Good Lorde, Lorde's MAC Lipstick Is A Plummy Wine Dream

Lorde is Queen, her hair rules supreme, and so it shall be that all sovereign lips should be anointed in her passionately plum "Pure Heroine" MAC lipstick when it drops June 5th at maccosmetic.com.

Futhermore: Flume's "Tennis Court" remix: Put this in your head NOW.

MAC x Hayley Williams Collection = All Orange Everything

The MAC x Hayley Williams collection drops April 9, 2013.

MAC just announced their Hayley Williams collection, and it's three of my favorite things (MAC makeup, Paramore, and the color ORANGE) all in one, and my birthday's not for five more months.

Case you've never used Tumblr or watched the VMAs (in which case we probably have zero things in common), Hayley Williams is Paramore's lead singer, and she's about the size of an action figure, with a voice that sounds like she swallowed a megaphone, and her signature hair color is approximately the hue of a parking cone someone set on fire. 

I love the fact that MAC's targeting a younger audience and celebrating a young female artist (Hayley's probably one of MAC's youngest celebrity spokespeople ever) known for her unapologetic love of color --  and unapologetically loud voice. And while Paramore's by no means unknown -- they've sold over 7 million albums and have criss-crossed the world on tour -- they still may be unfamiliar to some consumers given that the pop-punk band's not a trainwreck tabloid fixture, and beyond "Airplanes" and "The Only Exception," you won't hear them on many U.S. terrestrial radio stations (shouts to K Rock). (If you're still totally unfamiliar and need a reference point, then think Garbage meets Fall Out Boy meets No Doubt meets Mary Lou Lord meets Jimmy Eat World.)

So it's very cool -- and forward-thinking -- to observe the interesting intersection of a younger pop-punk act that generally has their boots planted firmly in the music world change lanes and merge with a beauty brand.

Buy Viva Glam TODAY Because MAC's Giving Back Twice On World AIDS Day

$15, MAC

It's December 1, in case you just woke up and hadn't laid eyes upon a calendar today. It's World AIDS Day, and there probably isn't a beauty brand -- or any other consumer brand or retailer -- that's done more to work toward a cure for AIDS than MAC. Today, when you purchase any Viva Glam product online or in a MAC store, MAC is donating double. The purchase of just one Viva Glam lipstick can buy five meals for a person living with HIV: Today you can help buy 10 meals just by buying a lipstick. (And if you're me, you'd probably already be buying lipstick anyway, so why not buy lipstick and buy someone dinner at the same time?) 

I'm partial to Viva Glam I, a matte brick red, but you can choose from seven different Viva Glam lipstick shades, two shades of Lipglass and even a lip conditioner by MAC Viva Glam spokesman Ricky Martin. 

Come on. How could you say no to that punim?

Buy Viva Glam today, and find out more about the MAC AIDS Fund.

MAC's Ruffian Nail And Lipstick Collection Is Hotter Than August Asphault

Behold MAC's Ruffian press-on nails. THOSE Demoiselle POINTED HALF MOONS! (I haven't seen nails so covetable since Beyonce busted out those Chanel Nouvelle Vague nails in her "Why Don't You Love Me?" video -- one of her best and most underrated videos, if I may.)

Spectator, Demilune and Demoiselle, $25, each

Ruffian Naked, Ruffian Red and Ruffian Gold, $14.50 each

Iris Apfel For MAC Collection: Buy Everything Now! While You Still Can!

Watch and learn, people. Ninety-year-old Iris Apfel is everything I want to be when I grow up: a bespectacled, unabashedly bad-ass New Yorker unafraid to be a style original and unafraid to wear all of her bracelets at once. Who am I kidding? That is probably four percent of Iris Apfel's bracelet collection. But anyone who abides by the polar opposite of Coco Chanel's "take off one accessory before you leave the house" fashion rule of thumb is probably someone whose arms I envy. Oh, and I'd also like to be way way way rich. (Not gonna lie about that one.) I'd be charitable too. Gosh. Don't be all judge-y in my fantasy.

