A Do-Gooder World

I remember a time when I was into M.A.C.  I was fortunate enough to have earned a position as a makeup artist for M.A.C. and although I had a lot of fun, I quickly realized that it was a line that was in a world of its own.  Once I was in M.A.C., that became "the world" and it was hard to even explore other options and interact with others outside this world.  Part of the reason was that it was an active world that to this day, churns out multiple collections of limited edition items faster than many can keep up.  Looking at it from an outside perspective now that I am older, the people who surround the counter daily seem younger than I remember.  As a whole, it is a different type of clientele  - not worse or better, just different. 

Yes, M.A.C. is a different world.  That's why I thought it was a perfect partnership when they signed on Lady Gaga, a different kind of entertainer, who first appeared in a Viva Glam campaign last year with another unique icon, Cyndi Lauper.  This year, on the heels of her Grammy Red Carpet entrance in a pod, M.A.C. has unveiled Lady Gaga as an other-worldly, ethereal presence for the M.A.C. Viva Glam Gaga 2 campaign. 

For her star power alone, it's easy to get sucked into the Gaga Glamour Galaxy.  However, if you are familiar with the M.A.C. Aids Fund, you are familiar with how important the Viva Glam collections are to not only M.A.C. but the people they help.  These are people who may often feel like they are isolated themselves.  The M.A.C. AIDS Fund was founded in 1994 and has raised over $202 million to date with 13.8 million Viva Glam lipsticks sold. The entire $14.50 price is donated to the cause to help women, men and kids everywhere affected by HIV and AIDS.  I've always known lip color has the power to do good!

If you are planning for your lips to look like Lady Gaga's with just the lipstick and lipglass from the collection, think twice.  The colors will not show up like the photo shown.  After speaking with the M.A.C. artists, it was the consensus that a lipliner was used to perk up the colors.  Unfortunately, after trying the products on several clients, I cannot recommend the Viva Glam Gaga 2 lipstick  (a light, neutral beige) and lipglass (a light, neutral beige with a slight hint of pink)  to everyone.  The lipstick -  a wet, creamy texture - that goes on so thick, that without a light-of-hand application or some blotting, accentuates lip imperfections and ends up looking like light, murky mud.  Darker skin tones would have a harder time with this color.  Even for many with fair skin tones,  the lipstick alone  ends up dull and lifeless on most without the help of the lipglass. 

Colors worn:  M.A.C. Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipstick + Lipglass

Go ahead and venture out to try this.  However, if it doesn't work for you may I suggest looking for new life in Viva Glam's extensive line of easily wearable pinks, mauves and reds. No need to be from Krypton to have super powers.  Just transform yourself and affect the lives of others with color and wear lipstick!