An Original

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Now onto NYE, Have you decided on a look? If not there's still time to go glam with MAC's newest collection Originals. Launched this week to much fan-fare, Originals have a lust for life that can never be squelched! Some classics can’t be improved upon – from Carol Channing to Björk to Blondie, Bowie, and every glam rocker and tightrope walker in-between. This season M·A·C pays tribute to all the high flyers, in the shades, shadows and styles that have stayed with them for all these years, and some of the late-greats they discontinued all too soon. It’s a throwback to the future. Originals are now and forever.

Are You A M·A·C Original? If so, compete with the movers and shakers in the makeup world in a MAC's contest to launch their new limited edition collection The Originals. The contest is a celebration of one’s individuality and originality—qualities intrinsic to the M·A·C brand. Launching nationally through the M·A·C website (http://www.maccosmetics.com/), the contest will also run regionally in 6 key cities across the United States: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Houston.

How to Enter?
To enter the “Are You A M·A·C Original?” contest on a national level, consumers can visit http://www.maccosmetics.com/ beginning December 26th to submit a picture of themselves wearing their favorite M·A·C products, along with 50 words on what makes them a M·A·C Original. The winner will be determined by votes online. The winner will receive a $1,000 M·A·C gift card and the complete Originals collection. Good Luck!

Lipstick
Rozz Revival Watermelon reddish pink (lustre)
Chintz on Chintz Sheer mid-tone yellow brown (lustre)
Utter Pervette Soft pastel pink (lustre)
Back to Del Rio Deep brown red (lustre)
Nouveau-Frou Beigey grey pink with white pearl (lustre)
Retrofluid Sheer dirty deep plum with gold and red pearl
Supersequin Plummy pink with silver pearl (lustre)
Twig-Twig Neutral brown plum (lustre)
Sandy B Light shell pink
Russian Red Intense bluish-red
Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Lip Glass
Full on Lust Neutral brown pink (cream)
Avarice Mid-tone yellow red with soft red pearl (cream)
Real Desire Deep plum with red plum
Nico Now Mid-tone grey purple with multicoloured pearl (cream)
C-Thru Soft peached-beige with shimmer (cream)
Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Small Eye Shadow

Daisychain Soft yellow beige with soft white pearl (satin)
Ochre Style Mid-tone yellow brown with gold (frost)
A Little Folie Mid-tone red brown (matte)
Memorabilia Dirty purple (matte)
Clue Mid-tone dirty grey with silver (matte)
Alum Mid-tone blue grey with soft blue pearl (frost)Charred Deep steelgrey with silver pearl

Pigment
Kitschmas Light airy shimmering pink/mauve pearl (frost)
Violet Vivid bright violet-purple (frost)
Melon Soft bright golden peach (frost)
Golden Olive High frosted green gold (frost)
Steel Blue Rich deep turquoise green-blue shone with
small pearl particle (pearl)
Suggested Retail Price $19.50 U.S./$23.50 CDN

Glitter
Reflects Blackened Red Sparkling burgundy
Reflects Very Pink Sparkling fuchsia pink
Reflects Transparent Teal Sparkling white with turquoise
Reflects Antique Gold Sparkling taupe
Suggested Retail Price $16.50 U.S./$20.00 CDN

Eye Pencil
Ebony Soft black
Coffee Muted brown
Indigo Muted greenish-blue
Suggested Retail Price $12.50 U.S./$15.00 CDN

Mascara X
Black Black
Suggested Retail Price $12.50 U.S./$15.00 CDN

Antiquitease

Need a last minute gift? Head on over to the MAC counter to lap up the luxury and old fashioned decadence of the new Antiquitease range from those marvels at Mac this holiday season. The season's metallic trend is hot here too.

Rich hues and baroque blended shades of bronze, silver and gilded gold veneers combine in this shimmering range of glass-like finishes and subtle sheens. From simmering lipstick to tinted lipglass and mineralized eyshadows, the antiquitease range will have you reaching for your silk stockings and lace gloves as Mac flirts with style and fashion of another time. The Royal Assets set features six eye shadows in cool, warm, smoky or metallic shades for $36. Curiousitease, a set of five pigments and glitters in a choice of warm or cool shades. The artists at MAC are also taking appointments for New Year makeovers.

