The place: biology class, James Logan High School, Union City, California.
The time: the early 1990s…
Karen’s head pulsed as she thought about how far behind she was on memorizing her SAT vocabulary. “Seriously,” she said to Jen, “I would love to go, but I can’t. I have too much SAT stuff to get through.”
Jen crinkled the Snickers wrapper and tossed it at Karen. “Party pooper,” Jen said. “You’re gonna regret this someday. Mark my words.”
You’re probably right, Karen thought, agreeing to herself, even though she didn’t know anything at all about this Rocky Horror Picture Show business. What was it anyway? A movie? A play?
Honestly, though, looking back on it now, truer words were never spoken. After all these years, I wish I’d said yes to Jen that night, and all of the third-wheeling and vegetable-throwing I later found out I’d missed.
On top of that, if I’d actually gone with Jen to see the show, I’d probably understand the references in the new MAC Rocky Horror Picture Show collection better, because right now…I don’t understand them at all.
Not one bit. 🙂
The limited edition 21-piece release of new and re-promoted products is available now online and coming to MAC stores and counters October 2 though October 30.
For someone totally unfamiliar with the Rocky Horror Picture Show, like yours truly, overlooking the fact that I don’t get any of the inside jokes, I still think the collection is worth checking out…even though, admittedly, it’s not moving me as much as MAC Brooke Shields does.
Along with some dramatic red lip colors, there’s also a really intense burgundy pigment (so pretty!), loose glitters, a palette of six cool-toned eyeshadows and a couple of Greasepaint Sticks, among other things, but none of those others stand out to me like the four red lipsticks. For me, the red lippies, particularly Strange Journey, the smooth matte yellowish red, with its 1940s pinup sensibilities (looks epic in pictures!), are the stars of this launch.
Back to the early ’90s…
Karen stood by her locker, her biology book and binder in hand, wondering if she had time to touch up her lipstick before her first class. She looked up at the clock in the hallway, realized that she was about 30 seconds from being late, and slammed her locker door.
One day, she thought, I will get my lipstick on before the bell rings, and on that day, angels will sing. She sprinted to class and slipped into her seat, just as the bell rang.
Her best friend Jen sat next to her. She peeled open a Snickers bar, broke it in two, and handed Karen the bigger piece. “Breakfast of champions,” Jen said.
“Thanks,” Karen said, as she took a bite. She fished her homework (“mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell!”) out of her binder, and watched her teacher, Mr. Greene, dressed in his usual uniform of a rumpled short-sleeve shirt and khakis, shuffle papers at the front of class. Crossing the room he almost tripped over his own feet. Someone please get that man some coffee, Karen thought.
She waited for Mr. Greene’s customary greeting. “Class,” he eventually said, “why don’t you spend five minutes double-checking your homework while I set up, yes?”
That was their cue to start chatting.
Jen lightly tapped her pencil on the side of her desk and leaned in. “James Trejo asked me out this morning,” she said.
Karen wrinkled her nose. “You mean James Trejo from drama class? Like on a date? Ew.”
“What do you mean, ‘Ew’?” Jen said, scratching at the fading screen print of Bart Simpson on her jeans. “He’s kind of cute.”
“He creeps me out,” Karen replied. “I’ve caught him staring at my neck a few times.” She paused. “It was odd. And why does he always wear vests?”
Jen’s eyes went wide as she flashed her million-dollar smile. “He asked me to go to see Rocky Horror Picture Show with him on Saturday.”
Jen waited as if expecting a response.
Eventually, Karen realized what Jen was asking. “Jen?” Karen said. “Nuh-uh. No, no, no.”
“Please?” Jen begged. “Please, please, please!”
Karen shook her head. “No way. Nope. You’re gonna have to find another chaperone. I’m not doing it again. Why don’t you ask Cindy?”
“I already did,” Jen said. “She’s going skiing this weekend.”
“So,” Karen said, raising an eyebrow, “I’m your sloppy seconds?”
