MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “warm mauve with silver frost.” It’s a muted, dark brown with copper, mauve, and silver flecks of shimmer in it. The finish is more frosted, lightly metallic. MAC Icon (DC, $16.00) is several shades lighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
It had mostly opaque color coverage with a lightly creamy consistency, but it didn’t apply as evenly as I’d like. It doesn’t feel gritty in the tube, despite the high shimmer content, initially or as it wears away. On me, the color lasted four hours and was neither drying nor hydrating over time. It is a Viva Glam, limited life, shade, and it is packaged in a metallic red, rubberized tube. Viva Glam is one of the best charitable causes in beauty, as every cent of the selling price goes to the MAC AIDS Fund.
Viva Glam Rihanna 2
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
See more photos & swatches!
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipglass & Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipglass & Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipglass & Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipglass & Lipstick
I might have to get this, assuming it doesn’t swatch too dark on me. I like the colour and it’s charitable. I really loved the other Rihanna Viva Glam too.
It’s an unusual shade, which is something I can appreciate it – and it is a little risky, but the VG line has some great, more “wearable” and typical shades, too, so this is a nice limited release.
I really like the look you posted with this lipstick seeing the swatches and the color in the tube made me a bit weary about the shade, but on you its very flattering and chick. Seems to be a shade that would look nice on many if not all skin tones especially with the lip glass on top of the lip stick. This is quite a pretty shade I would really like a shade like this in eye shadow form! I still think Riri Woo knocks this shade out of the park!
Thank you, Melissa! 🙂
Hmmm, eh, I’ll pass.
Thanks for sharing!
I just have to say your skin looks incredible. You’re making me want to buy Naked Loose Finishing Powder. I already bought Les Voilettes because of your skin!
Les Voilettes is amazing 🙂
I really like look of the lip gloss and the lipstick together better than by themselves. I think it’s a really unique combination.
I agree! They work well together.
An interesting colour. I don’t think it’s something for my lips. I do think I absolutely can wear the lipglass, so I hope it’ll be a good one. I do like most of MAC Lipglasses, especially the shimmery, glittery ones.
I must say the lipstick looks really good on you. It looks so good I want to wear it, but I do know my limitations.
The lipglass is super easy to wear, and it should be great for layering!
I do not see myself wearing this!
Aw, that’s too bad!
Wow, this color is making me relive 1997 and the end of highschool… this just screams 90’s brown lipstick, right down to the metallic finish… I am not digging the texture of this, but it does look better with the gloss over the top… May need to pick this up to relive a little of my youth, I miss the 90’s lol… I hate Rhianna, but at least it is for a wonderful cause…
It is a great cause!
Yeah! Long live those Revlon brown lipsticks, LOL!
It’s a good cause though, and I still think it’s pretty on younger-looking skin that isn’t fighting the dullness of aging like I am.
Ah yes, Revlon Toast of New York and Sandalwood were definitely staples of mine in the early years!
The ‘Warm Mauve’ description always confuses me, is it just they don’t want to call it brown?
Sometimes, it seems like there is a hesitation to label a lipstick brown…
Packaging is beautiful! Maybe if this colour is sold as an eyeshadow stick I’ll go and buy it.
That would be interesting!
All these fall lipstick colors are so reminding me of the lipsticks a used to wear in high school in the early 90s!! I had some loreal color very similar to this one!! All I remember is that it had stone in the name, but it wasn’t sandstone (which I think May also be similar to this!!)
90s are back!
Yeeep, on the shopping list it goes.
Yay!
The lipstick and gloss look so pretty together! Not for me, but I’m curious about what this would look like on darker skintones – nice that mac’s doing something different and not just catering to paler people.
It should be fab on darker skin tones!
Did not expect to like this at all, but i actually think it looks nice. Call me crazy, but I can see this being used as a cream eyeshadow too :D.
It’s very cool! 😀
I loved the first Rihanna viva glam (wearing it right now) and this one has me super excited too. It’s an unusual color but I bet it’s oddly flattering on a lot more skin tones than people think. I can’t wait to try it.
I think so! It’s a little sheer, too, so it will adjust depending on the underlying lip color as well.
I think overall coloring (hair/eyes), and actual undertone will be key in pulling this shade off. I’m pretty light, with very dark hair/eyes, and I have an almost grey tone to my skin, so these shades are *much* easier to pull off than corals, pinks, etc…
It would probably look quite dark, gray and metallic on me… but I like that it’s different. I really love the red “velvet” packaging. Hope Rihanna makes another one or two in the future.
