In May, I went on a super press trip with MAC to Lake Como, in Italy, and I thought it would be a great diary for the blog!

Perhaps you remember this trip to Como – it was there that I did the TV Beauté about the beauty bag pack challenge! The trip was divided in two subjects: the 10 year anniversary of the Mineralize line and super presentation of the makeup trends for the next season, besides the amazing tours, dinners and lunches and several interviews.

It all started with a workshop about the Mineralize line, that is now completing 10 years of existence and will be revamped. I loved the new packages, I thought they are more chic. Some people asked on Instagram if the amount of product it contains decreased, it seems like it because the transparent part is now smaller right? But no, when you open it looks just the same.

The presentation was at the Hotel Trevizzo, where I also stayed – notice the inspiring view on the background! Gordon Espinet, vice President of make-up artistry, and Nick Gavrelis, vice president global product development, spoke a lot about the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder, a favorite of the makeup artists until today to finalize the skin without leaving a dusty look. They also said it is the second most sold line by MAC, only behind the “Studio” products, and that whenever the Mineralize family grows, there is a frenzy in the stores – among the latest releases are the liquid foundation (that I got to know in this video with Fabi and loved, I’m thinking of buying it) and the first Mineralize mascara, that will be release in August over Europe and in the US. Curiosity: the most sold MAC blushes
nowadays are the Mineralizes ones, I immediately thought about my beloved Dainty…

The products always have “rich” textures and give a luminous effect, and they have a complex of 77 minerals in their formulas. They are made in Italy, both the “paste” as the roasting process – as you can see on the photos above, it almost looks like a cooking class!

No comments on this dinner at Villa Erba, a castle on the lakeside. It looked like I was in a movie, look at this place (of course that on the way there we passed by boat in front of George Clooney’s house, to implement the vibe!). There was Karen Buglisi’s speech and the presence of all the makeup directors (the most top position for MAC makeup artists) and it was, summing it up, one of those moments that get you thinking: I love my job! (My look: Huis Clos dress, Saint Laurent clutch, Louboutin shoes and Miu Miu earrings + lipstick in Flat Out Fabulous by MAC)

The great event of the press trip was the Trend Presentation – these trend presentations to the press take place every season in small versions (for example, in Brazil it’s with Fabi Gomes), but once in a while they decide to do a mega event, gathering several countries in a special location, like this one in Como. In a theatre of the city, each one of the makeup directors spoke about a macro trend and did a makeup on stage. We also watched an incredible video of the back stages that MAC sponsors during the NY, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks, besides knowing all the products that will be released on the second semester. I’m not gonna speak about the trends now, because they will be part of the trend report we do for Vogue every semester, I’ll post it here then!

It was at the Trend Presentation that they showed also the Nail Transformations, 6 top coats that MAC releases in July that were developed to, like the name says, transform a nail polish. Super nice, I will make a post about them as soon as I test them. And all ended with a lunch on another drop dead gorgeous set… I cannot resist these magnanimous chandeliers!

Some other highlights of the trip: we went by boat to Bellagio, a small city in the middle Gelateria del Borgo and had lunch at the Terrazza Barchetta (yes, in this order, ice cream before lunch hahaha). And in another moment, I interviewed the designer Zac Posen, a sweetheart and MAC’s super partner. He was part of the Trend Presentation with a mini fashion show – is there a collection signed by him coming up? They didn’t mention anything, but who knows right? This interview will be on Vogue’s website soon!

To finish the post, some of the beautiful places I saw along the trip… Unforgettable! I super want to go back there with my husband heheh.

There is just one thing I don’t have from this trip: tips of places to buy cosmetics… There was no time to go to shops and do that basic research. There is a good excuse to go back there!

{Translated by Ana de Almeida}