Another reason to want to be Iris Apfel? MAC, quite astutely, just released their Iris Apfel collection, a limited-edition 20-piece collection, and of course my favorites are the nail polishes and lipsticks, especially the shades brighter than a tanning bed on fire. My rule of thumb for lipstick, and nail polish is usually "would someone be able to see this from space?" If yes, then it's probably a beauty product I'll invest in.

Sandpiper Creamy pale stone beige (Limited Edition)
** Oriele Orange Bright orange coral (Limited Edition) ** FAVESIES

Toco Toucan Bright blue-fuchsia (Limited Edition)

Pink Pigeon Bright cleanest pink (Matte) (Limited Edition) 

** Morange Loudmouth orange (Permanent) ** FAVESIES!

Scarlet Ibis Bright orange-red (Matte) (Limited Edition)

Party Parrot Bright red-pink (Matte) (Limited Edition) 

Flamingo Light milky bright coral (Lustre) (Limited Edition) 

Most of the Iris Apfel MAC lipsticks are sold out, but my favorite, Morange, is still available online, so get to steppin'. Or go stalk your local MAC to see if they're still available. (Don't act like you're above it.)

+ Related: Into The Gloss' excellent Iris Apfel interview.

Gareth Pugh For MAC Collection! FREAKOUT TIME!

Gareth Pugh for MAC's collection images are HERE, you guys! I'm most looking forward to the three polishes and the berry "Fervent" and nude "Restrict" lipsticks. They're not out until November 23 in the US. Until then, BOW DOWN to these photos. Those false lashes? FRESH TO DEATH.

MAC X GARETH PUGH COLLABO IS COMING! IMMA GO CRAY!

Sometimes a press release is just NOT enough!!!

Earlier this week I got MAC's presser announcing their upcoming collabo with GARETH PUGH... NBD!

THE WHOLE THING WAS JUST 65 WORDS! WTF!?? WTH??? NEED MORE WORDS, PLEASE! PLEASE! PHOTOS! VIDEO TEASERS! ANYTHING! NOW!

Read below for the painfully vague release about the MAC and Gareth Pugh collabo.

M·A·C and Gareth Pugh Confirmation // June 3, 2011

Today, M·A·C Cosmetics confirmed an upcoming collaboration with designer, Gareth Pugh. The brand will celebrate the partnership with Gareth next month at a cocktail party in New York City in anticipation of the global launch starting November 2011. The collection will include multiple colour products and accessories in special packaging.  M·A·C has supported Gareth since he first began showing his collections nearly seven years ago. 

Ugh. I KNOW, right? I will live and breathe for whatever the makeup equivalent of this is...

HOLY SHIT I NEED MAC'S NEW SURF BABY NAIL POLISHES THIS INSTANT!

Um, sorry for shouting. I just got REALLY excited. Aside from "Scream 4" and not wearing shorts, another thing to look forward to this summer is MAC's Surf Baby collection. I'm especially into the collection's two nail polishes: "Hangin' Loose," which is the dirty pink nude you see on the left, and ESPECIALLY "Ocean Dip," the mid-tone creamy aqua on the right.

"Hangin' Loose" is a perfect NBN, or non-boring neutral. "Ocean Dip" is a lovely bright turquoise reminiscent of a fun pool, like the ones most of your friends seem to be enjoying while you're sitting around typing on your keyboard inside a temperature-controlled office building. Sorry. Do I sound bitter? Anyway, dive in! Surf Baby hits counters May 26.

Read my Naag.com beauty reviews of more MAC musts:
+ "Haute & Naughty" mascara
+ Wonder Woman "Obey Me" nail polish

The Year In Beauty: These Are My Favorite Things, Part 1!

Happy between-Chanukkah-and-Christmas time!
Beauty Blogging Junkie's Amber and I got together, pooled our favorite lip glosses, hair goops and mascara wands, opened a bottle of red wine, and made a couple of videos of us discussing our favorite beauty products of 2010.

