Exclusivemariah Carey Launches A '90s Throwback Lipstick For Mac
Partnering with such a huge international brand would be exciting for anyone, but this collab has a deeper meaning for the artist, who started his career working at a MAC counter in his hometown of Orlando in 2012. 'Working at MAC was like Hogwarts for me,' says Simondac. 'I learned so much there and felt confident even though I didn't really know makeup. That's why you see me in my first video already contouring and baking — I don't think I would have started a YouTube channel had it not been for learning at MAC.' Simondac has a long history with Pulse, a landmark in the LGBTQ community in Orlando and the site of 2016's horrific mass shooting 'You have no idea what Pulse means to me,' says Simondac. 'It was the first time I ever saw a drag queen, ever. Patrick Starrr is very much an Orlando queen.
I owe a lot of my aesthetic to Pulse and the drag queens there.' That history intersected with his relationship with MAC, which has a longstanding commitment to supporting the LGBTQ community. In fact, the first time Simondac attended a party with the MAC brand was at Pulse for MAC's. He even performed in drag at one of the brand's charity events. Simondac's passion for self expression through makeup, as well as his close relationship with his followers, was what made him an obvious choice for this partnership. 'Sometimes there can be uncertainty as to the longevity and appeal of an influencer,' says Catherine Bomboy Dougherty, SVP at MAC Cosmetics. 'We really see Patrick as someone who has growth trajectory and global appeal.
He's here to stay because he's a talented makeup artist and entertainer. He's also has a unique point of view that's grounded in individuality.' And Simondac isn't about to just slap his name on a few existing MAC products and call it a day.
Exclusivemariah Carey Launches A '90s Throwback Lipstick For Mac 2017
His collection with the cosmetics brand was a year in the making — and the star touched every aspect of it, including campaign images, product formulation, packaging, and social strategy, which, according to Dougherty, is the most involved any collaborator has ever been. Simondac was appointed Key Artist Collaborator for MAC this fall and will continue to work with the brand throughout 2018, creating content for the brand and traveling to the Philippines, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and parts of the U.S. To promote his collection and teach a number of master classes.