“Well…” Jen replied, “Look, all you have to do is come to dinner and the movie. Please? You know my parents won’t let me go out unless there’s someone responsible with me. I’d do it for you!”
Karen sighed. “I know, but it’s like third-wheeling it with you and your dates is my second job these days. Why you gotta be so cute?”
Jen’s eyes lit up, and her voice took on the same singsongy quality she used when she helped customers on the sales floor at Contempo Casuals. “Trust me,” she said. “It’ll be fun! James says that everyone wears costumes when they see it, and if you’re new, you get taken up to the front, and people throw vegetables at you…”
Karen paused to let that sink in. “Oh, hell no!” she said. “There will be no throwing of carrots at this girl’s head, and I have to study, anyway.”
“You’re going to make me bring out the big guns, aren’t you?” asked Jen. Karen did not respond.
“OK, fine,” Jen continued. “If you go with me on Saturday night, I’ll convince Cindy to let you do her makeup.”
Karen bit down on the side of her pencil, hard. She’d been trying to do a makeover on Cindy, the resident tomboy in their BFF triumvirate, for years, but Cindy always refused. Karen knew that Jen, with her supernatural powers of persuasion, would be able to get Cindy to agree.
Tempting, Karen thought, but no dice. Having celery chucked at her head wasn’t her idea of a good time. Karen pursed her lips and shook her head firmly. No.
Jen kept trying. “You drive a hard bargain, missy,” she said. “OK, I’ll get Cindy to say yes to a makeover, and then I’ll drive you to the MAC store in San Jose, and you can stay there as long as you want.”
Karen didn’t have a car, due to a firm belief held by her parents that all teenagers belonged on public transportation, and not behind the wheel of a car. As far as she was concerned, a trip to the MAC store in San Jose was worth being the third wheel on a million dates. Plus, she needed a new tube of MAC Paramount.
She drew a slow breath. “Oh, you did not just go there.”
Jen smiled, sensing victory. “Oh, yes I did.”
Karen thought about her dwindling tube of Paramount, then wondered what James Trejo’s date night vest looked like. It would likely be covered with pictures of his own face, since every time she ever talked to James, all he did was talk about himself.
Ugh. If she went along, would James think he was dating two girls at once? The thought horrified her, but with that much makeup involved, one does what one has to do. 🙂
The MAC Rocky Horror Picture Show collection includes…
Matte Lipstick in Strange Journey, a yellowish brick red ($17.50 US/$21 CDN)
Amplified Lipstick in Oblivion, a vivid bluish-red ($17.50 US/$21 CDN)
Matte Lipstick in Sin, a deep dark bluish red ($17.50 US/$21 CDN)
Matte Lipstick in Frank-N-Furter, a deep raspberry wine ($17.50 US/$21 CDN)
Lip Pencil in Vino, an intense violet purple ($16 US/$19 CDN)
Glitter in Gold, a sparkling chunky gold ($23 US/$28 CDN)
Glitter in 3D Black, a black with silver holographic effect ($23 US/$28 CDN)
Pigment in It’s Not Easy Having a Good Time, a sparkling burgundy ($23 US/$28 CDN)
Chromagraphic Pencil in Black Black, a black ($16 US/$19 CDN)
Chromagraphic Pencil in Basic Red, a primary red ($16 US/$19 CDN)
Greasepaint Stick in B, a bright yellowish blue ($21 US/$25 CDN)
Greasepaint Stick in Black, an intense black ($21 US/$25 CDN)
Superslick Liquid Eye Liner in On the Hunt, a true black ($20 US/$24 CDN)
Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara, a deep black ($17 US/$20 CDN)
Powder Blush in Crazed Imagination, a muted plum with a hint of pinkish pearl ($24 US/$28.50 CDN)
Sculpt and Shape Powder in Bone Beige/Emphasize, a pale cream and a tan ($27.50 US/$33 CDN)
Set Powder in Invisible, $35
Nail Lacquer in Bad Fairy, a red with red multi-changing pearl ($13.50 US/$16 CDN)
Nail Lacquer in Formidable, a teal green with pink multi-changing pearl ($13.50 US/$16 CDN)
Lashes in 7 Lash ($18.50 US/$22 CDN)
Eye Shadow X 6 in Riff-Raff ($44 US/$53 CDN), which contains…
- Graphic Style, a deep silver with a Veluxe Pearl finish
- Oh, Rocky!!!, a soft muted white with pearl and a Frost finish
- Carbon Black, an intense black with a Matte finish
- Heavy, BLack and Pendulous, a grayish blue with pearl and a Frost finish
- Blackberry, a ,muted burgundy-plum brown with a Matte finish
- Crystal, a violet duo-chrome with pearl and a Frost finish
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Well, what happened next?!
