Preview: MAC Venomous Villains Collection
Saturday, August 14th, 2010
Preview: MAC Venomous Villains Collection
AHHHHH! Finally! As the clock struck 12:01AM (EST) on August 15th, I’m finally allowed to share with you the details of a very special event I attended in June. Temptalia was invited to attend MAC’s Venomous Villains press event down in southern California, where they would unveil both the collection as well as provide a behind-the-scenes look at Disney, the villains, and the how and why of the collaboration between the two brands.
Tonight, we’re beyond excited to reveal to you the Venomous Villains Collection!
- Behind the Scenes Video & Summary
- Overall, Round-up, & Recommendations
- Video Review
- Reviews, Photos, Swatches by Character: Cruella de Vil, Evil Queen, Maleficent, Dr. Facilier
- Official Collection Info & Photos
All of the photos and swatches you can take, plus a video review and video of the event itself (above)! I hope you enjoy this early preview and sneak peek.
Let me tell you about the behind-the-scenes action…
Thankfully, they didn’t make us wait too long to reveal the products! A few hours after landing in LA, we headed over to Disney Studios and entered a huge building where all of the collection displayers were set up, as well as three director chairs for the speakers. James Gager, Creative Director of MAC, kicked off the event and spoke remotely from NYC. He talked about how MAC is continually trying to wow their fans, and they do so by putting their own twist and spin on every collection.
Studio set up for the press event
When asked “Why villains? Why not princesses?”, Gager responded that other brands can do princesses, but it’s okay to be a little evil. MAC wants to empower women to embrace their inner villain–be a little naughty, to play up fantasy. The collection’s focus is on fantasy and sophisticated beauty. Disney provided MAC access to their vault of animation sketches and imagery, and they even redrew some of the characters.
Gager discussed each character’s collection and the theme they were going for. He spoke of the Evil Queen as an aging supermodel who was regal, wicked, narcissistic, and flawless with red lips and angular brows–very chic. Dr. Facilier plays into MAC’s All Races credo he’s immaculately groomed and the products are ones that even guys could use. Maleficent is a sophisticated collection that’s very trend based, but it’s done in a way that anyone can wear the shades. Cruella is all about “uber glamour”–she was the original fashionista who was rail thin, mile high stilettos, and who loves a fantastic entrance.
On his favorite villain from the collection, Gager said, “I could just watch Cruella de Vil forever–I think she’s uber glamorous! Of course, she gets her just desserts in the end. She really knows how to enter a room and makes some of the best movie diva entrances of all time, and it just so happens she has an ulterior motive, ha!”
Johanna Mooney (Disney), Nicole Masson (MAC), Gregory Arlt (MAC)
Johanna Mooney, Director for Disney Beauty, spoke to us about the strength of Disney’s storytelling, why MAC, and why villains. Nicole Masson, Vice President of Product Development at MAC, had the amazing task of developing, selecting, and putting together the colors and textures of the collection. Gregory Arlt, Director of Makeup Artistry for MAC, was on hand to give us on-the-fly demonstrations of some of the products on four models (each one representing one of the characters). (Check the video above for details!)
We had a chance to mill around the products and snap photos, before we headed off to the Disney Animation Research Library–which is a tremendous… MONUMENTAL honor. We weren’t allowed to take photos (sorry!) inside, so I can’t share with you visuals, but I’ll try to describe it as best I can here. The library holds over 65 million pieces of art, from concept art to backgrounds to references to audio. Selected pieces were pulled from the library for the four characters, including some very interesting concept sketches of them! Fox Carney, ARL’s Administrator, handled every piece with great care and even wore white gloves! In Disney Animation, the process begins with a mere germ of an idea which leads to concept art; they may not have a script, but then they create storyboards and really start to fill in the storyline and figure out who’s going to do what.
Sketch of Maleficent (example of piece from ARL), photo credit: vegalleries.com
After ogling all of the sketches, layouts, and artwork for the four characters used in the Venomous Villains collection, we listened and watched (avidly!) Bruce Smith as he drew Dr. Facilier. Smith was the supervising animator for Dr. Facilier, who was very excited to make history as Dr. Facilier was Disney’s first African American villain, and Princess and the Frog was the first African American driven story. Did you know that in the beginning Dr. Facilier was bald and had an earring? He described Dr. Facilier as the product of “Cruella and Capitain Hook going on a date.” (OMG!) The tour of the ARL and meeting up with some of the supervising animators at the Studios finished up the activities for the day.
