Nicki, Nicki, Nicki…Where do I even begin? I’ll start by admitting that I was never a fan of Nicki’s first Viva Glam lipstick with MAC because the shade was unflattering and just not a wearable color for most complexions. But at the same time it’s almost like can we really expect more from Nicki Minaj? The chick who prides herself in looking like a “Barb” with over the top personalities and attire? And to be honest when Viva Glam 2 came out I was just as disappointed if not more. In all honesty I wasn’t even going to try Nicki’s shades for myself because most of the swatches I have seen were enough to let me know that I did not want to spend money on something that would clearly be a waste. But when I was approached with the opportunity to review it I figured why not? Check out more of my thoughts and photos below.

Viva Glam Nicki 2 
Lipglass x Lipstick
 
Swatches
 Viva Glam Nicki 2
Lipstick
A few photos of the lipstick and gloss paired together.


Glow: Well the most positive thing about the Viva Glam collections is that all of the proceeds go towards helping those affected by HIV/Aids. So it is definitely a cause worth supporting. As far as Viva Glam Nicki 2, the color is described as a pastel lavender pink with a creamy finish. Since the lipstick and gloss are such cool shades I actually used a lip liner in Nightmoth by MAC to warm up the tone just a bit. I only used a light swipe of the liner so it’s not really noticeable in the photos above but it definitely made the color a bit less washed out looking. Unfortunately I didn’t do comparison swatches with and without the liner.

Glare: I guess with Nicki’s brand (as odd as she can be) I can see why it makes sense in her mind to go with shades like these. But honestly as a woman of color I find it somewhat unsettling to not at least consider colors that are a bit more wearable and versatile. It just seems so single minded and all about Nicki, but again maybe that was the idea.
Final Thoughts: Well, I don’t hate it nor do I love it. And it’s definitely something I would never purchase for myself because I just don’t think it’s flattering on me. True enough when used with darker lip liners the shade is workable and can be made deeper but to me that defeats the purpose of the original color. I like to keep it simple when it comes to makeup and I’m definitely not the one to be mixing colors.
Where To Buy: Viva Glam Nicki 2 by MAC is currently available online and at MAC counters nationwide. To purchase or to learn more you can visit www.maccosmetics.com.

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