A Thorough Analysis of Gucci's New Cosmetics Line

Gucci has finally launched its much-anticipated first cosmetics line, just in time for the season of the smoky eye and red statement lip. And this collection was totally worth the wait -- it is a looker. Gucci's creative director, Frida Giannini, tapped legendary makeup artist and P&G's Global Creative Design Director, Pat McGrath, to bring the collection to life. Giannini began by raiding 90 years of Gucci archives and brought fabric samples to McGrath. They identified the colors the brand is calling the "Iconic Six": gold, black, red, ottanio (a peacock-teal blue), bronze and copper, which anchor the 200+-piece collection.

Gucci wants you to consider the individual pieces as accessories, so the packaging reflects this. (Giannini used to design accessories for the house before she was appointed creative director.) The double G logo is embossed on everything, including the makeup itself. All the pieces, which are packaged in shiny black and gold, have a nice heft to them. (Except the mascara -- it's not the potential weapon that, say, Diorshow mascara is.)