms
- loreal foundation
- loreal true match
MAC
1 branded search term
- mac foundation
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