I learned a lot from doing these videos! I learned that while my outfit looked adorable in person, it came off as positively uncute on camera. I wore a high-waisted circle skirt whilst SEATED ON MY SMOOSHY COUCH! I look like I was born without a waist. Ugh. Live and learn, people. I learned that making videos is insanely time-consuming, and while I already respected bloggers who regularly devote their time to making their own videos, I now pretty much think they're Jesus. And I learned that Windows Movie Maker was put on this planet to destroy me.

Anyway, hope you like it! There are more where this came from!




And check out my Naag.com review of MAC's Haute & Naughty Lash
and C.O. Bigelow Protein-Enriched Conditioner for Dry & Damaged Hair. Amber hyped up Tokyomilk Bon Bon Shea Butter Hand Cream and Panthera Ultraflesh Mascara, which is SHAPED LIKE A PANTHER. I got excited about that, you'll notice.Who even cares how it works when it looks like that?

It's Time For... CAT FASHIONS!

In honor of my cat Sim's untimely demise, here are a bunch of cheery cat clothes and accessories. Yes, I'm a cat person. DEAL WITH IT. I used to try to air on the side of discretion when shopping for or styling myself with cat-related fashion, so as not to look overly young. But at this point, I'm like fuck it.

($78, Marc By Marc Jacobs, Zappos.com)


($35, Marc By Marc Jacobs, Zappos.com)

Love Marc By Marc Jacobs' Fantastical Tale cat rings in brass and black resin. See? Marc Jacobs gets it!

($76, Your Eyes Lie, Topshop)

British upstart Your Eyes Lie makes excellent, photorealistic digital prints -- like this giant cat print dress -- on the softest jersey dresses. They look fantastic with leggings, run large (yay!), and are super layerable.

($13, Asos.com)

Two baby kitties in a heart ring! Ee!

MAC's Fabulous Felines collection is obviously my favorite collection of all time. When I found out they were doing a cat collection, I almost fell out of my chair. Why I wasn't asked to be a consultant on the collection I will never know, but I'll let it slide. This time.

My favorite of the Fabulous Felines are the Leopard Luxe eyeshadow quad. LOOK at that gold! And that muted orange! So autumnal chic.

($36, MACcosmetics.com)


($14.50, MACcosmetics.com)

Love MAC's Cunning very berry lipstick. It's sold out online, so check your local MAC store.

($25, Paul & Joe Beaute, Beautyhabit.com)

It's CAT LIPSTICK! LIPSTICK IN THE SHAPE OF A CAT! I wrote about it for Naag.

($40, Joseph Aaron Segel, Prettysnake.etsy.com)

Designer and RISD professor Joseph Aaron Segel sources vintage sweater and prints cats and sews hilarious, huge stuffed animals eyes onto them! And check out his Pretty Snake acid cat screenprinted t-shirts!

($38, Joyrich, Karmaloop.com)

LOVE Joyrich because they always have comfie, casual, cheeky streetwear. Love Karmaloop because they ALWAYS have promo codes.

A Bunch of Naag.com Beauty Pieces!

(Image by the incredible Designed Memory)

Remember how I told you I'm writing about beauty for Naag.com? Well here are a bunch of beauty pieces I wrote in which I, of all people, tell YOU how to look better, whether or not you need to.

+ MAC's phenomenal Haute & Naughty mascara: Its packaging is totally Barbie And The Rockers, and it gives you RuPaul lashes. I think I've said enough.

+ Mistral soaps: Heaven-scent (GET IT?) handmade French soaps thick as bricks, and they last forever.

+ Fresh Pomegranate Conditioner: My favorite conditioner of all time. It comes with the story of how I klepto'ed them from the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

+ Too Faced Aqua Bunny Bronzer: It's so not Snooki.

Oh Hey, Wait! I'm Writing About Beauty For Naag.com!

You guise! I'm writing about beauty over at the newly launched Naag.com -- Agyness Deyn and Fiona Byrne's new fashion, lifestyle, culture/ stuff-we-like daily site. Check it out! Be pretty and well moisturized! Enjoy the awesome and hilarious art (there's a fun new collage on every Friday's homepage -- kind of like a Cracker Jack toy -- you know it's coming, but you don't know what you're gonna get). Go now!