Do you not LOVE Cruella’s reaction as the Evil Queen walks by?
The next day, we headed over to Disneyland (the park), and it was kind of… a very giddy moment for me. We went through the employee entrance. How cool is that? It was like, oh, hey, just strolling in. I will also say that Disneyland was PACKED! to the brim with visitors (did you know that their maximum capacity is around 75,000?!!). I kept thinking, “You are all going to be in my photos, move!”
Disney and MAC set up a special character lunch where they set up four tables, one for each villain, and I happened to sit at the Cruella de Vil table, which was gorgeous and decked out in red and black and white. Cruella de Vil and the Evil Queen were both in attendance on stage–watching the two of them perform without a script, interacting with us, and answering questions about a makeup collection they likely didn’t know about… amazing. They are completely their characters. The woman who played Cruella de Vil made the most animated faces!
Several press event attendees posing together in Walt’s apartment! (I’m third from the first
row, left; Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog on the very right, and Annie from
BellaSugar kneeling on the right–we were the three bloggers invited to the event.)
We also toured Walt Disney’s original apartment, which is in Disneyland, actually–you may have passed by it without even realizing it! His apartment resides over the firehouse on Main Street, and it’s really quite small with a foyer, bedroom, bathroom, and a small, enclosed patio. There is a lamp that’s lit and remains lit in front of the window that is viewable from Main Street. During Walt’s lifetime, Disney cast members knew that Walt was home if the lamp was lit, and since his passing, the lamp is always lit. We were only allowed one group photo inside (above), which is of the foyer area.
The entire experience was very surreal, because I am a long-time Disney fan. I have more Disney movies and stuffed animals than I could count (much to my parents’ dismay, as most of those animals take up residence in their house!). I love many of their classic films, but I’ve also enjoyed their recent releases quite a bit. (Toy Story 3, oh how you made me BAWL!) To tour the ARL, Walt’s apartment, and hear so much about the heritage was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. I love companies and brands with real history and stories behind them and the people that created them, and Disney’s story has touched my heart once more.
P.S. — BIG ups and thank yous to the ever fabulous Heather Park for her support over the years. More thanks to Amy, Erin, and Amara for making me feel right at home, despite so much print media around me (sometimes you feel like you’re just this little ol’ blogger!).
P.P.S. — Gregory Arlt is AMAZING. AMAZING. He’s so fantastic, and he has SO much product knowledge–he lives and breathes makeup artistry, truly.
Cruella de Vil and Evil Queen Displayer
Cruella de Vil Lipglasses & Lipsticks
Maleficent Lipstick (Violetta)
Maleficent Polishes
Evil Queen!
Dr. Facilier Displayer
Dr. Facilier Displayer
You gotta get checked off and banded before you can enter!
“Dr. Facilier”
Cruella de Vil
Evil Queen
Maleficent
Disney Animation Research Library
Disney Animation Research Library
The prettiest bunch of flowers I have ever seen, which lined Main Street @ Disneyland
Disneyland
Best sign ever (@ Disneyland)
Cruella de Vil Table
Cruella de Vil Table
Cruella de Vil
Cruella de Vil
Cruella de Vil
Take-home charm… should I put it on Mellan? LOL!
Evil Queen
Evil Queen
Dessert… wait, you didn’t know I’m a fiend for dessert?
Castle @ Disneyland
Classic — Mickey and Minnie (and Goofy) spotted!
Waving to us!
Disneyland Entrance
Downtown Disney
This must have been an amazing experience for you! I would be beside myself! I just found out about an event similar to this(but smaller scale of course) at the mall by me. Mac is doing a big event in October where you can come get your makeup done with the new Disney collections and have your pictures taken by a professional photographer! I am ecstatic!!
Enjoy your event, Jaclyn!
I'm looking @ the colors from the Maleficent collection and i'm wondering what he used to make the color on the lips of the model(Maleficent) @ the press release...that is simply gorgeous..cristina could you help me it looks like three of the lip products on her...did he tell you guys?
He didn't :(
Do you know when the release date is in the uk for online and in store? Thanks!
I don't have any UK dates other than October :(
Wonderful photos; thanks for shareing.
LoL at the lost parents sign. I think that is so true! I love the tables, dessert, and the whole set up. They really made it special for you guys.
