PHOTO BY DAVID PHELPS FOR OCC

The Sephora store at Hollywood & Highland Center in the heart of Hollywood, CA was the venue for a launch party announcing the Spring 2014 Colour Collection “Plastic Passion” from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. The new lineup introduced six new shades of the 100% vegan and cruelty-free brand’s signature product, Lip Tar, along with six new nail lacquers.

Before eager attendees snatched up the cupcakes, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics founder David Klasfeld, a professional NY-based makeup artist, confided that indeed he is clinically obsessive-compulsive. It’s the reason his company is named what it is, and given the time and attention his company needs to flourish, his disorder is now “better controlled than it has ever been in my life, and I have OCC to thank for that. It really has given me the perfect outlet to channel my obsessions into.”

Joined by Courtney Tichman, also a makeup artist and OCC’s brand manager and director of product development, the two are ready for what will be a snappy Q&A. Meanwhile, Plastic Passion spokesmodel, voice animation comedienne, Deven Green, known for her “elegantly filthy ringtones” and YouTube parodies, signed bottles of the new bright shamrock crème nail lacquer that bears her name as swag for the media.

“The big take-away is that you don’t need a makeover,” said David of the new line, his full-sleeve tattoos peeking from under a checked spring shirt. “This collection is all about returning the joy to makeup. We’re not on a mission to correct imaginary flaws. This is why we chose Deven Green as our face for the new collection, versus some 17-year old girl from Eastern Europe with baby-skin. Makeup brands typically have preyed on people’s insecurities, sending women the message that their eyes aren’t big enough, that their lips are the wrong shape, that sort of thing. We celebrate our multi-ethnic customer, at every age, with an array of gender identifications. They cannot be put into one niche, and neither can we.”

Many of the skus are based upon OCC’s radical palette, dense pigments and long wear. Absent from the line: suffocating übercool. Rigorous standards make these products a go-to among young night-lifers—David promises eight hours of wear without a touch-up—and also creates appeal for much broader demographics. “We are obsessive compulsive about quality, and making the experience empowering for the user,” he said. “For instance, this is why we package a professional lip-brush with our lip-product. We just cut the handle down. It really makes a difference when you’re doing lips.”

Courtney, emphatically shaking her dreds and cobalt-blue tribal tresses in agreement, added, “Single mother, right here! My makeup has to go on fast, and stay on all day. I’ve got a baby to take care of!” Of the brand’s enigmatic appeal, she said, “A lot of people can’t figure us out.” Later, Courtney commented Stained Gloss in “Little Black Dress”, a sheer neutral for lips, is a category sleeper, sought out by women who don’t wear color.

In response to questions from the bustling floor, David explained that versatility is key. While peppermint oil in certain lip products is a counter-indication for use in the eye area (ditto for glitters in the existing collection), many of the products multi-task. For instance, David said that new Plastic Passion Lip Tars in Hollywood (beige gold shimmer) and Pleasure Model (pearlescent pink) double as dewy blushers.

As for naming the new collection, David added, “We were mindful of using the word ‘plastic’. We’re using it in its original and true meaning, which is sculptural, or able to be molded, as in plasticity.” On David’s nails: new OCC Plastic Passion “Poolboy” lacquer, a Malibu-ish sky-blue creme. He took down the lacquer’s shine with OCC Flatline Ultra Matte topcoat, admitting that, “A little excess goes a long way.”