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?