When I imagined MAC Evolution Revolution Lipglass ($14.50), I really wanted it to be flexible — something that wouldn’t only look pretty on its own, but would also work with as many other products as possible.

Here are 12 possible pairings to spark some ideas (featuring some of my favorite peach, pink and coral MAC Lip Pencils, Cremestick Liners and Lipsticks). Oh, and please let me know in the comments if you can think of any other cool combos to try.

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I suppose the very first spark that led to MAC Evolution Revolution Lipglass ($14.50) ignited one day in Mrs. Mannah’s second-grade class. The year was 1982, and I’d just met Jen, who would quickly become one of my lifelong BFFs.

Evolution Revolution is the shade I created for the upcoming MAC Bloggers’ Obsessions Collection, a nine-piece collection of MAC Eyeshadows and Lipglasses launching June 21, exclusively online (available now!). It’s also the real reason for the secret squirrel trip I took to Toronto last April.

MAC Evolution Revolution Lipglass

MAC Lipglass in Evolution Revolution

Jen and I still recall with frightening accuracy all of the cute boys in our second-grade class. “Remember Lee, with the missing tooth?” Jen will ask. “Oh, yeah,” I’ll reply. “Total hottie.”

Sometimes I find it hard to believe, but we’ve been obsessing over boys for nearly 27 years. Jen’s having a baby boy in the fall, and I can already tell he’s going to be the new object of our affections.

The next piece of the EvRev puzzle fell into place the very next year in Mrs. Hartunian’s third-grade class, which is when I met Cindy. She had long black hair, a talent for drawing graceful pictures of glamorous girls, and a great Granny Goose potato chip hookup (her dad worked there, so she would always bring a huge box of assorted chips to every class party).

Cindy is still my number one surf buddy, and the one person I can always depend on when I’m feeling blue.

But Evolution Revolution’s real roots didn’t take hold until high school, when Jen, Cindy and I all played flute in the school band. It was between orchestra rehearsals and marching band competitions (BAND GEEKS!) that our friendship really grew.

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I bet you didn’t know I filled in for Wonder Woman once…

Unless you’ve been holed up in your secluded superhero lair (every hero needs one, yo!), chances are you’ve probably heard rumblings about the new MAC Wonder Woman Collection, which twirls onto shelves February 10 in North America and internationally this March.

MAC teamed up with DC Comics this time to create a limited edition makeup collection inspired by one of the toughest ladies in comic book history. She fights crime in foxy hot pants (and sometimes a skirt) and has a penchant for practical accessories, like bullet-deflecting bracelets, magic lassos and boomerang headpieces, too!

There’s no denying it — this girl is tough AND cute.

Not bad for 2,000 years old (I wonder which face cream she uses).

Just like Diana Prince right before a beam of magic light transformed her into Wonder Woman, I’ve been practically spinning in circles in my knee-high boots ever since I saw the first promo pics for this super-sized 33-piece collection for eyes, lips, face and nails.

And now it’s time…

Sit back, relax, and have a look, fearless reader. Let me know what ya think.

But first, a comic interlude…

MAC Wonder Woman Collection: Pictures and Swatches

Eye Quad in Defiance

Eye Quad in Lady Justice
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Brace yourself, young lady, because someone’s about to make a scene — and it’s you! Do you remember last week’s grayish blue smokey eye from our look at the Benefit Scene Queen The Annie Collection palette? Here’s a quick breakdown of it with pictures and a how-to.

The Benefit Scene Queen palette

When would I rock a look like this? Well, often! — specifically, whenever I’d want to look dressed up but not overdone, day or night. If it feels a little too dramatic for daytime wear to work/school, maybe give it a try out one night with friends or your boo.
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Beauty isn’t just big business in Brazil — it’s HUGE! With a value of $28 billion by sales volume, Brazil’s beauty market is now the third largest on the planet (behind the U.S. and Japan), and despite a sluggish global economy it’s also one of the world’s fastest growing, at a 14% compounded rate from 2004-2009.

When Rio beat out a long list of famous cities to host the 2016 Olympic Games, it came as a shock to many, but Brazil, a country of 192 million, has been making strides for decades, capitalizing on vast natural resources and one of the world’s most favorable climates for agribusiness.

Brazil’s beauty industry isn’t just big because of the country’s size, either. It’s a multi-faceted industry, both internally with sales to Brazilians (their deodorants sector is the largest in the world; also top 5 in hair care products, toiletries and oral care) and externally through beauty industry exports, which now exceed $600 million per year. Demand for natural products and exotic plants (Brazil is home to 250,000 native botanical species) have led most of the world’s largest cosmetics companies to Brazil for ingredients like maracujá (passion fruit), açaí, acerola, mango and castanha do pará (Brazil Nut).
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