We Love: the Heirlooms brush set (choose from eye, face or basic brushes) comes packaged in a tweed clutch with a hint of metallic sparkle — snazzy enough to carry during a night on the town. Pick one up for yourself and one for a last minute gift. $48.

Of Beauty

MAC's latest limited edition, Of Beauty, proves that beauty has its form- and its mediums. A play on light and dimension, this collection boasts tow new beauties; Beauty Powder/Loose and , Studio Lights, both coordinated with the creamy soft highlights of color. Beauty has found a new form, radiant and sculpturesque with MAC's Of Beauty collection. On counter, November 15, 2007 at all M·A·C locations or 1.800.387.6707.

Beauty Powder/Loose Profile
A light sheer loose sumptuously pearlescent powder in soft colours with precious/unusual reflective qualities for a glamorous shimmering effect, highlighting and blushing. Gives a wash of colour and luminous shimmer to eyes and cheeks. Provides a sheer coverage with a lightweight feel. Limited edition. Suggested Retail Price: $21.00 U.S./$25.00 CDN

• Dancing Light Creamy gold with white gold reflect
• Drizzlegold Fleshy beige with copper and gold reflect
• Natural Flare Peachy champagne with white and gold reflect
• Sunspill Coral Peach with white and gold reflect
• Tenderdusk Soft pink with red and gold reflect
• Soft Flame Rich plum with reddish copper reflect

Studio Lights
A softly tinted, sheer, reflective, semi-fluid colour used on the under-eye area to help brighten the look of dark circles. Can also be used to highlight and contour key areas of the face. Limited edition. Suggested Retail Price: $14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN

• Skin Lure Soft creamy beige
• Ideal Pink Palest pinkish beige
• Smoothspice Caramel
• Frangipan Pale golden yellow
• Sand Soft peachy beige

183 Flat Buffer Brush
flat-faced buffer brush ideal for applying, distributing and blending powders flawlessly over the face. Limited edition. Suggested Retail Price: $40.00 U.S

188, Small Duo Fiber Face Brush
A flat-topped, full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of any formula colour – fluid, cream, powder or pigment. Ideal for creating soft layers or adding textures. Made from a soft blend of goat. Suggested Retail Price: $34.00 U.S

222 Tapered Blendng Brush
Applying, contouring or highlighting powder-based products such as eye shadow, powder, or Pigment. Soft round "brush" tapers into a tip. Of natural fibres. Suggested Retail Price: $28.00

Fashion Week Mayhem

Please excuse our absence- we've been in full Fashion Week frenzy mode. You can keep up with the hottest beauty trends from concept to creation this season; MAC Cosmetics has partnered with WWD.com to launch an exclusive beauty site during Fashion Week. This sub-site will provide daily beauty tips and trends on top runway shows from New York, London, Paris and Milan. Each featured show will have the runway shot, the Key Makeup Artist's inspiration, and detailed information about M.A.C products used backstage. Log-on and check it out. The site will also be active for 45 days after Fashion Week ends, as a continued reference.

All That Sparkles

Hard Candy, Bling Bling, $16 is unlike any other loose glitter product we’ve ever seen. Pretty pots of glitter with a plus: sizzling sparkle that comes with a base to keep it in place. Each of the five shades come in ingenius stacking pots containing one shade of glitter and two shades of base. Try nude, to create an invisible base or black, to create an unforgettable dazzling smoky eye.

The overflowing bling at Make Up For Ever is justification to let your creativity go w-i-l-d! Dazzle your face and body with sparkles, mulitcolored star confetti and our favorite, tiny jewels. Strauss, $25 are glue-on multi-colored crystals that add an abundance of drama and sparkle to any look.

