Review & Swatches: MAC x Rihanna – Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Set

Many questions have crossed my mind ever since first seeing the new MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 set promo images. Is that lipstick black? brown? …no wait, grey? — Are they serious with this one? — Is green hair the thing nowadays? — The promo images confused me, and with me many others. I think it’s time to take a closer look at this…

Just like the previous MAC Viva Glam Rihanna set, this duo also comes in that rubberized, glowing red packaging. Rihanna’s signature pops in a vivid red over top. What I think would’ve been fun, is if they matched the color of this edition’s packaging to the uniquely colored new lipstick. This glowing red packaging definitely was inspired by the previous Viva Glam Rihanna set, and it would’ve been fun to see them do it again with this one — but they didn’t so you can just ignore me here lol!

Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick (Limited Edition)

MAC x Rihanna — Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick

MAC x Rihanna — Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick

MAC x Rihanna — Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick

MAC x Rihanna — Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick one pass (L) and built up (R)

MAC x Rihanna — Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick

Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick ($16.00/€18,50) (Limited Edition); is by MAC described as a warm mauve with silver frost. I don’t know about that, because I see so many things going on. I see a dark-medium, ashy-taupe/brown with hints of mauve peeking through and a silver frost finish. The consistency is on the drier side and definitely needs some work to get opaque. This lipstick provides about 4-5 hours of wear on me and is a touch drying. I also find that it settles into the fine lines of my lips quickly.

Now, here’s the one question that kept running through my mind as I was playing with this: “How in the hell, is MAC going to sell this to the masses?!”. Rihanna, MAC and originally colored lipstick fans are going to get their hands on this, no doubt about it. But what about the “normal” people, that walk by MAC counters… how on earth is MAC going to win them over?

Normally, I could care less. But with all MAC Viva Glam lipsticks every cent of the selling price goes towards helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. That just simply is amazing. And with Viva Glam Rihanna 2 I’m afraid that MAC is gonna miss out on some big bucks because they won’t be able to sell it to the masses. I might be completely wrong, but that’s what I think of the entire situation.

Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipglass (Limited Edition)

MAC x Rihanna — Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipglass

MAC x Rihanna — Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipglass

MAC x Rihanna — Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipglass one pass (L) and built up (R)

MAC x Rihanna — Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipglass

Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipglass ($15.00/€17,50) (Limited Edition); is by MAC described as a cool mauve with red frost. Again, I see something different. I see a clear, slightly gray tinted gloss with lots of purple/fuchsia micro shimmers that have an unique chartreuse duochrome. Yeah, I know… that’s intense. It pretty much just shows up like a clear-nude with lots of shimmer on the lips. This lipglass provides about 5-7 hours of wear on me and is neither hydrating nor drying.

Below is what the lipstick looks like combined with the lipglass…

Now, hello! This is more like it! The lipglass over top of the lipstick totally brings out the mauve, and the purple/fuchsia micro shimmer truly comes alive over top of the lipstick. It might still be a very daring color, but I definitely feel this a lot more than just the lipstick alone.

THE VERDICT

I’m all for original, unique and daring lipstick shades. But somehow the Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Perhaps if it had been a little more dark and intense, I would’ve liked it better. But now all it gives me is a 90’s lip gone bad. Dead bad. The lipglass I do like, but I don’t think stands strong enough on its own. I know I’ve already addressed it, but I really hope this daring choice won’t affect the sales for the Viva Glam Fund. It’s a fund I strongly believe in. Finally, I want to close off by saying that I think this will suit dark skin divas a whole lot better. It might still be a little too ashy and frosty, but it’d look way better nonetheless.

The collection is set to release online September 8th and in-stores September 11th.

❥ Nikkie
@nikkietutorials