IT is just a simple nude lipstick but people—women, men, adults, children—camped out at the entrance of a mall at the dawn of the big launch just so they’d get dibs on it and a chance to meet and greet the creator, a petite doe-eyed girl whose humor captivated millions all over the world.
“I couldn’t believe it! I mean, I know my fans would definitely show support and purchase the lipstick but camping out outside of malls at dawn was something else! They never fail to amaze me. I’m truly grateful and overwhelmed. And I really do hope they loved the lipstick I crafted specially for them,” said Maine Mendoza in a reply to questions sent through her management team.
I was very surprised to receive the answers, to be honest, because I know Maine has been busy with a movie and a sitcom (Daddy’s Gurl), aside from her daily show Eat Bulaga!
The year has been surprisingly amazing for the 23-year-old that even she, who should be used to success and attention by now, is still surprised.
Her #MACMaker lipstick, @mainedcm, sold out online and in physical stores. At presstime, it was available online via MAC Cosmetics’s web sites in different countries but has since been sold out (in minutes, most of the time).
“I’m just so thankful that people who love me embraced this product as much as they have embraced me. I’m just so happy that in my own little way, I was able to make one woman beautiful by using the @mainedcm lipstick,” said Maine.
MAC Cosmetics Philippines General Manager Gay Lao Chen recalled the first time she and the brand’s marketing met Maine at a restaurant in Quezon City. This was in early January.
“When she walked in, she was so simple and unassuming that we were immediately charmed. She was very natural with us and we didn’t feel that she was a celebrity at all. You can also notice that she was an introvert but she tried her best to involve herself in the conversation. We were all immediately fans, if we weren’t before.”
Chen also replied to criticisms that the @mainedcm lipstick is too light to be worn by those with darker skin tones.
“The @mainedcm shade can certainly be used by everyone—perhaps a little lip pencil can make the color deeper, pinker, peachier or browner to suit the taste of the person. The feedback or criticisms are alright with us. This is what can help us do better in the future. I believe Maine created a shade to the best of her ability—something that everyone can wear.”
I’m an NC38 in MAC foundation and that’s pretty dark by Filipino standards but I can wear @mainedcm with Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liner in Lolita II. I normally wear red lipstick and hardly look okay in nudes but everytime I wear @mainedcm, I get compliments and this brings me to the point that beauty is something very personal. I made the lipstick work because I wanted it to.
Please take note that the tube I’m using now is a press sample from Maine. The other tube that I have, which I bought, is browner than the sample. The sample has a lot of white in it but it’s still very wearable. It’s actually my favorite nude lipstick.
Another way to wear the lipstick is to combine it with other shades. I like @mainedcm with MAC Powder Kiss in Devoted to Chili. My friend, on the other hand, combines @mainedcm with Whirl lipstick.
So many people I know supported @mainedcm not because they are fans but because they said Maine made them feel empowered as women. It was the same for me. I think that what made Yaya Dub and, eventually, Maine Mendoza herself such a big star was that she was and remains relatable. And as a woman, it’s puzzling and slightly offensive to hear that she isn’t beautiful—because she is, with a tiny face, round eyes, full lips and flawless complexion.
To Maine, @mainedcm now means more than just her handle on social media.
“@mainedcm feels like a little legacy to me. It was indeed a great honor to have made a lipstick [and not just a lipstick, it’s a MAC lipstick!] under my name, to choose the color based on my taste.”
Oh, by the way, Maine’s lipstick was such a hit that people continued to buy her favorite MAC shades (like Ruby Woo and others) long after @mainedcm had sold out.
So is there a chance that the shade will be made permanent?
“It’s too early to tell,” said Chen.