Although the glue is not included (complete PIA), try Urban Apothecary's, Stuck Up Adhesive, $14. It's also great on sluggish straps and plunging necklines, Stuck Up works wonders with all that sparkles, glitters and glows. Or opt for their ranbowilicious line of glitter, Glitterazzi. Professional make-up artists use them and abuse them during fashion shows. For a sparkling veil over the face, body and hair, the $10 (and currently buy-one-get-one-free) shaker-top pots pack plenty of perfectly sized, fine sparklers in a mind boggling array of 24 marvelous, colorful shades. This is a great alternative to MAC's high-level Glitter, $16.50 which is currently only available in a single, solitary lonely shade of Reflects Blue.

MAC Smoke Signals

Seductive drama is in the air, especially with glamour riche having such a big influence on autumns trends. Smoky eyes are erotic, feminine and incredibly sexy envision sitting in a club, listening to great music, with smoke all around you and the intrigue and glamour that it evokes. No matter how intense the color, a smoky eye will always be soft and velvety. The key to the perfect smoky eye is to blend incredibly well. What you're aiming for is a controlled smudge. "There is definitely a smoky eye going on that is forever a classic, paired with a wonderful kind of neutral, fleshy mouth.”, says James Gager, Senior Vice President Creative Director at MAC. There is no smoke without fire.

Lipstick
Brew Creamy beige (lustre)
Barely Lit Pink sand with gold pearl (lustre)
Sparks Can Fly Creamy rose (frost)
Mellow Flame Warm coral pink with red pearl (lustre)
Burnin’ Rich wine (amplified)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Lipglass
Illicit Creamy neutral pink (cream)
Soft & Slow Soft rose with gold pearl (cream)
Bare Truth Warm caramel
Bizaarish Burgundy with pearl (frost)

Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Eye Shadow X4
Gentle Fume Eyes: 4
Rondelle Light silver with white pearl (matte)
Carbon (R) Intense black (matte)
Gentle Fume Cool midtone grey with silver sparkle (velvet)
Waft Deep blue grey (matte)

Smoking Eyes: 4
Next to Nothing Creamy white with pink pearl (frost)
Smoking Black with gold (velvet)
Showstopper Light muted grey (matte)
Satin Taupe Taupe brown with silvery bronze shimmer (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $36.00 U.S./$43.00 CDN

Kohl Power
An eye pencil clenched in black wood and specially formulated with carbon black (read the blackest black). The formula provides a full and intense opaque coverage combined with duo-chrome pearl to give a dramatic look. It can be easily blended or smudged to create a variety of powerful looks.
Orpheus Intense black with gold pearl (frost)
Raven Intense black with red pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $13.50 U.S./$16.00 CDN

Powder Blush
Ablaze Deep dirty coraly rose
Emote Grey brown (matte)
Suggested Retail Price: $17.50 U.S./$21.00 CDN

Pigment
Silver Fog Metallic midtone dirty silver
Smoke Signal Rusty deep maroon
Dark Soul Charcoal black smoked with gold
Suggested Retail Price: $19.50 U.S./$23.50 CDN

Nail Lacquer
Wildfire Black with red pearl (cream)
Nocturnelle Rich black (cream)
Suggested Retail Price: $10.00 U.S./$12.00 CDN

Smoke Signals is available beginning August 23, 2007 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com

MAC Blue Storm

A sky full of mystery and intrigue, a turbulent condition is brewing on the horizion. MAC's latest release, Blue Storm, decended directly from the atmosphere. Breathtakingly brilliant shades of blue give way to enchanting shades of overcast grey which form a cloudly mist as the skies finally give way.

