MAC has just released a new collection inspired by the extreme beauty of the lovely peacock, called "Peacocky" (*yes, not so creative with the name, right?). While it may be considered 'small' by only having two products - a new lipstick/lipgloss combo called "Kissable Lipcolour"and new shadows called "Mega Metal Shadow" - the number of colors in each of them is big and varied - there are 12 lippies and 15 shadows.

I gotta say I like the feel of the lipcolours, but I was more drawn to the shadows. I like the kind of irridescent quality they have, and they feel very silky, imo.

What do you think about the colors? Anything pop out to you? Lemme know what, if anything you pick up - I wanna know if any of you are adventureous enough to get the blue lippie & make it work!

*Disclaimer: I received these products from their PR for editorial consideration.

Just after Christmas 2010 MAC released its winter collection "Cham Pale". This collection is a fairly neutral collection, but warmed up with gold accenting. Plus, they have some new skincare products in it, like the Complete Comfort Cream that I am trying out to help redness.

Take a look at what I have to say about it and let me know what you think. Have you picked up any of the pieces yet?

*Disclaimer: I received these products from their PR for editorial consideration.

These two things have nothing to do with each other. At all. So, when I saw this post on MAC and Rodarte, I had to wonder what the writer was thinking. (*Okay, it's apparent in the article what she's thinking, but, I still think she's blowing this up.)

Here's my opinion, and of course, only MY opinion. Naming products is a tricky game, I would think. It has to be witty, descriptive and sometimes provocative, but still representative of the product. Collaborations with outside artists/people can be even trickier, as you have to include their "vision", too. I hear that the collection was inspired by Mexico's colors/locations/culture/etc. One of the "places" was Juarez - of which they named the nailpolish.

Now, Juarez is known for it's violence - that is no secret, what with the movies, books, numerous news articles, etc that can tell you all about how it earned it's nickname of "the most dangerous place in the world". However, it also happens to just be a city in Mexico, nothing more than that in this instance. Sure, it may be an unfortunate name if you look into the history of the City, but if you take it at face value, it fits into the theme of the collection.

Do I agree with violence towards women (*or hell, anyone for that matter)? Of course not. Do I think that MAC does? Hell no. I also don't think they were deliberately trying to bring attention to, and raise awareness of, the murdering of women problem in that town, either. MAC isn't the only company to name something after somewhere with a violent history. Take for example Bond No. 9 - they have a fragrance called "Little Italy". Do you think they named it that because Little Italy, Manhattan is known for it's Mafia connections? No, that's dumb - they named it that because Little Italy is a part of NYC, which is what their collection is about. Just like this nailpolish is to the MAC/Rodarte collection based around Mexico - a name that ties together. Nothing more, nothing less.

But, if you are moved to help the murdered women's families, and efforts, in and around the Juarez area, contact Amigos de las Mujeres de Juarez to see how you assist down there. I will also remind you that while (*I don't believe they do) MAC doesn't assist directly to this cause, they DO continue to help people worldwide affected by HIV/AIDS via their MAC AIDS Fund.

*UPDATE*:MAC and Rodarte have both issued official statements that Christine from Temptalia.com has posted and I will repost here:

Temptalia has reached out to MAC for comment on the collaboration with Rodarte, and if and when we receive more information, we will be certain to share with you. We received official statements from MAC and Rodarte @ 11AM (pst), which we share below:

STATEMENT FROM M·A·C COSMETICS ON THE M·A·C RODARTE COLLECTION
We understand that product names in the M·A·C Rodarte collection have offended some of our consumers and fans. This was never our intent and we are very sorry. We are listening carefully to the comments posted and are grateful to those of you who have brought your concerns to the forefront of our attention. M·A·C will give a portion of the proceeds from the M·A·C Rodarte collection to help those in need in Juarez. We are diligently investigating the best way to do this. Please be assured that we will keep you posted on the details regarding our efforts.

