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MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky
MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky

MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky is a new campaign to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS through MAC AIDS Fund’s Viva Glam program. This year’s limited life products include a specially designed Lip Conditioner (in a tube) with Ricky Martin’s signature emblazoned across it and lipstick Viva Glam Nicki (bright yellow pink) with Nicki Minaj’s signature on the inner packaging.

No matter how you may feel about the promotional material or celebrities chosen this year, the entire selling price of each product goes directly to MAC AIDS Fund, which is dedicated to raising HIV/AIDS awareness. MAF does some amazing things, and it’s one of the best charities I’ve seen any beauty brand identify with. It’s a rare thing to see a brand that donates 100% — and this isn’t just net proceeds, which is typically after costs are paid for. This is a full $14.50 or $15.00 that goes straight to a good cause. If neither of these products are appealing to you, there are several other permanent Viva Glam shades that are more wearable and universally flattering.

Viva Glam Nicki is a vibrant medium pink with subtle yellow undertones that give it a kiss of coral. It has a satin finish, which means it has a semi-matte finish; there’s a natural sheen but nothing glossy or shimmery. The color coverage is opaque, and it applies evenly. On me, it wears four hours. MAC Chatterbox is not as bright, slightly darker. YSL Fetish Pink has a blue-base. Elizabeth Arden Perfect Flamingo is a touch darker and cooler-toned.

Lip Conditioner is clear and slick. This always feels really slippery on my lips; almost like thickened milk. I prefer other lip balms to this personally. The staying power and overall hydration are good but not great. I like that it’s in a tube, though, so it’s more travel- and pocket-friendly.

MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky
MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky

MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky
MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky

MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky
MAC Viva Glam Nicki

MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky
MAC Viva Glam Nicki

MAC Viva Glam Nicki & Ricky
MAC Viva Glam Nicki

MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick

MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick

MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick

226 Comments

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Julie M Avatar

Ahhh so pretty! I’ll definitely be buying Viva Glam Nicki – if not for anything else then at least for the sake of supporting a great cause 🙂

Lauren Avatar

I feel the same way. I don’t usually buy mac lipsticks because there are plenty of drugstore ones that I like. I bought Gaga and Cyndi and love both. I bought Gaga 2 last year because everyone said it’s the perfect nude shade. I don’t like it on me for some reason, but I don’t regret buying it because it’s for such a good cause. I found a way to make it work though. 🙂 I’m planning on getting Nicki. If I end up not liking it, oh well. At least it’s for a great cause. I also like that 100% goes to it.

Claudia Avatar

Same here. My husband died of AIDS-related illnesses and something he always said was–“if someone had told about the reality of HIV and AIDS, I would have listened. I would have protected myself.” We live in Thailand, and HIV education was a major taboo among young people until about 5 years ago. I support many HIV/AIDS educational causes, but MAC is the only product I buy because all the money goes to support HIV related causes. Good thing for a private company to be so socially aware and actually give back to the community, not just break even.

Romina Elorrieta Avatar

I don’t care if it is promoted by Nicki Minaj, I love the colour… Seriously, can Christine look more pretty wearing it?. I love the pictures!!

Malia Avatar

Oooops! I just looked there is no comparison- this one looks much pinker and prettier imo, the other one was kinda on the bluish-lavenderish side.

Melody Avatar

It’s beautiful! It looks like one of those shades that brightens up your whole face. For some reason I thought it was going to be an amplified finish, but I dig this color as a satin, too. The Viva Glam campaign is one of the reasons I still frequent MAC, even after some of the strange things going on with MAC recently.

Samantha Dancey Avatar

If you don’t mind me asking what kind of strange things? I use MAC cosmetics mainly only a different brand of eyeshadow every now & then in the crease lol but I haven’t heard anything going on.

Julia Avatar

I love that colour on you! But as it looks quite close to Chatterbox (which already is wildly bright against my colouring) this is going to end up a miss for me 🙁

Mellymel Avatar

Chatter box is far from this one amazing colour. chatterbox is more of a coral and the Viva glam Nicki is more or a pink. This one colour suits all skin tones.

renee Avatar

aw, i’m a little disappointed… i was hoping MAC would go all out and give Ricky a lipstick, too. 🙁 Viva Glam Nicki is very pretty, though!

Karyn Avatar

Well it definitely looks a bit more wearable then Pink Friday!!