Lipglass
Lightning White silver sparkle (frost)
Lull Pink lilac (frost)
Atmospheric Rich grape with red and gold pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Eyeshadow
Blue Storm Cool royal blue with blue and silver pearl (frost)
Stormwatch Deep teal (matte)
Thunder Rich blue with purple pearl (frost)
Cumulus Creamy grey with silver pearl (frost)
Cloudburst Black with blue pearl (velvet)

Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Kohl Power
Feline Rich black (frost)
Mystery Rich black with green and teal pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $13.50 U.S./$16.00 CDN

Zoom Lash
Zoomblack (R) Rich Black
Suggested Retail Price: $11.00 U.S./$13.00 CDN

Nail Lacquer
Whirlwind Metallic royal blue with green, blue and purple pearl (frost)
Rainy Day Metallic gunmetal grey with lilac pearl (frost)
Suggested Retail Price: $10.00 U.S./$12.00 CDN

Blue Storm is available beginning August 23, 2007 at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com

MAC in 3D

Introducing the new MAC in 3D collection. It's already online and scheduled to hit MAC counters today. Most stores have the entire range displayed already and some (like mine) are even sold out of a few shades (Wondershine, Synched Up, Optical, Apex, Energy)- bummer!

Lip gloss fans everywhere will enter a new dimension in lip gloss. The new smoothing cellophane 3D Glass, $14 lipgloss has immediate super shiny, long lasting finish. The gloss has a comfortable lightweight balmy feel, a sort of gel infused with aloe and vitamins A,C & E which helps soothe and moisturize lips. A unique combination of Xirona pearls and extreme glass shine gives lips a three dimensional look. The images do not capture how glossy and iridescent these glosses are- brilliant!

• Racy: Sheer cherry red with pink and red pearl
• IN 3D: Sheer peachy pink with blue pearl
• Optical: Warm caramel brown with pink pearl
• Synched Up: Creamy tan with pink and white pearl
• Energy: Sheer baby pink with white and pink pearl
• Algorithm: Sheer dusty rose with light pink pearl
• Touchpoint: Sheer blue mid-tone pink with blue pearl
• Lightswitch: Sheer metallic pink with white pearl
• Backlit: Soft white gold with yellow and white pearl
• Wondershine: Warm tangerine with gold and red pearl
• Apex: Sheer orange with green pearl
• Boundless: Intense pinky red with soft blue pearl

Lipglass Pencil, $13.50 is a sheer lip pencil specially formulated to be used with M·A·C lipgloss and lipstick for a superior glossy effect to the lips. This innovative texture was developed using specially formulated filming polymers for adherence, superior wearability and luminosity. I have to admit, this is one of the first lip pencils that did not fizzle away after an hour. The sheer formula does not interfere with the look, texture or application of lipgloss, it just enhances the look. If you are looking for a naturally defined lip, this pencil offers luminous transparency and a hint of pigment for a super glossy, non-feathering effect in a myrid of shades.

• Red Stroke: Sheer cherry red
• Pink Edge: Sheer soft mid-tone pink with white pearl
• Fuchsia Lining: Sheer pink berry
• Brickmate: Rich bronze brown with gold pearl
• Part Nude: Sheer dirty plum-brown
• Neutralzone: Warm caramel with gold pearl
• Coral Craze: Sheer mid-tone orange
• Plum Mate: Sheer plum
• Rosebound: Sheer soft neutral pink with gold pearl

MAC: Flashtronic

One last MAC post for awhile, I promise! Launching this fall, MAC melds minerals with illuminating, soft yet electric shades to fashion Flashtronic.

Slow-baked to perfection, the six shimmering, multi-hued, limited edition eye shadows and light-infused SkinFinish are perfect accents for Fall’s warm, natural palette. Dash. Flash. Flare. Polish your pucker with four, new impeccable shades of high-reflective Lipglass. The look: reflective shimmer.

Available September 27, 2007 at all M·A·C locations, 1.800.387.6707 and http://www.maccosmetics.com/

Lipglass, $14.00

• Perfectly Pink Creamy mid-tone pink (cream)
• Flashtronic Caramel bronze with subtle gold pearl (cream)
• Young Spark Neutral pink with subtle gold pearl (cream)
• Electro-Lush Creamy blue pink (cream)

Mineralize Eye Shadow, $14.00

• By Jupiter Light taupe with beige and deep brown veining (frost)
• Tectonic Yellow gold with lime green, warm brown and black veining (frost)
• Ether Deep aqua with silver, black and gold veining (frost)
• Mercurial Yellow gold with lilac and chestnut veining (frost)
• Lovestone Raspberry with wine and copper veining (frost)
• Quarry Sky blue with olive, coral and beige veining (frost)