STATEMENT FROM RODARTE ON THE M·A·C AND RODARTE COLLECTION
Our makeup collaboration with M·A·C developed from inspirations on a road trip that we took in Texas last year, from El Paso to Marfa. The ethereal nature of this landscape influenced the creative development and desert palette of the collection. We are truly saddened about injustice in Juarez and it is a very important issue to us. The M·A·C collaboration was intended as a celebration of the beauty of the landscape and people in the areas that we traveled.

MAC's upcoming collection, "To the Beach" is packed with so many summer products, including a LOT of bronzing options. They are in colorful lime-ish green and orange packaging & have a highlighter that it just too pretty to use, in my opinion. I mean, look at it over there <---.

I'm not kidding when I say it is a big collection - I tried to show you as many of the prods, that I had a chance to try, as I could in my video, but it still seemed a bit rushed. Please let me know if you have any questions about anything and I'll be sure to slow down a bit and answer you. :)

MAC has come out with a collection called "Warm and Cozy", which is just what its name implies - warm toned products. This is a larger collection with items from color cosmetics, that are primarily neutral nudes that fall on the warm end of the spectrum, to body products.

I had a chance to try out several products from this line, but my favorite of it had to be the Care Blends Essential Oils, Grapefruit & Chamomile, if only for the aromatherapy qualities alone. (*The fact that it soaked in and applied like a dry oil immeditately didn't hurt anything, either.)

As with most MAC collections, this one is Limited Edition. It's on counters now thru February, with the International release in February. Let me know if you pick any of this up & what you liked the most.

MAC collaborated with NYC socialite/designer Lilly Pulitzer for their collection called "MAC in Lillyland". In it they included some of the floral colors & patterns similar to what Lilly used in her famous Shift Dress from the 50's.
This Limited Edition collection is available now thru February, 2010 in the US, with an International release in February, 2010.

Nowadays, when you hear "Ungaro" you think of the dismally received fashion show fronted by "artistic designer", Lindsay Lohan. Thankfully, it has not always been that way.

Emanual Ungaro, born in 1933, took to sewing, as his father had done. So much that by the time he was 22 he moved to Paris, & 3 years later he was designing for the House of Cristobal Balenciaga. He stayed there for 3 years before moving on to design for André Courrèges. Only 4 years later, in 1965, he opened his own fashion house - having his first Prêt-à-Porter collection and opening his first stores in 1968.

For the next 30 years, he expanded stores and licensing agreements. Along the way, he created perfumes - Diva (1983), Senso (1987), Ungaro (1991) and Emanuel Ungaro For Men (1991). In 1997, Emanuel Ungaro partnered with Salvatore Ferragamo and Bulgari to create a new company: Emanuel Ungaro Parfums. This company produced the fragrances Fleur de Diva (1997), Desnuda (2001) and Apparition (2004).

Keeping with the history of creating scents, in 2008, Ungaro teamed with Avon to create two new frangrances: Avon U by Ungaro for Her and Avon U by Ungaro for Him. The sucess of these fragrances led Avon and Ungaro to collaborate again - this time with color cosmetics - "U by Ungaro Color Collection".

This Limited Edition collection contains 8 pieces, ranging from $10 to $20. It includes 3 lipsticks (*including one in the iconic Fuscia color "Ungaro Pink"), 3 eyeshadows and 2 face shimmer powders.

I've had a chance to try some of these, and I gotta say that I like the pink packaging - looks very luxe. The only thing I didn't care for, was the lipstick case. It looks nice and sleek, but the top to pull out the lipstick is small and the tube itself is slick, making it difficult to open. It has a sheer ribbon on top, and while it may just be there for decoration, it became my go to way to open it. But, once it was open, I liked the texture.

So, when I tell you this is Limited Edition, I mean it - it's only going to be around until December 31st. Then *poof*, it's gone. So, hit up Avon.com or your local Avon representative and take a look at this collection with a pedigree for yourself.