😉
Great packaging for this collection.
Hi CKG,
I gotta leave you with a cliff hanger! LOL 😀
What do you think of the reds? Aren’t they sassy?
Well, your hair looks FABULOUS in these photos, Karen!!
I love the packaging for these. I think I’m really only coveting the burgundy pigment, though. Frank-N-Furter looks gorgeous on you, though!
Hi Kristen T-D.,
Thanks, babe. I used a new texturing spray by Shu Uemura. It gives my hair tons of body. I also had the fan going, because it was hot in my office! We’re having a heat wave here in Nor Cal right now.
Out of the eye makeup, the burgundy pigment would be my pick, too. Good choice!
More info on the Shu Uemura Spray, dear? What’s it called, it looks so great (and you, ofc!) 🙂
Karen,
I love your blog! You crack me up while giving great makeup advise and great insight! Thanks for all you do!
Can’t wait to get my rocky horror goodies! I ordered oblivian and frank n furter
Hi Katie,
Ooh, yay! I’m glad you went with the lipsticks. Seriously, they are so pretty and timeless. You can wear them all year long. When do you get your goodies?
I get them tomorrow! So excited!!!
NICE! You’ll have to let me know what you think of your lipsticks. And send me a pic of you wearing it if ya feel like it!
Ah, I gotcha!
They’re all so fab. If I didn’t have so many reds I’d have grabbed Oblivion and Strange Journey…and maybe Frank-n-Furter…
This is why I stayed away from the site lol
GURL. One can never have enough red lipsticks. But yeah, if you’ve already got a yellowish red matte that you love, chances are you don’t need to take a journey with Strange Journey! 😀
Karen every time I firmly have my mind made up to skip a collection you make me want something lol. Why is that black Greasepaint Stick so beautiful?! I want it! Of course, I can’t get just an eyeliner from a special packaging collection so I may get a lipstick too lol. I’ve never seen the movie so this collection didn’t really peak my interest at first but it’s actually really nice.
Kareeeen !! Pls pls, answer this to your fans, which lipstick are you using in this post ?? in the “magic” picture.
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/tarte-tempts-blush-enthusiasts-with-a-fantastic-foursome-of-limited-edition-holiday-shades/#comment-719419
You look gorgeous !!
Hi Dianne,
I wish I could remember. I think it was one of the glosses from a Tarte set from that year! I’m so sorry that I can’t recall the name.
I just bought a bunch of this on the MAC website this morning! It was stressful, haha. It was my first time purchasing a special collection from MAC. They kept pushing back the release time and then Frank N Furter wasn’t even available to purchase
I checked your NARS post so much times, I think I’ll get an Audacious red 😉
OOOH! Excellent choice, my friend! Yellow- or blue- based?
I love the story! The burgundy pigment is beautiful. I also really like the eyeshadow palette.
Hi Agata,
My high school years are constant fodder for the site, LOL.
The burgundy pigment is my fave item from the eye products. 🙂
I decided on Annabella but it’ll be tough leaving Rita and Marlene and the other gals behind 🙂
I really like the the lip colors, so good for fall.
