WE often refer to certain people as “influencers.” My definition of an influencer is coming from a consumer’s standpoint. If you can influence me to buy a certain product because I like it on you or something like that, then you’re an influencer.
One of the biggest influencers in my life, if you’re talking about material things, is Selena Quintanilla. I always liked makeup and it was Selena who made me realize that even dark-skinned girls could wear red lipstick. I was a fan of the Mexican singer until she died in 1995. In 1997 a movie was made about her life and the actress picked to play Selena was a young New Yorker of Puerto Rican parentage named Jennifer Lopez.
After watching the movie, my aunt and I scrambled to find the lipstick that JLo wore in the movie. We zeroed in on Marrakesh and Chili, both from MAC Cosmetics. My aunt bought both and I purchased Chili because I could only afford one. So Chili became my first MAC lipstick and this purchase started my love affair with the brand. Note: I would later learn that Selena’s favorite lipstick was supposedly Chanel Brick, a shade that’s been discontinued.
Last year, on the 10th anniversary of her death, a Change.org petition was created so that MAC Cosmetics will come up with a line inspired by Selena. When MAC posted a photo on Twitter with the word “MAC + Selena Quintanilla coming 2016” with the hashtag #MACSELENA, I almost fainted (being one of the people who signed the petition). The line, which was created with the cooperation of the late singer’s family, includes a red lipstick called “Como La Flor”, named after one of her songs. Selena’s widower Chris Perez said in his Facebook account that Como La Flor is a replica of one of the lipsticks she wore. I also have my eye on the “Dreaming of You” and “Amor Prohibido” shades.
I’ve been saving my money for this collection, which will come in a special purple packaging. If you’re a MAC limited-edition collector, you will understand how significant special packaging is.
“Selena’s talent and beauty, inside and out, have left a colorful, meaningful impact in the world that has continued to grow over the last two decades. We have heard the passion and enthusiasm from her fans and wholeheartedly agree that her legacy embodies MAC’s philosophy. We are so excited to announce a Selena-inspired MAC collection debuting in the latter part of 2016,” said James Gager, MAC senior vice president/group creative director, in a news release.
“I am so excited that MAC Cosmetics will be releasing a collection in honor of my sister Selena. Helping to create this collection brings me back to all those late-night conversations on our tour bus when she spoke of having her own makeup line one day. If Selena were here she would be beyond ecstatic to have this happening. History is being made,” the late singer’s sister Suzette Quintanilla said.
Another collection that features influencers is MAC x Brant Brothers. The brothers are Peter and Harry, who are the sons of supermodel Stephanie Seymour. They have collaborated with MAC on a collection that includes lip stain markers, highlighter, brow products, eye kohl, brushes and eye shadows that can be worn by men and women.
The New York-based brothers (Peter is 22 and Harry is 18) are very popular in the fashion world and high society. They’ve been partying since they were very young.
This is their second collection for the brand and it’s bigger than the first in 2015. I’m very interested in the Lip Stain Marker in Boysenberry Blush and the Fluidline Brow Gel Crème in Neanderthal.