A few pieces I wrote:
+ MAC's HYPERVENTILATION-inducing new Haught & Naughty 2-in-1 mascara!

+ NARS' super summery, sunny Versailles nail polish.

+ Three concealers to make you look less hungover!

+ Tom Ford's new please-do-me Private Blend lipstick.

+ Iced tea lipbalms from DuWop.

+ Rimmel's like woah mascara.

Coming Soon: MAC's Venomous Villain Collection!

To know me is to know that I typically am NOT into much Disney stuff. I've never seen "The Lion King" or "Herbie: Fully Loaded" or whatever. You will NEVER catch me quoting "Shrek." None of that. I can't deal with animation. And it's not just Disney. I've never seen "Cars" nor will I. That ain't me. I realize animation is an art. I just can't sit through an animated feature film. (With the exception of "The Triplets Of Belleville" -- man, do I sound like a snob. Whatevs.) I need my movies to have PEOPLE in them. Humans. HOWEVER. I do love a select few Disney items. A classic Mickey Mouse watch. And my Kidada for Disney Couture mirror necklace, which I wear on the regulado. And the Tom Binns collection. I'd wear all that shit. Possibly at the same time.

But, here's the point where I contradict myself: I do hold a special place in my heart for the old-school Disney movies -- growing up, I loved the "Cinderella" soundtrack from 1950 movie. And I do like a select few Disney movies from the 1990s. Like "Aladdin" and "Beauty And Beast" and "The Little Mermaid" because they were so bombastically over the top and campy. Which is saying a lot for a cartoon.

And, since I do love MAC, I was all OOOH when I saw the teaser trailer for their Venomous Villains collection, set to come out in September 2010. After loving their Barbie, Hello Kitty, and Heatherette collabos, I'm defs excited to see what their Disney collaboration has in store. And, um, hello -- no one does a villain like Disney. (Except for Susan Lucci and Daniel Waters, who wrote "Heathers.") And how fun is it that you JUST get the bitchy villains? Princesses are pretty, but they have their limitations. Evil and sinister know no bounds.

The villains that will star in the MAC collection haven't been revealed, though I think Cruella de Vil is beyond obvious. I'm hoping they'll have a male villain, because would Jafar from "Aladdin" not be hilarious? It'd be hilarious. Maybe he'd come with a limited-edition depilatory, since he clearly had an upperlip hair issue. Also, was he not a little light in his loafers? He was like a pointier, more ethnic Christopher Lowell.

Anyway, I will be absolutely LIVID if there isn't an Ursula from "The Little Mermaid." She was the effing BEST villain, because even though she was part octopus, she still glammed it up in eveningwear, knew the power of one statement accessory, and she was Gaga before Gaga was Gaga. She basically looked like a cartoon Harvey Fierstein in a dress. And she could BELT.

Anyway check out the MAC Venomous Villain trailer. And I just need to add that while they're totally off-brand, the Joker from Batman and Skeletor would be amazing adds too.

MAC Care Blends Essential Oils ARE ESSENTIAL For Good Winter Skin. Also, A Word About Paper Towels

Okay, I have few skin things I need to discuss. First of all, I'll disclaim that my skin isn't perfect. BUT, it's looking better than it ever has before. Because I FUCKING WORK AT IT. AND because I've been treating it like a boss and have committed to a few products I will probably never stray from.

First (again -- because I know I just said first before), I've been using only paper towels to dry my skin. Yes, it's wasteful, but so is having bad skin when you could have good skin. (The unbelievably talented Joanna Vargas shared this tip when I visited her for a facial last year. It wasn't until recently though that I tried it out, and the results have been as obvious as a fart in a car.) Plus, I try to pull double duty and use said paper towels to wipe up my bathroom a bit, so I'm reusing AND making my bathroom cleaner. WIN.


