Backstage at the Y & Kei show, I chatted with Gina Bettelli and John Stapleton, senior makeup artists for M.A.C. cosmetics. Here’s what they had to say about the new collection:

India-Jewel: What does Barbie mean to you?
John Stapleton: I’m a man, and I had several Barbie’s as a kid. For me, this is such a great thing to be a part of. I was SO EXCITED to actually get the M.A.C. Barbie, they gave me one, which is really amazing. I just think it’s really cool – there’s been so much happening with Barbie lately – We’re seeing her more in the public eye, and she still more iconic as far as her beauty, and her look.
Gina Bettelli: She’s gone from being a toy icon to truly being a beauty icon. I think that’s the beauty of Barbie. No matter where you’re coming from in life – if you’re working on Wall St., or you’re a makeup artist, or you’re working at McDonald’s, everyone can appreciate a Barbie. There’s always been a point in your life where Barbie has been someone you look up to in a way, and I think a lot of women hope to achieve to look that way. But aside from all of that, she’s someone you can dress up - she’s someone you can give that perfect lifestyle to. You can create her fantasy…
John Stapleton: Make that doll whatever you want to be. Dress her up to try to live out your dreams…
Gina Bettelli: There’s so much fantasy involved.
John Stapleton: And also, what’s interesting is finding how her look has changed – her makeup is so up-to-date. You see how all of the designers have come out with their Barbie’s, and it fits their look as well. She can be anything, and I think that’s the ultimate message with Barbie, and young girls should take that to heart.

India-Jewel: Wow – well with that being said, let’s talk about the Barbie Loves M.A.C. collection. How can the corporate woman wear these fun, bright colors on a regular day?
John Stapleton: Right off the bat, the number one product that’s going to work is the brown here, it’s called Beautyburst…
Gina Bettelli: From a makeup standpoint, Beautyburst eyeshadow is a color we’ve been waiting decades for at M.A.C. It’s just the perfect contour color for a woman of all complexions, and it gives so much warmth to the skin. Not only is the color nice and neutral, but the texture reads like beautiful, perfect skin. So you’re getting the contrast of something that fits in the Barbie world – it gives that perfect plasticized look on the skin, but it’s an everyday color that every woman can wear.
John Stapleton: Also part of the collection is Plum Royale and Honey B. which are two lip pencils that are both in the neutral family. They’re not hot pink, so they’re more wearable for every day. You can blend them with any color – but most of these (colors in the M.A.C. Loves Barbie collection) give off a sheer texture, so just because you’re seeing a hot pink lip color doesn’t mean it has to go on exactly that way. Just put them on sparingly – that what will work for the executive woman.
Gina Bettelli: The fantasy of Barbie is she can wear every single color in this collection on her face at one time and it looks stunning, but the reality is the everyday woman is going to pick one or two pieces and accent her makeup the same way you’d accent an outfit. I think makeup is making a comeback that way – it’s truly becoming an accessory, and I think that boldness is coming back in way we haven’t seen in a long, long time.
John Stapleton: Never wear the whole collection together, I mean you could, but you’d start looking a little plastic yourself – and that might not be what you’re going for! So choose those colors that speak to you, and just like she said, make it that ultimate accessory. Use it for a couple of seasons, and (when it’s empty) recycle it and bring it in when you have six and get a free lipstick!

India-Jewel: So, when can we expect to see the Barbie Loves M.A.C. collection on the runway… today perhaps?
Gina Bettelli: We’ve actually already used it, last September for the Spring/Summer ’07 shows. We used it in MANY shows – actually, one of the lipsticks from the collection, Style It Up – was used all over the runway in New York, Paris, and Milan…
John Stapleton: It just goes to show how ahead of the game Barbie is – she’s already been on the runway. She’s already done it! Next! But I think also, a lot of red-carpet stuff is coming up – Oscar-season, so we’ll use it there. There’ll be a lot of Barbie out there – it’s fun! It’s sort of like people recapturing that little bit of youth when you pull out that compact with Barbie’s signature silhouette on it and using that to touch up their nose… it’s just a piece to talk about.

India-Jewel: One question – are lashes in the collection?
Gina Bettelli: No - It’s one of our basic items at M.A.C. – the beauty of the new color collection is it hopefully draws in your attention to come in and take a closer look, live that fantasy, try on that green eyeshadow, and while you’re at it, ask a M.A.C. artist how you can get those Barbie-like lashes. We have a wide range of lashes, depending on your eye shape & depending on what you’re looking for. M.A.C. can accommodate that extra little something to jazz up your eye makeup.

India-Jewel: How does it feel to actually see the collection come to life?
John Stapleton: Love it! It’s almost shameful to use the eyeshadow – it’s has that beautiful Barbie silhouette stamped in there. There are going to be a lot of collectors that are really going to go out and just buy the collection to have (and not use). For a true Barbie collector, I think this is a great item to have. It’s a once in a lifetime collection.
Gina Bettelli: And for once you can use it on you, and not her! It’s the one accessory that fits a doll that 14-inches tall, and a real-life human being, so it’s really kind of fun that way.

India-Jewel: So this collection will look fabulous on all skin tones?
John Stapleton: Of course. Our slogan is All Races, All Ages, All Sexes – I think any of it can be used on all skin tones, and it’ll be gorgeous on the full range. There’s also a nice, kind of warmer plum called Mothbrown, which is a really great smoky eye base that we’ve launched before…
Gina Bettelli: It’s one of those colors, that if you’ve just got 5 minutes to throw on an eyeshadow and really bring your eyes out, it’s that perfect color. It’s perfect for that type of woman that doesn’t have the lifestyle for makeup, but can fit it into her daily routine.
John Stapleton: Also, women of color often think, “Oh, I can’t wear pink.” I think over the last eight to ten years we’ve seen that it’s absolutely not true. When I first started at M.A.C. I saw that deeper women wouldn’t wear pink, but the girls at the counter would wear pink, and then all of a sudden everyone was wearing pink. It’s like, once somebody takes that first step – I remember when most women thought they couldn’t wear gloss on their lips because they were so full, and I was like sweetheart, people are paying big bucks to get those lips. Bring them out, let everyone see them, wear the gloss! I think people’s perception of beauty have changed so much, That’s the thing with Barbie, she’s always been classic. For a face that has remained unchanging, she’s changed her look in so many ways. It’s why I think Barbie is a perfect match with M.A.C. Our representation is we’ve got everybody…
Gina Bettelli: At the end of the day, makeup is a wearable accessory – you can take it off. Like changing Barbie’s outfits, day in and day out. Makeup is something that’s in the moment, you can wear it and appreciate it, and take it off after that party, and put on something that feel a little more everyday. I really hope this collection brings a little playfulness to makeup.

Kiss Kiss!

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Makeup, Beauty, MAC, M.A.C., Barbie, Barbie Loves MAC

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