Mary J. Blige on Her New MAC Lipstick and Wearing Less Makeup

Published on 6/21/2019 at 2:15 PM

MAC

Mary J. Blige has already become one of the most famous R&B singers of all time and has nine Grammys to show for it, and now she's just launched her own lipstick with MAC Cosmetics to celebrate two special anniversaries. This year is the brand's 25th anniversary, and it's also the 25th anniversary of Blige's album My Life. MAC is launching the Love Me Lipstick line as part of the celebration and enlisted Blige (who has now worked with the brand three times) to help.

Blige created her own lipstick for the line, a light pink color with peach undertones called French Silk ($19, available June 23 on the brand's website), which has a subtle sheen. The bullet of the lipstick is special, too. It features a pink-and-black gradient and includes Blige's autograph on the tube. "It's the perfect time to do something like this," she said. "And here we are today doing this lovely [collaboration] and I chose the Love Me line because that's exactly what I'm doing right now. Loving me."

In addition to launching the lipstick, Blige will be joining MAC this year at the Love Ball to support the CFDA-Vogue Initiative for the New York City AIDS Fund.

POPSUGAR sat down with Blige to discuss her career and latest partnership with MAC.

How Mary J. Blige's Approach to Makeup Has Changed

The last time Blige partnered with MAC was in 2002 on a Viva Glam campaign alongside Elton John and Shirley Manson. Since then, her approach to beauty has changed significantly. "The last time I partnered with MAC, I was not really about nude lip," she said. "I was always in a burgundy lip or black lipstick and a pound of makeup. Now I've evolved and grown into a place where I feel comfortable that I don't have to wear a pound of makeup every day."

Mary J. Blige's Favorite Music Video Look

While it was difficult to pick just one beauty look she liked the most, Blige landed on the one she wore in her video for "Enough Cryin'." "It's all glam," she said of the video. Within the video, she wears multiple looks, including a golden eye and magenta lip and this sultry metallic eye and glossy lip pictured here.

Mary J. Blige on 2000s and '90 Trends Coming Back

Blige feels that any trend can come back with the right influential person to back it. "I think trends go in for a while, and they don't ever really go away," she said. "All it takes is one person like myself or J Lo or Beyoncé or Cardi right now to do it to start a trend again."

Mary J. Blige on Getting the Courage to Try New Things

In addition to being an accomplished recording artist, Blige has become increasingly successful with her acting career as well in the last few years. She starred in the film Mudbound, for which she was nominated for numerous awards, including the Golden Globe for best supporting actress. She also starred in Netflix's The Umbrella Academy.

When asked how young women should get the courage to try out new things, she had some great advice. "Just do it," she said. "Even if you're afraid and you're trembling and you have naysayers. As long as you feel confident in yourself and you believe that you can really do this, go do it. Go act, take acting classes. Believe it and achieve it and do it."

MAC Love Me Lipstick: Mary J. Blige

MAC Love Me Lipstick in French Silk ($19)