September 10, 2014

MAC Viva Glam Rihanna II Lipstick Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

MAC Viva Glam Rihanna II

MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick is quite a unique looking lipstick for Fall 2014. MAC calls Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick a warm mauve with silver frost but for me I swear I started humming Mr Roboto after after trying it on. It’s really quite a robot-like shade with hints of brown, mauve, and grayish shimmer. On Riri, well, it rocks, but on my skin tone, not so much! But I learned that I can combine it with MAC Viva Glam Rihanna Lipglass and make it hecka more wearable.

Take a peek!

MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick

My lips are drier so I did feel like MAC Viva Glam Rihanna II Lipstick accentuated every single natural line in my lips. The color won’t be for everyone. The thing is, it’s either going to rock like no one business on some skin tones where as others, well, it won’t look so great. But hey, that’s the fun of makeup right? And one of my makeup life’s greatest joys is coming across unusual colors to add to my stash even if I can’t wear ’em!

It has a nice creamy consistency but it didn’t apply as evenly and as smooth as I would like so I looked a little bizarre not only due to the color but the way it applied as well, it kinda looked sloppy on. The nice thing about it is if you apply clear gloss or even a bit of the new Rihanna Lipglass II you’ll not only make the shade more wearable but also even out the surface so it looks smooth, even, and it’s less likely to fall into your natural lip lines. It wears for around three hours on me and leaves a faintly grape-y stain behind which fades quickly.

MAC Viva Glam Rihanna II Lipstick

MAC Viva Glam Rihanna II Lipstick

MAC Viva Glam Rihanna II Lipstick swatches

MAC Viva Glam Rihanna II Lipstick Swatches

The color is so hard to explain. It’s sort of purple, it has a bit of black to it, some brown, a richer mauve, and even a little taupe with some light flecks of grayish, silver shimmer. It’s almost a duochrome shade that reflects differently in sunlight and indoor lighting.

Unfortunately, I do look a bit foolish wearing it on its own. The finish is a bit unforgivable for me and looks sloppy on my lips. So I do recommend lip liner as well as gloss to get an even, smooth surface. I think gloss also helps to add a bit of sparkle while sheering the shade out and making it more wearable for me so I get a bit of a vampy purple look versus a robotic brownish gray!

This comes in limited edition packaging and features Riri’s autograph on the outer packaging in bright red metallic script. The actually lipstick tube is a metallic red as well with a soft, rubbery finish a la NARS packaging so if you’re thinking it collects dirt fast, you’d be right!

The nicest thing about MAC Viva Glam Rihanna II Lipstick is the fact that 100% percent of the proceeds go to the MAC Aids Fund that benefits those in need with HIV and AIDS.

If you’re a Rihanna fan I see this lipstick as being a must have even for those that might feel they can’t sport the shade.

MAC Viva Glam Rihanna II Lipstick fotd

The MAC Viva Glam Rihanna II Lipstick will be available at MAC counters and maccosmetics.com for the next several months!

Did you buy it?

How’d it look on you?

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Heidi

    This reminds me a bit of that now discontinued Rimmel/Kate Moss lipstick that was kind of a pewter shade that leaned a bit purple or lilac, depending. I bought that one and get little use out of it, but it makes a nice eyeshadow. (Never been a fan of shimmery/metallic lips …)

    • Isabella Muse

      I wanna say I have that one somewhere Heidi! I remember the shade….!!!!!!!!!!

  • amy

    I’m not a fan of MAC lipstick, since they tend to settle into every nook & cranny in my lips (which areotherwise sseemingly nonexistent…), and they feel a bit awkward on, but this shade is sooo amazing, and is likely backup worthy! I’m pretty pale, with no discernable undertones (read: grey), so I snatch up these sort of shades whenever possible.

    • Isabella Muse

      amy it def does that but with gloss on top you can smooth it out very well!

  • Ashley

    I’m not really a fan of Rihanna’s but I’m pretty sure that girl could look good in anything, and I don’t think you look half bad in it either Muse!

    • Isabella Muse

      I agree! She does green hair, unusual lipstick shades, etc and still looks amazings 😀 awww shucks ashley you’re too kind 😀

  • Marina

    I haven’t bought the lipstick…YET. It is a gorgeous color and I am just crazy enough to try it with my pale skin xD But I did buy the lipglass and OH MY. Just stunning! Think I will wait on the lipstick until after RHPS because lord knows that one is going to suck me dry.

