I have to admit that when I received the MAC Cosmetics VIVA GLAM Taraji P. Henson collection in the mail, I was suffering from a dose of winter blues. It was a particularly freezing Wednesday when the package arrived on my doorstep. My best friend had jetted off to Jamaica for a week, my two other friends had just come home from Hawaii, and here I was – staring out the living room window at snow drifts so huge – it kinda looked like I was peering out at a polar ice cap.
Now, I’m a HUGE fan of Cookie Lyon, the fiercely amazing matriarch of the Lyon family on the runaway hit show Empire. She *legit* made me rediscover Gucci. This woman “Cookie”…oh my God. Fearless, confident and smart yet mouthy, loud and a bit of a bully – she pretty much embodies the “Woman in Charge”. Several months ago, I sat glued to my tv devouring episode after episode – wishing I had the balls to wear a gold lamé suit to work or furs in all shades of the rainbow for no special reason at all. Us fashion bloggers are so colour-averse with our blush pink this and all white that, that Cookie Lyon’s style is an complete breath of fresh air. Gucci air. Siggghhhh….
Taraji P. Henson is an actress in a league of her own. A gifted performer, she’s also a noted author and singer (amazing voice – check her out in Hustle & Flow). It was her vocals on Three 6 Mafia’s 2006 hit It’s Hard Out There For A Pimp that in my opinion, elevated that song to a level that allowed it to win the Oscar for Best Original Song. So yeah….I’m a huge fan.
Back to those winter doldrums, MAC’s VIVA GLAM Taraji P. Henson Lipglass and Lipstick are so vividly pink and so bright and cheery, that they pulled my right out of my deep-freeze funk.
MAC Cosmetics Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick
The brightest matte raspberry, VIVA GLAM Taraji P. Henson Lipstick is pretty much happiness in a stick. In fact, I’ve worn it several times since receiving it to rave reviews! As noted, this colour is an electric, cool-toned fuchsia that I feel is really flattering on most skin tones. It has a subtle pearlescent quality to it which I found highly flattering against its very pigmented, highly long-wearing matte finish. Frankly, this is the most perfect fuchsia lipstick for my own chocolate-coloured skin tone. You would have to pry this one out of my cold, dead hands…it’s so good.
MAC Cosmetics Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass
Equally gorgeous is the Lipglass – a stunning raspberry/fuschia shade with a bright shimmering gloss effect. It’s on the cool side which in my opinion makes it that much easier to wear. The colour pay-off is incredible for a lipglass as I noticed that a little went a long way to achieve a great pop of pink colour. Never sticky or goopy, the lip glass formulation feels great on and lasted a while. In addition, the shimmer seems silvery yet is subtle enough to not make you look like a disco ball and it looks particularly amazing layered over the VIVA GLAM Taraji P. Henson Lipstick.
Both the lipstick and lipglass come in fun, neon pink packaging, both adorned with Ms. Henson’s signature. I honestly think I’ll swing by MAC Cosmetics to pick up a couple more, I’m obsessed with these shades.
Rest assured knowing that all sales from wildly popular VIVA GLAM collection benefits women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Have you been lucky enough to try this lipstick and lipglass from this collaboration? What did you think?
Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you! Wishing you much love on this romantic day!
*A very big thank you to MAC Cosmetics for providing press samples in exchange for my honest opinion.
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
This MAC lip color is absolutely gorgeous! It is perfect for adding a touch of color to your makeup and perfect for Valentine’s Day 🙂
~Jessica
Author
Thank you so much, Jessica! I’m truly in love with it!
Clearly I’m not that makeup informed – I had no clue she had a line coming out with MAC! I LOVE! Now I have to go spend the rest of my gift card… 🙂
xo Kathryn
http://www.fashionablyfrank.com
Author
Ahaha, Kathryn! If it makes you feel any better, I wasn’t aware either and I’m usually all over the MAC website. I believe this is her second collab too! xo
The colour is amazing! Im a fan of taraji but i wasnt aware of this collab maybe ill go get myself one of those more likely the matte ♥
Author
I think it would be really flattering on you, Nique! Let me know if you get it, girl! xo
The colour looks beautiful on you. It is my kind of go to colour ??
Author
Ahh Kenny! Thank you! You read my mind. I’ve been wearing it daily! LOL!
This color looks amazing on you. I love the color, I need to buy this. Thank you for sharing.
Author
MAC has some really great limited editions right now. You should check out their Colour Rocker collection too. So fun!
The color looks so good on you!
Author
Thank you, Brittany!!
Love the color and the packaging. As always your pictures are stunning.
❥ tanvii.com
Both look great but I think the lipstick is my fave! Thanks for sharing!
Author
Thanks, Girlie! This shade would be so pretty on you.
I absolutely love MAC, and this shade looks fabulous on you! Viva Glam is always a good choice!
Author
Thank you so much, my dear!
I do love Taraji, especially in Hustle & Flow. And I’m digging this viva glam shade on you for sure.
Author
Thank you, Cheryl! Not sure if you are big lipstick girl, but this would look bomb on you too!
That is such a pretty shade of pink!
La Belle Sirene
It’s soooo funny to think that the tarji now was the same one who played in Hustle and Flow. I loved her then and I love her now, and I love that she has her own makeup line. The lipstick looks so pretty and compliments you so well! Glad you got it for yourself!
Danielle | FollwoMyGut.com <3
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Right! I agree about Taraji! Happy for her too! Thanks for your kind words, bella!
Love this color! you look amazing.
xx
Vale
http://valerousse.blogspot.com
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Thank you so much!!