Review - MAC Viva Glam II

I didn't intend to start purchasing the Viva Glam lipsticks in order, but since I got the first two in order, might as well go with it - surprise, next one I intend to acquire is III, and so forth.

By now, most of you know the fund behind the Viva Glam Lipstick range - 100% of the proceeds go to MAC AIDS Fund, aiding those living with HIV/AIDS. That is something I care to support! With each new Viva Glam product there is a spokesperson - Viva Glam I being RuPaul. Viva Glam II kept the diversity going with KD Lang - not someone whom you would think was all too into makeup. Lang was perfect for the aim of the product - the no makeup, makeup look.

Turns out, Viva Glam II is actually pretty fantastic.

Going against my norm, this spring and summer I've been all about the nude lip and a bright, colorful eye. Usually it's the other way around!

MAC describes Viva Glam II as a "muted pink beige with shimmer" and that it has a Satin finish. The muted pink beige part is spot on, but I'm willing to go on the record in saying there is not even a touch of shimmer in this (which I didn't particularly want anyway). It is also one of the most matte like Satin finishes that I have ever worn - there is no sheen to this, and I had to double check what was printed on the bottom of the lipstick to make sure it was actually a Satin and wasn't a typo on the website.  Either way, I like it even more than the color description would have let on!

This is the perfect My Lips But Better nude for my skin. Being so fair skinned, I always assumed that I'd need pale nudes to flatter me, but mixing those with my already pigmented lips was kind of a failure. I was afraid to delve into Viva Glam II because I feared that it would be "soooo 90s!" against my skin but it really is one of those natural looking lipcolors that just pulls a whole look together. 

In terms of wear, as I already noted, this shade does feel more like a Matte than a Satin finish. It is drier and will not budge once you apply it. I left it in my purse while I was at work to test how long it would wear before I seriously needed to update and I went a good 5 hours before I was needing to update it. I'm slightly obsessive about reapplying, so 5 hours is a good amount of time!  I didn't find it drying, but I've yet to meet a MAC Matte that was on my lips. If your lips don't react well to Mattes - mine usually react better to Mattes than Lustres or Cremesheens - then this may be drying for you, but I found it quite comfortable and fuss free.

Overall;

Pros:

- Good wear time.

- Great MLBB shade for my skin.

- Did not dry my lips.

Cons:

- MAC's description is a bit misleading.

I actually rather love this shade - and I'm getting a whole lot of use out of it, as it hasn't left my purse since I purchased it! My tip would be to swatch this in store to gauge it against your skin and to understand the matteness of it before purchasing - I wasn't too interested in it until I swatched it! Now onto my next endeavor, Viva Glam III!

9/10