MAC Viva Glam is one of the best good causes around. Every year, MAC releases a new lipstick, lipgloss or in the most recent case, a lip conditioner to raise money for the MAC AIDS fund which has to date raised hundreds of millions of pounds for those affected by HIV and AIDS around the world. Every penny of the sale value (minus the VAT) goes to the fund, which is not only very generous but also extremely helpful to the people who this money is going to. Previous spokespeople include Ru Paul, Elton John, Dita Von Teese, Pamela Anderson, Missy Eliot and Lady Gaga to name but a few. This year, it is the turn of global superstar Nicky Minaj and Pop Star Ricky Martin.
The lipstick is an amazing, very summery bright pink, and Ricky has released a lip conditioner - perfect for all ages, all races and all sexes.
I know that many of you may roll your eyes at this and think "more money being sent to third world countries...what about our country?". While it is easy to think of these third world countries when thinking about HIV and AIDS, we also have to think about our own...HIV and AIDS can affect anyone of any age, anywhere in the world. The AIDS epidemic that started in 1981 in San Francisco killed more people than American Soldiers were killed in the Vietnam war. Here is a poem by Gene Valentine called, "I Still". It was introduced to me by MAC Liverpool's Viva Glam specialist and my beautiful friend Jenna Maloney. It is about a white woman in her 30s, who contracted HIV without knowing. She then met the love of her life and was shortly after diagnosed. He left her and she remained devasted. If you do one good thing today, please make sure you buy a Viva Glam lipstick. There are lots of colours and textures to chose from and your money will be greatly appreciated.
I Still
I still...
miss you even if you don't miss me.
Think of you even if you don't think of me.
Wonder whether you really were my
special friend or just
another man playing pretend?
I won't believe that it was a lie, that all
the love,
passion, lust, tears,
laughter, and joy you gave me were untrue
but where are you
now? I'm still here
waiting, wondering where you've been and
do you still call
yourself my friend?
I still...
question if you really cared when I became sick and if so,
why were we over so quick?
Need you to hold me and tell me how you'll be there 'til
the end.
Long to hear your voice again.
It's been 333 days and 999 pills.
The virus is at bay now,
but like all enemies
I know that it's lurking in the
shadows of my t-cells.
I wonder did this virus touch you
too? And if so what will
you do?
Did the meds make you sick?
Did you take as many pills as
I or was it 999x3?
I wonder did you sleep well or were you in my same hell?
I still....
miss you even if you don't miss me.
Think of you even if you don't think of me.
Want you to be my friend even if you can't make love to
me again.
I still...I still...I still...
