MAC Cosmetics – Alexander McQueen Collection & Inspiration
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MAC for McQueen is the culmination of the collaboration between celebrated designer Alexander McQueen, leading makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, and MAC Cosmetics for the Alexander McQueen Autumn Winter 2007 show. The collection includes 16 products, 12 hand blended specifically for the AW 07 McQueen show by Terry Barber, MAC Cosmetics Director of Makeup Artistry and lead makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury just days before the show. The classic MAC Cosmetics packaging is stamped with the Alexander McQueen logo, as if plucked straight from the makeup artists table backstage. When we embarked on the packaging, I wanted to have the sense that these are really just imprints by Alexander McQueen, fresh, hot off the runway. They are meant to be direct from the runway and feeling on trend, says James Gager, Senior Vice President/Creative Director for MAC Cosmetics.
Since 1996 MAC Cosmetics has worked with Alexander McQueen backstage by providing makeup and artistry support. “The makeup for a show plays up certain elements of the clothing, changes the overall feeling, and mood. I work with the key artist, Charlotte in this case, to take the makeup in a certain direction, and discuss my original inspiration for the collection as well as the mood, theme, and focus for the show. This time inspiration was derived from Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 film Cleopatra. The Egyptian influence plays up a very feminine sexual strength that was present in my inspiration for the collection, says Alexander McQueen. This marks the first time Alexander McQueen has partnered
with a cosmetics company.
Keep reading for detailed information about the Eyes and Lips, as well as collection information, on Alexander McQueen’s inspiration behind the collection.
The Eye
The look features a highly structured eye achieved with Kohl Power Eye Pencils, Paint Pots and Eye Shadows. Eye brows are drawn in Velvetone to create the stark handsome brow that frames the brightly pigmented lids and brow bone. Paint pots in colours created by Terry Barber and Charlotte Tilbury specifically for the AW 07 show range from Pharaoh a creamy yellow green, Otherworldly a mid-tone sea blue to Electro Sky an intense royal blue. Another dimension is added to the eye by layering eye shadows over the paint pots in matching shades designed specifically for this collection. Eyes are outlined with Kohl Power pencils in Jealous, Black Karat, and Feline. MAC 20 lashes reinforce the thickly lined eyes. “Alexander McQueen was very specific about the makeup direction and I translated his ideas of Egyptian, graphic, bold coloured makeup into a look that was strong yet hypnotic; which was very much in the spirit of the show, said key makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury.
The Lip
Custom created by Terry Barber and Charlotte Tilbury, Archetype and Masque lipstick, were used as a base layers with Nothingless, or White Magic Lipglass on top to create the soft pale lips.
The Glow
Mineralize Skinfinish in New Vegas was polished into the cheeks to give the final gilded touch to the look. A makeup artist favorite, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish gives skin a subtle glow, casting the slightest metallic hue over cheekbones.
Four time winner of the British Designer of the Year award and 2003 CFDA International Designer of the Year, Alexander McQueen left school at 16 to begin an apprenticeship with several well known London tailors. His study of design and career in fashion grew as he moved on to work for theatrical costumiers, designers and completed his Master’s Degree at London’s St Martin’s in 1994. His entire degree collection was purchased by Isabella Blow, former Fashion editor of Tatler and famously eccentric matron of fashion. He is now one of the most internationally renowned fashion designers, known for incredible tailoring, pairing of the dark with the romantic and ingeniously theatrical runway shows.
MAC Cosmetics expresses its support of the fashion world by working with makeup artists at over 160 shows during the international collections with the MAC PRO team behind the scenes in New York, London, Milan and Paris. MAC (Make-up Art Cosmetics), a leading brand of professional cosmetics, was created in Toronto, Canada in 1985 and is now part of The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. The company’s popularity has grown through a tradition of word-of-mouth endorsement from makeup artists, models, photographers and journalists around the world. MAC is now sold in over 55 countries worldwide.
View Alexander McQueen full-size collage here.
Lipstick Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN
Masque Rosy dirty pink
Archetype Sheer light gold
Lipglass Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN
Nothingless White gold with yellow pearl
White Magic Soft baby pink with white pearl
Small Eye shadow Suggested Retail Price: $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN
Haunting Seafoam green
Pagan Yellow lime green with yellow pearl
Nile Soft royal blue with white pearl
Paint Pot Suggested Retail Price: $16.50 U.S./$20.00 CDN
Pharaoh Creamy yellow green
Otherworldly Mid-tone sea blue
Electro Sky Royal intense blue
Mineralize Skinfinish Suggested Retail Price: $24.50 U.S./$29.50 CDN
New Vegas Fleshy golden beige with bronze pearl
Kohl Power Suggested Retail Price: $13.50 U.S./$16.00 CDN
Jealous Black with green pearl
Black Karat Black with gold pearl
Feline Rich black
Eye Brow Suggested Retail Price: $13.50 U.S./$16.00 CDN
Velvetone Film noir black
Lash Suggested Retail Price: $11.00 U.S./$13.00 CDN
No. 20 Half lash, natural black
Available October 11th, 2007 at all MAC locations, 1.800.387.6707 and www.maccosmetics.com
the alexander mcqueen collection just launched in singapore. except for the lippies, i didn’t find it too interesting.
i’ve a question tho, what’s the diff between Orpheus and Black Karat Kohl Power liner? Both are black with gold pearl.
Also i bought Mystery (blue storm) but am dissapointed by how much it bleeds on my lower lash-line. Do you have the same problem? How can i prevent this? I’ve taken to over-run the liner with Humid but it loses the dark green that makes it so “mysterious”.
i use the moisture stick concealer as base.
Thanks for your review, Natasha!
I haven’t seen them both, but perhaps there are different ratios of “gold” in them. I would think Black Karat would be much blacker, maybe just gold flecks.
I haven’t had any bleeding problems – perhaps you shouldn’t use the concealer as a base? I’ve never used a base for my lower liner, actually!
Or else put loose powder on the concealer to set it before applying the liner.
thanks for the tip : )
have you used the M·A·C FAST RESPONSE EYE CREAM before? It’s supposed to provide moisture and a silky, matte finish..
ANYWAYS … i emailed a “MAC artist” and she said that ORPHEUS Kohl Power is more intense of a black with gold pearlized pigments than BLACK KARAT Kohl Power.
Hey Natasha! Yep, I’ve used it – it does dry to a very soft and matte finish.
Interesting! I thought the total opposite. We’ll have to wait and see I guess!
I lost my Mc Queen lipglass and I know they no longer have them, not even online. Is there anywhere I can purchase it??
Oh no, Jenn 🙁 You can try eBay or a CCO.
Is there a chance MAC will ever repromote the oaint pots?
No clue!