Mineralize Skinfinish, $24.50

• Northern Light Mid-tone pink with rust and grey brown veining
• Gold Spill Pink peach with warm brown and cream pearl
• Global Glow Mid-tone brown with gold pearl

MAC: Novel Twist + Rush Metal

Two new collections transition M•A•C fans into summers end. The lustred shades, finished in fashionable matte shine style, glow early Fall on eyes, cheeks, and lips. Novel Twist and Rush Metal are scheduled to hit the counters, July 19 and July 20, 2007 respectively.

Novel Twist; swirls, bends, loops and in the spirit and design of menswear stripped fabric. A stark contrast from the linear dynamic classics, this stylishly coordinated line flaunts the decorative skills of haute couture. Popping up on supermodel notables, from Linda, Naomi, and Amber to Gisele, the colors are ravishing in a wayward twist of dimensional, hand-embroidered threads.

The lip compacts, $22.50 sport a rich trio of colors in shades of pink or plum, while the coordinatiing compacts for the eyes highlight five shades in a choice of warm and cool. The Novel Twist brush set includes five popular makeup brushes and is a must-have for a mere $48.00. Pack everything into the chic, textured 3x3x3 cubes for understated style. This limited edition collection sends the imagination for a loop with luxurious, extravagantly realized palettes.

Novel Twist Lipglass, $14.00

• Springly Freshwater oyster pink (frost)
• Gadabout Mid-tone yellow pink with white pearl (frost)
• Spree Pink Champagned Taupe (cream)
• Wander Sheer Chocolate Brown (cream)

Novel Twist Paint Pots, $14.00
This innovative formula feels like a cream shadow and lasts for hours with no creasing, caking, or transfer. Its skin-like adhesion allows formula to build seamless coverage without heaviness or caking. A new combination of waxes allows superior blendability and spreadability. This new formula is easy to apply, blend and mix with M•A•C shadows and liners. Superior color vibrancy & intensity. I can't wait to try these and am hoping they won't dry out too quickly...

• Stray Grey Grey mauve (cream)
• Pinterly Nude beige (cream)
• Delft Deep teal with gold pearl (frost)
• Stringalong Warm mid-tone brown (cream)
• Artifact Dark burgundy with red pearl (frost)
• Indianwood Metallic antique bronze (frost)

Novel Twist Powder Blush, $17.50

• Whim Bluish soiree pink (satin)
• Out of Bounds Neutral mid-tone brown (satin)

Novel Twist Beauty Powder, $22.00

• Softdew Neutral brown rose
• Sun Twist Warm peach

The alchemy of gold is transformed and then manipulated by M·A·C artistry into the next wave of metallic glam. Eight limited edition pigments and four lipsticks radiate the power, glory and versatility of this precious metal. Each shade is expertly finished to reflect the dynamic, gold tinged trace-color. A phenomenal sight to behold, feel the rush with Rush Metal.

Rush Metal Lipstick, $14.00

• Thrills Rosy copper with gold pearl (frost)
• Frenzy Soft muted pinky-peach beige with golden shimmer (frost)
• Soft Lust Tan with white pearl (lustre)
• Fast Lane Mauve with silver pearl (lustre)

Rush Metal Pigment, $19.50

• Rushmetal Rich copper sparkle
• Revved-up Icy rose with reflects
• Gold Mode Tan gold
• Mauvement Cool taupe with gold pearl
• Off The Radar Warm orange with gold sparkle
• Copperized Olive green with gold pearl
• Quick frost Creamy white with soft green pearl
• Cocomotion Dirty gold with olive undertone and gold sparkle (my personal fav)

I'll Try Anything Once

Double post today. I couldn't sleep last night after chatting with my friend Shannon who blogs for A Girl's Gotta Spa -highly recommended. Shannon has a distinguished, down-to-earth writing style and as a mom of four boys, newborn included, I'm in awe of her multi-tasking abilities.