I’m intrigued. Nicki is a bit darker then I am so maybe I can pull it off. Also I like how it looks on you Christine, it brightens your eyes 🙂

Macy Avatar

I don’t know why I’ve never bought at Viva Glam lipsticks, they are for such a good cause! I’m going to make sure I buy this lipstick! And maybe a few others! 🙂

Ashley Avatar

Hi Christine! I’ve always wondered (I couldn’t seem to find anything about this in your FAQ section) if you got all your makeup to review for free? Or did you have to pay full price for it? I know it doesn’t affect how you review things but I’m just curious =P

Christine Avatar

Everything is disclosed on a per post basis. Just check the bottom of every post to see if it the product was a sample or something I bought. For instance, these were samples. Everything else you’ll see today from MAC I paid for. I pay for about 80-90% of MAC you see on the blog, depending on how things work out. Some months/collections/years are better. It really just depends on the product, because what I spend on the blog goes up every year – it doesn’t go down. I think I spend three or four times what I did when I first started!

Miss J Avatar

It looks great on you, Christine! But so true @ “different strokes for different folks!” I love my pink lippies, so I’m all for it, and even better since it isn’t so cool-toned.

maebee Avatar

I actually thought it looked beautiful on you and although we are not anywhere close to the same skin tone when I saw it on you I had to order it. Hopefully before the end of this week I will be rocking it too.

SatelliteDreamer Avatar

Nicki is gorgeous! I think the lip conditioner for Ricky is a fabulous idea. Everyone needs a lip balm!

I can’t wait to get these. I’ve told my hubby he’ll have to pick them up, as I’ll be out of town when they’re released.

I never got an invite from MAC to purchase them early, which is a bit disappointing, considering the $$ I’ve spent on their website in the past couple of years. Oh well, it’s available for a year, so I’m not stressing it!

karen Avatar

So getting this when it comes out!! I love pinks no.matter what undertone. I am a deep complexion and I wear whatever I want regardless of color.

whitwhit Avatar

ok. this is really gorgeous, but it looks so different on everyone. I like how it looks more pink than coral. it appears more pink than coral here, which I favor. I really hope it looks like this, or pretty close, on me!

Cassy Avatar

I ordered mine when MAC sent out the pre-order codes. I don’t know if I’m going to love the color on me, but it’s for a good cause so what the heck. Should be arriving this afternoon in fact, so I’m excited to give it a try.

helen Avatar

I generally love everything that you swatch but this colour isn’t one of my favourites on your skin. I feel that this signature tone is best worn by Nicki herself. Sorry!

The Sunday Girl Avatar

I really like Viva Glam Nicki which shocks me to say haha! I’m so glad it is nothing like Pink Friday but really annoyed that the Ricki element is only a clear lip conditioner, it would have been great to have another lip shade…oh well!

fabiola Avatar

You look beautiful with it Christine. I went yesterday to my local MAC counter for a pre sale, and fell in love with it, I use to wear only soft and nude colors, but lately I’ve been loving hot pink lipsticks. Thank you for this review.

Maud Avatar

Have to have Viva glam nicki!! I have always wanted to get one of the VG l/s but I don’t need more nudes and gaga is way to blue toned on my nw20 skin but I am always looking for good yellow toned pinks so excited to support the cause 🙂

Vick Avatar

Pretty shade but way too few that can pull it off out of the tube. Just like her last lipstick that you had to pair with liner, lightly apply, darker gloss and then looked like a totally different shade.

Julia Avatar

This is such a lovely and flattering shade of pink! I love pink blush/lipsticks and I’ve been forever looking for *the* ultimate pink lipstick! This looks like it 😉 It looks beautiful on you, hopefully it will look good on me as well, I have fair, slightly freckled skin, and brown eyes with dark brown hair! I hope it doesn’t lean too coral, cause I’m all about pink 😀 It’s great that they also give everything to charity, and not like some lame 2% like other companies often do!

Esther Avatar

I’m not sure how I feel about the color of this, but I’d be interested to test it out in a store, if they can keep it in stock for long enough for me to go in!

Sofia Avatar

It will be around for a whole year?! Awesome!!
In that case I’m not rushing to purchase online and I’ll be stepping into my local counter to try out the color for myself! Thank you for always putting up such awesome swatches!!

Naomi Avatar

I love this pink! it’s a lot warmer than the pink friday one that nicki has and i think im gonna get two because the color is great and i get to support their aids fund!!! 🙂

Kathy Avatar

Viva Glam Nicki looks beautiful, but it’s just a bit too loud for me. I wouldn’t have the guts to wear it. Shame on me! lol.

The color just screams “1980s” to me. 🙂

Valerie Avatar

I was hoping it was brighter like the ones she usually wears. I loved pink friday so i was really hoping something like that. This is pretty tough.

Gina Avatar

I heard that one of Nicki’s favorite lipsticks is Pink Nouveau. So if you really like the shades she wears, maybe you’ll like that one 🙂

Kat Avatar

Never thought I’d be buying an $18 lip balm, but I guess there’s a first time for everything! Since it’s not really slippery, I could use it over lipstick for some shine.
I might grab the lipstick too, I like that it’s yellow based, I bet it’d look amazing in the summer when I have a tan 🙂

Veronica Avatar

Oh, it’s definitely a Nicki Minaj color. Girl loves her bubblegum pinks.

