One of my very favourite things about my job is getting to share MAC Viva Glam with customers. Viva Glam is a line of lipsticks that fund the MAC AIDS Fund (MAF), a non-profit organization.

Every time you buy a Viva Glam Lipstick, 100% of the $23 selling price is donated to the MAC AIDS Fund.

There are no percentages, no portions, no administration fees. Every single Viva Glam lipstick sold results in a $23 donation to the MAF. The company even eats the cost of creating the lipstick. It is a true 100% donation.

The founders of MAC Cosmetics, Frank Angelo and Frank Toskan, created the MAC AIDS Fund in 1994.

Since the MAC AIDS Fund was created in 1994, it has raised over $480 million dollars

“The idea of VIVA GLAM was to celebrate life and the outspoken attitude of the company. It was a connective tissue that encompassed the diversity of M·A·C and its mantra…all ages, all races, all genders. It was, and continues to be, the signature and the heart and soul of the company.“ -macaidsfund.org

When it comes to Viva Glam, there are no secrets about where the money is going. What’s even better? There are no secrets about how the money is spent, either! The MAC AIDS Fund is a true non-profit organization.

The MAC AIDS Fund is managed from New York City by several employees who receive a modest salary. This allows more money to go directly to those who need help. There is no high paid CEO; no one is getting rich from the MAC AIDS Fund. This is a labour of love, and only those who truly want to help others are employed by the MAF.

LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS

I was lucky enough last year to be able to present a local organization, Ensemble Moncton, with a cheque for $3000 from the MAC AIDS Fund because of volunteer efforts from the team at MAC Champlain. This is just one example of how the money stays in local markets. The teams at MAC Halifax & MAC Dartmouth do a ton of local volunteering in their area as well, and MAC gives those organizations grants to help keep their doors open. It is such a win-win for the community and lets us as makeup artists get out there and help spread love.

WHAT ELSE CAN MY LIPSTICK DO?

These are just some of the ways the MAC AIDS Fund can help people with the cost of just one lipstick.

Do you have a favourite Viva Glam collaboration? Mine is Lady Gaga & Nicki Minaj! Let me know yours in the comment section below!

XOXO