It’s a very cool, unique shade!
Definitely not a color that would look good on me but it looks great on you (but what doesn’t? :-))
Thank you! 🙂
I haven’t seen anyone look as awesome as you do in almost all kinds of shades and that amazing way you take the pics and swatches, you’re the best!!
Like the color on you but for a blink I thought the outer packaging looked like that of benefit products.
Aw, thank you Parmita!
Any word on why both viva glam Rihanna comes in this packaging Christine? And will future packaging for viva Glams be like this?
This is just the packaging they went for with Rihanna.
I’m all in on this! I really like it and although I am very very fair I feel certain I can pull this look off!!
Get it, Mary! You will look fab!
Do you think this could work on a super pale person (neutral toned)? Most of me thinks no, but it’s oddly intriguing.
Yes, I think so! 🙂
I may buy it, just because I always buy Viva Glams… But I’m not sure if it would suit my super 0ale and cool toned skin really well… 🙁
It looks gorgeous on you!
I bet you could rock it, Gisele!
Too unusual for me I’m afraid. I don’t think it looks flattering at all. But yeah, maybe on darker skin tones…
Aw, that’s too bad!
Not for me. I think they look better together.
I think they look good together, too!
I was considering Icon, but will likely pass; it seems I can always just sheer this one out a bit, and when it comes to MAC lipsticks, gloss on top is a *must* for me, anyway.
Icon is different enough to me that they’re not dupes for each other! Icon is the closest I have to this, though.
What I meant is, if I stumble upon Icon at my local counter this weekend, there’s a good chance I’ll grab it; however, since I *have* to wear gloss over MAC lipsticks, no matter what shade, they seem close enough that I’m not going to traipse all over L.A. County to find Icon, nor will I pay 3X retail on eBay, no matter how much I love the color.
Lancome Mica is a bit similar, although I don’t know if it’s still around. L’Oréal Mystic Mauve is also similar, but has recently been retired. They aren’t dupes by any means, but I’d call them “close cousins”.
Gotcha! 🙂
I like the lipglass, but the lipstick would look horrible on my NC15 skin tone. Thanks for the review Christine.
No prob!
For what it’s worth, I’m NC15 and I love MAC’s Icon, which is very similar to this one but perhaps a bit more greyish/taupe than brown. Maybe give that one a try!
I might have to think twice about this shade. I like it with the gloss a lot better. Not sure how it would look on my NW47 skin…
I think it could work!
I like this shade and it’s good to see MAC releasing something flattering for medium to darker skin tones. I’m very confused by their description of this shade as “warm mauve” though.
Yeah, I don’t really see it!
I bought the last Viva Glam Rihanna for that velvety red tube alone. I’ve only worn it once or twice, but I melt every time I look at the tube, so I have no regrets. And it means I can resist this one easily, because I’ve already fallen for this particular packaging and I don’t really need two of it
Glad you were able to get one 🙂
I wasn’t sure about this colour when I first saw it, but I am SO over seeing nude and red that this is actually a fresh of breath air for people looking for something different.
If you’re a makeup artist or just someone who don’t mind wearing something a little different, I think this is very cool.
I like that it’s more unique!
Wow… I’m actually really digging this. Very 90s vibe. I’m really starting to get into more unusual colours for lipsticks, because I tend to keep my eyes pretty neutral. I really like the two layered together, but I already have MAC Icescape so I think I might try layering it with that – or maybe even Spree!
I love that brands are coming out with more unusual colours which are surprisingly wearable… I don’t think I could get away with this at my office (accounting firm!) but outside of work – absolutely! and this really looks great on you Christine, seeing it on you really sold it for me!
I bet Spree would be gorgeous over this!
Wow, I’ll say the ’90s are back. I swear this is basically Urban Decay’s Roach lipstick, which I used to wear all the time back then.
It seems like it! ;D
More similar to Icon that I thought straight out of the tube. I like it layered with the gloss so I’m going for it.
YAY! 🙂
I just don’t know if I like the colour.
Aw!
I love Viva Glam , and its such a great cause..but I don’t love this shade, I think it would look awful on me..lol.
It might surprise you!
Paired with the gloss it’s so beautiful! As I had said you in your first post, this colour is probably not going to be flattering on me, but I want it just because it’s so unique!
Worth a try 🙂
I actually think this type of color is really cool for a more neutral toned interpretation of a 90s cyberpunk or goth inspired look, but I already have Icon. VGRiri2 looks like the better, more pigmented version, but it’s a color I reach for so rarely I just can’t justify having both. It would be beautiful with a clean black cateye, dewy skin, and hair pulled back IMO.
