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MAC Venomous Villains Revealed! (7.15.10)

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via Los Angeles Times

MAC has officially released the lineup of evildoers set for their September Venemous Villains collection, and guess what–my hunches were right!

The Disney characters featured in the new line, which will consist of 40 different shades, will be the Evil Queen from “Snow White”, Maleficent, Cruella De Vil and Dr. Facilier.

“Disney gave us the colors used when these characters were drawn throughout their history,” Jennifer Balbier, VP of product development for MAC, says about the creation process.

That means for the Evil Queen and Cruella De Vil, we’ll be seeing plenty of red and peach colors, including “Innocence Beware,” a taupe shade of lipstick for Cruella De Vil, and “Toxic Tale” a blood-red lipstick for the Evil Queen that harks back to Snow White’s fateful fruit, of course. Also the Maleficent products consist of purple and black hues, like “Mean & Green” nail polish, an iridescent swirl of gunmetal and purple-green. While Dr. Facilier’s products will include “Magically Cool Liquid Powders,” which Balbier says “is a featherlight powder that goes on like a mist and either sets or enhances foundation, but also lends dimensionality on naked skin.”

The line will officially hit stores on September 30th. And you can be sure I’ll pull out all my evil tricks to scoop up some of these products. 😉

via Los Angeles Times

via Los Angeles Times

MAC & Disney Take 2: Venomous Villains (5.19.10)

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via temptalia.com

Five years later, MAC and Disney are coupling up again for an all new limited edition color collection set to be released in late September. After releasing their adorable Tint Toons tinted lip conditioners in 2005, MAC has now tossed aside the cutesy-tootsy characters this fantastical brand is known for and instead turned to Disney’s darker side this time around with Venemous Villains.

WWD reports that the new collection will feature four characters, whose identities have yet to be released. But judging from MAC’s promotional video, I’m putting my bid in for Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, the Queen from “Snow White”, and Dr. Facilier from the “Princess and the Frog.” To be sure, these bad guys would give some wicked inspiration for colors, and I’ll bet we’ll be seeing plenty of purples, greens, and reds in the lot of lipstick, powder, lipgloss and blush shades that will be sold from $12 to $29.50. And can you imagine how amazing the packaging is bound to be?! Can’t wait to see it!

And the Verdict is in: Men ARE Confused! (But They’re Supposed to be…) (4.26.10)

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via aronil.com

Ok. So here’s the deal. After speaking to a psychologist last week, I have finally discovered the conclusion to why there is a disconnect between what men say they prefer in women and what they tend to actually go for. According to NYU gender and sexuality psychologist Carolyn Ellman, when men say they want a natural girl but only approach made-up women, they are actually going through a life stage.

What it boils down to is this: many men say their ideal mate is “the girl-next-door.” But when they go out, they’re not looking to find “the one” so much as they are just looking to fulfill that night’s fantasy. And the fantasy woman for many men is the drop-dead-gorgeous diva that every other guy is clamoring over. When men go for the gussied up gal, they are trying to fulfill their fantasy of attaining the knockout everyone else wants. “This plays into the more dangerous Oedipal idea of, “I have to beat out all the other men for this woman…I have to be the winner,” explains Ellman. “They really are in great competition with other men, and it has to do with them more than it has to do with her.”

“The made-up woman appeals to that male fantasy,” she continues, “but from what I can gather, that is a more immature [stage] when the male feels so insecure about his masculinity. Overtime, though, that [fantasy] lessens.” Ellman says that this is a typical stage every man usually goes through, but eventually they do grow out of it. And though it may seem merely sophomoric for men to only approach a woman based on how many other men are fighting for her, Ellman says there is a benefit to living out this fantasy. “It shows that one’s fantasy was based on some distorted image and not on the basis of a real woman,” she says. “They realize that this type of attraction isn’t based on closeness or love, it’s [only] based on an idea of what’s sexy.”

And there you have it! In the end, the disconnect between men’s supposed preference and their actual actions are just a stage. No worries ladies, they’ll man up eventually. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy makeup ourselves for fear of playing into that fantasy, either. Ellman is quick to affirm that wearing makeup can be a healthy practice if worn only for your own pleasure, and not for the pleasure of men. “Feeling and looking nice is a healthy thing as long as you’re trying to bring out the best in yourself,” she asserts.

