-RMK

Base Makeup Review: RMK Super Basic Liquid Concealer

by PJ on Tuesday, May 5, 2009

in -RMK, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - primer/concealer

(RMK Super Basic Concealer in 02)

A few weeks ago, I reviewed RMK‘s Powder Foundation EX, one of RMK’s three new base makeup items. Today I am sharing my thoughts on one of the two other products, Super Basic Concealer.

It is available in four shades and has SPF 28 and PA+++, and it uses a twist-click dispenser. The concealer has a creamy consistency, a good opaque coverage and a glowy matte finish. (It doesn’t have visible shimmery particles.)

So far, I have been having little issue with darkness in the eye area, so I can’t really say how well it works on heavy dark circles. (But it does even out the skin tone in the eye area quite well.) My main issue is the occasional breakout, and this product covers the redness effectively.

Also, I think the texture and consistency are just right. It is not so liquidy that it gets blended off where I want it to stay (it is always annoying when a concealer ends up around the breakout and not on the breakout), and the cream is just malleable enough to be blended nicely with enough play time to ensure a seamless finish.

I use this concealer underneath my powder foundation, which helps set the concealer. Once it sets, it is very long-lasting and doesn’t travel or disintegrate (even on my oily skin, where cream-based base makeup products don’t tend to stay on very well).

The shades tested for this review are 01 and 02. My skin tone is between light and light-to-medium (I use ZA Two-Way Foundation in 22 and I would go for the second OC shade in Japanese foundations), and 02 is a fairly good match for me. If you have a fair skin tone and tend to go for the lightest foundation shade, then 01 should be a good fit for you. (Both shades are quite neutral-toned and don’t look pinkish. Apart from being darker, 02 is slightly warmer than 01.)

Overall, Super Basic Concealer seems to be a very competent product, and, for me, it works well in concealing redness/breakouts. Also, the SPF/PA factors are a welcome feature as they provide extra protection for the breakout area, which can be particularly sensitive to sunlight.

“Japanese Base Makeup” series

Thierry Mugler Bleu Glacis Cooling Effect Concealer

Prescriptives Site Unseen Brightening Concealer SPF 15

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Makeup Review: RMK Powder Foundation EX

by PJ on Monday, April 13, 2009

in -RMK, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation

(RMK Powder Foundation EX in 103)

RMK is one of the Japanese beauty brands known for their base makeup. It doesn’t update its base makeup range as often as many other Japanese beauty lines, so it really attracts attention when it does. Today I am reviewing RMK’s latest powder foundation, Powder Foundation EX (SPF24, PA++, in 9 shades).

The whole idea of this foundation is to create the dewy finish of a cream foundation with a powder foundation. The foundation features a “powder” layer and a “pearl” layer. The powder layer is used as the usual powder foundation, while the pearl layer is used as a highlighter (with the brush that comes with the foundation).

This foundation gives a slightly-above-medium coverage, and the pore coverage and the lasting power are satisfactory. In terms of the dewy finish that this powder foundation sets out to achieve, it is a successful product. The powder is very fine and it doesn’t create a powdered look. The finish is indeed dewy and glowy.

According to the instruction sheet that comes with the foundation, the pearl layer should be avoided on the T-zone and the sides of the nose, which can get oily overtime. I think the pearl layer is definitely more suitable on the top of the cheekbones to both emphasize the dewy look and to highlight the cheekbones.

The downside of this foundation is that it has very little oil control efficacy. If you have oily skin, the dewy finish (just from the powder layer) will not hold overtime and will make your face appear even more oily as the day goes on. (I tried using Kiss Mat Chiffon Powder (which is the most matte loose powder I have) to set the foundation, but my face still started to look oily within two hours.)

The shade you see here is 103, which is a yellow-toned shade. It goes on a little darker than it looks in the pan, and it is about one shade darker than Majolica Majorca Skin Remake Compact in OC20 and two shades darker than my staple, ZA Two-Way Foundation in 22. (The other shade tested is 202, which is a pale pink-toned shade that is considerably paler than ZA 22.)

There are two other things worth mentioning. Firstly, the sponge that comes with the foundation doesn’t work particularly well. The fact that it is so soft and smooth actually works against itself, as it is not porous enough to grab and dispense/spread the powder efficiently. It still helps the foundation create a smooth finish on the face, but it takes a long time. (The sponge from my ZA Two-Way Foundation, which is just an ordinary powder foundation sponge similar to most others, actually works better with this foundation.)

Secondly, I like the grey velvet sleeves for the foundation case and the brush. At the first sight, they didn’t look as glamorous as the dark ones from Chanel, Dior, YSL and SUQQU. But overtime, they prove to be very practical as they never look as dusty as the dark sleeves can sometimes look. They are also somewhat chic-looking.

Overall, I think this product falls into the category of fall/winter foundations from Japanese brands and will suit people with normal or dry skin. Essentially, if your skin can take an emollient cream foundation and if you like the dewy finish from it, then this product can work well for you. (It should also provide a speedier application than applying a cream foundation). However, if you have combination or oily skin, this product is certainly not for you (even if you avoid the pearl layer). A more matte foundation with a good sebum control ability, such as Coffret D’Or’s Beauty Lasting Pact UV, will suit you a lot better.

I will review RMK’s new Super Basic Liquid Concealer next month.

Japanese Base Makeup Week

Foundation Face-Off: Chanel vs. SUQQU

Foundation Face-Off: Jill Stuart vs. SUQQU

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation

Primavista Powder Foundation Moist Touch

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Spring 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Monday, March 16, 2009

in -Elégance, -Esprique (Precious), -Kosé, -Maquillage, -RMK, -Shiseido, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

Spring makeup collections tend to be my favorites as compared with collections from the rest of the year, since the colors are usually soft, fresh, and wearable. This week, I will be counting down my top ten spring 2009 makeup collections.

10. Maquillage

(Maquillage Eyes Creators 3D)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)

(Maquillage Face Creators 3D)

(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)

Maquillage rolled out a large collection for spring 2009, changed a few of the brand ambassadors, and modified the packaging. The collection focuses on creating dimension for the face and the facial features. The Face Creator 3D includes highlighters, contourers and a blusher and aims to create depth for the face and a delicate jawline.

9. RMK

(image from www.rmkrmk.com)

RMK‘s spring 2009 collection, Spring Translucence, is full of soft ethereal hues. The idea is to use moderately pigmented shades with a gently luminous finish to enhance the lucidity of the complexion (rather than to cover the face with opaque colors). The star item is the Translucent Cheeks & Eyes, with one warmer and one cooler variation. The other items in the collection are also well-balanced and features both warmer and cooler shades.

8. Elégance

(Elégance EyeShadows)
(image from www.elegance-cosmetics.com)

(Elégance Radiance Quartet)

(image from www.elegance-cosmetics.com)

Like Sonia Rykiel and Paul & Joe, Elégance is a French fashion line with its beauty range mainly available in Asia. I particularly like the glamorous and opulent golden cases for many of its products. (Please see my profile of the brand here.) For spring 2009, the four new Eyeshadow palettes reflect all the main seasonal color trends (pinks, purples, and neutrals). The new Radiance Quartet is among the three cheek items from Elégance that I really want to check out in person.

7. Esprique Precious

(Esprique Precious True Impact Eyes)
(image from ep-bko.com)

Usually, spring is when most Japanese brands bring out the largest point makeup collection, but Kosé’s Esprique Precious‘ spring 2009 collection is very concise and consists of four eye palettes, two lipsticks and two lip glosses. The purple eye palette (True Impact Eyes in T-3) is featured as the main item of the collection. (Please see the ad image here.) I am still a little tempted to try this palette, as the purple seems to have the right tone for my complexion.

The countdown continues in Part 2 and Part 3.

Spring 2009 Makeup Trend Report

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844

Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 52

RMK Water Colors Eyes in 02 Lavender

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RMK for London Fashion Week

by PJ on Wednesday, February 18, 2009

in -RMK, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from www.rmkrmk.com)

RMK will be hosting an event for London Fashion Week from 19th to 25th of February.

The RMK makeup artists will give you a makeover using RMK’s base makeup products as well as items from the spring 2009 “Spring Translucence” makeup collection.

Also, on the 19th and 21st, you can also book to experience the latest catwalk hairstyles with Wella, Schwarzkopf and Frédéric Fekkai hair stylist Dawn Wellam, who will demonstrate the spring hairstyle trends to go with RMK’s spring makeup looks.

The booking fee is £20, which is redeemable against purchases on the day. Booking customers will receive a skincare trial kit, and those with purchases over £50 and £70 will also receive, respectively, the RMK spring/summer 09 scented candle and a handy cheek brush.

For more information and for booking an appointment, please call RMK at Selfridges on 0207 318 3538.

(information from RMK)

RMK Water Color Eyes in 02 Lavender

Beauty City Guide: London

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Makeup Review: RMK Water Color Eyes in 02 Lavender

by PJ on Friday, January 16, 2009

in -RMK, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

Many Japanese makeup brands feature a liquid or light-cream eyeshadow that is applied with a sponge (or occasionally a brush) applicator and blended with a finger. (One of the most popular ones is perhaps Beauté de Kosé’s Eye Fantasist.) RMK‘s version is Water Color Eyes, which is more liquidy than creamy. It comes in 7 shades, and today I am reviewing #02 Lavender.

It is a light lilac with subtle multi-colored shimmer. One layer creates a mildly pearly finish with no obvious sparkle (which is the finish I tend to go for with this item). More layers create a more intense/pearly look.

When worn lightly, it can brighten up the eyes naturally without looking obvious. Once when I wore it, a friend commented that my eye area looked brighter and she wasn’t aware that I was wearing makeup on my eyelids until I told her.

Apart from the lids, it can also be worn under eyebrows and in the inner corners of the eyes. For the latter, simply take off the excess on the applicator (which is a sponge applicator that we usually see for a lip gloss) and apply the color with very minimal blending.

The color is easily blended with a finger. The liquidy texture allows just enough time for blending, and, once it dries, the color sets quite firmly. I am very impressed with the staying power. After a whole day, the finish stays put and doesn’t fade. (I don’t usually use a primer under eyeshadows.)

If you want to brighten up the eye-lid area with an item that works subtly and effectively, this is a good item to consider. Also, if you are looking for eyeshadows that are more resistant to creasing, this range should be worth looking into.

RMK Spring 2009 Collection

Can’t Live Without – RMK Cleansing Oil

Review: RMK Fall 2008 Collection

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Holiday 2008 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Wednesday, December 17, 2008

in -Cosme Decorte, -Jill Stuart, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, -RMK, -Shu Uemura, 2008 Holiday, seasonal makeup top 10

Today and in the next few days, I will be counting down my 10 favorite holiday 2008 makeup collections. We’ll start from #10 to #7 today.

10. RMK

(image from RMK)

The 2008 edition of RMK’s Christmas Palette is probably one of the best holiday palettes from RMK in recent years, particularly in terms of the packaging. I like the two-tier design as well as the metallic gold pouch. (On the other hand, I didn’t like the animal-print palette from last year, even though it had some very nice colors.) The colors are wearable and the sparkles in the three pastel eyeshadows add a festive vibe to the party makeup look.

Please have a look at my review of the palette here.

9. Magie Deco

(image from www.iswii.net)

This is Magie Deco’s second holiday coffret. While I prefer the first one, this year’s version still looks gorgeous and glamorous. It is a good continuation of the deep-red theme from the line’s fall 2008 Bordeaux Magic collection.

8. Jill Stuart

(image from www.urcosme.com)

I have to say I am slightly underwhelmed by Jill Stuart’s holiday set for this year. It does have a beautiful vintage look, but, again, I prefer last year’s Christmas Rose Collection, with rosette details and a more different design for the eyeshadow palette. But the Solid Perfume Ring did tempt me a little bit when I first saw it.

7. Shu Uemura

(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)

I really like the cases of these eye palettes and some of the colors in them. The colorful photos are by Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa, and they also feature in Gloss Unlimited Mini Trio, Portable Brush Set and Makeup Box. Shu Uemura’s products usually have a simple and minimal look, and these images inject a lot of vibrancy to these holiday items. (You can see the rest of the collection here.)

The countdown continues in Part 2 and Part 3!

My Fall 2008 Makeup Top 10:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

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RMK Spring 2009 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, December 17, 2008

in -RMK, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images and info from www.iswii.net)

For spring 2009, it seems that we will be enveloped by soft pastel shades from Japanese brands. We’ve seen those from Lunasol, Coffret D’Or, Beauté de Kosé and Shu Uemura, and now here is another collection that defines one of the major trends of spring 2009 makeup.

RMK‘s spring 2009 collection, titled Spring Translucence, incorporates soft colors inspired by floral shades from spring. As you can see in the ad image, the finishes of these colors are gentle and ethereal.

Available in two variations, Translucent Cheeks & Eyes is the beautiful star item of the collection. The shades in the center of the floral patten and at the bottom right are for the eyes, while the rest of the palette is for the cheeks.

The new Translucent Eyes duos and Translucent Cheeks will also help create a natural and gentle look. All these three items are limited editions.

The rest of the collection includes 3 new shades of Irresistible Lips B, 2 new shades of Irresistible Lips C, 2 new shades of Gloss Lips, and 3 new shades of Nail Color N. (They are permanant items and not limited editions.)

RMK Holiday 2008 Collection Review

RMK Fall 2008 Collection Review

Can’t Live Without – RMK Cleansing Oil

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Makeup Review: RMK Christmas Palette 2008

by PJ on Wednesday, November 26, 2008

in -RMK, 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder, makeup - blusher, makeup - eyeshadow, makeup - lip gloss, makeup - mascara

For the last few holiday seasons, RMK has brought out luxury makeup palettes that include items for eyes, cheeks, and lips. Today I am reviewing the 2008 version of the RMK Christmas Palette.

The holiday palette for this year is presented in a rectangular gold pouch with a chic metallic finish. The palette itself is black.

The palette includes four eyeshadows, a travel-sized mascara, a travel-sized lip gloss, face colors, and pressed powder. The pressed powder, powder puff and blusher brush are in the pull-out drawer on the bottom layer.

– Eyeshadows

The three light shades (gold, pink, and green) are very sheer and mainly add (quite sparkly) shimmer to the eyes. The brown is less shimmery and a lot more pigmented. It can be a subtle eyelining shade or part of your smoky-eye look.

– Face Colors

At first, I thought the coral-orange blusher would be too warm for my liking, but it goes on as a nice warm coral-pink that looks surprisingly natural. Both the blusher and the highlighter have shimmer. (The shimmer in the highlighter is more pronounced.)

– Pressed Powder

It goes on luminously matte and has good pore coverage. However, compared with products like Kiss Mat Chiffon Powder and Lavshuca Face Powder in Lucent, it lacks shine control and will not suit those with oily skin.

– Separate Curl Mascara in 01 Black (travel-sized)

This waterproof mascara is part of RMK’s regular mascara lineup. The brush is slightly curled. For me, it creates more volume and definition rather than length. On my lashes, it doesn’t clump or smudge.

– Gloss Lips in EX-11 (limited-edition shade, travel-sized)

This is a semi-sheer gloss with a hint of beige and should suit most complexions. It has very pretty multi-colored shimmer. As far as I remember, RMK’s lip glosses come with a brush applicator. This one has a sponge applicator.

Overall, this set creates a warm and glowy makeup look for the holiday season. How you use the pigmented brown eyeshadow will determine how dramatic the overall look is. If you have been thinking about trying items from RMK, this set (including the brand’s popular items like the mascara and Gloss Lips) is worth considering.

If you would like to see swatches and FOTDs of this palette, please head over here and here. Enjoy!

Review: RMK Fall 2008 Collection

Can’t Live Without – RMK Cleansing Oil

Beauty City Guide – London

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RMK Holiday 2008 Collection

by PJ on Thursday, October 30, 2008

in -RMK, 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from RMK;
info from RMK and www.joseishi.net/voce/)

RMK will release Christmas Palette 2008, an all-in-one makeup set for the holiday season, presented in a metallic gold pouch.

The items in the palette includes:

– Eye Color (4 shades)
– Separate Curl Mascara in 01 Black (mini size)
– Gloss Lips in EX-11 (mini size)
– Cheek Color (2 shades)
– Pressed Powder
– three appliators and a powder puff

The Eye Color, Gloss Lips, and Cheek Color shades are limited editions.

The palette will be released in Japan and in the UK (at £39) on November 7th.

Updated on November 26th, 2008:

Please see the review of the palette here.

RMK Fall 2008 Collection

Can’t Live Without – RMK Cleansing Oil N

Beauty City Guide – London

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Makeup Review: RMK Fall 2008 Collection

by PJ on Monday, October 6, 2008

in -RMK, 2008 Fall, makeup, makeup - blusher, makeup - eyeshadow, makeup - lip color

(image from www.rmkrmk.com)

The Kanebo-owned RMK is the creation of Japanese makeup artist Rumiko. Its main consumer group includes those in their thirties and late twenties who tend to go for trendy colors with a sophisticated edge. For fall 2008, RMK’s ’80s Color collection places emphasis on neutral shades for the eyes and injects vibrancy into them. Today I am reviewing items from this collection.