Second, I've been WAY into Fresh's Lemon Sugar Body Lotion, which I've been using as a daily moisturizer on my face, even though it's for your body. Your face is part of your body, right? I don't care if it doesn't say "FOR YOUR FACE" on the packaging. It works like a dream.

($28, Fresh.com)

I have super annoying rosacea and dry skin. Almost no moisturizer works as well as Sugar does. It doesn't leave me as red-faced as Mrs. Claus, and it's light and doesn't get greasy like a Biggie Fry.

BUT, it's winter as fuck out, and my forehead's been killing me softly, so PRAISES that I discovered MAC's Care Essential Oils. Now I KNOW that adding oil to your face sounds like going to the doctor and asking for fat injections in your thighs, but THIS SHIT WORKS.

($19.50, MAC)

I've only tried the grapefruit and chamomile, but I've seen all I need to know. I mix a little in with my Fresh, and BOOM. Best happy, hydrated winter skin. Silky smooth and soft but not greasy or oily. Get familiar.

Binge Beauty: MAC's Secret Crush See-Through Lip Stain Is Your Summer Crush

($14, MAC)

I will be totally straight-up honest with you. When I first received MAC's "Secret Crush" See-Through Lip Color (top shade), from the Rose Romance collection, I was like WTF? I had so many questions, like... "Why is this so tiny?" ... And... "Why it all gelatinous?" Then I put it on... And was all "Ew. Gross... What's on TV?"

... And I almost wrote it off. And then I inadvertantly taught myself an important lesson in patience. And that lesson is that patience IS important. Because See-Through Lip Color is an OUTSTANDING beauty summer product. First of all, a teeeeeensy weeeeensy little bit goes a LONG way (recession-friendly!). Also, it stays on for FOREVER, and not in that nasty-ass crusty chemically way. If you're the type of idiot who wears lipstick to the beach, make this one it.

It also has a lovely cooling property, and as someone who's always BOILING, I so appreciate that, especially in the summer, when I'm boiling x3. And it's so light that you'll have to check your mirror to cure yourself of "I can't believe I'm not wearing product" disbelief. Secret Crush = perfect summer shade -- it's a sweet little hint of color that stays on with zero gross goo. It's also an A+ way to do the red-lip trend I'm seeing so much of without committing to actual red lips in the summer, which is kinda gross and difficult, you know?

Anyway, yay, patience! Now go get MAC Secret Crush, and make it your summer crush.

CRAZY-Good Deals At MAC Online!

Get 25% off EVERYTHING (except Viva Glam, because that goes to CHARITY, holmes) at MAC online, okay? Promo code: MACFF9, expires at 11:59PM EST tonight.

I HIGHLY recommend MAC's Mineralize Eyeshadow Trios in Word-of-Mouth (left) and Threesome (right). They're $17.50 each, but they're biggies, and they go a long way. The blue/grey shade in Word-of-Mouth (which I contend should NOT be hyphenated, BTW), is nice and subtle, and the copper stripe is bold and luscious. I've pulled off a nice sub-smokey eye with it.

Speaking of smokey eyes, check out the chocolate smokey eye tutorial from Spektra.net! You could easily pull off something similar with the MAC shadows above (though I'd suggest going easy on the iciness near the brow -- a bit too '90s -- and using the pinky shade in Word-of-Mouth instead).

FashionBinge Beauty Dupe: MAC's Manish Arora Eyeshadow Versus Pop Beauty's Lid Neon

Every piece of MAC's new truly, truly, truly outrageously, brilliantly bright new Manish Arora collection sold out in a hot siggity second. A shame, sure, but most everything looked pretty much like Fafi and Heatherette ('specially the lipsticks and glosses) anyway, which just means they'll parlay these colors into a future collection faster than you can say "Layin' Low."

($38, MAC)

BUT, if you're tippin' toxic for the sold-out eyeshadow six-some, which is quite pretty, take a looksie daisy at Pop Beauty's Lid Neon palette:

($22, Pop Beauty, Sephora)

You don't get the bejeweled packaging or the muted yellow that MAC packs, but you do save $16. Which doesn't go far these days but doesn't mean you shouldn't still save! Even if it's just for Pop Beauty's amazing nail polish, whenever the hell it finally launches in the States!

