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Viva La MAC Viva Glam! Swatches and Pics of the New Cyndi and Gaga Lipglasses

by 66 Comments

mac viva glam cyndi lipglass mac viva glam gaga lipglass swatches review

Back in college I volunteered as a peer health counselor, and one of my responsibilities was to visit the different dorms on campus and give presentations on HIV/AIDS awareness. Even though it took a lot of time, it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done (I felt like I was really helping people).

In a small way, MAC’s Viva Glam program allows me to still feel like I’m helping people, and maybe that’s one of the reasons why I like the limited edition MAC Viva Glam Cyndi and Viva Glam Gaga Lipglasses ($14.50 each) so much.

Well, it doesn’t hurt that they’re gorgeous, too. 🙂

mac viva glam cyndi lipglass mac viva glam gaga lipglass wands

If I had to pick between the two, I think I’d probably go with Cyndi’s shiny coral. Don’t get me wrong — I love Gaga’s creamy light bluish pink, but I tend to find warmer colors a little easier to wear.

That said, if you prefer cooler colors and/or pale pinks, you might have better luck with Gaga.

On top of everything else, both colors come with MAC’s classic sticky texture, long-wearing gloss formula (about four hours) and light vanilla scent (they are unflavored, though).

mac viva glam cyndi lipglass mac viva glam gaga lipglass swatches
Swatches from left on NC35 skin: Viva Glam Cyndi, Viva Glam Gaga

mac viva glam cyndi swatch
MAC Viva Glam Cyndi Lipglass

mac viva glam gaga lipglass swatch
MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipglass

mac viva glam cyndi lipglass mac viva glam gaga lipglass box

The donation resulting from the purchase of a single MAC Viva Glam lipstick or lipglass is enough to provide…

  • One school stationery starter pack for a child orphaned by a parent with AIDS
  • One month of public transportation for a woman to travel to and from a doctor’s office
  • One monthly medication planner to help a person manage their treatment regimen
  • One HIV-prevention workshop conducted by a peer health educator
  • One pair of school shoes for a child orphaned by AIDS
  • One counseling session for an HIV+ woman
  • 15 copies of a “Tips to Eating Well with HIV/AIDS” booklet
  • Two emergency boxes filled with non-perishable food
  • 14 blood glucose monitoring strips
  • One rapid oral HIV test

    • (source)

With the MAC AIDS Fund, the company hasn’t just thrown money at a problem for PR purposes. They’ve created the infrastructure to actually deliver help and services to people in an efficient way. Plus, hello! — the colors are totally hawt! 🙂 Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Yeah, I hear ya. I have a hard time with pale pinks, though, so it might look better on you than it does on me. I bet it would look nice layered on top of the Gaga lipstick!

      Reply

  5. LOVE these. i might have to splurge for the GaGa one…should i? i never used MACs lipglass, can anyone tell me if they are too sticky? my splurge is juicy tubes.

    Reply

    • Hi Melissa,

      They feel very different from the Juicy Tubes. They’re thicker and stickier, for sure. You might want to try a little bit on first to make sure you like the texture.

      Reply

  6. I already have the Viva Glam Gaga… but I really want to buy BOTH of these 😀 They’re both so pretty and I love that they support a great cause!

    Reply

    • For some reason I have a hard time with certain pale pinks too. On some women they look gorgeous… but on me I feel like they look like p0rn star lips, LOL!

      Reply

  15. Karen, how similar would you say the Cyndi lipglass is to Lychee Luxe? They look really close to me, but sometimes my laptop monitor likes to play color tricks on me!

    Reply

  16. I have the Cyndi lipstick and love it, I think I’ll also get it in the lipglass. I’ll probably be stocking up since it’s limited.

    Reply

  19. I always try to pick up Viva Glam stuff when they come out … and even if im loyal to Lychee Luxe ill def get these. Such pretty colors and so complimentary to the lippies!

    Reply

  21. I also work in a field relating to HIV/AIDS awareness and am amazed by the fact that they donate the whole amount rather than just an undisclosed amount (like a lot of other companies). I try and buy Viva Glam stuff whenever I can, especially the lip palettes at Christmas.

    Great article Karen, I bet your readers are going to check out these products the next time they visit a MAC store and keep this information in mind. x

    Reply

  23. Karen,
    Thanks for what the money goes to- I always love the Viva Glam but wow! Consider yourself still an HIV/AIDS educator!

    Reply

  25. I just purchased the Cyndi lipstick (I have too many glosses already). I’ve been eyeing it forever and I finally just did it. I also bought Hipness Blush, which I’m excited about. I can’t wait to get them both! I just can’t get into the Lady Gaga color…maybe I’m too pale for it? I also am not into the nude lip thing, so maybe that’s my issue. Thanks for the swatches. They finally gave me the push to buy what I’ve been day dreaming about…

    Reply

  27. OMG! I’m excited! Can’t wait them to be launch here! I hope they will launch them here too? =( I have both lipsticks, but I guess I’ll just get Gaga one for this. I’m a huge fan of pale pink lips! <3

    Reply

  31. Karen — that’s so cool that you did that volunteering in college. I’ve always been interested in HIV/AIDS prevention, and in virology (science nerd over here, hehe). I haven’t gone to grad school yet, but I’m considering med school so that I can be an AIDS specialist. We need more people working to help those who are infected (and especially where I live — DC has the highest infection rate in the country).

    On a happier note, though, the coral is really pretty on you, but I don’t know how it’d look on me. I suppose I could check it out at a counter anyway!

    Reply

  32. i need to save some money!!! i really want the cyndi one. i have the lady gaga lipstick and i realy regret it because its WAY too light for my skin tone!

    Reply

  33. I bought the Lady Gaga lipglass today and I’m amazed at how great it looks on me! I never thought I’d be able to pull a color lipgloss off and this makes me want to experiment! I completely adore it! How long has it been out so far?

    Reply

  34. I bought the Lady Gaga lipglass today and I’m amazed at how great it looks on me! I never thought I’d be able to pull a color lipgloss off and this makes me want to experiment! I completely adore it! How long has it been out so far? (Since it’s said to be limited addition for 6 months, I think?)

    Reply

  36. I have gaga in the lipglass and stick but I want cyndi’s gloss now its gorgeous. how does it compare to the lipstick? such a great cause to support

    Reply

  37. Hi Karen,

    I have the Cyndi lipstick but im now considering the gloss aswell! Do you wear them together? Also could you suggest a look for the rest of the face to complement the Cyndi colour. I have medium auburn hair and fair-medium skin (NC20-25). Thanks so much! 🙂

    Reply

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