I like Icon for it’s cooler and lighter vibe – it’s a bit of a lighter look, I think!
IA, Icon is lighter. I always use a darker liner to deepen it and sharpen up the edges, though. It never looks quite crisp enough to me on it’s own. Now that you mention the lightness being a potentially nice thing, I might try it with something like Stone pencil rather than a full on dark taupe eyeliner. lol.
Aww man I seriously hate this color. It is risky, but it is not pretty at all.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess! 🙂
Hmmmm……I don’t know if it would look great against my skintone which is about an NC45. The shade does look better paired with the lipglass. Regardless of whether it works for me or not I’m picking up both as its for a great cause.
I think it would, really 🙂 I hope you end up loving them!
I’m really liking this! But I do think it looks much better with the lipglass than without.
The lipgloss definitely adds something extra!
Ewwww 1980’s color; worst fashion decade!
Aw, that’s too bad! It seems like a cool color to me!
Actually, 80s were about bright pinks/fuschias in the early part, and frosty pinks & corals in the later part… Browns, particularly tawny browns (nothing like this one!) were 70s.
I agree, though, about the 80s being the worst decade for fashion (which is why I steer clear from the bright pink lips!).
You are correct Xamyx, in the 1970’s Avon sold a color similar to this one that all of us school girls purchased (and we all actually thought we looked cute).
In the 1980’s at least here in New York many dark skinned girls wore colors like these in metallic browns and murples. Revlon had a Collection in maybe mid-late 80’s in purplish shades (ugly metallic lavender & brownish/purple) that of course I purchased because it was supposed to be the in thing but they looked dreadful on light skin (my little boy refused to step out with me when I wore it because he said “mom you look like you died and came back to life”…..so he thought I looked like a Zombie?!.
I am one of those that wore the bright pink lips in the 1980’s & I look at the pictures now and say, oh my goodness it looks hideous!
But at least I didn’t wear those bright multi color eyeshadows, I only used brown liner, mascara and a pinky/brown blush by Revlon (I never much cared for blush but my mother was also telling me I need rouge because I look pale) .
Almost every time you review a lipstick I say that your lips are so amazing that you could sell lipstick to a pig (your swatches are selling many people’s products on ebay); but this one is a OH, no, no,no!
I’m actually in love with this shade!
I think it’s interesting in a good way!
Oh, yes! Totally will be getting this! I love Icon, so I think this will be welcome in my collection! <3
Woohoo!! 😀
OK I admit I really love this lipstick and gloss. Christine do you think I could pull this off? Blonde hair, blue eyes, fair complexion, NW20? I’ll probably try it when it hits stores but just wondering what you think? Would Icon and the gloss be a better play for me? Thanks.
I think the cooler vibe of Icon might work better!
This shade seems like a silvery version of a Mac color I wore 20+ years ago called Fetish. I wore Fetish damn near every day for awhile. I’m buying VGR2 because it’s unusual and it’s for charity.
Fall seems like we’ll be seeing a 90s revival!
I’m just loving this lipstick, I like that it’s so unusual, browns tend to look pretty flattering on me too. Paired with the lipgloss it is fantastic! It kinda sort of is reminding me of Mac Water Deities?
On second thought it doesn’t look anything like Water Deities, they are just related to each other through their frost finishes.
All of MAC’s shimmery glosses kind of run together, lol!
Me too! I like that it’s more unique 🙂
I may get this one as I’ve been obsessed with mauves and browns lately I think I’ll swatch it in store first though
Woohoo! I hope you love it when you check it out, Charlotte!
When I saw icon from artificially wild I felt it would be similar… kind of a color I really only need one variation of…
I understand!
Wishing wishing that the colours are more wearable! How many people really rock the brown lipstick on a daily basis?
Viva Glam has a lot of great wearable colors in the permanent set of VG shades, so maybe one of those would be better if you don’t have them already!
Definitely intrigued by this, though I’m not sure how it would look on me. I do love the lipstick and gloss layered together, though!
Worth trying if you get a chance, I think!
Looks much better with the gloss. But, for me, it’s a big leave it. Doesn’t feel new or different to me. Also, I don’t like how blotchy it appeared on your lips.
Gotcha!
I don’t care for this on it’s own at all. It is pretty with the lipglass over it. Very 90s.
I think if it was a little more opaque/even it might work better on its own.
Definitely if it were more opaque. It’s a bit patchy. At least it’s great with the lipglass and the $ goes to charity.