Sales Sales Sales!

A few NYC sample sales, but a few onliners too!

1.) Nordstrom is holding her annual Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusive with over 100 beauty brands participating. The sale lasts July 18th through August 3rd, but you can preorder -- check out all of the available items here. Items ship July 18. My faves? MAC's Colour Form sets in bold primary colors:

($49.50, MAC, Nordstrom)

2.) eLuxury.com is also holding an anniversary sale -- take 15% off all sale items between June 25th through June 27th. What would I buy? Since you asked...

($239, 3.1 Phillip Lim, eLuxury.com)


($625, 3.1 Phillip Lim, eLuxury.com)

($475, 3.1 Phillip Lim, eLuxury.com)

3.) Piperlime is having a "tag sale," if you will, with savings of up to 40% off their summer styles. A few choice picks -- some of them aren't on sale, so, sorry for lying!

(Was $79, now $54, Nine West, Piperlime)

So gorgeous and fun, and they look really sturdy and not painful either!

(Was $132, now $89, Vince Camuto, Piperlime)

Subtle bondage vibe over here.

($450, Bettye Muller, Piperlime)

These are actually from Piperlime's Fall preview. Normally I hate Mary Janes, but I'm all over these like Amy Winehouse on her first cigarette out of the hospital.

($335, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Piperlime)

I'm inexplicably drawn to the contrast of blue patent leather and burgundy suede. It's about as much patriotism as I can handle.

4.) Nutty Rice Sample Sale:
Monday June 23rd - Thursday June 26th
10am - 6:30pm
530 7th Ave #1009
Between 38th and 39th
Brands: PF flyers, Sugar shoes and cosmetics, Alternative Apparel, Gravis, Five Crown, Bread & Butta, Mr. Chips

5.) Ethan James Group Pop-Up Sale
Wednesday June 25 - Sunday June 29
12pm to 8pm

Openhouse Gallery

201 Mulberry St.
New York, NY 10012
Brands: Love YaYa, Aflalo, Staerk, Moon Katz, Fluxus, and The Smooth Company

6.) Ananas Pop-Up Store
From the press release:
"Ananas Collection, the best selling line of handbags from New York, is opening a pop-up store at 52 Canal Street in New York’s Lower East Side (BAMBI) for 3 weeks only! From June 24th to July 15th, the space, called “Ananas at fifty-two”, will be open with exclusive, limited-edition products as well as offering select styles from the fall ’08 leather & eco collections- these styles won’t be available outside of the store until August! Jennifer Lagdameo, founder and designer of Ananas, is thrilled with the opportunity to present her loyal customers with an entire Ananas shopping experience."

212-219-7641
Monday -Wednesday, 12:00 -8:00, Thursday - Sat 1:00- 9:00, Sun 12:00-7:00pm


OKee! Now go forth and spend! Especially you, Europeans -- come over here and spend some cash! It's like everything's 50% off! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed. I've got a big day of work and the premiere of The Baby Borrowers tomorrow!

Is Heatherette Over? PLUS: Beauty Binge - Heatherette for MAC Sock Hop Lipglass

Oh bew. Has the mirrorball shattered at Heatherette? That'd suck but wouldn't be so surprising -- they pulled out of their last Fashion Week show. Apparently they're venturing down their own sparkly paths, which will surely be paved in glitter. But still, this split would be fairly unfierce. More at The Cut.

Also, uh, while you still can, you should check out Heatherette's "Sock Hop" Lipglass from their MAC line -- it's a spring-ready, salmon-pink coral gloss that doesn't reek of hot trannybotmess-ness:

($14, MAC, Macys)

It's totes sold out at MAC online, but SUUUUUP, Macy's -- you can still get it there, along with much of the rest of the collection. Better late than never. Check out more swatches and shots here.

OK, speaking of lates, it's bedtime. Happy Zs, FBs!

Oh, PS: Here's a slightly intoxicated me with the Heatherette dudes at a MAC event. Tee!