Zac Posen and Debi Mazar met first on Instagram, then at Madonna's annual Christmas party. Now they're actual friends, though besides eating brunch and sending random texts, they do fancy things like throw fashion shows (Zac) and star on TV shows (Debi). 

If you're not jealous yet, prepare yourself: Mazar isn't just a successful actress, a prolific makeup artist, and the only person on Entourage who could out-curse Ari Gold, she's also sitting front row at Zac Posen's show, perching by Katie Holmes and Jennifer Hudson while paparazzi (and the occasional Snapchat enthusiast) vie for photos. 

Between the flashbulbs (phew!), we spoke with the Queens native about old-school New York, Rex Manning Day, and the best makeup strategy for pop superstars.

This season, a lot of the makeup you pioneered in the '80s–demonic lips, black spider mascara–is coming back to the runways. How do you feel about that?

I never think of makeup in terms of trends. Makeup looks good on people, period. You look good with a red lip. She looks good with a beige lip. And when I was doing makeup, it wasn't to create a 'look' that everyone would copy, it was to make specific people look sexy and gorgeous. I will say one trend I don't like right now is when makeup gets a little bit freaky.


You're not into that? Even though you were an '80s club kid?


Not when people are like, 'Oh, hi, let's take away your eyebrows!' No. I like to either embrace what God gives you, or if you're trying to reinvent yourself, bold colors are usually a good idea, because they get attention right away. 

You have two daughters. What do they think about your makeup?

My younger daughter is here with me. She's 10. I did her [cat eye] makeup today, and she loves it. My older daughter thinks some of the looks are a little tacky. She prefers a smokier eye, for example. But that's okay; I'll do it all because makeup makes me really happy. Honestly, I can't believe I haven't done a line yet. 

I thought it was because you didn't want to!

It's a lot of work to set up your own makeup line from the ground up. And I have other things happening, obviously. But Zac paired with M.A.C and that collection is gorgeous. I would definitely do something like that, where I work with a makeup company that already happens. And I guess it's never too late.

You worked at Danceteria and did Madonna's makeup for her early music videos. And she wore a lot of makeup. What products did you use to make it last?

No, actually, we did it the opposite way. I think makeup should sweat off! It's nice to have a glow. If it wears off, it's just an evolution of your first look. And it's nice to look like you've evolved and you're different, because it means something good happened to you. Watch [the Madonna videos] again; you'll see what I mean.

Have you always gone to fashion shows, or is this a new thing for you?

You know, back in the day, I thought fashion shows were like those old black-and-white movies. I never thought they'd become like this, and what I mean by this is, I don't think they're very chic in the sense that it's all about a clusterfuck of photographers, paparazzi, 'What are you wearing?' and all that.

Crap!

I don't mind the interview aspect because it's good information to share. But I want to see the show. I don't care who's sitting where. I don't care where I'm sitting, and I hate that if I wanted to move back [a row], it would be considered this really bad thing. Like, who cares?

 Can I ask you about Empire Records?

Of course, but I don't know how much I'll be able to tell you. We had no idea it was going to be a [cult classic]. And the crazy thing is, I've never seen it.

But it's on Netflix!

You know, I really just don't like watching myself. So I've avoided it. My one daughter is 10, she doesn't care about Empire Records yet. My other is a teenager, so she might care, but I don't know what she'd care about because I haven't seen the movie! Is it any good?

It's awesome.

Is it? I don't typically watch myself, but maybe I will see it. People come up to me all the time and want to talk about it. But the movie became much more popular years after it was released. So I forgot everything about it, to be honest with you. And now, people are constantly telling me, 'Hey, Happy Rex Manning Day!' I'm like, 'What the hell is Rex Manning Day?' I have no idea. 

You're breaking my heart.

I'm just glad it's a good movie!