Brandwave

MAC vs NARS:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, MAC had more branded searches than NARS among bronzing powder brands in New Zealand. MAC had about 4,390 branded searches, while NARS had 3,280. MAC made up 45.8% of all bronzing powder brand searches we track, and NARS accounted for 34.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about bronzing powder brands, NARS appeared in two of the five answers and MAC in one.

Among bronzing powder brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

MAC, about 34% more searches than NARS

MAC 4.4K searchesNARS 3.3K searches

Who does AI mention more?

NARS, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, MAC in 1

NARS in 2 of 5MAC in 1 of 5

Follow MAC vs NARS and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top bronzing powder brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, NARS was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. MAC was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews.

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • NARS2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • MAC1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Bobbi Brown0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about bronzing powder brands

5 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which bronzing powder brand should I buy in New Zealand?”

    1. 1NARS

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best bronzing powder brands in New Zealand?”

    1. 1NARS

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best bronzing powder brand in New Zealand for sun kissed makeup?”

    1. 1MAC

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best bronzing powder”

    1. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “best bronzer powder”

      Not named in any answer:

      Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

      Is MAC or NARS more popular in search?

      This chart shows how often people search Google for MAC and NARS by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all three bronzing powder brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

      MAC and NARS among bronzing powder brands in New Zealand, by month

      Share of searches by month for MAC, NARS. The figures are in the table below the chart.

      View monthly share of searches table
      MonthMACNARSBobbi Brown
      Oct 202544.6%32%23.4%
      Nov 202548.2%31.9%19.9%
      Dec 202549.3%31.4%19.3%
      Jan 202647.3%33.2%19.5%
      Feb 202649.7%30.5%19.8%
      Mar 202650.5%32.4%17%
      Apr 202648%34.2%17.9%
      May 202647.5%35.2%17.3%
      Jun 202646%38.3%15.7%
      Jul 202648.5%34.7%16.8%
      Aug 202645.5%36.3%18.2%
      Sep 202645.8%34.2%20%

      How has the MAC and NARS comparison changed over the last 12 months?

      3 findings
      • MAC was ahead of NARS in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
      • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MAC’s share of searches among bronzing powder brands in New Zealand moved from 44.6% to 45.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.1K to 4.4K.
      • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NARS’s share of searches among bronzing powder brands in New Zealand moved from 32% to 34.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9K to 3.3K.

      How did search popularity change for New Zealand bronzing powder brands in September 2026?

      1 change

      1. In September 2026, NARS lost share of searches among bronzing powder brands in New Zealand, from 36.3% to 34.2%.

      How are branded searches counted?

      21 search terms

      Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MAC’s and NARS’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.

      MAC

      14 branded search terms

      • mac cosmetics
      • mac cosmetics concealer
      • mac cosmetics eyeliner
      • mac cosmetics foundation
      • mac cosmetics lipstick
      • mac cosmetics makeup
      • mac cosmetics mascara
      • mac cosmetics powder
      • mac cosmetics primer
      • mac foundation
      • mac lipstick
      • mac powder
      • mac studio fix
      • mac velvet teddy

      NARS

      7 branded search terms

      • nars concealer
      • nars cosmetics
      • nars cosmetics bronzer
      • nars cosmetics foundation
      • nars foundation
      • nars lipstick
      • nars mascara

      How the Brand Demand Index is measured

      Other head-to-heads among bronzing powder brands

      Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

      Put your own brand in this comparison

      Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

      Start free