Q&A with Beth Ditto - the latest M.A.C inspiration

'I love that it has the potential to transform a person; you can become a clown or a princess.' - Beth Ditto. Photo / Supplied

Charismatic muso, Beth Ditto has become the latest face to join the M.A.C make-up inspiration club.

The Gossip lead singer has inspired a theatrical range with a focus on polka dots and multi-purpose products. M.A.C Creative Director James Gager says Ditto has a love of colour and is joyus about fashion. Here's what Ditto had to say about the limited edition collection, released in New Zealand today.

Can you tell us some of your experiences with cosmetics?

By the time I was in high school, all of my friends asked me to do their makeup for prom, and makeup is a big part of who I am. I love that it has the potential to transform a person; you can become a clown or a princess. Makeup offers someone the unique freedom to become someone else for the day, 10 minutes or the rest of their life. It is something that you can hide behind, but also something that can give you confidence. That's why I love makeup so much!!

Do you have a beauty icon?

Peggy Moffitt and Grace Jones are definitely my ultimate beauty icons. Their looks are timeless. They can constantly transform themselves without losing their own identities. To this day, their signature looks are still very relevant.

How do you describe your look?

My look is "put together." I am not really into high glam, because I am not that ... ambitious, but I am really into makeup. I always have my eye liner on, my hair done, and a nice pair of black flats.

What is the correlation between your music and makeup?

I am a child of the 80s. When I was about five years old, MTV was made illegal in my hometown, so it felt like I was stuck on a deserted island with both Cyndi Lauper and Boy George's music. They didn't want you to pay attention only to their music or makeup - they wanted you to pay attention to both! I am obsessed with their music and also the looks they cultivated that ultimately defined the decade. So, for me, there is always a very strong correlation between music and makeup.

Where does your instinct for colours come from?

I'm passionate about colour. My best friend and I sit and look at Pantone books for fun. We'll be like, "Oh my God, Pantone 93 is amazing!" That's the kind of stuff I do - it's inspiring, I've always loved colour. Maybe it has something to do with the Wizard of Oz. I remember that being the most amazing moment ever, when the colour comes in.

Do you have a favourite product in the collection?

M.A.C Liquidlast Liner - I can't live without it! A close second is the Shade & Smoke Shadow/Liner with dual colours, I really love versatility in makeup, it's my favourite thing. I hardly ever use a product in the way it's meant to be used.

What was the inspiration for the colours in the collection? Is there a theme?

Being able to combine the colours, and the ability to look good on girls of all skin tones and types. From the darkest skin to the palest skin and everyone in between!

What was the inspiration for the shoot?

Polka dots. A lot of off the cuff things are going on in the shot - the cranberry bob was important to me. I was having dreams about cranberries at the time. The Makeup Artist also had the idea of using a potato to create polka dots on my body - so potatoes! It's a combination of Peggy Moffitt and Pricilla Presley!