Going Undercover in the Quest to Discover If Men Prefer Natural or Made-Up Girls (4.19.10)

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via beautyundercover.com

So it looks like I’m not the only one to tap into the paradox between what men say they prefer when it comes to women and makeup (see: the all natural girl-next-door type) and what they actually tend to go for (see: pure glamazons.)

A recent experiment from beautyundercover.com put this idea to the test in January when they asked, “Has your boyfriend or husband ever told you he prefers you without makeup?  But the minute a really attractive woman comes in the room with a face painted full of makeup he starts rubbernecking. Sigh!” Here’s how they tried to get to the bottom of these confusing mixed messages.

Beauty Undercover decided to utilize the website, BeautifulPeople.com, where people are granted access only if they are deemed “good-looking enough.” Five different pictures of different women were posted at different times on the site with looks that ranged from natural to highly made up, and close to 20,000 men voted on them to see if they would be admitted to the site.

The catch? The men thought they were voting on five different women, and had no idea the pictures were actually only two women made to look different in each shot.

via beautyundercover.com

These three images are all the same woman. She was accepted into the site with the picture on the left (as expected with makeup) and the picture on the right (with no makeup) but not with the picture in the middle (as a blonde.)

via beautyundercover.com

This woman was admitted with her hair down on the left while sporting a natural look, but was denied in the right picture when she was all done up.

I think this was a very valiant experimental effort on the part of Beauty Undercover, but there is just as a much of a disconnect with these pictures as there are with men’s preferences/actions. First of all, I think the voting would have been much more accurately portrayed (in preference for the made-up girls) if hair and clothing were consistent through each picture. That way, men would truly only be voting on the difference in facial beauty, not the difference of the whole image.

It doesn’t surprise me in the least that the modest woman in the conservative blue turtleneck was denied access (although that blonde wig is pretty horrible on its own), while the natural blonde on the bottom who donned a cleavage-exposing clingy blouse and beautifully tousled hair did get in. I demand a re-take.

But if nothing else, this experiment is just proof that there is indeed a serious disconnect between men’s preferences and their actual actions when it comes to makeup. Stay tuned for a psychologist’s opinion of this theory next week!

“Men Prefer Natural Girls”–I’m Not Buying It! (4.5.10)

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via teamsugar.com

I’ve often found the paradox of men quite funny when it comes to makeup. They say the want a natural woman a la “the girl next door.” In fact, if I could count the number of guy friends of mine who have stated this preference to me in the past when critiquing my own beauty obsession, I’d be a very wealthy MAC-up addict indeed (which might only be detrimental to their au naturale cause.)

Indeed, a recent St. Ives study released in January that polled 2,ooo men shows that one in five men wish their partners would tone down the face paint, while one in ten say they prefer women to wear no makeup whatsoever.

I’m not surprised by these statistics in the least. In fact, I think the study would be more accurate if it revealed at least 50 percent of men held this view. But numbers aside, I urge you boys to help me understand why you say you want natural women, but you only hit on us when were gussied up to the point of looking like a poor man’s drag queen. Pray, DO tell! Indeed, I’ve had many a conversation about this very topic with nearly every girlfriend of mine, and we all agree that when going out bare-faced in jeans and a plain tee, we’re lucky if we get even one guy to come up and spark a conversation. And yet when we go out in full diva glam mode–in five-inch stilettos, mini dresses, flawless faces and perfectly coiffed hair, we’re lucky if we have to pay for a single drink all night!

But the study doesn’t end just there. It further confirms the makeup faux pas’ that irk men the most. At the top of their list is “caked on foundation,” followed by too much blush and then spidery eyelashes. Ok, this is understandable. After all, these named products are meant to enhance your natural features, not to stand out on their own. But then the study continues to show that men say they don’t like false eyelashes (falsies are the best part of makeup!), bright lipstick (oh dear, I’m a gonner), or Amy Winehouse-style eyeliner “flicks” (but cat-eyes–when done correctly–are so saucy!)

