Bold Lips for a Good Cause: MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick!

Hi, everyone! While MAC is one of my tried and true, favourite brands, it's inevitable that I look past many of their limited edition collections, as they seem to be released every few days! But one line of products that always piques my interest are new offerings from the Viva Glam collection. For those who aren't familiar, 100% of the proceeds from all MAC Viva Glam products go to the MAC AIDS Fund, helping those with HIV/AIDS all over the world. A wonderful initiative and a cause I am always eager to support!

There have been several lipsticks released in the Viva Glam line, including the original I-VI and those associated with pop icons such as Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper, and Rihanna. The latest installment is the sequel from the Rihanna collection, Viva Glam Rihanna 2. This latest release includes both a lipstick and a gloss and I was so happy to bring home the lipstick with me earlier this week!

The Viva Glam Rihanna 2 products come in the most beautiful limited edition packaging. The box is embossed with a metallic red Rihanna autograph graphic and the tube- amazing! I think I literally gasped upon pulling it out of the box. It's made of a thick, firm rubber material (softer than MAC's typical lipstick packaging) in a stunning semi-translucent true red shade with black detailing.

MAC describes the shade as a "warm mauvey silver frost". Upon first glance (and first swatch), it appears to be more of a neutral, shimmery brown.

Here it is swatched lightly, then heavily, on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone). The Frost finish is readily apparent, but you can see that on my arm it does look closer to a true brown:

But on the lips, the mauve tones really do come out! When applied full-on, both purple and silvery undertones come to life, which make this shade really unique!

Here I am wearing Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick very lightly, applied in a sheer layer over top of lip balm. When applied lightly, it really gives the most beautiful mauvey-brown glow to the lips!

And here are a few shots of me wearing Viva Glam Rihanna 2 Lipstick more heavily. As you can see, the shade is deep and vampy, with a frosty finish. The shade really is a tricky one to pin down, as brown, purple, and silvery tones are all at play.

To take my best hack at it, I'd describe Rihanna 2 as deep mauve-tinged brown with a cool silvery frost finish.

When I first saw swatches of the Rihanna 2 Lipstick, I feared that it would be totally un-wearable on my neutral-warm, fair complexion. The shade was undoubtedly fierce, but I was hesitant. But after trying it on in-store, I was totally hooked! It's perhaps the most unique shade in my collection and is totally spot-on for Fall! The purple/mauve undertones prevent it from totally washing me out and the frosty silver finish actually gives such a flattering glow to the lips. Though this doesn't fall under the "no-brainer-go-with-everything" umbrella (ella, ella), I can definitely see myself rocking it often throughout the Fall and Winter. And with every cent going to charity, this bold, fun lip is extra sweet!

Is this a shade that you would wear? What's you're favourite MAC Viva Glam lip colour?

Thanks for stopping by! xo