Review & Swatches - Mac Viva Glam Nicki 2

There has never been a company that has come up with a fundraising campaign as effective as Mac Viva Glam. They have raised millions of dollars and always donate the full purchase price of any product in this line to those affected by HIV / AIDS in your home town. So that means when you purchase a Viva Glam product here in Perth Australia, the full amount ($36 for the lipstick and $35 for the lipglass) is donated to the WA Aids Charity here.

While you cant Back2Mac these products, you are still supporting a very worth while cause. Nicki Minaj is back to lend her name to Viva Glam with another beautiful yet in your face lipstick and lipgloss combo. I give her major props for always staying true to herself when it comes to her own products she releases with Mac. I know if I was ever asked (cmon, I can dream right??) to be a Viva Glam girl I would stay 100% true to Starling Bright and what I am about!

Nicki 1 was a yellow based pink lipstick and lipglass duo that had alot of people sitting back thinking they couldn't pull it off, I am never one of those people that is scared of a bright or different lipstick. I do have to admit when I swatched Nicki 2 in store, even I was worried that I couldn't pull this one off without looking 'dead' or 'washed out' because of the pastel colour. I have listed a few permanent lip pencils to pair with it to make it more 'every day' -

• Nightmoth - outline your lips and then blending it towards the centre of your mouth before applying VG Nicki 2, this will give you an intense vampy lip with a difference
• Magenta - the pink undertones of this will make it more wearable and less pastel
• Rich Purple Chromagraphic Pencil - the purple in this paired with the lipstick results in an almost grayed colour lip once VG Nicki 2 is applied.
• Inglot AMC Lip Crayon 31 - Yes I know this is not Mac but it is a cool lavender but the subtle undertones in this warm up the lipstick just enough to make it more 'every day'

Viva Glam Nicki 2 is described as a Pastel Lavender Pink, but on me this is all lavender. It is an amplified finish and it is really creamy. The lipstick is super pigmented and in one swipe over your lips you have a great opaque coverage. The lipglass is very similar in colour but of course more of a milky finish. This means it settles into the lips so you need to pair this either with the lipstick or a lip pencil to prime your lips, or prep them correctly at least. 

Viva Glam Nicki 2 Lipstick & Lipglass

Comparing it to Nicki 1, you can see that Nicki 2 is a very cool colour so pairing it with one of the suggested lip pencils above gives you options to really work with this colour.

Mac Viva Glam Nicki 1 Lipstick, Nicki 2 Lipstick and Nicki 2 Lipglass

Considering the cause, I still think you should pick up this lipstick. It can be made 'every day' depending on the base pencil or what lipstick you layer this over. Sure Nicki Minaj is out there, but don't we all have a little Diva in us all?

This is limited edition, at least for the next 12 months and is available at your local counters and online. 

Peace and Love,