It seems like men are trying to take all the fun out of our MAC-up addictions. But I’m just not buying that they really prefer women who don’t wear any makeup. Especially as evidenced by my own experiences. Which is to say one of two things: either I’m a hideous troll without makeup (which is horrifying, considering I usually don’t wear anything past mascara and concealer during the day) or there is a serious disconnect between what men say they want and what they actually go for. And I’m determined to figure out why this seems to be, which is why I’m reporting this story for my final piece for a J-School course. So stay tuned, cosmetics lovers. I’ll have the true answers for you in a couple weeks.

And when all’s said and done, please boys, convince me that you’d rather take the homely Dita on the left rather than the minx Dita on the right. I’D even jump in bed with righty Dita! (I kid, sorta.)

My #1 Must-Have MAC-Up Product (3.22.10)

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via maccosmetics.com

You’ve heard me mention it in the videos, now it’s time for me to finally sing the long-overdue praises of my #1 MAC-up product of all time and explain to you why it’s the ultimate must-have in cosmetics.

Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara is what I’m talking about, dearies, and for starters, I’ll just put it this way: I would never EVER think about stepping foot outside my apartment without wearing it.

Let’s boil it down to the basics. Firstly, mascara in my opinion is the key to completing a face. This is the makeup item that will most dramatically enhance your look. Try this: Put a rainbow of color on your eyes; something will still look unfinished. Slab on some lipstick; you’re still going to look tired. The only item that will truly brighten up your face in an instant is mascara. At least two coats of it.

For maximum impact, make sure to remember to curl your lashes. Mascara doesn’t do any good if you can’t actually see it! Eyelashes should fan up and away from your eye, curling evenly from the base to the tip. This will instantly make you look awake and lively.

Which brings me to why Zoom Fast Black Lash is the ultimate choice in mascaras. First off, it’s made with black carbon pigment for the utmost drama. Now don’t you fear, you fair-haired lovelies. Take my advice and toss aside all your brown and grey mascara alternatives. Black is never too dark or too dramatic on anyone. Remember the number one point of mascara?? To see your luscious lashes after all!

Also, this silky formula is sure to condition eyelashes (that’s right, it improves lash strength over time), while the ultra-sculptured brush helps you separate and build volume without ever a worry of spider-leg-eyes—no matter how many coats you decide to apply.

But do be careful. The lash length this product provides is potent. Especially when you initially buy it and are about to swipe on your first coat. I recommend dragging the bristles along with sides of the tube’s opening to get rid of the excess and prevent any clumps (and trust me, there’s a LOT of excess when you’re first starting out with with this stuff.) It also has a tendency of making even your bottom lashes appear the same length as your top ones (kinda odd looking.) Which is why, as you’ve heard me mention, I use an old bottle of this bad boy with hardly any product left specifically for my bottom fringes to control the intensity all around.

And thus explains my obsession with this product. You’d better believe that at the end of the day, if my house was on fire and I only had time to snag one thing from my makeup case, of course it’d be my Zoom Fast Black Lash: the most important cosmetics weapon in any Mac-Up Addict’s beauty arsenal.

MAC Test Drives Future Products on Fashion Week (3.8.10)

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via eye4style.com

It’s been nearly 15 years since MAC first collaborated with various Fashion Weeks the world over and began working backstage on runway shows. Years later, the brand’s ultimate goal to provide support to MAC’s #1 customer, the professional makeup artist, has not changed. Since then, MAC’s globetrotting backstage encouragement of fashion week has allowed their artists to have a hand in creating the season’s latest beauty trends. But in addition to designing the hottest upcoming looks, it’s been recently revealed that Fashion Week also serves a critical role in the MAC Cosmetics Product Development process.

That’s because artists test-drive MAC product prototypes sometimes years before they reach the masses during New York, London, Paris, and Milan Fashion Weeks. Once they experiment with potential upcomers time and time again on those model guinea pigs, the artists report their findings to the Product Development team with assessments on color, texture, and ease of application. The result? A tried and true formula that meets the expectations of both the experienced artist and the everyday customer!

This F/W ’10 season, MAC artists put eight possible products to the test to see if they provide immediate perfection and lasting results. So keep an eye out for the following potentials…you never know when they may appear on a MAC counter near you!

1. Prep + Prime Skin Compact (working name): A creamy primer to fill fine lines and even skin tone while plumping and softening.

