Whenever MAC Cosmetics announces a new collection, we tend to experience different stages of emotions; first, we’re a bit iffy about the collaboration, only to soon realize that we actually like it. The collection eventually becomes a makeup bag essential—to the point that we refuse to even go to the grocery store without a swipe of the limited edition lipstick.
Thanks to the swoon-worthy packaging and the tempting shades, stockpiling limited edition MAC collections (they sell out fast) has become something of a beauty ritual. The cosmetics company has partnered with celebrities and fashion designers, including Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Jeremy Scott , and Zac Posen—and next in line is Charlotte Olympia. We’re expecting web-like packaging and lots of retro hues come Spring 2016.
We took on the task of rounding up the best MAC makeup collaborations from the last 15 years—go through our top 10 in the slide show below.
Barbie Loves MAC
2007
Long before Barbie got her own Moschino-inspired collection and a makeover from makeup maestro Pat McGrath , MAC launched a Barbie collection to feed our fascination with the plastic doll. The collaboration featured everything one could expect from a Barbie cosmetics line—sugary pink lipsticks, candy lip glosses, and pastel blushes embossed with the signature Barbie ponytail silhouette logo.
Disney Venomous Villains x MAC
2010
Disney villains Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians), the Evil Queen (Snow White), Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), and Dr. Facilier (Princess and the Frog) inspired this collection. An array of limited edition lipsticks, pigments, blushes, powders, eyeshadows, and nail lacquers came in packages that featured the evildoers’ comical facial expressions.
Wonder Woman x MAC
2011
For this collection, MAC joined forces with superheroine Wonder Woman to tackle our beauty needs in the form of supersized cult favorites, which included the Mineralized Skinfinish, Eyeshadow Quads, Lipglass, and Pigments in red, white, blue, and gold. Notable items included red and blue makeup bags and utility belt makeup brush sets.
Marilyn Monroe x MAC
2012
Inspired by the iconic Hollywood star, this holiday collection featured five lipsticks; one in nude and the remaining four in different shades of the star’s signature. A black and white portrait of Marilyn Monroe stamped with a scarlet autograph was imprinted on the glossy packaging. Other standout items included dramatic false lashes, a Dazzleglass, eyeshadows, and nail polishes.
Riri Hearts MAC
2013
Following the huge success of Rihanna’s Fall 2013 MAC collection (which sold out within minutes of its release), the star took to Instagram to announce a new holiday collaboration with the cosmetic house. The collection saw the return of Riri Woo, along with a limited edition Bad Gal Riri and Pleasure Bomb lipstick. Other items included nail lacquers, a bronzing powder, and the Superslick Eyeliner encased in a white packaging with rose gold detailing.
Archie’s Girls x MAC
2013
This collection was based on Archie Andrews’ love interests, Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge, from the Archie comic books. The love triangle inspired 16 feminine and bright Betty products and 16 dark and vampy Veronica beauty tools. Each product came in a heart-shaped packaging, adorned with the characters’ portraits.
Proenza Schouler x MAC
2014
The designer duo from Proenza Schouler stepped into the beauty industry for a limited time to create a colorful makeup collection that had us yearning for summer with its neon packaging. The nail polishes, lipsticks, eye and lip pencils, as well as the ombré blush palettes in pink, nude, and coral hues evoked images of sunsets by the beach.
Prabal Gurung x MAC
2014
Nepali designer Prabal Gurung teamed up with MAC to create one of the brand’s most lavish collections to date. Aside from the luxe, gilded packaging, the collection featured a bronzing powder and a brush for US $70 (AED/SAR 257), eyeshadow duos for US $40 (AED/SAR 147), and lipsticks for US $30 (AED/SAR 110).
Cinderella x MAC
2015
Five years after the Venomous Villains collection, MAC once again teamed up with Disney for the dreamy Cinderella collaboration. Among the standout items were the shimmery lip and eye glosses, and the frosty highlighter compact embossed in gold print—all fit for a princess.
Giambattista Valli x MAC
2015
This pretty collection comprised five matte lipsticks in coral, pinks, aubergine, and red. Each tube matches the color of the lipstick inside, making it easier to quickly find the shade you’re looking for in your makeup bag or on your cluttered dressing table.