After chatting about how many samples we receive, try once and store away (we couldn’t actually toss anything), what’s a girl to do? Yes, our friends and family revel in all the freebies, but one can only use so much. Ladies, what can we do with the samples? We’ve slathered the foundation, smeared the gloss and rubbed the bronzer, once, maybe a few times at best. Ideas anyone?

Oh, and BTW, if you missed the MAC chat with Eve and her personal makeup artist, JJ, you can check out the transcript here.

Staying Power

Sun spirits revitalized. Your aura, electric, dynamically tan. Recharge your inner and outer beauty with MAC's latest launch, Sun Strip. Be boldly brazen in Studio Mist Foundation, $28.50, electrify your complexion with Bronzing Powder, $20, in muted golden tan-beige with golden shimmer and go fabulously faux, sun charged this summer.

Water power, a healthy cocktail for skin, Charged Water, $19.00 is a natural mineral mocktail combining diamond powder from Brazil and caffeine infuse skin with energy that revitalizes skin’s radiance and vitality. The charge of the diamonds instantly shifts skin’s energy level allowing the mineral rich water to penetrate and rejuvenate skin easily.

Renewal Defense mixes Rhodochrosite from Argentina, and Salicylic Acid combine to protect skin fromthe environment and renew it to a healthy, more hydrated condition. Packed with anti-oxidants, its peach-toned hue is imparted by the rhodochrosite itself. Its aroma, is a gentle blend of grapefruit mandarin.

Youth Aura, fused with vital ions derived from copper naturally distilled from malachite then fused with amino acids. In essence a skin-reviving formula that renews the skin with life and vigour. Its color – a calm blue naturally imbued by the copper itself. Its aroma, bergamot violet.

Revitalizing Enegry mixes vital ions from a diamond and instilled with a spirit-lifting therapeutic aroma, then delivered to the skin in the soothing aura of a revitalizing hydrating mist. Like its source – a diamond – on application it makes the skin feel clear, sparkling, pure and energized. Its aroma, a blend of green tea and citrus.

The Bold + The Beautiful

When shooting her latest video, Tambourine, Eve’s personal makeup artist, JJ, specially requested the colours of C Shock. Like Eve, the looks are electrifying – check them out! The First Lady of Rap, Eve, is a M·A·C VIVA GLAM VI spokesperson. Check out the four looks from the video, and the MAC products used to get the looks.

Have a burning beauty question? Chat with Eve and her makeup artist JJ -tomorrow, Wednesday, June 27th, 2007 @ 5pm-6pm (EST) for an exclusive Q&A. Get tips on how to get Eve’s looks from her new hit video “Tambourine.

Eve, Shoot A in MAC

Cork Lip pencil
Mega Lip Gelée (c-shock)
Overrich Lipstick (c-shock)
Going Bananas Eye Shadow (c-shock)
Eye Popping Eye Shadow (c-shock)
Amberlights Eye Shadow
Honesty Blush with Matte Bronze Bronzer as contour

Eve, Shoot B in MAC

Vivacious Lipstick (c-shock)
Cork Pencil
Mega Lip Gelée (c-shock)
Honesty and Kid Eye Shadow
Technikohl Pencil in Graph Black
#7 Lashes
Lingering Brow Pencil with Girl Boy Brow Gel
Harmony Blush
Matte Bronze Bronzer as contour
#129 Brush

Eve, Shoot C in MAC

Mega Lipstick (c-shock)
Cork Pencil
Overrich Lipstick (c-shock)
Saddle Eye Shadow
Electric Eel Eye Shadow
Bang On Blue Shadow (c-shock)
Technikohl Pencil in Auto-de Blue
Fancy Ray Crème Blush

Eve, Shoot D in MAC

Plum Lip Pencil
Pomposity Lipstick (c-shock)
Lil Sizzler (c-shock)
Mega Lip Gelée (c-shock)
Amber Lights with Fab and Flashy Eye shadow
Fluidline Gel Liner in Black track
Blossoming Crème Blush