Huda Beauty vs MAC:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Huda Beauty and MAC were level in searches among makeup brands in the United Kingdom, with an estimated 49.5K versus 50.4K branded searches, at 7.8% and 8% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about makeup brands, MAC appeared in three of the five answers and Huda Beauty in one. MAC was mentioned before Huda Beauty in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
MAC and Huda Beauty are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
MAC, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Huda Beauty in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
MAC, named ahead of Huda Beauty in 3 of 3 answers
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Top makeup brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and 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. Huda Beauty was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. MAC was listed before Huda Beauty in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Maybelline4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Charlotte Tilbury3 of 5Named in 2 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
Rare Beauty3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
e.l.f. Cosmetics3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
NARS3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Fenty Beauty2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
NYX Professional Makeup2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Huda Beauty1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Urban Decay1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about makeup brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which makeup brands are best in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best makeup brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What is the best foundation?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“makeup”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“makeup brands”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 26, 2026.
Is Huda Beauty or MAC more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Huda Beauty and MAC by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 16 makeup brands we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for MAC, Huda Beauty. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Charlotte Tilbury | MAC | Huda Beauty | Fenty Beauty | Maybelline | Rare Beauty | Sculpted by Aimee | e.l.f. Cosmetics | Bobbi Brown | NARS | NYX Professional Makeup | No7 | Iconic London | Too Faced | Urban Decay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 43.3% | 6.2% | 10.6% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 3.6% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.6% | 4.1% | 19.4% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 2.4% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.68% | 1.7% | 0.95% | 0.78% |
| Dec 2025 | 59.3% | 4.9% | 7.9% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 0.89% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 0.87% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.8% | 6.1% | 12.9% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.8% | 2.6% | 2.9% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.5% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 46% | 6.6% | 11.3% | 5.1% | 4.1% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 49.6% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 3% | 3.1% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 2.4% | 1.5% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 1.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 45.8% | 7.7% | 9.2% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 5% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| May 2026 | 44.7% | 7.5% | 9% | 4.9% | 4% | 4% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 4% | 4% | 3.3% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 1.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 49% | 7.9% | 8.1% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 3% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 0.88% | 1.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 48.5% | 7.8% | 8% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 5.3% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 42.6% | 8.4% | 8.6% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 47.5% | 8% | 7.8% | 5.2% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 3.6% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.4% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
How has the Huda Beauty and MAC comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: MAC took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Huda Beauty’s share of searches among makeup brands in the United Kingdom moved from 10.6% to 7.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 49.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MAC’s share of searches among makeup brands in the United Kingdom moved from 6.2% to 8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 52.6K to 50.4K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom makeup brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Huda Beauty lost share of searches among makeup brands in the United Kingdom, from 8.6% to 7.8%.
In September 2026, MAC rose from 3rd to 2nd among makeup brands in the United Kingdom.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Huda Beauty’s 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.
Huda Beauty
1 branded search term
- huda beauty
MAC
2 branded search terms
- mac cosmetics
- mac makeup
Other head-to-heads among makeup brands
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