(Jelly x Powder Eyes in 01 Natural Coral Beige
and 04 Silver Gold Beige)

– Jelly x Powder Eyes in 01 & 04

Jelly x Powder Eyes is a new creation from RMK for fall 2008. Those familiar with RMK might know that the brand has been carrying Jelly Eye Color (available in 6 (mainly pastel) shades) for some time. For this season, new eye duos are created with one shade of the same (jelly) texture and another complementing powdery shade. (The jelly shade is on top and the powdery shade is at the bottom.)

The two shades in the duo are designed to be layered. The jelly shade goes on first as a base color and the powder is layered on top. As you can see, the base shade is not necessarily lighter than the powder shade. As with 01, 02, 03, and 06, the jelly shade is the main shadowing color and the powder adds a veil of shimmer.

01 (Natural Coral Beige, left in photo) and 04 (Silver Gold Beige) are the lightest two duos of the six, and both have a nice light-neutral finish that will flatter those with fair and light complexions. The coral in 01 Natural Coral Beige can look too orange when worn alone, but, paired with the pale beige, the overall finish is a delicate shimmery warm gold.

Both shades in 04 Silver Gold Beige are quite sheer, but the shimmery particles in the gold powder shade are larger and much more sparkly than those in the pale beige in 01. I think this would be a good duo for evening makeup, as it creates a sparkly pale gold finish that looks nice alone or over darker neutrals.

I really like the texture and the staying power of the jelly shades. They are dense but are very easy to apply. (A great way to apply them is simply to use the sponge tip (marked J as seen in the photo), which dispenses and blends the powder effortlessly.) They basically feel like a gently wet powder that quickly dries up to a smooth finish with an impressive staying powder. I strongly recommend using a cleansing oil or a bi-phase eye/lip makeup remover to remove them.

(Jelly x Powder Cheeks in 02 Soft Rose
and 03 Soft Coral)

– Jelly x Powder Cheeks in 02 & 03

Again, Jelly Powder Cheeks are existing items, and RMK has come up with three new colors and paired a sheer powdery shade with each of them to create Jelly x Powder Cheeks. The jelly shades are easily applied with fingertips and the powder sets the color. The powder can also be applied slightly above the cheek bone to create definition for the face. (Both shades in the duo have shimmer.)

02 (Soft Rose) can look very dark (and almost too shimmery) when swatched on the back of the hand, but the finish is surprisingly natural on the cheeks and the shimmer doesn’t look obvious. (This is again a typical example of blushers from Japanese brands.) I usually use matte blushers and I can happily live with the subtle shimmer. The soft rose tone should suit most skin tones, and there is a natural transparency to the finish (as if the flush came from within the skin). 01 (Soft Coral) is my less preferred one, as it is a little too warm for me and does not have enough pink undertone to look natural.

Because of the creamy texture, I recommend putting on the jelly shade before your powder foundation or after your liquid/cream foundation.

(Irresistible Lips C in 22 Natural Rose)

– Irresistible Lips C in 22

RMK revamped its lipstick lineup a couple of years ago and launched three ranges. With Irresistible Lips B as the core range, Irresistible Lips M offers a satiny-matte finish while Irresistible Lips C creates a natural watery shine. (I bought 03 (a bright neon pink) from the Irresistible Lips C range when it was launched. I might review it a bit later. Before that, you can catch a glimpse of it here.)

22 Natural Rose is a muted rose-toned red that looks very elegant and is a great shade for fall and winter. It goes well with neutral eyeshadows as well as plums and warm purples, which are very on-trend for fall 2008.

What I like about Irresistible Lips C is its controllable color pay-off. One layer gives an ultra-natural tinted look that softly unifies the lip tone, an extra layer instantly imparts more color and shine, and a third layer creates extra volume for the lips with rich color. Typical of lipsticks from Japanese brands, all the different degrees of color pay-offs offer the beautiful sense of transparency (with no overly opaque finishes). The color wears well and doesn’t dry out the lips. The added scent is unusual among Japanese lipsticks (which are usually scent-free), but I like the very light cassis scent, which is never over-powering.

Overall, I think this is a very wearable collection and the shimmery neutral-toned colors are far from boring. It is particularly worth looking into if warm neutrals are your type of eyeshadow colors, and you will find shades for cheeks and lips that go very well with them.

(RMK is currently available in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Maylasia, Hong Kong, and Macau. UK is the only country outside Asia where RMK is available. Please check here for all the RMK retail points.)

Can’t Live Without – RMK Cleansing Oil N

Japanese Beauty Brands in the UK

Beauty City Guide – London

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