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MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick & Lipglass Reviews, Photos, Swatches

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MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick

Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson

MAC Viva Glam Taraiji P. Henson Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable color coverage with a slightly firmer consistency in the tube. The texture was smooth, cream-like but did tug on the lips just a tad (not uncomfortably, though). On me, the color lasted for six hours, left a stain behind, and was non-drying.

Editor’s Note: This review was originally posted on January 18th. I’ve changed the date to February 2nd to coincide with new Viva Glam products now being available on MAC’s website 🙂

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$19.00/0.1 oz. - $190.00 Per Ounce

MAC Lipstick comes in a variety of finishes, and the pigmentation and wear tend to be dependent on the finish. The sheer finishes, like Lustres, tend to wear for only a couple of hours and have sheer coverage (as designed) and are non-drying.

Some of the original Matte shades have a stiffer, drier formula, while newer ones have a more velvety, silicone-feel to them, and the latter are creamier, more comfortable to wear, and easier to apply, but most Matte shades are quite pigmented and long-wearing, though some are drying.

The Amplified and Satin finishes tend to have good pigmentation, lightly creamy to moderately creamy consistencies with a bit of shine, and moderate to long wear with deeper, richer shades wearing longer. The Frost and Metallic finishes have the most variance between shades with coverage ranging from semi-sheer to opaque with average wear and non-drying to slightly drying formulas. All MAC lipsticks are vanilla-scented but have no discernible taste.

Browse all of our MAC Lipstick swatches.

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MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass over Lipstick
Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass over Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass over Lipstick
Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass over Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass over Lipstick
Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass over Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass over Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass over Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass over Lipstick
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass

Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson

MAC Viva Glam Taraiji P. Henson Lipglass ($17.00 for 0.10 fl. oz.) is a bright, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and flecks of violet and pink sparkle. It had semi-opaque, slightly buildable coverage that applied evenly and smoothly to lips. The color had minimal settling into my lip lines, and the high-shine finish seemed to downplay what did appear in my lip lines. The consistency was smooth, lightly tacky but comfortable to wear over the five hours it lasted.

Worth noting, the packaging is slightly different than the usual Lipglass, and though it seemed larger in size, it actually contained less–only 0.10 fl. oz. compared to the 0.17 fl. oz. of a regular Lipglass tube. This shade will be available on February 2nd.

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Formula Overview

$21.00/0.1 oz. - $210.00 Per Ounce

The Lipglass formula is supposed to be “pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic color” that can be worn “on its own, over lip pencil or lipstick” and will “condition lips.” MAC could use an update on the description as some shades are more pigmented than others but several are sheerer and likely intended to be that way. The formula has a very glossy, high-shine finish with a light-medium weight and moderate tackiness.

I have found that newer Lipglasses (over the last couple of years) are smoother and not quite as tacky as the formula was many years ago. They wear from three to six hours on me and are usually lightly hydrating. MAC recently updated the shade range and packaging for the range (though the formula was said to be unchanged), so worth noting is that with that packaging change came a reduction in quantity to 0.10 fl. oz. (was 0.17 fl. oz.), which may matter for some but not everyone.

Browse all of our MAC Lipglass swatches.

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation
  • Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder
  • Marc Jacobs Beauty Flesh & Fantasy Air Blush
On eyes:
  • Tom Ford Platinum Cream Color for Eyes
  • Viseart Petit Pro #5 Eyeshadow
  • Viseart Petit Pro #4 Eyeshadow
  • Viseart Warm Mattes #2 Eyeshadow
  • Urban Decay Twice Baked Eyeliner

57 Comments

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Nancy T Avatar

Indya, for some reason MAC is sending them in tiny white boxes instead of their usual black boxes. Mine was literally wedged into the lower corner of my doorway, I almost didn’t even notice it! Weirder yet, nobody knocked on my door last Saturday, and it was pouring outside, so I feel lucky that: 1.) No one snatched it , 2.) It didn’t get wet or damp! Just keep your eye out for a small white box.

kjh Avatar

I would think that you would get the Taraji blush soon. I did, quite a while ago. ? ~3 weeks? and never expected to get it. I had followed the suggestions of readers who did not receive it, as to how MAC proceeds. Maybe you need to look back.

Lacey Avatar

It’s been awhile since I’ve been excited about a VG release, but these are beautiful! It is a shame, though, that they reduced the gloss amount with the packaging change, especially since it’s for their charity line.

Kat Avatar

Gorgeous! I’m so glad I don’t have a dupe, plus I love fuschia. I mean, I was already planning to get Viva Glam anyway but I’m glad it’s so pretty! I think this will appeal to a lot of skintones and ages.

Primpcess Avatar

These will both be mine!!!!! I loved the colab Taraji did last year with Mac, the colors were so flattering for dark skin and I know the same will be for these lippies.

Fran Avatar

I really like the lipstick, and I think it is darker enough than C208 to justify, especially since it’s for a good cause! And Menace has been on my wishlist for a very long time — I think I like this better. The lipgloss is very pretty, but I’d never wear it, since it’s a tacky gloss, lol.

Johntá Avatar

Got mine and they are both absolutely stunning. Seriously the photos dont even do it justice. And the packaging is gorge! Mac knocked this one out the park. Taraji needs to have everything she releases for MAC be permanent.

Catherine Avatar

Love them both, already got the gloss. I feel though that the lipstick is very similar to that of Miley Cyrus viva glam from last year – that which was a hot pinky fuchsia…

Rebecca Avatar

Quick question. I just got the lipstick today and read on the bottom that it’s a matte and not a satin. I just checked the mac website and they say its a matte as well. Does the pearl in the lipstick make it a bit more satin-like?

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!