MAC Viva Glam Lipstick in Viva Glam VI Special Edition - Product Review

When I was younger, I was never really a huge fan of lipstick, always finding myself picking a gloss instead. Recently, however, I purchased a new MAC lipstick that has converted me to a lipstick addict. The lipstick on my brain (and my lips)? Viva Glam VI Special Edition.

COLOR

Viva Glam VI Special Edition is described on maccsometics.com as a soft blue pink. While their swatch is off, their description is near perfect. This lipstick is a blue-based pink with next-to-nothing shimmer. While it is rather sheer on the first application, the color can really be built up to a medium-toned perfect pink. My lips are fairly pigmented, however, this lipstick shows up true-to color once properly applied and gives a nice, natural pink to the lips. It is not a crazy Barbie pink like most blue-based pinks, but rather, a wearable beauty of a blue-based pink. This color looks great on fair skin tones, and would probably look great on darker skin tones as well. Since color can be built up, it really should work for everyone.

FORMULA

This lipstick is a lustre finish. It shows up moderately glossy on the lips, as if a gloss is being worn in tandem. While a lot of other people tend to not like the lustre finish, I find it to be very pretty, glossy, and a complete lip. It will not last as long on your lips as say, an amplified, but so long as you have thirty seconds to re-apply every few hours, it is a wonderful lipstick. It goes on very smooth and does not accentuate any fine lines on my lips.

FUNCTIONALITY

This lipstick is, in my opinion, very functional when compared to some of MAC's wilder lipsticks. It looks great being the center of attention with a neutral eye or can even be applied sparingly for an intense eye look. It can be thrown in your purse and taken anywhere, and I find, since it is a lustre, it saves me the time of re-applying a gloss and a lipstick. This lipstick is great for lots of different looks and uses.

PACKAGING

The packaging of all Viva Glam lipsticks is quite similar to the regular lipsticks, with only one change. The writing and places where the tube would usually be silver are red. This, of course, is themed to the cause. For any Viva Glam product purchased, MAC donates all of the profits to the AIDS Fund.

PRICE

Viva Glam VI Special Edition is priced the same as any other MAC lipstick at $14. However, I find this purchase more justifiable as I am getting a great, fun lipstick AND donating money to a cause that really needs the help. Also, comparatively speaking, $14 is not a lot when you take into account how much drugstore lipsticks are these days, so going for more than $10. It puts a gorgeous wash of color on my lips and money into the pocket of a program that truly needs it.

FINAL OPINIONS

To me, you cannot go wrong with this lipstick! I absolutely adore this mix between Barbie and berry and love that I am donating money to a good cause. I highly recommend always trying before buying, but if this color doesn't work for you, go to a MAC store, counter, or their website (maccosmetics.com) and see if one of the other Viva Glam lipsticks will work for you. I think this is extremely functional, relatively affordable, and definitely a great product to own. This lipstick, along with all other MAC products, are available at MAC stores, MAC counters, maccosmetics.com, or where MAC cosmetics are sold.