After years of buying, trying and decluttering makeup, I have learnt what works for my skin, style and aesthetic. Especially after barely wearing any makeup in 2020 I have come to realise what I really like and actually enjoy using.
I’m in my late 30s and I’ve come to realise that there are products that I have that aren’t really necessary. Either I no longer enjoy its effect or a multitasker exists that does the same job or I want to cut out the step entirely because I’m lazy. I mean makeup itself isn’t necessary, people wear it for different reasons, as do I. There are a few categories of products that I can definitely live without so if you’re interested to find out what they are, please keep on reading 🙂
Highlighters
Cream, liquid and powder highlighters. When I first started watching beauty YouTube, every person would use highlighter when doing their makeup. Even when most of the time I didn’t like how it looked on them, even under all their fancy lights, I still yearned to have it too. The packaging is generally gorgeous and who doesn’t like (the look of) all that pretty shimmer. So I bought a bunch over time and slowly realised that I hardly used it. I have pigmentation on my cheek bones, it’s not that obvious with foundation and concealer but when I used highlighter it just seemed to make them reappear (duh it’s job is to highlight) and my meticulous concealing work proved to be a waste of time. I guess out of the three types I do prefer cream because I can lightly tap it onto my cheekbones so it doesn’t disturb my base but it’s still not a necessity for me. I remember buying my first highlighter, which was RMS’s Living Luminizer, it was so damn beautiful but I couldn’t even make a dent in it before it decided to expire on me.
I have always favoured a more natural application of makeup, so I’ve never liked to shine like a disco ball. Kudos to those who do though, each their own. Also by the time I normally apply highlighter, I already have foundation, concealer, blush and bronzer on and my skin is already looking quite dewy so happy to skip it since I think that’s already quite enough for my liking. Enough time spent!
Primers
Ever since I started wearing sunscreen daily I have barely touched my primers. I would classify liquid glowy illuminators as a primer too, not just pore filling or hydrating ones. I’ve been trying to use up my Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, which is beautiful, but I have no idea how much I’ve used up from its packaging and now it smells funny (time to toss). There’s also a liquid illuminator from Burberry that I’m almost done with, purchased at a time when I was really into primers and Sephora. I mean I enjoy their effect, which is glowy skin, but I already get that effect of healthy and dewy skin from the sunscreens and foundations that I use. I’ve used the og Porefessional from Benefit (never worked for me) and so many others and have been tempted by Tatcha’s Liquid Silk Canvas due to hearing so many rave reviews. But at the end of the day, it’s an extra step for me and if I had bought it I wouldn’t remember to use it.
I’ve been much more mindful about buying any primers and haven’t for a long time. Even if I were to get ready for a dinner out, I still wouldn’t miss the primer step. There’s the suggestion that primer will help your makeup’s longevity, but honestly I don’t need my makeup to last that long, I’ve been working from home and also in work in IT. I also haven’t experienced much of a difference between no primer or primer (even those which had long lasting claims). Primers are also expensive, almost the same price as foundations sometimes. If I were to pick between the two it would be foundation everytime.
Lip liners
Some people love lip liners, they can’t do their lips without it. I am not one of those people, though I have tried to be. Again I fell for the whole beauty YouTuber marketing telling me that I needed to use lip liner before lipstick application. I’ve also been told that it can make your lipstick lasts longer too (which for me it never does). I mean I can definately see a place for it, especially if you want a precise application of darker or red lipsticks, or if you are a MUA, but for ordinary me I’m mainly a neutral lip person and am pretty basic with my lip products. I’ve used liners maybe twice in my life, so the bunch of lip liners that I have are just sitting there, waiting to expire or have expired.
Setting spray
I used to love spritzing my face with Mac’s Prep and Prime aka Fix+ because that’s what people in YouTube did. Besides that I did like the feeling of it and the way it made my face look and feel. But like I mentioned before, I already use dewy and glowy products like sunscreen and foundation and I don’t really care about longevity anymore so using a setting spray as part of my regular makeup routine was overkill.
