Archie's Girls M.A.C. Cosmetics Collection
Like many girls in the '80s, I spent countless afternoons poring over Archie comics, imagining a young-adult me where I'd be as pretty, popular and well-defined as Betty and Veronica in Technicolor cartoon. The two opposing archetypes-blond vs. brunette, kind vs. cutting, jean-wearing vs. thigh-baring-were my first examples of who I could be and, of major importance in my 10-year-old mind, how to dress. I studied the girls' looks with the magnified lens of a budding fashion detective.
Archie's Girls M.A.C. Cosmetics Collection
Truth be told, the love-triangle chase, now in its seventh decade, annoyed, then bored me. But it did ask a philosophy-of-love question that I would ponder from time to time: Do men prefer rich, indifferent snobs to earnest, adoring girls-next-door? And this month, a pop-cult M.A.C collaboration allows you to try on Betty's wholesome appeal or Veronica's vampy impact through two distinct, personality-based palettes.
Archie's Girls M.A.C. Cosmetics Collection
At first glance, I peg myself as a Betty. The apricot blush, pastel soda-pop shadows and sweet lipsticks appeal to my less(ish)-is-more aesthetic. I put my hair in a peppy ponytail and apply a few swipes of shimmery mint shadow and bubblegum lipstick. Yeesh. My husband tells me I look like an '80s workout instructor. I'm either too pale, too brunette or too old to pull off her look-or am I simply a Veronica at heart?
Archie illustrator Dan Parent gave me authentic Betty & Veronica makeovers.
Archie's Girls M.A.C. Cosmetics Collection
I decide to channel her for a black-tie charity event. The rich girl's blue-black hair (not unlike my own, I figure) inspired her cool, royal purple palette. I sweep lilac over my lid, blending deep grape with glittering blackened teal in the crease and along my lash line to create a peacock smoky eye. I contour my cheekbones with the not-shy berry blush and swipe on matte red lipstick, going over everything with translucent powder to avoid cartoon clash.
The winning look: It's really me as Veronica!
Archie's Girls M.A.C. Cosmetics Collection
Is it triple overload? I wonder. I put on my violet tasselled mini and hit the salon for a slick blowout, and suddenly I'm every bit the confident Ronnie. I hated that she always got the guy, but damn, she looked good.
Veronica's It Kit: Lipstick in Ronnie red bright red, $20, pigment in magic spells blackened tea, $28, eye shadow x 4 in spoiled rich rich purple, $52.
Betty's It Kit: Powder blush in cream soda, $26, lipstick in Betty bright, $20, pigment in lucky in love, $28.
Archie's Girls: Veronica's Collection
Archie's Girls: Betty's Collection
Archie's Girls M.A.C. Cosmetics Collection
More from FLARE:
- Ombré In A Box: Get Jennifer Lopez's Look at Home
- Spring's Must-Try Beauty Trends: Grunge, Mod, '80s Rock & More!
- Bright Beauty Finds Under $8 at Joe Fresh for Spring
- Olympia Le-Tan's Limited Edition Clutch of Lancô me Lipsticks & Nail Lacquers
- Hannah Johnson Re-Creates Louis Vuitton's Baby Beehive Hairstyle
Connect with Flare:
