sexandsensibilities.com

Surrounded by the pinks, browns and mauves of the MAC Store, about 30 ladies gathered for a day of intimate girl talk as Sex and Sensibilities and MAC Viva Glam hosted the first ever sexual health and make-up workshop.

The event was a spin-off this year’s MAC Viva Glam “From Our Lips” Campaign, powered by high-voltage divas Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper who are rallying to raise funds for the MAC AIDS Fund.

The event was the first of its kind and the first time for the cosmetics giant to host such an event with a partner.

“The heart and soul of MAC is the MAC AIDS Fund. Every peso that we raise from the sale of  the MAC Viva Glam Lipsticks: “Cyndi” or “Gaga” goes back to the MAC AIDS Fund which in turn funds grants for programs in regions that are not often prioritized by other funders.”, says Gay La’o, Brand Manager for MAC.

“It was the logical choice to do this event — which is a first for us — with a partner like Sex and Sensibilities.com, which is totally aligned with our own brand values of promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and empowering women with information to make informed choices.”, adds La’o.

HIV advocate Wanggo Gallaga, who was one of the speakers during the event said, “Many people don’t believe it, but HIV is here in our country. I’m proof of that.” Since publicly disclosing his HIV status on national television, Gallaga has been tirelessly sharing his story and generously lending his time and his voice to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and the importance of practicing safer sex.

A speaker from Babae Plus, an NGO that gives care and support to women living with HIV also shared her story of resilience, hope and living positively.

Ana Santos, editorial director and founder of Sex and Sensibilities talked about the concept of “emotional safe sex”, which means protecting yourself not just physically, but also emotionally.

Participants giggled at Santos’ insinuation that in the Philippines, not enough time is spent talking about sex perhaps because people are too busy having it, but immediately sobered up with statistics, “In the Philippines, there are 1.43 million unintended pregnancies every year;  about 4 babies are born every minute.”, said Santos.

But the women all agreed to the principle of “loving yourself first” as being the simple guide to making the right decisions and taking rightful control over their lives — whether it meant refusing to have sex without a condom or making a deliberate and planned choice as to when to have children, how many or none at all.

“We are taught and told to love our parents, love our partner, even love our country. But rarely are we told to love ourselves first. The “first” there is important, because you have to love yourself first before you love another.” As for the link between sexual health and make-up, Santos concluded, “It’s all about looking beautiful with make – up and feeling beautiful knowing that we are taking care of ourselves both physically and emotionally.  It’s about the glorious feeling of self-love.”

Sex and Sensibilities would like to specially thank the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), DKT, Philippines and Trust Family Planning, UNAIDS , Victoria Court, and Mulat Pinoy for generously giving of their time and their support to Sex and Sensibilities.

        

USD150 million dollars.

That sure is a lot of MAC VIVA GLAM lipstick.

In the 15 years since the MAC AIDS Fund was established, that’s the amount of money that the organization has raised by selling MAC VIVA GLAM lipstick.

One hundred percent (100%) of sales from MAC VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass goes to the MAC AIDS Fund and used to for ground breaking programs in underserved regions that are not often prioritized by other funders. 

 The MAC AIDS Fund was actually borne out of the grief and helplessness.

Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo, co-founders of MAC Cosmetics saw many of their friends succumb to AIDS as it ravaged the fashion and entertainment industry in the early 90s.

Toskan and Angelo re-channeled their sorrow into positive action and put up the MAC AIDS Fund, which has presence in 67 countries around the world and has now become the single biggest non-pharmaceutical company contributor of HIV programs.

MAC, which is actually short for Make Up Artist’s Cosmetics, is known for its avant-garde brand personality which is often cutting edge and daring. This philosophy is the same principal for choosing their brand ambassadors who are as controversial, outspoken and as fiery in their careers as they are about their support for AIDS.

 The first MAC VIVA GLAM global ambassador drag queen diva Ru Paul set the pace for all others who followed in his stiletto-ed footsteps.

 Other members of the glam squad include music legend and outspoken AIDS activist Elton John, Grammy Award winner Mary J. Blige, rock icon Shirley Manson of the band Garbage, recording artist k.d. lang, hip-hop diva Lil’ Kim who, Blondie frontwoman Deborah Harry, rapper Eve, burlesque queen Dita von Teese (wife of Marilyn Manson), Her Hotness Fergie of Black Eyed Peas and Lisa Marie Presley.

This year’s MAC VIVA GLAM ambassadors are two high – voltage divas, Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper. These femmes want to encourage conversation about the “kind of relationships women want to have and how to keep it safe, seductive and satisfying.”