They definitely did!
I LOVE the dr. facilier look.
WOW!!!! what a fabulous event!!! MAC is always wowing their fans! and to collaborate with Disney! It's genius!!...I have a feeling this is probably going to be one of their best selling collections yet! ...I'm trying to save whatever pennies I can to get something from this collection when it comes out! So exciting!... Thanks for providing your photos and sharing your experience with us, and for being a humble and unbiased blogger!! <3 your site!
My pleasure, Dee! :)
I can't tell you how jealous I am that you got to do this.
Wow, this looks like such an amazing experience Christine! I actually didn't know there were press events for MAC collections! I'm a longtime Temptalia reader, but I've never told you how much I enjoy your reviews, makeup looks, and everything. You clearly put a lot of effort into Temptalia, and we really appreciate it :)
This was my first one really :) Thank you!
Christine, do you know what they used on the lips for the Evil Queen model? It's obviously not one of the products included in her collection and I prefer this darker lip. Thanks! BTW, I have been reading Temptalia for years and I think you will finally be responsible for my first MAC purchase! Though I will have to swatch on my own hand to make sure it works for me as I love it on you but would never even consider it based on another blogger's swatches.
I have no idea, to be honest! Maybe Media? Thank you, K! :)
Horray for using a model over the age of 20 for the Cruella look!
Wow that must have been an amazing experience, thanks for sharing it with us
It was definitely very special! Thank you!
Thanks Christine! Looks like you had an amazing time. Do you know when it is due for release in the UK? I literally can't wait any longer!
October!
Excellent just in time for my birthday :) Is it due for release early october or late october? x
I'm thinking mid-to-late, if only because it launches at the end of September here, but the international release dates have been all over the place lately!
SOOO COOOOOOOL
Don't you just love Disneyland?! I'm an annual passholder and am there at least twice a month (I live in LA so it's not that far for me). We take our son with us and every time we have such a blast. I can't wait for this collection to come out and am hoping I don't want to buy everything just for the packaging. I never do that...but this collection is a different story cuz I'm such a Disney AND MAC fan, both!
It's been so long - wish I really had more time to explore!
Wow! Lucky you! Thanks for sharing the fabulous event :) Just makes me crave this collection so much more ;)
Yay! :) It was so great to be able to share so much with you!
Christine, I just loved this post to death (haha gettin a lil evil!!). I'm brazilian and I'm a huge fan of yours, I have a blog where I talk about make up and fashion and I would love to take some of yours pics to make a portuguese post there. Can I do it? (OF COURSE I'll put the all of the credits for you).
Thank you, Barbara!! :) You could use a few, just not more than 5!
Why not princesses?! Ack, can you say b-o-r-i-n-g.
This is my favourite beauty website by far & thanks for sharing all of this with us :) You are sooo lucky!!
Thank you, CM!
Oh Christine! This is my favorite post you have EVER done!! I am a hardcore Disney fan, it's such a big part of my life, this post is just made of epic win lol. I am so psyched for this collection!
Aww, yay!! :)
Wow! Very neat experience! Makes me want to head on over to Disneyland!
I know, right? I want to go back and spend the whole day there!
Thanks for this! You were so lucky to see the collection! I liked the Evil Queen look best, though I also loved Maleficent (she's my fave villain) :) I think I'll pick up a couple of things from this collection, best start saving my pennies :) xx
You're welcome, Bridget!
Thank you so much Christine for sharing this with us...you are simply AMAZING!!!
It was my pleasure! :) Thank you, Daniela!
I'm so jealous right now! SO cool!!!!!!!!!
Christine, I'm so happy to see that you got be a part of this AMAZING experience! I'm in love with this collection. I woke up this morning and saw this; it completely made my day. Thank you!
Aww, thank you! I'm so happy to be able to share!
I'm so happy for you!! Glad you had this wonderful opportunity! This background information really makes me appreciate the collection more (even though I'm still not over the moon). And yes, you should totally put that charm on Mellan!
Thank you, Roxanne!! :) I feel like it will make so girly, LOL.
WOW, looks like you had an amazing time! Thank you so much for sharing...I'm dying to get my hands on this collection (MAC + Disney = My two favorite things!!).
I definitely did!! :) Any faves?
Oh my god I checked your site this morning and saw this and its like Christmas! Thanks so much for sharing, I can put together my shopping list for this collection now:)
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