Urban decay’s (original) all nighter did a good job in locking in makeup but I always thought it smelt weird and I have not owned it for a long time. It no longer has a place in my makeup routine since I haven’t been going to any occasions where I needed my makeup to be glued onto my face for 20hrs. It’s also full of denatured alcohol so use it with caution and only if you really need to. I also don’t apply powder all over face anymore, I only apply it in my t-zone where I really need it. Therefore I no longer need a hydrating setting spray like Fix+ to tone down the matte or powdery look.
I still own some of these products and have sold some as well. Lip liners are probably ready to be tossed. For the ones I have kept, I will keep using them for when I can be bothered or remember to. Basically just to use them up which won’t be anytime soon (I’m looking at you powder highlighters). But I will not be buying anymore products from these categories in future. I know that not everyone will agree with my reasoning but they are just my opinions. Makeup is very personal so you do you.
What products did you use to love but no longer use or see a purpose for? I’d love to know.
Line Friends are a group of cute cartoon characters made popular from an asian messaging app. They are commonly found on merchandise, stickers and Missha have regularly used some of the characters on their beauty products.
My favourite character is Brown who is a salty looking bear who wears a constant frown. He has a sister named Choco and it is she who is used on the packaging of the Velvet Like Color Sticks. She’s just as cute and I’m not afraid to admit that I bought them mostly for the adorable packaging. I bought a blush (#Retro Movie), contour (#Sepia Filter) and a highlighter (#Key Light) so if you’d like to hear more about them please keep on reading 🙂
Product Description
from yesstyle.com
Creamy blush stick glides on effortlessly, leaving a high color payoff and velvety finish. Blended with mango seed and avocado butters to nourish skin. Cap is furnished with a three-dimensional figurine of Brown’s younger sister Choco.
Cost
$11.49 AUD from yesstyle.com *. Available in 5 shades. Prices fluctuate constantly on Yesstyle so keep an eye out for their sales.
Packaging
The color sticks are packaged in a sturdy plastic tube with its shade covering the whole container. The cutest part is that Choco is on the lid of each one. As well as being 3D, she is made of rubber and has a soft matte feel. It feels more expensive that is is and well made, very similar to Nudestix’s cheek stick packaging. Some of Nudestix products are made in Korea which is very interesting and since I have a fair bit of their collection, a review is coming very soon!
MISSHA – Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition) – Retro Movie, Key Light and Sepia Filter
How to apply
I have used this product only on my cheeks, forehead and cheekbones but I’m sure like any multi use stick, you can also use it on your eyes and lips.
I usually swipe the product directly onto my face and blend with a small duo fibre brush. The Real Techniques Stippling brush is an excellent one but you can use any brush that can blend cream products. Fingers work too and I especially like using fingers to apply the highlighter.
For the contour stick (Sepia Filter)
I swipe it in the areas I normally bronze/contour which are the sides of my forehead, under my cheekbones and under my chin. I use the brush to blend it all in and it’s effortless.
For the blush stick (Retro Movie)
I dab the blush onto the apples of cheeks a couple of times and use the brush to blend it across my cheek. I’ve used my fingers to blend too but I prefer using a brush because it stretches the product a little further and is a breeze to blend in.
For the highlighter (Key Light)
I tap my index finger on top of the highlight and dab it onto my cheekbones. I don’t use a brush because I want a subtle sheen and doing it this way is perfect because you only need a small amount.
Performance
Just like the name implies, all three sticks dry down to a velvet finish which means that they are not sticky or need to be set down with powder. This helps with longevity and they last all day (9hrs) on me which is impressive. I do have combo skin (dry cheeks and kinda oily t-zone) so please keep that in mind. Pretty sure that they will last very well once powdered too if you have oily skin.
I didn’t expect much pigment since k-beauty isn’t well known for that but I was proven wrong. There is definitely strong colour payoff (as shown in the swatches) with all three of these sticks and layering them works well too.
MISSHA – Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition) Heavy and untidy swatches (sorry!) – Left to right: Key Light, Retro Movie and Sepia Filter.
