The Scarlet Season: MAC Viva Glam I Lipstick

MAC Viva Glam I Lipstick ($14.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a retro red if I ever saw one. There’s something about it that’s elegant, timeless, and always gets images of blonde bombshells dancing in my head whenever I pull it out. Can you believe Viva Glam I has been available for fifteen years? It was the first shade launched for MAC’s Viva Glam campaign. So, not only are you getting one stunning, classic shade of deep red, you’re doing good while you’re at it, because “[e]very cent of the selling price of VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass is donated to the M·A·C AIDS Fund to support men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS.” Viva Glam I is a creamy red that’s incredibly matte without being flat.

The Scarlet Season is a series of posts showcasing and featuring my favorite shades of red lips–from glosses to lipsticks that runs through December 2009. You can sure expect to see a lot of red this holiday season!

See more swatches and comparison photos…

Plus, here’s a photo of me rockin’ Viva Glam I from quite awhile ago (seriously, this is from 2007!)…

6 Must-Have MAC Red Lipsticks

About the Temptalia Must-Haves Series

A series of posts showcasing must-have products from MAC Cosmetics’ permanent line of products. Selections are based on quality, universality, uniqueness amongst the line, and the like. Limited edition shades are deliberately excluded to make buying easier. Readers’ comments act as a supplement to these lists of their favorites and must-haves. You can find the entire series here.

Russian Red lipstick is a matte, super bright blue-based red. This is pretty much a standard red lip for anyone. I’ll admit it doesn’t always work on me, since it can run too blue, but you can always pair it with a lip liner or gloss to make it more your tone.

Viva Glam I lipstick is a matte, retro red. Retro red is kind of a deeper, more muted red. This is a very wearable red for all skin tones, and it is one of my favorite reds on me.

Dubonnet lipstick is a deep red with a slightly burgundy tone to it with a creamy, slightly glossy finish. This is another flattering shade on a variety of skin tones.

See three more!

Brave Red lipstick is a creamy slightly muted red with a very light sheen in its finish.

Ruby Woo lipstick is a matte, blue-based red with a lightly creamy, super opaque color to it. If you love Russian Red, you’ll probably love Ruby Woo, too.

Lady Bug lipstick is a sheerer tomato-red (orange-based) that is kind of an entry red–just because it has a glossy, sheer finish to it.

What are your favorite red lipsticks?