MAC Viva Glam I Lipstick Review

By Ankita Bose

Hi Everyone,
This is my first lipstick review on IMBB and I thought of starting off with one of my favourite matte red lipsticks – MAC Viva Glam I. Initially, I had a love-hate relationship with the lipstick. I would always go to the MAC store try it on my lips and get intimidated by its deep undertones. I felt it made me look more than my age. Then one day, one of the other customers at the store complimented me on the shade of red I was wearing and how it really suited my skintone. Finally, that’s the day when I thought of bringing this beauty home and unfortunately that time it was running out of stock.Grrrrrr…. Now after waiting for 3 longggg months I finally have it in my kitty.

 

Product Description:
MAC describes Viva Glam I as an intense brownish blue-red with a matte finish. Every cent of the selling price of the VIVA GLAM lipstick and lipglass is donated to the MAC AIDS Fund to support men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS.

Price:
1450 INR for 3 gms.(How I hate the incessant price hikes!!!!!!)

Ingredients:

My take on MAC Viva Glam I Lipstick:

The packaging of the lipstick is really classy. It comes in the usual matte black from the permanent line but instead of the silver tube it has a metallic red tube inside which makes the packaging look very sexy and appealing. The lipstick has the typical vanilla fragrance like all other MAC lipsticks and it’s not nauseating at all. The shade is a dark cool toned red with brown undertones which might look intimidating in the first glance but once it’s applied on the lips it indeed brightens up the complexion and makes the teeth look whiter. The pigmentation of the lipstick is really amazing and it gives full coverage in 1 swipe but I still prefer two swipes to bring out the bold red colour. I am a NC42 in MAC and this red really compliments the strong yellow undertones in my complexion in spite of being cool toned. So, I am guessing that this shade would suit a wide range of complexions.

However, I feel that fairer beauties like NC25 should definitely try it out at the store before taking the plunge as it might look too bold on them. It makes me look fresher and more awake. With this sort of a lipstick I prefer to go for neutral eyes, thickly lined with kohl and just a hint of blush from the same colour family. This is a statement shade so I try to make my entire look work around it when I wear it and I feel really happy and confident. The finish of the lipstick, though matte, isn’t overtly drying and thus it’s quite comfortable on the lips. It glides on the lips very smoothly without any tugging or pulling unlike the famous Ruby Woo and thus I am more partial towards this.  One can also blot it and wear it as a stain in the daytime without the fear of looking clownish or garish. The lipstick stays on my lips for some good 5-6 hours with some slight but even fading. Intake of meals or oily food reduces the wear time though a slight rosy stain remains and thus one is never left with bare lips. Further, while clicking pictures during the review I realised that the shade looks different in different lights. It looks warmer and somewhat orangey under the yellow lights but in the natural daylight its blue undertones are more prominent.

Pros of MAC Viva Glam I Lipstick:

• Beautiful cool toned red which suits a lot of complexions without looking garish.
• Amazing pigmentation that gives full coverage.
• Sweet vanilla fragrance.
• Sleek and classy travel friendly packaging.
• Long shelf life (2 ½ to 3 years)
• No bleeding due to its matte texture.
• The entire money from the selling price is donated to support people living with HIV and AIDS. Thus this lippie symbolizes beauty and charity at the same time.
• Back to MAC programme is applicable.

Cons of MAC Viva Glam I Lipstick:

• Availability is an issue. The shade is mostly out of stock and MAC stores are yet to open at many places in India.
• The incessant price hikes. Last year the price was increased from 990 INR to 1190 INR and now it stands at 1450 INR.

IMBB Rating:
4.5/5. 0.5 deducted for the random price hikes.

Would I buy/recommend MAC Viva Glam I Lipstick?
Yes, I would keep repurchasing this lipstick as long as MAC makes it because I really love the way this red suits my complexion. I highly recommend this shade of red to all girls with a similar skintone as mine who are on the lookout for a perfect red.

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