Consistency
The texture is creamy and smooth but not so emollient that it will slip and slide around your face. They glide on easily making it easy to apply directly to the face. It has never lifted my base products which is a huge plus.
Scent
It doesn’t really have a scent but if you really sniff it you can smell the mango seed butter which is quite nice. This definitely doesn’t translate once on the face.
MISSHA – Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition)
Final thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really liked it!)
As you can already tell by the rating, I really like these products. As well as having cute packaging the products themselves are decent. I didn’t give it 5 stars because if you blend them too much, they can blend away, in particular the blush. This can be remedied by layering more but it means you need to use more product. The contour has a nice tone to it but isn’t warm enough to use as a true bronzer so sometimes I need to apply a powder bronzer on top in order to get the bronzed effect. The highlighter is my favourite out of the three. It looks very light/white in the swatch but once blended it is so beautiful! It provides a glossy sheen which is my favourite type of effect. The shimmer isn’t noticeable once applied and little does go a long way with it. It rivals a lot of high-end highlighters that I own.
If you are looking for affordable cream cheek products I would highly recommend this line. They perform very similarly to Nudestix cheek products and have great lasting power. Or even if you just love Line Friends and cute packaging, you won’t be disappointed with these. Let me know if you’ve tried them or if you have any other Line Friends beauty recommendations.
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
2018 involved a swift expansion of my makeup collection because I went a bit bonkers with experimentation. I grew to love playing with and wearing eyeshadow and discovered a bunch of awesome products from different asian and western brands.
It was hard to pick one product from each category but I decided to pick them on the basis of what I used the most in 2018 and what I would use if I was in a rush that didn’t require much time and thought.
Foundation
I had to break this down into two sub categories since I enjoy using both cushion and normal liquid foundations and have tested many last year.
Cushion Foundation: COSRX Clear Fit Blemish Cushion
COSRX Clear Fit Blemish Cushion – SPF47 PA++, Mochi like cushion.
This cushion provides amazing coverage (med-high) and I love the mochi cushion. It allows the puff to pick up an even amount of the foundation, resulting in using less. It doesn’t cake and shade #27 is pretty perfect for me. It contains centella asiatica, tea tree oil, adenosine and madecassoside so it’s a better option for times when I am battling breakouts.
Liquid Foundation: MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof
Pictured right – MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation
I haven’t reviewed this on my blog yet but it was the foundation my MUA used on my wedding day. That was almost two years ago and I have loved in since. It provides buildable full coverage that you can sheer out if you prefer. I apply it with a kabuki brush for fuller coverage and I sometimes go over it with a clean damp beauty blender, just to mesh it all in. It’s matte but not a flat matte. It is definitely waterproof, I sweat heaps in summer and it has lasted. I’m in the shade #NC35.
It Cosmetics – Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder
It Cosmetics – Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder
This loose powder, although it’s messy to use, really does make me look poreless. It doesn’t feel heavy and doesn’t cake on top of foundation. I apply the smallest amount anyway because it’s all I need. I do press it into my pores with my Wayne Goss Air Brush and have also used a makeup puff and both methods work well. It mattifies without drying out my skin and is translucent. Great for the sweaty humid weather here in Sydney.
I have liked cream bronzers too but since they require a bit more time to apply I didn’t include any for this category. I also didn’t love any cream bronzers enough to include it.
Becca – Sunlit Bronzer
This bronzer is smooth and easy to apply. The payoff is sheer and buildable and the shade, Capri Coast, really compliments my skin tone. Because it isn’t matte, it adds a healthy dimension to the face. It looks shimmery in the pan but it doesn’t translate once applied on the face. Really lovely option for those who are after a healthy and warm complexion.
This was my first taste of the amazing quality which are Hourglass blushes. The shade Diffused Heat was rated highly by Temptalia and I very much agree. It is so easy to blend and the color payoff is amazing. The marbling is so beautiful, making it a joy to look at and use. This shade is a peachy pink on me and gives me a healthy looking flush and really compliments my complexion.
Honourable cream blush mention goes to the RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Shade #Illusive. I carry this in my gym bag and gives such a healthy flush to the cheeks. Reviewed here.