I’m usually fonder of darker shades, but I think I may try this out anyway. It’s a great pink and an even better cause. 🙂

Parker Mackeil Avatar

Beautiful! But how wearable is this pink? I own pink Friday and it is quite vibrant and almost Florescent! Would you say this is more wearable or still on the extreme side?

Sam Avatar

Such a gorgeous color! Do you think it would suit me or wash me out though? I’d probably be around NC/NW15 — but I have neutral undertones, maaaaaybe leaning a tiny bit more cool.

Miss J Avatar

OMG! I’m so excited for that pink! That is a bright, barbie pink I can get down with, yeaaaaah! I seriously just did a little dance, hahaha. Thank you so much for the pics!

artemis Avatar

i love the color, guess it would emphasize my flaky lips tho. like a similar one i have 🙁 hope i’ll find a moisturizing one.. looks pretty on you!

Nara Avatar

Omg Christine ! This is super Gorgeous, This color of tone suits you so well. At first i was going to pass on this lipstick. But now i’ve seen it on you. You’ve changed my mind. Will it be sold in the MAC stores by feb 15? or online only?! BEAUTIFUL!!!

Lark Avatar

I’m not judging until I’m in a store swatching; Pink Nouveau is perfect except for the Very Yellowness. But if this leans coral? All bets may be off!
Bought Morange before Xmas to play with and with bright pink penciled lips eh voila! a whole array of Palm Beach lip colors… I may finally get some real use out of Gaga pink with darker bluer pencil. Mixes beautifully; two lippies get messy but full filled in pencil sort of adds color with no bulk. Having to fight for blue pink lipsticks is getting old! Pink Pigeon didn’t work out so well.

Nadia Avatar

Love this lipstick. I’ve already have the viva glam GAGA lipstick .
Is the nicki lipstick very different compare to the Viva glam Gaga ? What do you think ?
Is it worth? Thanks

Kelly Avatar

This actually looks quite wearable, unlike what you would expect from Nicki Minaj. I expected is to something so bright, I would never wear it or I wouldn’t be able to pull it off. It doesn’t look like what she’s wearing in the promo image, that looks way more pink or is that just me?

Aleeya Avatar

I received this on Friday and I am so happy. I am NC45 and I was able to pull this off. It is very pigmented so a little goes a long way. I also put on clear gloss on top and it kind of tones down the color. This is nothing like Pink Friday. This is the color Pink Friday should have been. You should not be disappointed if you purchase this because I think this is something the majority can pull off if you learn to work with it which is not hard to do.

JoeJoe Avatar

Would you say this is a dupe for YSL opera rose? Someone stated it was but I looked at a swatch you did of Opera Rose and I don’t see this as a dupe. What do you think?

Talia Avatar

I just ordered this yesterday, and I cannot wait to get it in the mail. Holy crap, the lipstick looks amazing on you Christina, sheesh…I can only hope it looks half as good on me. It kind of reminds me a lot of the first Viva Glam Gaga shade, the pink one…minus the coral effects.

Jessica Avatar

Beautiful! Also, can I just say THANK YOU for providing this blog!! It’s amazing. I haven’t bought a Mac lippie yet without consulting your page. I don’t know what I would do without you, haha 🙂

Heather Avatar

Christine,
Is it just me or did you notice the amount of lipstick in the tube looks smaller? When I got mine it looked like there was less product than other Mac lipsticks I own.

Bayti Avatar

what a pretty pink. do you think this is less pale than gaga’s pink lipstick? I have an olive skin color, which shade of pink matches my skin better?

sonia Avatar

yay! i want it! thankgoodness it’s not so blue-based as the prior pink lip launch during shop mac cook mac….btw christine..u really feel like the lip conditioner feels like thickened milk? lol i gotta say eww to that! i feel like it’s the same as vaseline, no?

Mel Avatar

I’m around an NW25, will this suit my skin tone? Since it is yellow toned lipstick will it make my teeth look yellow too? How does this compare to Cut a Caper & Ever Hip? Lots of questions…I’m just so curious!

Sabrina Avatar

Looks like a super bright version of Ever Hip. I have no idea if it will suit my fair skin, but have today purchased it anyway as it’s for charity 🙂

Stella Avatar

Hi. Is this good for warm tones also?? I tried the gaga viva glam, which did not work for my skin tone.. i am looking for a bright pink for me. do you recommend it ?

nikki Avatar

this looks amazing on you christine. I bought several 🙂 I’m an nc 25 but it looks the same on me as it does on you. what eyeliner wearing on your waterlines? pretty

trish Avatar

Hi Christine!

what do you prep your lips with before you put this on or any other lipstick?regular balm, lip primer or both? and what brand?still mac? because i was wondering if the lipstick would look different if you applied both or just balm or primer. thank you so much!:)