M·A·C Cosmetics and The Makeup Academy NYC Make History with the First-Ever M·A·C Pro Classroom in the World, Curated by AC Partners

New York, NY – October 28, 2025 – M·A·C Cosmetics and The Makeup Academy NYC proudly announce the launch of the first-ever M·A·C Pro Classroom in the world, marking a groundbreaking partnership that redefines professional artistry and beauty education.

Curated and produced by AC Partners, the creative agency behind the event experience, the launch brought together education, artistry, and innovation under one roof — setting a new standard for collaboration between global beauty brands and professional education institutions.

The M·A·C Pro Classroom, located at The Makeup Academy’s New York campus, introduces a new era of hands-on training for aspiring makeup artists, giving students direct access to M·A·C’s professional product range, complexion curriculum, and global education resources used by top industry professionals.

“At AC Partners, our mission is to bridge creativity and strategy in ways that move culture forward,” said Lauren Barrett, Founder and Executive Director of AC Partners. “It’s incredibly beautiful to be part of moving the needle for a global brand like M·A·C — a company generating over a billion dollars annually — and to see them show genuine love and support to an academy as influential as The Makeup Academy NYC. This collaboration represents more than just an event; it’s a full-circle moment that celebrates artistry, education, and access. It shows what’s possible when a legacy brand invests in the next generation of professionals.”

“This partnership represents a major step forward for both artistry and education,” added Jena Fine, President of The Makeup Academy NYC. “Together with M·A·C and AC Partners, we’ve created an environment that gives students not just access to professional products, but a real understanding of what artistry at the highest level looks like.”

The launch event — conceptualized and executed by AC Partners — featured a live masterclass led by Romero Jennings, M·A·C’s Director of Makeup Artistry, along with M·A·C executives, pro artists, influencers, and press. Guests immersed themselves in The Art of Complexion, a campaign-inspired experience that highlighted skin tone diversity and artistry through curated brand moments, including:

• Model Matcha’s Studio Fix Bar, offering complexion-inspired matcha drinks and coffee shots

• A permanent jewelry activation by Auburn Jewelry

• A custom bouquet-making bar with M·A·C x The Makeup Academy branded wrapping

• A photo installation designed with lighting partner Harlowe, featuring professional setups and editorial newspaper props

The Makeup Academy NYC becomes the first educational institution globally to integrate M·A·C’s Studio Fix Conceal and Correct Palette into its official curriculum, giving students access to every professional shade range and complexion technique used in the M·A·C Pro community.

“This launch marks the beginning of a global shift in how we approach professional artistry,” said Lyric Christian, Global Education Manager at M·A·C Cosmetics. “By bringing M·A·C’s tools and education directly into the classroom, we’re investing in the future of the pro community — the next generation of makeup artists.”