Highlighter
This was the year of discovery for highlighters for me. Two years ago I didn’t even wear any bronzer or highlighter, just blush, how things have changed 🙂
NARS – Highlighting Powder
NARS – Highlighting Powder
My absolute favourite has to to be the NARS Highlighting powder in shade Fort De France, a newish release from NARS last year. It is so finely milled, so it never looks powdery or cakey and doesn’t emphasise any texture. There is no shimmer whatsoever, just imparts a wonderful sheen. The colour is also perfect for my skin tone. If you are after a natural looking glow without looking like a tin man or disco ball, this one would be for you.
A couple of honorable mentions for cream highlighters. The Son and Park Cube Highlighter and the RMS Beauty Living Luminizer were two highlighters I enjoyed using throughout the year but I didn’t favour them enough over the NARS highlighter.
Eyeshadow
Last year was also the year of eyeshadows for me. I’m still not the most creative and experimental mainly because I’m lazy. It was really hard to pick just one eyeshadow palette…
Urban Decay – Born to Run Eyeshadow Palette
This palette is the most versatile, easy to use and colour payoff is just amazing. It has so many shades across such a good variety of spectrums that you’ll be hard pressed to not find a colour that you were after. The formula is also beginner friendly, both matte and shimmer shades blend and layer very easily. This palette can also take you from day to night, simple looks to smoky looks can be achieved which makes it the best all rounder palette in my opinion. Their Naked palettes have kind of bored me, never interested me enough to pick up but this got my attention right away. Has not disappointed me yet, love!
Also had to break this into two sub categories, as there were two standouts last year.
Clio Waterproof Pen Liner Kill Black
Clio Waterproof Pen Liner Kill Black (top)
After using a couple of tubes of the Macqueen liquid liner (reviewed here), I thought it was time to branch out. The Clio Pen liner is so popular among the masses so I had to try it. I got it in Kill Black and it’s pretty darn good. It’s definitely waterproof, smudge proof and the pen applicator is brush-like and easy to use and control. I hate the stiff actual pen applicators since they catch on my lids and wreak havoc. It’s very similar to my beloved Macqueen liner but I feel like the product keeps longer, as in doesn’t dry out as quickly.
Shu Uemura Lasting Soft Gel Pencil Eyeliner (bottom)
It’s been a hard task, trying to find a pencil eyeliner that doesn’t smudge on my hooded eyes. I have oily eyelids so I need something to stay put and not give me panda eyes by midday. Have tried many korean and western eye pencils and none have really passed this test. I bought this Shu Uemura eye pencil on a whim (#Dark brown) and it’s been a reliable friend ever since. It has a very precise tip and while it isn’t overly creamy, it’s creamy enough to glide over the lid without catching on anything. I don’t tightline (it’s very uncomfortable) and don’t apply it to my waterline either so I can’t speak for when it is applied in those areas but I can say that when I apply it over my lid, it never smudges. I don’t use it to create a wing or anything, I use it when I need a little definition, usually when I wear eyeshadow. Otherwise eyeliner is a step I’m happy to skip if I’m going to work or am in a massive rush.
If you have any recommendations for a reliable smudge proof eye pencil, please let me know because I’m always on the lookout for more affordable options.
I only have one pair of lips but I have accumulated so many this year. I have my favourite lipsticks in different formulas, mainly from NARS and MAC but the one I have chosen is the most versatile and no brainer option.
Dior Backstage: Dior Addict Lip Glow
Dior Addict Lip Glow
This hybrid formula which Dior describes as a cross between makeup and skincare blew my mind. I thought it was just another overpriced, overhyped product but boy was I mistaken. There are three formulas, matte, original glow and holographic glow and I can only speak for the original formula.
Dior Addict Lip Glow – LTR- Coral, Berry, Pink
It contains mango butter so it’s quite hydrating and moisturising, best of all this feeling lasts, even through a meal. It gives a nice hint of color, contributed by a reaction to your body’s chemistry, as it uses Color Reviver technology to do this. This means that each colour will look different on everyone, pretty cool aye? It also leaves a sheen, making the lips look healthy, imparting them with a glow (true to its name). I can easily reapply without a mirror during the day which is the main reason I love it. It makes me look more alive without all the fuss of a normal lipstick. I have three shades, #berry, #pink #coral and I love coral the most.
