The renowned photographer Man Ray once said that “Lipstick is the red badge of courage.”
For me, today, this quote means that even if you’re wounded in some way (emotionally or physically), doing a few simple, mundane tasks like brushing your teeth, putting on pants, doing your hair, or putting on your makeup — and just showing up to face the world, even when you don’t think you can — all add up to a major act of bravery.
You may be grieving, off balance, confused, out of whack, but then you put on your lipstick (and hopefully also your pants), and you keep going.
Since I’ve been blogging every day for millennia (since 2007), and I would normally be blogging on a day like today, doing this post right now as if today were any old day is giving me some comfort.
Who knew that swatching lipsticks could be emotionally soothing?
More than the lipsticks, though…something tells me that it’s more about the familiar routine — talking to you, setting up the camera, checking the lights, swiping the bullet across my lips, taking the pics, glancing over at Tabs as he watches me, etc.
Because no matter how much some things change, other things, like sharing lip swatches, stay the same.
I did these swatches of the MAC Viva Glam I, II and III Lipsticks ($18.50 each) today, and I laughed a little when I remembered this…
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the debut of Viva Glam, the initiative MAC started back in 1994 to help men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. Every dollar raised from the sale of Viva Glam celebrity-promoted products since then has gone to support the cause.
These three are just a smidgeon of the Viva Glam Lipsticks and Lipglasses that have debuted throughout the years. My favorites will always be the Viva Glam V Lipstick and Lipglass, though. I also have a soft spot for the Viva Glam VI Lipglass, too.
More Viva Glam? Yes Ma’am!
Please feel free to LOL at my hair (oh, gawd, BANGS) and eyebrows in these old MAC posts…
- MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson 2 Lipstick and Lipglass
- MAC Viva Glam by the #numbers With Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipstick and Lipglass
- MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2
- A MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande Lipstick Face of the Day
- MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande
- MAC Viva Glam Miley Cyrus II and Trend Forecast Spring 2016
- The SF MAC Powell Street Store: Studio Waterweight Application Tips, Zuca Bags, Haute Dogs and a Viva Glam Miley 2 Lip Combo (Fun fact! I was three months pregnant with coywolf in the top pic)
- Metallic Mauve in the Machine! MAC Viva Glam Rihanna II Lipstick and Lipglass Through the Ocular Sensors of Robot Karen (BEEP!)
- MAC’s Viva Glam Rihanna Lipstick and Lipglass: A Red Lip Combo That’s Red-y for Anything
- MAC Welcomes the New Nicki Minaj Nicki 2 Lipstick and Lipglass to the Viva Glam Fam
- Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj Join the MAC Viva Glam Fam
- MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2: Swatches and Pictures
- MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipstick
- MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipglass
- Viva La MAC Viva Glam! Swatches and Pics of the New Cyndi and Gaga Lipglasses
- MAC Viva Glam VI Special Edition Lipstick Makes It Official: Lavender Lipstick Reigns This Spring
- MAJOR THROWBACK —–> MAC Makeup News – Interview with MAC Viva Glam Spokesperson Dita Von Teese, Macy’s Passport American Express Gala Night 2007
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I understand you take comfort in your routines, I feel the same when my life is turned upside down.
My first Viva Glam lip product was the Cindy Lip Glass. I still own and use it (hasn’t gone off yet. At least I hope it hasn’t)
When we go through such difficult times in life, it has been my experience that it is the mundane everyday tasks get us through. Love to you and Tabs.
Thank you, Lily. That’s true for me too, it seems. The mundane tasks at the moment are such a comfort. I may end up swatching my entire lipstick collection for the next months, who knows?
I’m an avid user of “ O “ because it is the chameleon of lipsticks . And I love the gold flecks . Word was it might be discontinued so I bought 7 tubes .
Gonna go Viva Glam soon .
Viva Glam 1 is such a pretty red!
I’m glad you’re finding some comfort in swatching lipsticks and going about your daily routine.
Sending you and Tabs lots of hugs and purrs.
Oh my god, Karen, I just read your post about Tabs and I’m in tears. I have been reading your posts for many years even though I rarely comment, and you and Tabs are such a matched set–perfect together. I am crushed right along with you–can’t imagine a world without the world’s first kitty supermodel in it.
I know you know this, but there are people all over the world sending love and whatever passes for prayers in their sphere to you and Tabs and El Hubs and Connor Claire–I hope you have many wonderful moments together, all of you, before Tabs has to leave. He will always be a part of you, I believe. My Pixie passed in 2016 and I found comfort in the concept that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, so after a [long] period of time, I came to feel that she’s still here, in the wind and the sun and the rain–she is just in a form that I can’t see anymore.
much love to you all,
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
I’ve been thinking a lot about the first law of thermodynamics a lot, too. Where does all the love and sweetness he pours out into the world every day go? I want to believe it will continue on in my heart, and in all the lessons he taught me. The biggest one I’ve learned from him is that the end, all there really is, is love. You give it freely and fully and you do it every day until can’t.
I’m so sorry about your Pixie.
Routine can help. I’ve owned Viva Glam I and it’s a nice red on me – I usually prefer the orangey reds but this is a good one too.
I’m working from home and I hear Jiji vomiting upstairs. The joys of pet assistantship!
Hi Chelsea,
It’s been helping a lot. I force myself to get up when I usually do, and follow the rhythms of our daily routine. The pain is still there, though, and it hits me at odd moments.
What I would give to find an unexpected pile of cat barf in the middle of the day (“There’s so much grass!”).
I think the daily routine provides the emotional guard rail for when life (i.e., the unexpected) happens. Thank goodness you’ve established such a solid one for yourself and well as for your virtual fam who benefit from it as well. 😉
I’m feeling nostalgic about the Viva Glam anniversary.
This is all so bitter sweet. Cheers and happy swatching!
Karen, your readers are with you. And Tabs. What you are going through is what every single pet parents faces at some point. That doesn’t make it any easier, however. Take comfort in knowing that you showered your beloved Tabs with love & loving care throughout her life. Above all, remember that you will find another Tabs (or s/he will find you). God bless you & Tabs.
Sending you strength and love during this sad time. I hope Tabs is not in a lot of pain. Hugs to all of you.
It will be a year in July since Nora went to kitty heaven and I still open the front door expecting her to be sitting on the newel post to greet me. And I still miss her snoozing on the back of the sofa and gently placing her paw on my shoulder when I sat down in front of her.
Love Viva Glam. Viva Glam I and Viva Glam VI are my faves.
Hugs, hugs and more hugs.
Hi Karen
Just read your earlier post about Tabs — sending hugs to you and scratches under the chin for him.
Wrap yourself in your comforting routine. When I’m down or anxious, I often find myself reading old cookbooks, of all things (I don’t cook!), or some Jane Austen, if I’m up to it. Sometimes I just watch hours of silly, comforting TV — The Big Bang Theory, or even SpongeBob. Do whatever feels right.
A good boss not only helps us do our jobs, they help us grow as people, too. You’ve worked for one of the best.
I’m glad that the familiar routine is helping you to have some grief-free moments. I think Tabs will be always be with you, even if it’s only in spirit, every time you swatch. <3
Yet again I’m googling something, in this case Viva Glam III, and get a top hit on MBB! You always come through with the goods, for many years meow!