Beauty Care: MAC Viva Glam 26 Lipstick Review & Swatches

Viva Glam 26

MAC Viva Glam 26 Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a vivid, medium tomato red with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It was richly pigmented in a single stroke, which yielded even coverage that glided across my lips without tugging/dragging.

The texture was firmer and dense but not stiff, so it didn’t slide around while worn. This shade lasted well for over six hours, left a stain behind, and felt non-drying over time.

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

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Formula Overview

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Colour Pop Trust Me (P, $6.00) is more muted (95% similar).
MAC High Heels (LE, $21.00) is more muted (90% similar).
NARS Inappropriate Red (P, $26.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Giorgio Armani Lucky Red (403) (P, $38.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Lancome Rouge Vintage (178) (LE, $32.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Chanel Camelia Rouge (357) (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Sephora Always Red (P, $14.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
NARS Riot (LE, $27.00) is darker (90% similar).
NARS Don't Stop (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
Makeup Geek Beauty Queen (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).

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Formula Overview

$20.00/0.1 oz. - $200.00 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.