Although I’m more into lip gloss than lipstick, there was a color that I’ve been jonesing for the longest time – MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick! I finally bought it.

Not only is this a gorgeous neutral pink with golden pearl shimmer, but every cent of the selling price goes to the MAC AIDS Fund, which supports women, men, and children who are living with AIDS and HIV. So now you can look good while also doing some good.

This shade is perfect for people like me who don’t want to sport loud lip colors for everyday wear. MAC Viva Glam V Lustre Lipstick is sheer enough to look great on pretty much everyone, yet has some color to give you that Your Lips But Better Look.

MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick Swatches & Pictures

Claims: TRUSTED

√ Lustre finish provides a wet look & demi-sheer color

Key Notes

• Name: MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick (Lustre)
• Viva Glam Lipstick Collection Colors Available: Viva Glam I, Viva Glam II, Viva Glam III, Viva Glam IV, Viva Glam V & Viva Glam VI
• Amount: 3 g
• What I Paid: $17.50 CAD
• Where to Buy: MAC Cosmetics US website, MAC Cosmetics CA website, MAC counters & MAC stores

MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick Review

This beauty first arrived on the scene in March 2004 and quickly became a customer favorite. And even though we’re approaching 2011, MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick continues to be a bestseller.

If you’ve ever tried this pretty hue, you’ll see exactly why. It defines your lips without being obnoxious or over-the-top. It’s subtle enough to wear every day. And it has that yummy MAC signature vanilla scent. The fact that purchasing this product supports a good cause is just icing on the cake!

My natural lip color isn’t ghostly pale or super pigmented – it has a flush of pink. When I wear MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick (Lustre), it adds just the right amount of earthy pink with golden shimmer to define my lips without making them look dark or intimidating.

I can best describe this color as healthy-looking if your lips are like mine. (If you have really dark lips, this may lighten them a tad, but I still think it’s a color that would be flattering on almost everyone since it provides demi-color.)

It goes on smoothly and has some shimmer, which adds more dimension to your lips. I like how it leaves my lips with that wet look. It’s not as shiny as a lip gloss, but it still leaves your pout nice and shiny. This is especially great for those out there who are self-conscious about having dry lips.

MAC Viva Glam V Lustre Lipstick lasted for a few hours if I didn’t eat or drink, which is my typical experience with MAC lipsticks. I didn’t find the formula overly drying, but it also wasn’t moisturizing. Lipsticks always feel drier to me than lip glosses, so in that respect, the lipstick was ‘dry’. (You can easily counteract this by slicking on some gloss on top to make it more comfortable to wear.)

And finally – the packaging! It comes in the usual bullet tube except because MAC Viva Glam 5 Lipstick is from the Viva Glam Collection, the “MAC” text on the outside and middle section is in red instead of the standard silver.

Pros Every cent is donated to the MAC AIDS Fund, which supports women, men & kids who are living with AIDS & HIV Beautiful neutral pink with golden pearl Lustre finish gives lips a shiny wet look Easy color to wear every day Yummy MAC signature vanilla scent

Cons Pricier when compared to drugstore lipsticks Sells out often due to popularity (but seems to always be restocked)

Final Verdict: 9/10

MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick is a great addition to any lip collection because it’s a foolproof color that flatters many skin tones and it supports a great cause. Highly recommend it!

Have you tried this or any other MAC Viva Glam lipsticks? What do you think about MAC’s Lustre finish?

This product was Mary’s winner for the 2010 Best Kiss Award.