2. Backstage Balm (working name): A luxuriously rich moisturizing balm suitable for the driest face and body, serves as a soothing base for pigments, oils, etc.

3. Pro Longwear Foundation: A lightweight and comfortable liquid foundation which yields 15 hours of continuous, fresh, and natural coverage.

4. Studio Moisture Powder (working name): A cream-like powder, hydrates and nourishes the skin while providing smooth and even coverage.

5. Studio Moisture Bronzer (working name): An extremely silky and cream-like powder that adds a healthy bronze color to the skin, while providing a blend of antioxidants that treat the skin. The bronzer is comfortable to wear, easy to blend, and has great adherence to the skin.

6. Mineralize Skinfinish Bronzer (working name): Bronzer shades that are an organic extension to Mineralize Skinfinish Natural. These bronzers add a healthy glow with a pure, clean finish.

7. Pro Longwear Lipcreme: The product artists use to create their statement look. No need for a topcoat, this lipcreme is equipped with instant color release and 12 hour wear.

8. Opulash: MAC’s biggest, baddest mascara. The oversized brush and long lasting formula creates voluminous and dramatic lashes with no smudging, clumping, or flaking for up to 15 hours.

MAC Teams Up with Rodarte!!! (3.1.10)

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Rodarte FW '10 via beautyblitz.com

I’ve officially just died and gone to heaven. In a real way. That’s because WWD recently announced that MAC will be joining forces with Rodarte for a limited edition color cosmetics collection!!! I couldn’t think of a better designer collaboration. Especially considering how dreamy and ethereal Rodarte’s latest FW ’10 collection was, which will be the basis for the line’s inspiration that will hit shelves come September to follow the release of Rodarte’s fall collection. That being said, expect to see plenty of taupes and mauves for a whimsically frothy smokey eye, and pale barely-there gloss for lips.

The look seen on the runway was designed to recreate “the subconscious state where you’re like a beautiful spirit…neither awake nor asleep,” says MAC makeup artist James Kaliardos. “The girls appear spirit like, pale skinned, and ghoulish.”

It’s no wonder MAC is finally teaming up with the Mulleavy sisters (who recently won the CFDA 2009 Womenswear Designer of the Year) seeing as how the brands have worked backstage together since 2006. Nonetheless, here is the breakdown of the Rodarte look seen on the FW ’10 runway (and what you might expect to see from the MAC limited edition line in September):

Rodarte Face Chart via talkingmakeup.com

Eyes:

-Quarry Eyeshadow

-Silver Ring Eyeshadow

-Pink Opal Pigment

Lips:

-Hipster Lipstick

-DuBonnet Lipstick

Face:

-Pro Face & Body Foundation in White

-Quarry Eyeshaow

-Kitchmas Pigment

Jeremy Scott F/W ’10: Bold Overdrawn Eyes (2.23.10)

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Jeremy Scott F/W '10 via Gillian Koenig for stylelist.com

Of all the beauty trends revealed during NYC Fashion Week, the one I haven’t been able to get out of my mind are bold overdrawn eyes. Richie Rich for A*Muse used strong  red and black liner all over the face in a tribal warrior motif, while Threeasfour went more Cleopatra-esque with a heavily lined multi-winged lid.  But none can compare in my opinion to the beauty look seen at Jeremy Scott. This daring liner as a replacement to eyeshadow almost reminds me of taking a stencil to your eye and coloring in between the lines. And I just can’t get enough.

Jeremy Scott F/W '10 via Getty

Val Garland for MAC is responsible for creating this look, which was inspired “from the 1990s supermodel,” she tells Stylelist.com. Interested in recreating this trend for yourself? Garland tells us how:

1. Using Ebony pencil, begin by lining your eyes with a dramatically extended wing, and draw a pencil-thin line in the crease that connects to the outer corner of the winged liner. Retrace with Blacktrack Fluidline to intensify the harsh shapes and set with Carbon eyeshadow.

2. A half inch below the lashline, use the same combination of black products to draw an extended line that follows the shape of the eye.

3. Fill in the lid with Vanilla eyeshadow and White Pigment to open up the shape.

4. Stack #1 and #3 lashes on top of the lashline.

5. Line lips with Stripdown liner and apply Rev Folio lipstick.

6. Contour face with Sculpt & Shape powders.

And voila! Wallflowers take a back seat. Because this look with all its high drama and bravado is only fit for a daring, powerful woman who commands attention.  So to all you bold and audacious MAC-up addicts out there, take out those liquid liners and begin overdrawing.