Mascara
There were some great finds for mascara last year, some of them I’ve reviewed here.
Hourglass – Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
I don’t normally repurchase mascara because I enjoy testing out different ones and because of it’s short life span, you can easily do this.
This Caution mascara is definitely one that I will repurchase. It’s absolutely bullet proof thus making it very reliable. I have played basketball with this, have had my face squished in a massage and it’s lasted all day each time. I always curl my lashes beforehand but this gives the most fluttery and lengthening effect. It does give a little volume as well and also does a good job with lifting and separation of the lashes. So it pretty much does it all, without smudging and flaking.
Skincare favourites of 2018 to follow shortly!
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
RMS beauty was founded by Rose Marie Swift. She is a renowned makeup artist who after having health problems due to toxic ingredients in makeup wanted to find to find a healthier approach to beauty.
Her line is organic and the primary ingredient she likes to use is coconut oil. In an interview with Wendy Rowe (also a makeup artist) in the Beauty Truth, Rose Marie Swift describes the benefits of coconut oil:
This natural antioxidant is 100% organic, raw and unrefined, aiding in its protective powers against free radical damage—otherwise known as premature ageing. Coconut oil contains high levels of lauric acid, which has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, making it suitable for even the most blemish-prone skin.
Please note that not just any store-bought oil is equal to ours. RMS Beauty is superior over most coconut oils.
Since being first intrigued by the famous Living Luminizer, I have since added some more RMS products to my little collection. The aesthetics of the brand is clean, modern and minimalistic which resonates with the brand’s purpose of simple beauty.
If you’ve been interested in trying out products from this brand, please keep on reading.
Living Luminizer
What is it?
From rmsbeauty.com:
This formula is the ultimate illuminator for creating a sensuous, sheer, luminous glow. An ultra sheer, glowing, luminizer with a translucent, satin-pearl finish. This highlighter works great on all skin tones, making this a must have beauty product.
Ingredients (from mecca.com.au)
*Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, and may contain [+/- Titanium Dioxide CI77891, Mica CI 77019] * CERTIFIED ORGANIC
Application
Best to apply with clean fingers. I swirl my index finger in the pot to get the product out, then I lightly pat it onto my cheekbones or wherever I normally apply highlighter. If you have oily skin, you may want to set it lightly with translucent powder. This is also a multi-use product, you can also use it on your eyelids as well as lips.
RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer
Packaging and size
The balm is housed in a frosted glass pot with a white lid. It feels weighty and sturdy. There is 4.82g/.17oz of product which doesn’t seem like much but it will last you a very long time since you only need a small amount.
RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer – It’s hard to see the swatch but I can assure you that it looks much better on the face!
Price:
$55.00 AUD (from Mecca)
My thoughts
Rating: 5/5 (love it, HG status!)
This is one of my favourite highlighters in my collection. It was the very first product I had bought from the brand and I love the effect it gives me. It can be built up, from subtle lit-from-within look to a strong glossy glow which still looks natural. Since it’s a cream product, it’s usually criminal to apply cream over powder but you can with this product. It doesn’t mess with the foundation or powder underneath if you use the soft patting technique with your finger. I don’t normally set it with powder because I have combo skin with dry U zone. I usually just set my face with a setting spray like Fix+. This helps to melt the highlighter into all the other layers on the face. It generally lasts around 6 hours and because it looks like one with the skin, the fading isn’t noticeable.
Would highly recommend if you are looking for a natural looking highlight. If you’re like me and you hate chunky glitters or frost in your highlight, you’ll like this! On the RMS beauty website it says this can be used by all skin tones. I don’t think it’s a universal shade (but I also could be wrong) but I think that this highlighter is best suited to fair-to-light-medium skin tones because it has a slightly pale pearly sheen to it. If you are medium-deep, you may want to try out the Magic Luminizer which has a more of a champagne tone to it. On rmsbeauty.com there are also two more variations, Peach and Champagne Rose Luminizers.
Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
What is it?
From mecca.com:
Fusing a blend of nourishing oils and pure mineral pigments, this creamy emollient can be used on the lips and cheeks for a subtle tint of colour.
I apply this the same way as with the Luminizer, with my fingers. I swirl my index finger in the pot and use this and my middle finger to pat it onto my cheeks, slowly building it up to the desired level of opacity. When applying it onto my lips or eyelids, I use my index finger. It’s also buildable and dries down nicely. You could use a small duo fibre brush as well.
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
Packaging and size
Same size and packaging as the Luminizer, 4.82g/0.17oz of product. I really like the frosted look of the weighted pot.
Price:
$52.00 AUD (from Mecca)
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive – this was swatched quite strongly, once blended in, the colour looks much less intense.
My thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really like it!)
I love anything that I can use for more than one purpose, largely because I’m lazy. I really like the texture of it and how I have some play time before it dries down. Since I have light-medium skin, the shade Illusive works nicely on the cheeks, eyes and lips. Because of its nourishing ingredients, it leaves my cheeks looking fresh and hydrated. It isn’t long lasting on the lips (nothing ever is on my lips!), bit longer on the eyes (3-4 hours) and the longest (6 hours) on the cheeks. Even though it’s not that long lasting, it tends to fade evenly which is a plus.
With any cream product, it always takes a bit more time in application, but the payoff is always more natural and worth it. Since I don’t always have too much time in the mornings, I generally opt for powders and use this on the weekends.
Definitely recommend this, it’s great for touchups and to just throw in the handbag. I’ll be looking to add more shades of Lip2Cheek to my collection since I’m hooked 🙂 Promise and Paradise look divine!
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3
What is it?
From mecca.com:
This tinted powder contains light reflective particles that work to minimise the look of pores, soften the skin and absorb excess oil. Providing subtle coverage to the skin, the powder can be used to set liquid foundation or be worn with ‘Un Cover-Up’.
Talc, silicone, perfume and paraben free.
Ingredients (from mecca.com)
T2-3: Silica, Iron Oxides: CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77500
Application
Like with all loose powders, I tip some into the cap then swirl a powder brush into it. I then tap off the excess on the side of the cap and lightly press it onto my face. I stupidly threw the puff it came with away so using a brush works best for me.
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3 – the powder is very finely milled, there’s some on the cap.
Packaging and size
Clear plastic tub with white lid and has 9g/0.32oz of product. Smaller more compact than other loose powders I own such as the famed Laura Mercier Translucent Powder.
Price
$49.00 AUD from Mecca
My thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really like it!)
This powder does what it says it does. It sets my foundation nicely and the 2-3 shade matches my skin tone perfectly. The powder is so finely milled which makes application a breeze. It never looks cakey and just melts into the skin, leaving my face with a healthy glow. It does minimise the pores around my nose and controls oil in my t-zone for around 8 hours.
It’s not something I reach for everyday since it’s a loose powder and takes a bit more time to apply then a pressed powder. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m quite time poor in the mornings but I do like to use this whenever I remember to.
Would definitely recommend this powder because it doesn’t have talc like most powders and performs just as well or even better than most powders I have tried.
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser
What is it?
From rmsbeauty.com:
This luxurious natural satin-finish lipstick is enriched with the signature rms beauty oil. Rich and powerful in anti-oxidants, this lipstick offers ultimate hydration and maximum color pay-off.
Ingredients (from rmsbeauty.com)
*Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Cera Alba (Beeswax)(Cire d’abeille), Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Kaolin, *Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax) (Cire de candelilla), Hydrogenated Castor Oil, *Cera Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax) (Cire de carnauba), *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Tocopherol, Isostearyl Palmitate, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Hypericum Perforatum Extract, *Equisetum Arvense Extract, *Calendula Officinalis Extract, *Hemidesmus Indicus Root Extract, *Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Leaf Extract, *Withania Somnifera Root Powder, *Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Leaf Extract, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Propanediol, Pentylene glycol, *Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Propylene Carbonate, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, **Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil. May Contain [-/+]: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 28 (CI 45410), Mica, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 40 (CI 16035), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985).Â
* CERTIFIED ORGANIC ** WILDCRAFTED
Application
I apply it directly from the bullet onto my lips. Because it’s formula is a bit stiff, I tend to dab it onto my lips rather than using a swiping motion.
