Brandwave

MAC vs Maybelline:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Maybelline had more branded searches than MAC among gel eyeliner brands in New Zealand. Maybelline had about 12,700 branded searches, while MAC had 4,390. Maybelline made up 66.8% of all gel eyeliner brand searches we track, and MAC accounted for 23.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about gel eyeliner brands, Maybelline appeared in four of the five answers and MAC in three. Maybelline was mentioned before MAC in three out of four answers.

Among gel eyeliner brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Maybelline, about 3 searches for every 1 for MAC

Maybelline 12.7K searchesMAC 4.4K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Maybelline, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, MAC in 3

Maybelline in 4 of 5MAC in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Maybelline, named ahead of MAC in 3 of 4 answers

Maybelline first in 3MAC first in 1

Follow MAC vs Maybelline 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 gel eyeliner brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Maybelline was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. MAC was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Maybelline was listed before MAC in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Maybelline1st
  2. Bobbi Brown2nd
  3. MAC3rd

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Maybelline4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Bobbi Brown4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • MAC3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about gel eyeliner brands

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is MAC or Maybelline more popular in search?

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

MAC and Maybelline among gel eyeliner brands in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMaybellineMACBobbi Brown
Oct 202561.2%25.5%13.3%
Nov 202558.3%29.5%12.2%
Dec 202560.2%28.6%11.2%
Jan 202665.3%24.6%10.1%
Feb 202665.2%24.9%9.9%
Mar 202666.3%25.2%8.5%
Apr 202666.8%24.2%9%
May 202665.3%25.5%9.3%
Jun 202667.1%24.5%8.4%
Jul 202667%24.5%8.5%
Aug 202670.7%20.9%8.3%
Sep 202666.8%23.1%10.1%

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

3 findings
  • Maybelline was ahead of MAC in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MAC’s share of searches among gel eyeliner brands in New Zealand moved from 25.5% to 23.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.1K to 4.4K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Maybelline’s share of searches among gel eyeliner brands in New Zealand moved from 61.2% to 66.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.8K to 12.7K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand gel eyeliner brands in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, MAC gained share of searches among gel eyeliner brands in New Zealand, from 20.9% to 23.1%.

  2. In September 2026, Maybelline lost share of searches among gel eyeliner brands in New Zealand, from 70.7% to 66.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

24 search terms

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

Maybelline

10 branded search terms

  • maybelline
  • maybelline concealer
  • maybelline fit concealer
  • maybelline fit me
  • maybelline foundation
  • maybelline lipstick
  • maybelline mascara
  • maybelline poreless powder
  • maybelline skin tint
  • maybelline skyhigh mascara

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among gel eyeliner 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