Punk drunk love

Nothing says business like a bright slash of red across the cheek, its stinging mark an overt sign of powerful femininity. Today’s simply irresistible beauty looks seem to be stealing a page from the likes of Kate Bush, Pat Benatar and other soul-kissed sisters. Just like their scarlet-lipped peers, MAC’s latest rebel rock line inspires a string of looks that are dead ringers for our favorite ‘80s songstresses.

Any makeup lover worth her cosmetics bag knows that MAC is the label for fun, bright colors that make a statement. And the latest line is no different. Rebel Rock combines heavy metal glitter with indie femme shades, an aesthetic best described by a meeting of the styles between Betsey Johnson meets Patricia Fields, complete with exploding scarves and spangly guitar flourish.

MAC brand manager Gladys Gonzales explains the allure of the beauty industry’s favorite adventurous brand. "MAC isn’t afraid to experiment with different looks," she explains. "We continuously set the trends."

"The MAC Formula is simple," she adds. "Offer a great product at a reasonable price with superior service from a pleasant and knowledgeable staff."

As their ad campaigns have proven, featuring Pamela Anderson, Missy Elliot, Christina Aguilera and a host of other celebs, the label embraces all races and all ages. Adding singer Diana Ross to the label’s campaign was pure genius, introducing a music icon to a legion of young people open to progressive concepts on beauty and age.

MAC has proven that not all cosmetics brands need to be pretentious about beauty. There’s a freewheeling looseness that differentiates the brand from the rest. Maybe it’s the names of their products. Each season brings a line with products christened with names like Girls Got It, Pink Clash or Glitz Gloss. Or perhaps the allure lies with their openly madcap looks. One look, tagged Naturally Eccentric, mixed wheat shades with dark bronze. Either way, this unique sensibility has drawn some serious fan love from celebs like Chloe Sevigny, whose approach to face art is more painterly than blend-with-the-wallpaper trendy.

It’s this stance against cookie-cutter standards that make the label as magnetic as it is. Rebel Rock appeals to girls with a hankering for a tougher, spunkier style and a love for all things girly. Balancing this polarity with shimmering shades that just scream Cindy Lauper marks this season’s palette as the one to watch. Pinks and blues are crossed with blacks, grays and purples for an edgier take on feminine staples.

Branch out from the usual beige fare with a dazzling eye shadow or luminous lip gloss. MAC’s Lipglass, Pamela Anderson’s fave product, is a vibrantly sexy hi-gloss coat that comes in clear, tinted or stain. Mascara comes in different shades, from the reliable black to the more adventurous blue and green. Of course, MAC’s signature looks wouldn’t be complete without their high-impact eyeshadows, powder and emulsion-based colors and textures to tint the lids and brow, and shape up and highlight the eye. While makeup is what the label is best known for, product ranges like their Lightful skincare line and nail line (a must-have for anyone with a yen for interesting shades) complement the cosmetic leitmotif.

But what separates MAC from the rest of the makeup master class is their AIDS advocacy campaign, headed by the inimitable, Hepa C-infected babe Pam Anderson. One hundred percent of the proceeds from sales of the Viva Glam lipstick goes directly to those affected by HIV/AIDS. "It’s important to me that the MAC AIDS Fund provides funding for basic living needs, as well as HIV education and prevention programs, rather than medical research," Pam Anderson explains on the company’s website. "They’ve used their incredible impact as a global fashion leader to help fight stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Fund does a great job of keeping people aware of the importance of getting tested." There’s an issue any rebel rocker worth her indie spirit should be happy to support.