“I picked up a random red drugstore lipstick with my mom when I was eight or nine, put it on, and thought, "'Fuck, this is amazing,'” London-based fashion designer Harris Reed
recalls of their first beauty epiphany. “Actually, I was young, so I probably didn’t say the F-word, but I remember being so blown away by the transformative power of makeup.”
It's a metamorphosis Reed is now bringing to the masses with the help of M.A.C Cosmetics. The two beauty innovators collaborated on a limited-edition four-piece collection that includes lipsticks, a duo of cream colors, an eyeshadow palette, and one glimmering eyeliner in the designer's signature shade of gold.
"This collection is for men, women, gender non-binary individuals, queer people, and trans people," Reed says, who is wearing the collection in the self-portraits they shot exclusively for ELLE. "It’s truly for everyone. I wanted to break the beauty mold with this collection," they add. "M.A.C has an amazing heritage of fighting for self-expression and inclusivity, so they were so on board and supportive of that vision."
Naturally, the line is dressed in something spectacular, too. The orchid-pink packaging is ornamented with illustrations by Lukas Palumbo, a friend of Reed's. "It shows a woman and a man combining into one fluid being," they share. This gorgeous being is wearing an Harris Reed ensemble, of course.
The collection includes three creamy balms for the lips and cheeks in berries and reds, a palette with everything from subtle shimmering pinks to bold blues, a bright gilded eyeliner, and a two-pot palette of stunning all-over colors in sheer shades of pink and sunset-worthy sparkle. Of course, the thread throughout is a warm gold.
"I want this line to be showcased on people of different genders, races, ethnicities, and gold is such a universal color because it works for everyone," says Reed.
"My approach to beauty is still the same as that little kid who was figuring who they were, what made me feel like the best version of myself, and what felt beautiful," Reed says. "The way that I do makeup is a bit different now, but I still want something that expresses my true self. Hopefully, this line makes other people feel the same way."
The M.A.C x Harris Reed Collection will be available at maccosmetics.com starting February 18th, 2021.
An abbreviated version of this story can be found in the February issue of ELLE.