I love colors like this, and they don’t come around too often. I had a lip stick very similar to this color in the ’80’s by Ultima II and Stendhal. I love how it seemed to pull my punky style together and made my red hair and pale freckled skin look so nice. I haven’t seen a color like this in years, and I don’t usually have to have a MAC product, this one is one I am going to purchase. That part of it goes to charity is another bonus. I like MAC, I don’t have many of their products, but every collection that I like, the item I really want sells out. I decided to stop looking at the new collections so I wouldn’t be disappointed anymore. They always have a new collection, and the novelty wore off quickly. A lot of the things are re-promotes, and I like a collection with fresh things, not a reboxed item thrown together with other permanent things just to hype it up as new. I love the idea of a Rocky Horror Picture Show collection, but of the few MAC items I have, they are in that collection. I can’t seem to buy anything from it just to get some lips on the package. I did indulge in the Urban Decay Pulp Fiction collection because the eye shadows are neutral, mostly matte, and the Mrs. Mia Wallace lip pencil and lip stick are so me. I passed on the Heavy Metal eye liner and nail enamel because I can’t pull the glitter off at 51 anymore, and I have so many red nail enamels that are almost identical. I really need to start using things up.
This is definitely a more unique shade, and I love it just for that!
Not a shade that would be flattering on my skin tone but it’s cool that they’re moving away from red. Im sure tons of people will buy it.
I like that it’s more unique! The VG line has some great staples all the time, so the one-offs could be a good opportunity to go a little outside the box.
This is a hard shade to pull off but I really like how this looks on you! It doesn’t look as intimidating as it does in the tube. I’m still a little leery but I have to try it just to be sure
I think it would be lovely on you!
Ohhhh, I love this colour – so beautiful with red hair…. I am going to try this one!
It would be lovely!
Hm… on the one hand, this looks fabulous with the lipglass over it, and I’m actually really interested to see how it would look on my skintone. On the other hand, the lipstick by itself is …not as even as I had hoped. Hm. I think if I allow a Viva Glam sized hole in my MAC avoidance, it’ll be for the lipglass! Can’t go past a pretty purple, even if it’s sheer…and for a good cause… 😉
I feel like these frosts are never as even as one would like!
Hey Christine,
Do you know how this compares to MAC “O”?
I think it looks incredibly unique with the lipgloss, but without it…I dunno on my NC 42 tone.
O is a lot redder/more berry!
I am not a ‘brown’ person but this color does looks absolutely beautiful on you…so I am tempted. If Viva Glam makes it way to India (highly unlikely) I will most definitely give it a shot.
Thank you, Meeta!
I can’t believe VG doesn’t get to India 🙁
I wish that they made VVR2 a little more universal. Because I feel like too many people are going to get turned off by this color, which means that the sales for the Viva Glam charity are going to drop. I’m not saying that this isn’t a beautiful color (because it is, its absolutely stunning and I think it will actually suit a lot of skin tones without overwhelming the face) but people that aren’t really that into make-up in the first place may have a hard time taking a shine to it and imagining that they can pull off such a unique color.
I feel the opposite way – that because it is more unusual, it may appeal to those who have found the current range to be lacking 🙂 Viva Glam Gaga and Viva Glam Nicki weren’t always easy to wear either, but as far as I know, they both sold quite well!
Reminds me of two lipsticks I have from the mid 90\s – Revlon Moondrops Platinum Lame (which might be too dark or have more red in it) or Revlon Super Lustrous in Slate. Like the colour 🙂
I wonder if Revlon has anything similar still in their range.
I like how it looks topped with the gloss!
It works well with the gloss!
Christine,
do you know if this lipstick will also be available for the next six months, just like the lipglass?
Yes!
I just bought it! I love the mac Rihanna collabs because they truly cater to darker skin tones like myself. However, people with lighter skin shouldn’t be afraid. It looks amazing on Christine.
Enjoy, Carrie Anne! 🙂
On the MAC website, it describes it as a cool mauve with subtle shine and gold sparkle, not warm mauve. I’m NC-40 with yellow undertones. Think this would look good on me?
I think so!
I actually really really love this, I’m glad they went with something different. x
Me too, Coco!
I own Coconutty lipstick that I NEVER reach for. How VGR2 lipstick compares to Coconutty?
I don’t think I have that!
I’m going to buy this lipstick and the gloss later this year and give them to my mom for Christmas. She loves browns and couldn’t get coconutty.
I purchased this one and absolutely love it! I receive many compliments when wearing it 🙂
Yay!