'50 Shades of Grey' Inspired... Makeup?

Women who hid their copies of 50 Shades of Grey behind an issue of the New York Times while reading on the subway can finally have their cake and eat it too. Make Up For Ever is releasing a 50 Shades of Grey inspired collection that's as tame as it is sultry. You won't find any handcuffs, but you will find smudge-proof lip liner.

A makeup brand and an erotic book series might seem like strange bedfellows, but given that the Valentine's Day 2015 release of 50 Shades of Grey is rapidly approaching (where the heck did 2014 go, you guys?) and brands are seeking to capitalize on the franchise's popularity with all sorts of projects inspired by Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey's love affair, it totally makes sense. Like the lukewarm trailer for the film, the Make Up For Ever line nods at sex appeal without actually becoming overtly risqué.

According to WWD, the limited-edition collection will be available on December 26th and will feature Tease Me Lip Trios for $32 that include "a smudge-proof lip liner, a highly pigmented and long-wearing lip gloss and a lightly textured lip gloss" in shades of Innocent and Passionate (a nod to Anastasia Steele's transformation throughout the series, I presume); a Blush Trio for $49, whose packaging includes a rope and a key (how racy!); and Give In To Me ($79), a large set that includes four eyeshadows, eyeliner, lipstick, and lipgloss.

The custom packaging created for the collection is mostly black with hints of blush-toned pink and features sexy details like velvet and the aforementioned rope and key, while the actual shades of makeup call to mind a flushed post-coital glow. It's all very tasteful. This is how I imagine Bree Van de Damp from Desperate Housewives might have shown her loyalty to 50 Shades — with a makeup set that's just innocent enough to display on a vanity.

Whether you're a fan of the series or believe that it perpetuates some harmful messages/isn't very sexy (I'm definitely in the latter camp), you'll probably be charmed by Make Up For Ever's homage. Pretty lipsticks are the great equalizer.

Images: Make Up For Ever(4)