Is a pro at finding that bring just the right flavor to a dish. And, as it turns out, the judge also has a way with using color to make facial features shine. When we first heard that Padma was, we were more giddy than a quickfire challenge winner — and, of course, we were desparate to learn more. Well, we finally have some answers! First, we now know the launch date for the line.

On March 15, the capsule collection that we've ogled in Instagram snaps will finally be available for swiping and brushing on in the flesh. When chatting with, Padma shared more details on what inspired her most beautiful project to date. First, here's a fun fact about the capsule collection's gilded packaging: It has roots in Padma's kitchen! 'I want the collection to feel luxurious, and that pattern on the compact was directly ripped off from my Turkish plates, which are handspun and have gold leaf on the back,' Padma shared. 'I always thought that the design was beautiful, and the MAC team actually came to my house for one of the meetings, and they were just looking around at all my bric-a-brac and they loved it too.' What's inside the compacts is deeply personal to Padma, too.

'My interest in makeup long preceded the age where I even had my first makeup artist,' said the model and actress. 'I think part of it is because if you're a woman of color, you don't find those shades. You just become very creative in mixing them yourself.

I think I also just had a propensity for mixing colors. Mixing colors is not unlike mixing spices or cooking. I also think that there's a lot of self-adornment in the rituals of Indian culture.' She added: 'I think of the beauty companies that exist over the last couple of decades, and MAC has probably been the best at providing colors that are super saturated and work on a variety of pigments.' The #MACPadma line comprises two eyeshadow quads, six lipstick hues, three Powerpoint Eye pencils with dual ends, two Powder Blush duos, and brushes for shadows and blush. The collection's color palette contains lots of peachy nudes and pinks, but also dips into bright fuchsia, mossy green, and different shades of plum. Photo: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics So basically, we'll take one of everything, in every hue.

Now, how do we bide our time till March 15?

Padma Mac Temptalia

She’s a model, actress, New York Times bestselling author, host and executive producer of Top Chef—already in its 15 th season!—and, now, Padma Lakshmi is teaming up with for a capsule makeup collection she describes as “12 dozen years in the making.” (The 17-piece line hits stores in March and will continue to be available online this month.) The 47-year-old recently sat down with us to discuss her tendency to be a makeup artist’s nightmare, the “industry shift” she’s seeing, and why she’s totally OK with her 7-year-old daughter wearing eyeliner. You May Also Like: On the collaboration: “I’ve always been into makeup.

I’ve literally been wearing since before I could speak. I’m kind of a nightmare for makeup artists because I know too much about it. When I was modeling, was a godsend for me and for women like me. We talk so much about getting the shades right, but it’s also about getting the right tone and color saturation—especially for women of color.” Image/MAC Cosmetics How the industry is changing: “The whole industry is going in a different direction. They’re looking at skin differently. We wanted to focus on color so we didn’t create a foundation, but it was still important to me that everything worked for everyone. It works on, it works on fair skin, it works on all my friends.

Padma For Mac

I’m really proud how versatile it is—it creates the most stunning looks.” Image/ MAC Cosmetics Why the luxe factor was so important: “I wanted the collection to feel luxurious on your —it looks good, it feels substantial and it has a kind of. When you buy something like that, it gives you a quick boost. Makeup literally has the power to elevate our mood.” Image/MAC Cosmetics The role my daughter played: “She loves makeup.

I don’t care if she wears eyeliner but she kept stealing my samples when we were developing this line and I needed her to stop. MAC was nice enough to send her a set of her own.” Thoughts on social-media makeup: “You can get seduced by it. I’m worried it’s making people self-conscious.

It’s too much. I think I wear a lot of makeup but then I see these pictures on Instagram and people are just piling it on. A lot of makeup usually just looks aging.” Most embarrassing beauty moment: “One time, I wore a ton of and, when I looked at photos, it ended up looking like I was punched in the face. Not a great makeup day for me.” Beauty trend that should be retired: “Black lipstick. It’s too hard.” Desert-island product: “An eyelash curler. My lashes grow straight down like prison bars.” Never without: “.

I’m forever biting my lip.” Beauty move I’m bad at: “People are shocked that I can’t do my hair. I can do a and that’s about it. I haven’t picked up a curling iron since high school.” Old-school looks that don’t love: “. I also had feathered bangs in high school.” The last product I put on before bed: “Always moisturizer.” The bad beauty habit I wish I could break: “Falling asleep with my makeup on.”.