Dayum (pardon my boo-ghetto French) but you are rocking the hell outta all of those reds! I wasn’t really feeling this collection at all & I’ve never seen the RHPS & I love the Brooke Shields collection so much more. But seeing you in those reds has peaked my curiosity. A trip to the MAC counter to do a little “playing” might be in order. And you’re such a great story-teller/writer. I like to eat while I’m reading your site. Great writing!
Next part of the story please Karen! 🙂 Love the red lipsticks in this collection!
One of the better Mac collections in a while. Btw I also love the top you are wearing! ^_^
The lipsticks look killer 😉 I also love your shirt, so cool!
Thanks for this overview! I like the look of the pigment. I don’t think anything else really wows me enough to want it.
Thank you for taking the time to share your awesome stories with us ! ❤️ As far as this collection goes I have to skip …I still have my Marilyn reds and every other red Mac has released & I’m no good with glitter lol
Hi Anitra,
Aww, thank you for reading the blog! 🙂 Ya know, I obsessively collect red lipsticks, too, but one thing that I love about them is that they are so timeless. And gals of all ages can wear them! My granny is in her 80’s and she still rocks her red lipstick.
Which MAC red lipstick is your all-time favorite shade?
I just need to say that your post is always creative. I really enjoy it! Hihihi.
Hi Laarni,
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy this type of writing. I get a kick out of doing it. 🙂
Anything from this launch catch your eye?
“‘Someone please get that man some coffee,’ Karen thought.” lololol this entire story with James Trejo’s vests and all the makeup bribery made me giddy with delight!! Loved it! As for the collection, I am an obsessive Rocky Horror fan year-round so I flipped out when I saw MAC was doing the collection, but tbh, the only thing I’m interested in are the Sin and Frank-N-Furter lipsticks. I’m strapped for cash til Friday and these collections sell out so fast, I may miss the bus- but hey, I’ve got a million red lipsticks, and I’ve barely made a dent in my UD Mrs. Mia Wallace, which looks like it could be a marriage of all 4 anyway. But big thumbs up for the high school throwback story and amazing swatches as per usual!!!
Hi Rachel P.,
Thank you! 🙂 One of these days I’ll get around to watching the movie. I want to see it live so I can have vegetables thrown at me, haha!
So, do you know all the words to the movie? How many times have you seen it?
The reds all look awesome on you! I’ve only seen parts of the movie version, never the live show, so don’t feel like you’re alone. Your story is way too funny, btw. I hope James Trejo and his class reunion vest aren’t reading your blog and waiting to catch you at your 25th. HAHA!
Loved the story- reminiscent of my high school days! I must say I was disappointed with the RHPS Collection from MAC. I will admit the swatches on your skin looked better than the ones on the MAC site. What did grab me was the greasepaint in Black and B- they get a maybe!
Karen
Loved the story! Really liked all of the red lipsticks. Okay, going to come clean, I actually saw RHPS in my first year of college – when it originally came out!!!! Still smile at the memories. Thanks
I’m so sad that you’ve never seen the movie! I’m obsessed and already ordered half this collection online (the other half was already sold out by the time I looked). But I have to ask you, where did you get that gigantic plastic(?) red lip thing? It’s perfect for this collection and I would love to have something like that!
since the website launch was SO MESSED UP on Monday, I missed the actual availability and my nail lacquer was sold-out when I got online….called the store this morning and was able to secure my bottle of BAD FAIRY—SCORE!!!! I’m so excited, but have to wait until next week to pick it up!!
You made me want oblivion and the pigment. Also, Where is that lips tray from?!
Ok ladies, I need some help here! I love Frank-N-Furter- it is the perfect shade of red that I have been looking for. It sold out within minutes and I refuse to go on Ebay and spend double the price! Do you ladies have any good dupe suggestions for that color!?!?!
can you tell me where you got the lip tin from , I’ve been looking for one for awhile now
Love your posts Karen! All the drama and cheer. And make up, of course! Avid reader here. Strange journey looks great on you! 🙂