  • Angel

    Man, that is a wacky shade. On darker skin tones, I imagine this will be lovely. On me, it would look like death.

  • chris

    I loooove it on your hand! will look awesome on pale skin if you are adventurous! looks awesome with the lipglass on you, too!

  • Pink Haired Princess

    Very interesting to look at in the tube and very unique. I kinda prefer it more, looking grey in the swatch than the purple shade on the lips.

  • LipstickHoarder

    I think it looks great on you, Muse!! I cannot wait to get mine. I really loved her last VG and the other lippies she put out. I wish they would do a re-release of some of them. Maybe a few years have to pass in order to do that? The world may never know lol.

    • Isabella Muse

      I agree the last ones were great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You should check a few counters sometimes they still have extras!

      • LipstickHoarder

        Whhaaaat?!?! Are you serious because Im going to make a few calls right now lol. Unless you mean that store I think it’s called OCC or something lol. Where they have discntinued and LE items.

        • Isabella Muse

          no, not ACW 🙂 sometimes counters or mac stores still have viva glam shades in stock 🙂 do check around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • LipstickHoarder

    Yesss, I have her first one already. I want her second release like Talk That Talk. Sad that I missed out on it. :[ I just dont want to spend another $50. Thats how much I put up for Pleasure Bomb some months ago :”[

    • Isabella Muse

      did you check nordstrom.com? they still have the bronzer from that collection I believe…not sure on the lipsticks though! that isn’t vivaglam though, I meant that some shops/counters might still have viva glam offerings 🙂 talk that talk was form the riri holiday collection!

  • LipstickHoarder

    Lol that was what I was talking about. Her second release with MAC. I have her VG1. And yess I was eying the bronzer but I need to see swatches. I think you reviewed it too right? I will check.

  • kimkats

    Ugh… that’s a nasty shade for a lipstick… now if they had made that an eyeshadow, I”d be all over it!! Just not a fan of cadaverous brown/grey shades on lips… ickickick!!

  • JoElla

    ” I swear I started humming Mr Roboto after after trying it on.” *dies*

    I give MAC kudos for thinking outside the box with this color. To me, this feels like a ‘throw me back into the late 80’s to early 90’s’ type color. Cute on me back then.. perhaps not so much now.

  • Majick

    well, I truly thought this was going to look like mega death but surprisingly it looks good! It’s much more purple and darker than I thought it would translate.
    I’ll probably pass on this because I’m finding this type of shade doesn’t really work for me anymore.
    Thanks for the review – I do think it’s a collectible color.

  • Sadra

    Hi! I just picked up the set, and I really like the combo on me. For reference, I have neutral medium skin tone with freckles and ruddiness.
    You wouldn’t think it would work on me, but it does. And I’ve discovered a really nice benefit – the color (on me) just begs for a bright cheek, so I can really pile on the pink blush.
    One more thing, would it be possible to not have the ads auto play when we bring up the site? Sometimes I read this site at work (shhhhh…) and it’s kind of a give away when the music starts playing!

    • Isabella Muse

      omg so so so so sorry sadra been working on this issue all week! I realize it is SO freaking annoying. Please forgive me! I’ll get it fixed shortly Sadra! and btw I’m so glad you love this and got it as a set as I think it works best with both products 🙂

  • Margaret

    I bought it .. I have no idea what possessed me to. I tried it on in Mac, the salesgirls had it on (looked great on them), it looked pretty good on me in their lighting, and when I came home, I felt like I looked like a disturbed gothic woman..LOL Maybe I should buy the gloss? Do you find it goes on your teeth at all when you do?

    • Isabella Muse

      I can’t wear it alone! I look like a robot lol! 🙂 but with the gloss it’s much more wearable. No, haven’t had issues with the gloss/lipstick smearing on my teeth.

  • Tina

    I caved and bought this one too. Sometimes just that special packaging alone gets me! But I figure I can wear it lighter, and put the gloss over it and it would be wearable for me. I honestly think it looks *great* on you! So I’d say, work it! 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks Tina 🙂 <3!!!!!!!! IT IS DEF wearable with the gloss on top! I bet you'll rock it 🙂