Hmmm...I'm 29 and I've been a MAC fan ever since I started sneaking into my mother's MAC way back in 1996 (I was a mess). Back then, MAC was one of the few companies that seemed to make foundations in colors that weren't too pink, red, or orange for African-American women.
Still, I think that back then the foundation formulations were a mess! I remember MAC Matte foundation. It was matte for about 2 hours before it was oil city. Studio Fix Powder was usually a favorite foundation amongst MAC Fans back then. In pictures, the titanium oxide would have your skin looking ghost-like in pictures.
But, I think that some of the blushes were more pigmented back then. I used to have this blush called Bikini Blush (I think it came out with one of the 2002 or 2003 summer collections). It was somewhat like Loverush blush, but so much prettier. I lost it when I went out of town, and I've regretted that loss ever since. I also seem to remember that my Raizin blush looked more pigmented back then. I may be imagining that it was more vibrant (more burgundy like) back then, or maybe I was just heavier handed in my teen years.
I think that the limited edition collections had better quality products. This is probably because the collections came out in lesser frequency than they do now. The Diana Ross and Bella Azure collections were BANGING! Like, every single product in those launches was good.So was the collection with the turquoise packaging. Cult of Cherry, Heatherette, Neo Sci-Fi, and Fafi were standout outs- these were mid 2000s collections, but I remember them as being on point.
There used to be lipglasses like Spring Bean (which was green) and Lurex ( I think that was it's name. But, it was yellow). These lipglasses were sheer, and were great by themselves but were even better when used over lipsticks in order to tone down and magically transform lipsticks that may be been otherwise unappealing on their own.
Their lipliners used to be incomparable, to me. Chestnut, 80/20, and BBQ were some have-to-have- even-if-I'm-broke staples for some brown girls. You just couldn't find good brown liners with other companies. Now, lower-end companies have come a loooongg way. NYX has really changed the lipliner game.
Their lipstick selection has always been extensive and fun. But, back in the day if you were a woman of color, you could be assured that a MUA was going to suggest that you buy "O," "Festish," "Strength," or "Plastique" lipsticks. And "Oh Baby" lip glass. Now, I think that more MUAs will recommend "non-brown" lipsticks for women of color.