Music Superstars Mary J. Blige And Lil'kim Will Appear In New Advertising
        Campaign to Break In April 2000 to Support the M.A.C Aids Fund

             - MAC President Kicks Off Campaign With Donation to
                   African Aids Relief at United Nations -

    NEW YORK, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- M.A.C Cosmetics, the rule-breaking
professional cosmetics company, announced today that music superstars
Mary J. Blige and Lil' Kim have been named as spokespeople for VIVA GLAM III
Lipstick, the primary fund-raising tool for The M.A.C AIDS Fund.  Since its
creation in 1994, over $14 million dollars have been raised for The M.A.C AIDS
Fund.  The Fund is dedicated to supporting men, women and children living with
HIV and AIDS.  100% of the suggested retail price of the Lipstick, $13.50,
goes to The M.A.C AIDS Fund.  VIVA GLAM III will be at all M.A.C location in
late March 2000.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000207/NYM138 )
    To kick off M.A.C's VIVA GLAM III campaign, M.A.C President John Demsey,
will present today a check for $500,000 to the United Nations at a UN Town
Hall Meeting on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.  This will be the first
donation from The M.A.C AIDS Fund to the UN specifically for African relief.
    According to John Demsey, president of M.A.C, "AID relief around the world
has been our priority and we are committed to working with the United Nations
in effort to combat this epidemic."  Demsey went on the say, "After a very
long search, MAC chosen Mary J. and Lil' Kim for a number of reasons.  Most
importantly, for their interest and dedication to supporting The M.A.C AIDS
Fund."  Demsey explained, "These women also represent what M.A.C is all about
- artists expressing themselves and their creativity with fashion and makeup -
both Mary J. and Lil' Kim have a history of breaking rules and have really
reached the level of being alternative fashion icons.  They appeal to M.A.C's
diverse audiences -- all races, all sexes, all ages - which makes them perfect
choices for M.A.C."
    Grammy winner Mary J. Blige, known as the queen of hip-hop soul, became an
instant sensation with her 1992 debut album "What's the 411."  Her current
album, "Mary," was one of the most highly-acclaimed releases of 1999, and has
been nominated for three Grammys.  Lil' Kim rose to notoriety with her debut
album "Hard Core."  Her eagerly anticipated follow-up album, "The Notorious
K.I.M" will be released in March.  M.A.C has never shied away from
affiliations with controversial artists:  Mary J. and Lil' Kim join previous
M.A.C spokespeople, drag diva Ru Paul, the face of VIVA GLAM, and recording
artist kd lang, the face of VIVA GLAM II.
    "I feel blessed to be part of M.A.C's VIVA GLAM III campaign," said Mary
J. Blige.  "It means a lot to me to give support to people suffering from
AIDS.  The whole experience has been really positive, and I am proud to be
involved."
    Lil' Kim is equally excited to be involved with The M.A.C AIDS Fund.
"When M.A.C approached me, I was delighted not only because I wear their
products, but just knowing that I will be part of a campaign that will help
men, women and children with HIV and AIDS live comfortably."  Lil' Kim
continued, "If I can help one person by lending my image, I am going to do
it."
    Mary J. and Lil' Kim will appear in M.A.C 's first new advertising
campaign in several years for the new VIVA GLAM III shade - M.A.C only
advertises the VIVA GLAM lipsticks and The M.A.C AIDS Fund.  The images were
shot by famed photographer David LaChapelle and will appear in a select number
of magazines beginning in April 2000.
    The M.A.C AIDS Fund was created in 1994.  To raise money to support the
fund, a special lipstick was created: VIVA GLAM.  The lipstick, a deep,
neutral red, was an instant hit.  VIVA GLAM II was launched in 1997 to
maintain the fund-raising momentum.  The muted mauve-pink shade was another
hit, and the two VIVA GLAM shades continue to be some of M.A.C 's best-selling
shades.  VIVA GLAM III, a plum-brown shade, is estimated to produce sales of
approximately US $2,000,000 in its first year of sales, the full amount
directly going to The M.A.C AIDS Fund.  M.A.C's retail partners generously
waive all administrative costs so that the sales benefit only those in need.
    M.A.C (Make-up Art Cosmetics), the leading brand of professional
cosmetics, was created in Toronto, Canada in 1985 by entrepreneurs Frank
Toskan and the late Frank Angelo and is now part of The Estee Lauder
Companies, Inc.  The company's popularity has grown through a tradition of
word-of-mouth endorsement from makeup artists, models, photographers and
journalists around the world.  M.A.C is now sold in over 30 countries around
the world.

    For media inquiries on M.A.C and The M.A.C AIDS Fund contact:
    M.A.C Global Communications
    130 Prince Street
    New York, NY  10012
    212-965-6335

    For information on the The M.A.C AIDS Fund contact:
    The M.A.C AIDS Fund
    233 Carlton Street
    Toronto, Ontario M5A2L2
    CANADA
    800-611-1613 ext. 1218

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