Lady Gaga Tickles Me Pink! (2.16.10)

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via beauticology.com

After much anticipation, I finally snagged my loot of Lady Gaga for Viva Glam lipstick!!! I must say I may have paid a bit too prematurely, however, seeing as how all I did was swipe a bit of the rouge on my wrist without even trying it on for looks before handing over my credit card. But I mean, c’mon– lipstick by the The Gags?! Lord knows it’ll be sold-out come the weekend!

I finally had a chance to inspect my impulse purchase as soon as I made it home. For starters, the lipstick tube is uniquely signed on standard-Viva-Glam-red with Lady Gaga’s own John Hancock. And for the first time ever, the lipstick is named after the celebrity who conceived it: “Viva Glam Gaga.”

via eBay

The lipstick’s bubblegum pink hue actually applies much sheerer to the lips than one would expect due to it’s user-friendly lustre finish. Granted, I understand that MAC and Lady Gaga were most likely trying to make the lipstick as marketable as possible, but I have to admit I was a little disappointed at how safe the color is in comparison to the avante garde artist who inspired it. I suppose I just expected the Gag-ster to deliver a fabulously futuristic blue-purple iridescent hue rather than a candy-coated pretty pink. Which isn’t to say that Gaga can’t be pretty…. goodness knows she rocks it no matter what look she goes for.

In the end, it’s freaking Lady Gaga-invented lipstick. I’ll happily buy anything that marvelous monster creates. Especially if it’s to benefit a good cause like AIDS research 🙂

MAC Tabloid Beauty Collection (2.9.10)

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via fashionista.com

It looks like MAC scooped my story! Just as I write a full-fledged post on party-proofing your makeup, MAC decides to raise the bar one notch higher by leaving you with no excuse to trust the quality of their products when it comes to makeup application. That’s because they’ve just uncovered their “Tabloid Beauty Collection,” a lineup that is sure to nearly botox your face without the Heidi Montag side effects, and is set to hit shelves come February 25th.

The products’ names and claims are just as sensationalized as their hot-off-the-presses kitschy packaging that are full of bold primary colors and in-your-face fonts. Some of the promises MAC makes to you with this collection:

-A Prep + Prime Line Filler that improves firmness and visibly lifts the face and diminishes lines in eight weeks

-A Prep  + Prime Skin Refined Zone that reduces clogged pores by 25%, improves smoothness and skin tone by 26%, and reduces the appearance of pore size of 32%

-Plush Lash (in two colors) that increases fullness by 112% (where do they come up with these random numbers by the way!?) and increases curl by 25%

-Penultimate Eye Liner that will last for 12 hours

-Pro Longwear Lipcolour (in 16 colors) that won’t budge or feather for eight hours

I have to admit, I’m a bit skeptical. These are some lofty claims MAC is making here with their new product line. But deep down, I know that if anyone has the resources to tap into the fountain of youth in this way, it’s gotta be these cosmetic connoisseurs….

Either way, you know where I’ll be in 16 days!

How to Party-Proof Your MAC-up (2.1.10)

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via maccosmetics.com

We’ve all been there. It’s a long night of emphatic jubilation and we come home to our faces dripping with makeup like Lady Gaga’s Grammy performance (p.s. I love her.) Have no fear my little lambs! Here are my 8 tricks to party-proofing that ferocity of yours all night long. I am in fact so passionate about these tips, that I will guarantee you will even wake up the next day without so much as an eyelash out of place (if you’re sinful enough to go to bed without washing your face first, that is….)

1. Fast Response Eye Cream ($30)- This cream is like a double-shot of espresso for droopy eyes, thanks to the caffeine-infused formula! But it’s not only useful for those mornings when you look like a basset hound. The cream also reduces the appearance of dark circles with just a smidgen of light reflecting shimmer and even tightens and firms the entire eye area causing more definition–a saving grace for girls who have more hooded eyelids like myself.

2. Skin Base Visage ($25)- This velvety smooth face primer cements your foundation better than crazy glue. But don’t assume it’s too harsh for even you sensitive skin types. The silicon-based formula provides for a flawless base while soothing the skin, reducing redness, and blotting away excess oil.

