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Should a collection work together?


Should a collection work together? Would you rather the items stand alone/designed to incorporate with other products you own?

I think a few things should work together, ideally, but in general, I’d rather more unique/interesting shades across the board then a brand that releases a few basics just to make it a more wearable collection (together, that is).

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19 Comments

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Daniel Avatar

I think the shades should be coherent, it should ‘look’ like a collection, like the ‘Electric’ palette that (even though not all colors work together) it ‘feels’ right. The website can always suggest what permanent products work with those in the collection 😉 it will even boost their sales.

Brenda Avatar

I personally think a collection should work together. I feel collections make it easier to put a complete look together (for those of us less co-ordinated LOL) and gives inspiration for use, either of the products or what you already have at home. A few very unique stand alone items/shades within that collection are beneficial however, to add to your own stash and add a punch to the collection as a whole.

Wwendalynne Avatar

From a marketing standpoint, I think a cohesive collection adds to its draw. It is appealing to the eye to see a collection that works well together. From my personal standpoint, I don’t care. I typically do not pick up an entire collection and am looking only for interesting pieces to add to my stash.

Kaitlin Avatar

I don’t think the items all need to be worn together or even work together, although I do think it should look or feel somewhat cohesive as a collection.

StrangeOne Avatar

Companies should definitely be more creative. Sometimes one company brings out a successful palette and everyone gets stuck in a rut by only putting out the same combinations. I think unexpected colours really work well together like that tom ford eye/cheek compact where the blue is divine.

Danielle Avatar

I think it depends on the collection, but I do prefer when a collection has a coherent theme more than anything. I think to some degree the eye products should be wearable with the lip products, etc.

tzwiggy Avatar

I don’t think it’s necessary that all products work together, but it’s important that it feels like a collection and not just random products thrown together. Like a collection with only fall type eyeshadows (burnt oranges and murky greens) combined with neon pink or cool pastel lip products wouldn’t make any sense.

Sylirael Avatar

Well, um – you kind of said it for me, Christine 😀 Let’s see if I can find something useful to add…

Ah! The only corollary I’d add is that while I would like collections to have some unconventional items, those items need to actually mean something. Take that recent yellow lipstick/gloss combo from the MAC Playland collection. Both those yellow products could have been *something*. Instead they were kind of sheer and pointless. By all means have just one or two avant-garde items, but put effort into making them *real*. 🙂

Rae Avatar

Hmm… yeah, I think so. I definitely don’t think you should be able to use an entire collection all at once, but I think to be able to call it a collection, everything should fit some sort of overarching theme.

On that note: Playland! 😀 This isn’t even an aesthetic that I thought would appeal to me, but the collection just seems SO cohesive.

CatherineM Avatar

I don’t really care either way, since I rarely buy everything from a collection (neither my vanity nor my bank balance could stant this). As long as the products follow a general theme (like packaging, finish or formula) I think a collection works.

Alison Avatar

I think they should work together in terms of overall theme, but otherwise, no, I don’t think they need to be designed to be used together!

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