With their campaign called, “From Our Lips”, these two ladies bring together and represent two very different eras in the time of HIV/AIDS and are focusing on an underserved segment – women.

 According to the global study, “The Scorecard on Women” produced by the AIDS Accountability International Foundation, AIDS is the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age.

However, women are not always seen as a target group for HIV interventions as compared to high risk groups like MSM (who have sex with men), injecting drug users and commercial sex workers mainly because they are not thought of as engaging in risky sexual behavior. It is a stereotype that has deathly consequences. As a result, women do not protect themselves, are unable to negotiate for condom use with their partners and do not get tested because they do not think of themselves at risk.

According to a UNAIDS study, there are 50 million women in Asia who are at risk for getting HIV infection through their husbands or long-term partners who inject drugs, have sex with other men or are clients of sex workers.

This silence and prescribed surrounding this stereotype of women is exactly what the new MAC VIVA GLAM global ambassadors are talking about.

“Be smart. Be careful, protect yourself, practice safe sex and look out for your sisters to make sure they are doing the same.”, Cyndi Lauper is quoted as saying.

“Use protection and be selective and strong about those you love. Your body is sacred, and it’s okay to say no. Make your partners get tested; go together: it will only make your relationship stronger and healthier.”, says Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga, who has been called the biggest rock star of all time was also recently quoted claiming, “I’m celibate right now. It’s ok not to have sex.”

Looks like Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga are toppling stereotypes, urging people to talk sensibily about sex, one lipstick at a time.

 Rock with divas Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper and join the MAC VIVA GLAM and Sex and Sensibilities Race to Kiss and Tell Promo. Spread HIV/AIDS awareness to your friends and get a chance to win a free MAC make-over and a FREE MAC VIVA Glam swag bag.

        

The LipStory that started it all. How M•A•C VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass made beauty and cosmetics stand for more than just glamour.

As the AIDS epidemic spread and began to ravage the fashion and entertainment worlds in the early 1990s, Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo, cofounders of M•A•C Cosmetics, found themselves profoundly affected by a sense of loss. As most who have lost someone to AIDS know, the grief is so intense that it grips you with a sense of helplessness mixed with an urgent desire to fight the epidemic in any way possible.

Encouraged by M•A•C employees, they decided to make HIV and AIDS organizations the beneficiaries of the company’s charitable focus and founded the M•A•C AIDS Fund which has now come to be known the heart and soul of the company.

That was back in 1994.

Now 15 years later, the M•A•C AIDS Fund is the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical HIV and AIDS funder. It strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS by focusing on the link between poverty and AIDS, and strengthening services available to underserved populations.

The M•A•C AIDS Fund has established itself as a leader in the global fight against HIV and has invested more than USD$150 million to organizations in more than 67 countries.

Glamour funds

One hundred percent (100%) of sales from M•A•C’s VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass are used to fund grants for groundbreaking programs in regions that are not often prioritized by other funders. The M•A•C AIDS Fund has inspired other similar organizations to follow suit, investing in new and experimental programs and underserved regions.

Here’s what one M•A•C VIVA GLAM can do for men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS:

!

!  Pay for 8 individually tailored, nutritious home-cooked meals
!  Cover 1 personal nutrition counseling session with a registered dietician
!  Fund the printing of 15 copies of “Tips to Eating Well with HIV/AIDS” booklets
!  Buy 18 personalized birthday cakes to be hand-delivered to a person living with HV/AIDS (PLWHA) on his/her birthday

!  Pay for a 15-minute follow-up visit with a trained nutrition counselor, including a BIA test
   (a computer analysis that detects the presence of biochemical influences that affect AIDS

!  Provide support and education for 5 pregnant women diagnosed with HIV/AIDS giving them the tools to prevent transmission to their unborn child
!  Buy 1 pair of school shoes for a child orphaned by AIDS
!  Purchase 1 school starter pack of stationery for a child orphaned by AIDS

Going all FUN and GAGA

This year’s M•A•C VIVA GLAM ambassadors Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper know all about how making a difference and caring about HIV/AIDS is glamorous, sexy and sassy.

M•A•C VIVA GLAM Cyndi, a light coral red lipstick, and VIVA GLAM Gaga, a light blue pink lipstick, is now available in all M•A•C Stores nationwide.

Rock with divas Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper and join the M•A•C VIVA GLAM and Sex and Sensibilities Race to Kiss and Tell Promo! Spread HIV/AIDS awareness to your friends and get a chance to win a FREE MAC Make – Over AND a FREE MAC VIVA GLAM SWAG BAG!

http://sexandsensibilities.com/2010/04/06/get-a-free-mac-make-over-and-mac-swag-bag-from-sas-and-mac-viva-glam/