Lipstick Bandits go universal with MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick

Paris B 41 Comments

Hello Bandit-eers! 😀

For our next Lipstick Bandits collaboration project, we decided to do something a bit different. We decided to see just how 1 lipstick would look on all of us and after a bit of hmming and hawing, and thanks to the brainwave that is Tracy, the decision was settled on MAC Viva Glam V.

mac viva glam v

Viva Glam V has been touted as being a lipstick that suits all skintones and preferences that we had to see if it did do that. It is also worth noting MAC’s commendable effort in donating proceeds from sales of all the MAC Viva Glam lipsticks to HIV/AIDS programmes. So purchasing a MAC Viva Glam lipstick is doing a bit of a good deed 🙂

In the tube, Viva Glam V is a deep nude pink that I will confess did not appeal to me. I usually go for brighter toned lipsticks. The texture is a Lustre which is the range of MAC lipsticks that is a little more moisturizing and a bit sheer. But on lips, I was a little surprised.

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MAC Glitter & Ice Holiday 2011 : Some Photos and a bit of Grinch-ing

Paris B 35 Comments

We’ve just stepped foot gingerly into November and already we’re seeing Christmas collections popping up everywhere. O.M.G. Can you say overwhelmed?? Can you say TOO EARLY?

Anyway, I have a small confession. I don’t really do the Christmas coffret thing. I mean I like that brands take the trouble to come up with excellent deals in their coffrets but I always find that inevitably there’s one thing in there I don’t like. Also, I don’t do limited edition too well. Bah humbug! What a Grinch! 😛

I will admit however, that coffrets and gift packs are excellent for gifting because it isn’t terribly expensive (for the most part) and they always come nicely packaged. I may not have too many holiday coffrets or collections featured here on the blog, but I hope I have time to feature some or any that I might like particularly. I may feature them on the Facebook page though since its information that moves more quickly.

mac glitter and ice holiday 2011

Last year, MAC took to the Scottish Highlands with their rather gaudy Tartan Tale collection. This year, they went up further to the North Pole, opting for a white glittery collection. Even the packaging of the collection is in white. Know what? I rather like that! Everything in the collection looks a wee bit different than their usual range of products. However, I read also that quality isn’t quite up to par with their regular range of products. I’m not one to say much about that (it being MAC and all) but I will have some pictures from this collection for your viewing pleasure 😉

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Looking for a nude lipstick? Go Gaga with M.A.C Viva Glam Lady Gaga 2 Lipstick and Lipglass

Paris B 53 Comments

I’m sure many of you now know that you can recycle your M.A.C product plastic packaging by returning 6 pieces to M.A.C in exchange for a lipstick of choice, right? And when you have gone to make your exchange, you might have been told that you can choose from any one in the range… except for the Viva Glam lipstick.

mac back to mac

Know why? The M.A.C Viva Glam lipstick is a charity effort by M.A.C where all sales of the lipstick goes towards the M.A.C Aids Fund to support men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS and to spread information about the disease. I first paid attention a few years ago when one of the hottest sellers was the M.A.C Viva Glam V fronted by Pamela Anderson. The colour was a lovely shade of light pink and I actually bought it – partly because the colour was lovely and partly because of the contribution to the Aids Fund. It felt nice to do something and get something out of it without going too far out of my way.

The Viva Glam lipstick has been an annual affair since 1994 and this year it is fronted again by Lady Gaga – the music icon of our times it would seem. I can just see your mind ticking and yes, Lady Gaga was one half of the dynamic Viva Glam duo last year too alongside Cyndi Lauper. This year the music superstar gets her own campaign 🙂

mac viva glam gaga 2

This year’s Viva Glam lipstick and lipglass comes in tones of beige – opaque enough to cover even my pigmented lips. And an interesting change from the pinks, and reds I associate with Viva Glam

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MAC hops on the BB wagon with MAC Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm SPF35 PA+++ : My thoughts

Paris B 27 Comments

The BB Cream madness continues. Have you noticed just how many brands now have a BB Cream or another? Sure, they may not always call it a “BB Cream”. MAC for example, calls theirs a Beauty Balm and unless you are familiar with the whole BB thing, you may not realize its supposed to be a member of the BB Cream cult.

mac prep + prime bb beauty balm

Mine came from Changi airport and for now, this is a travel exclusive. But I’m given to understand that that will change soon, so it will be available in MAC stores as well.

The difference I have noticed between Western versions of BB Creams and the Korean/Asian versions, is that the Western versions don’t tout all sorts of miraculous all-in-one capabilities. The recommendation is to apply the MAC Beauty Balm after moisturizer and since it contains SPF35/PA+++, I’d say that the MAC Beauty Balm is actually pretty much a tinted sunscreen cum makeup base.

Regulars will know that I’m not MAC’s biggest cheerleader, so really, how does this one fare then?

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