Image from WWD.
A few days ago I went over to the MAC headquarters and along with a few others had the chance to check-out the much speculated about MAC-Hello Kitty collection. I had to sign a piece of paper saying that I would not reveal anything that was mentioned beyond what was going to appear exclusively in WWD and I can’t share any pictures I took till January 15th. Luckily, WWD has a picture so that you can see what I’m talking about. The MAC Hello Kitty color cosmetics collection will arrive on MAC’s Web site February 10th, in North American stores on February 12th, and into overseas stores in March. I should start-off by saying that even as a kid I didn’t like Hello Kitty and the fact that a cosmetic company is using a character that doesn’t have a mouth to sell lip gloss I find sort of funny:) But really what I came away from this event with was that while I’m sure this collection will sell extremely well given how many obsessive MAC and Hello Kitty fans there are, I took one look at the products and thought they looked like cosmetics for little girls getting their first makeup kit. Don’t get me wrong I’m all about the cutesy, but Hello Kitty seems over-done to me. I was actually very surprised to learn that the people at MAC are the first to develop a Hello Kitty makeup collection — nonetheless Hello Kitty lacks freshness in my mind (again I totally get that there are people who LOVE Hello Kitty and can’t get enough!). That said, they tried to take the sweet and innocent Kitty and give her an edge — which does add a new dimension. Fittingly with that and with MAC’s aesthetic, a lot of the packaging is black. More about the collection and what it will include after the jump!
The Hello Kitty offerings fall into two collections. The Hello Kitty Colour collection which will feature six shades of lipstick with names like Fashion Mews and Strayin’ ($14), six Lipglass shades ($14), two tinted lip conditioners ($14.50), two eye shadow palettes which each contain four shades and retail for $38, two shades of pigment are $19.50 each, and two Reflects Glitter stockkeeping units — one blue, one pink — are $17.50 each. Four Glitter Eye Liners ($16.50), two shades of Beauty Powder ($22), three shades of nail polish ($11), a black mascara ($12), and false lashes ($12). Shades range from pinks and turquoises to lavenders and greens.
The second offering is Hello Kitty Kouture and is intended to be the high end of the collection — two shades of Dazzleglass, each $28, each feature a reusable silver chain pendant with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals on black with a pink crystal bow. Sheer Mystery Powder, $90 and available in three shades, is packaged in a silver powder compact with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals with a pink crystal bow on a black background.
As far as accessories there will be — a Petite Makeup Bag, $22 and a medium Makeup Bag, $35, a plush doll, $42, purse mirror, $22, and three-brush collection, $49.50, a mirrored key clip, $16, a beaded bracelet, $34, a tote, $45, and a soft vanity kit, $55.
Lastly, I do want to add that from the nail polishes in this collection there is one color that is ABSOLUTELY FAAAAAB. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal the color because it wasn’t mentioned in WWD, but I can say one thing there will definitely be a new *HOT* color come February and I can’t wait till January when I can reveal it! The question remains will I buy it despite the Hello Kitty on the packaging? I don’t know. What do you think? Snob or Slob?
Sharon…whats happened to the child in you…i get your points on how child like it seems but I’m sure I’ll pick up the dazzleglass and probably the nail polish….just for the inner child in me!! haha.
Can’t wait to see what its all like…not sure about the extra items that is a bit too kid like!
L.xo
Haha I don’t know! I love cutesy things — stuffed animals, stickers, fun stationary — but not on my cosmetics for some reason! Maybe because I don’t associate makeup with my childhood?? who knows!
Slob for sure! I love HK–I have two HK tats!–but this goes too far. HK for me is about cherishing a part of my childhood, a reminder always to keep a little bit of that “girl” alive, no matter what my age. A makeup line like this is the antithesis of that spirit.
I don’t know about this one. If I saw a grown woman bust out a Hello Kitty compact from her purse..it would look mighty silly.
Yeah, packaging is a big deal for me. If the packaging isn’t that great or doesn’t look luxorious (nothing against Hello Kitty – but it’s just not what I think of as indulgent fine cosmetic packaging)then I probably won’t buy it. It reminds me of the new Mattel/Barbie makeup line that partners with Bloomingdale’s, Vera Wang and other names. I’m not into dolls or characters from my child hood on my makeup. I prefer sleek grown up packaging – no matter how great the make up might be.
I’m sure this new range is going to sell like hot cakes in Asia. Not sure about other parts of the world though.
LOVE IT!!!
I’m not even a huge Hello Kitty fan, but this is a good collaboration for MAC. Plus, by making everything black, your removing some of the ‘silliness’ and adding adult appeal. Just another reason why MAC is always in touch with the younger generations, and surely this will draw in the tweens who are buying makeup for the first time!
Snob? Slob? Meh. Just meh. And I was a HUGE HK girl back in the day (As a girl. I’m now 39.). I bought some mac Barbie partly for nostalgia and partly for colors that rocked on my skintone (hellooooo Happening Gal). I’ll probably do the same with HK — at least one piece for nostalgia sake and maybe another if I find a color that works. Thanks for the intel!
SNOB!
I LOVE KITTY!!!
I have a pink Hello Kitty Beach cruiser with white leather seat and Kitty treads on tires… it comes with a Kitty bell, too.
I’m a spaz when it comes to HK– but I draw the line at HK jewelry– which I do not own a single piece of.
The MAC looks like fun gifts to give to my god daughter, who is 8 and is the heir to all of my Hello Kitty things 🙂
I would buy for the colors but I don’t get why you would want a black hello kitty. I don’t & I would feel silly having it. Give me regular hello kitty & good Mac colors. This is kind odd.
SNOB, definitely! I can not wait, I love Hello Kitty and I know this will be great. And it launches days before my birthday, so that will give me an exta reason to go overboard on this collection.
ew, just ew. I’m all up for HK, but i just think that this is stupid. I mean come on! It seems like they couldn’t decide what audience they were going for. The HK is for little girls, and the Colors (including the Case, which is black)is for adults. I just don’t get it. Maybe it’s me, but i think that this is crazy. But someone out there will think this is an awesmoe idea and buy it…
i absolutely love hello kitty and this makeup collection is super cute!
i love hallo kitty
i love it! i think the people who would feel silly care too much wat others think.. i have the hello kitty liquid eyeliner and mascara. i think it works amazing. and its cute, i have a hk tat for my best freind that passed.. she nwas obsessed so i kinda am now too haa