US. MAC Cosmetics and Japanese company Sanrio have teamed up to create MAC Hello Kitty, a limited-edition collection of cosmetics and accessories. The line is launching this month in the travel retail channel.
(2) 2 product ratings - MAC Hello Kitty Lipglass NICE TO BE NICE Limited Edition, Authentic, BNIB. Hello Kitty Lash Half lash with overlapping hairs to emphasize outer; Accessories. Hello Kitty Tote ($45.00) Hello Kitty Petite Makeup Bag ($22.00) Hello Kitty Makeup Bag ($35.00) Hello Kitty Soft Vanity Case ($55.00) Hello Kitty Purse Mirror ($22.00) Hello Kitty Brush Collection ($49.50) Hello Kitty Mirrored Key Clip ($16.00).
Designed to appeal to glamour girls and fashionistas worldwide, the range features cosmetics inspired both by the iconic Hello Kitty’s fantastical aura and the glamour of the spring fashion shows.
Hello Kitty Mac Cosmetics
| MAC shows off its feline flair with iconic Hello Kitty cosmetics and accessories collection |
The cosmetics are complemented by the MAC Hello Kitty Accessory Collection, which includes a vanity case, make-up bags, tote bag, compact mirror, beaded bracelet and 14-inch MAC Hello Kitty plush.
MAC will also ramp up the razzle-dazzle with the Hello Kitty Kouture Collection, which comprises limited-edition Swarovski crystal items.
The Hello Kitty phenomenon transcends age and nationality. The pop culture icon is cute and sweet, but has an edgy side and a high-profile celebrity following.
Described as “somewhere between a coy girl and sexy siren”, the MAC Hello Kitty collection aims to represent the desire to be both innocent and mischievous, according to the company.
“To me, MAC Hello Kitty embodies the ultimate beauty icon,” noted MAC Worldwide Senior Vice President Product Development Jennifer Balbier. “No one is more alluring yet incredibly cute and at the same time appeals to a wider range of customers than she does, it doesn’t matter how old you are.”
Hello Kitty Mac Cosmetics Homepage
She added: “I see [the Hello Kitty girl] as a playful, coquettish girly girl with a rocker edge, but she also likes to pamper and take care of herself. I think the actual products evolved to reflect this character.
“I started out by creating a palette of pinks, since they fit and always trend well in the spring, but we also incorporated black into the collection to give it a sophisticated edge, and moved forward from there.”
Since the Hello Kitty character does not have a visible mouth, MAC chose lashes as the feature with which to make a statement.
“It’s so much about the eyes that we did two eye shadow quads that combine classic, more traditional colours such as a smoky, taupe brown and a slightly sparkly black with shades that really pop, like turquoise and a violet, bright plum juxtaposed with coral and a hot, hot pink which is very playful,” Balbier confirmed.
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“We incorporated glitter eye liners because she loves anything that twinkles, and we took the coral and hot pink theme and did pretty, poppy blush.
“To appeal to the younger Hello Kitty fan we created these fabulous lip conditioners in colours like yellow pink and dusky rose that were all over the runways, and made the gloss extremely translucent by taking the heavy pigment out and making it almost see-through and dimensional, reminiscent of cellophane.”
She concluded: “The collection is for all ages, but it’s about a younger attitude. It is light, fresh and fun… People will love wearing all the shades and they’re absolutely perfect for spring.”
MAC Worldwide Senior Vice President/Creative Director James Gager added: “MAC’s incredibly coveted limited edition collections coupled with the public’s 30 plus-year addiction to all things Hello Kitty makes the partnership a no-brainer.
“Both MAC and Hello Kitty are globally loved. There are Hello Kitty-obsessed fans and MAC addicts, and both represent high-end as well as street fashion, inexpensive items and couture. Each brand represents a pop culture phenomenon.”
Gager described the MAC Hello Kitty girl as “absolutely our customer”, adding: “She’s unusual in that she could be 14 or 75 years old. Within that broad range of women (and even men I should say), you’ll find an individual that loves to play with makeup in an offbeat, original way.”
The two Hello Kitty beauty visuals were shot by Nick Knight. One features a model holding a black vinyl Hello Kitty doll; the other upending a saucer of milk over herself.
“Each of these two characters is wondering what it might be like to transform into the other, which is how we show that make-up can be incredibly transformative,” Gager explained. “Overall, it’s an Alice in Wonderland meets Wizard of Oz fairy tale narrative.”
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