3. Prep + Prime Lip ($14.50) This lightly moisturizing base polishes the lips for a sleek finish and prevents lipstick from bleeding (even though you remembered to put on your lip liner.) It’s especially perfect when you decide to dramatize your pout with a deep sultry shade.

4. Paint pot- ($16.50)- The best base MAC makes for optimal eyeshadow color pay-off. The formula goes on creamy but dries pretty quickly, so I’d recommend doing each eye individually to ensure the most eyeshadow-stickage possible. Use a paint pot color that most closely matches the eyeshadows you’ll be using for the highest intensity hues. But if you had to buy just one, I’d stick with “Painterly”– a great matte nude color (especially for those of you who are as pasty white as I am.)

5. Prep + Prime Lash ($14.00) Just call it lash-extensions-in-a-bottle.  This white conditioning mascara leaves tiny fibers on the ends of your lashes for high drama and maximum stay-put power. Just remember to apply your regular mascara on the tops and bottoms of your lash lines to eliminate the look of “snowflakes on your lashes.”

6. Splashproof Lash ($13.00) Only for your lower lash line!! I normally can’t stand waterproof mascara; I just find them way too dry. But if you’re trying to avoid mascara dribbling down your face by the end of the night, just dash on a bit of Splashproof Lash on your lower lash line  and come hell or highwater, that mascara of yours isn’t going anywhere. I especially find this trick useful on those blistering windy/cold nights when your eyes are going to inevitably start tearing up no matter what you do.

7. Transparent Finishing Powder ($22.00)- The classic way to set foundation. This silky powder reduces shine while visually eliminating imperfections, AND it somehow manages to brighten up your face a bit more too (I think it has something to do with the fact that it’s white, even though the color is sheer enough to suit all shades.)

8. Fix + Spray ($18.00)- Consider this hairspray for your face. This is my ideal tip to finish the entire look you worked so hard on. The vitamin/mineral-packed concoction pretty much gives your face an airbrushed finish, making your makeup virtually blend into your skin. It’s also a great spritzer to freshen up and renew your look after a couple hours of celebratory merriment. Not to mention that its calming blend of chamomile, green tea and cucumber smells fantabulous!

And there you have it. My top 8 tips to shellacking your face ;). Think of it this way: just as you wouldn’t step foot outside your door without putting anti-frizz cream and hairspray in your hair, don’t forget to pay just as much attention to your face by priming and finishing off your MAC-up look either! You’ll be sure to come home in the wee small hours of the morning looking just as divine as you did when you first began your nightly bash.

The Beginning (1.25.10)

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It all started when I was 13 years old. I was graduating from 8th grade that day, and Mom finally allowed me to wear makeup for the first time. Seeing as how I had never so much as put on a coat of mascara and certainly wanted to look my best, Mom decided it’d be a great idea to get my makeup professionally done. We were killing two birds with one stone: not only getting my first tutorial in such essentials as pristine eyeliner application, but also learning from the maestros of makeup themselves: MAC artists.

I had never seen myself look that way before. My eyes looked browner, my lips more pronounced, and–dare I say it–I actually had cheek bones! From that day on, I was hooked like cheese on macaroni. Collecting every shade MAC produces to create new looks for myself has become more than an obsession, it’s an incurable addiction. And I know I’m not the only one. I’m sure the essence of a MAC-up addiction has something to do with those colors. The pure pleasure and guiltless giddiness that results from seeing all those vivid hues displayed so precisely in color-coordination is a joy many of us just can’t get enough of.  It’s an aesthetically pleasing/OCD thing, you see?

In any event, for me, I truly see MAC makeup as a medium of art, not just something to enhance your features. The possibilities are endless and the results are always dramatically vast. Along my way to all-out-MAC-collection-domination, I’ve run into my fair share of critics. People who say it’s ridiculous to have so much makeup. That a girl should never need to put so much on her face. That I’ll never find happiness at the bottom of my cosmetics case. But the truth is, this is my art form. It’s my creative outlet. And for all you ladies out there who are having as much fun draining your bank accounts on MAC as I am and aren’t ashamed to admit it… welcome home.