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser
Packaging and size
The lipstick is housed in a sleek, silver tube. There is a slight weight to it and like her other products, has a clean and modern aesthetic to it. It contains 4.5g/0.15oz of product. The cap is very secure and gives a satisfying click when you close it.
Price:
$41.00 AUD (from Mecca)
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser – swatch is using only one (wonky) swipe!
My thoughts
I love the formula of this lipstick. It’s a satin formula which is comfortable to wear and I love the shade Brainteaser. It is a soft peachy pink brown (more peach than pink on me), which is generally the type of colour that I’m usually drawn to. I can’t speak for its lasting power because not many lipsticks last on me after my morning coffee. I like how it contains nourishing ingredients such as shea butter and oils as well as antioxidants like turmeric and liquorice root. Quite rare to even get antioxidants in a lip product, let alone in an actual opaque lipstick.
I would highly recommend this for people who are looking for a lipstick which has nourishing ingredients as well as great colour payoff. Definitely will be purchasing more shades, the shade “Rapture” is calling my name!
Where can I buy it?
If you’re in Australia, you can purchase RMS Beauty from Mecca Cosmetica (mecca.com.au), Beautylish (beautylish.com) as well as from the brand’s website (rmsbeauty.com).
I purchased these products myself from Mecca Cosmetica and Beautylish.
Final thoughts
Nothing from this range has disappointed me so far and I’m excited to try more from the brand. Taking care of your skin shouldn’t just stop at skincare. If there are cleaner options which perform just well or better, I will definitely take it! The products might seem expensive for their quantity but because a little does go a long way, especially with the potted products, you won’t be hitting pan for a long while.
Since coconut oil is a key ingredient in a lot of the cream products, I was a bit wary since I’ve heard that it is or can be comedogenic to certain skin types. I actually had nothing to worry about because I never broke out from it. For reference I have combo skin/oily t-zone/prone to hormonal acne. There is also no scent in any of the products which is a plus because I hate most scents in makeup. The products are also a joy to use, both in application and aesthetics. The un-cover up concealer, eye polish and raw coconut cream cleanser are definitely on my wishlist!
Let me know if you’ve tried any products from RMS beauty and which has been your favourite 🙂
If you live outside of Australia or New Zealand, you may not know about Mecca. Mecca is a beauty store based in various locations around Australia and New Zealand. I would best describe them to be equivalent to Sephora. As well as selling their own house brands, Mecca Max and Mecca Cosmetica, the range of brands (both makeup and skincare) housed within Mecca is HUGE. High end brands like Urban Decay, Hourglass, Too Faced, Tatcha, Nars, Smashbox, just to name a few. There are more Mecca stores around Sydney compared to Sephora. It’s always easy to get good service at Mecca too which is a key differentiator, not only compared to Sephora, but to other brand counters in department stores like Myer and David Jones. Sometimes you are really hard pressed to get any service at all which is a bit of a letdown 😦
Anyway, Mecca has a loyalty program called the Beauty Loop and depending on how much you spend a year, you are placed in a particular level. It’s free to join and points are earned with every purchase. Along with a great host of other member benefits (free makeovers, sneak peak with brand new releases etc), the main treat I look forward to the most, is the release of Mecca Beauty Loop boxes each quarter.
This box is complimentary and is available for a short window. I picked mine up yesterday (Friday) after getting the email on Thursday. Since I’m a Level 3 member, this quarters box contains four items and the curation theme is “a luminous complexion”. Very excited to share the contents of this box with you. Something to note is that all the items in this box are in travel sizes.
This isn’t going to be a review on each product since I just got them. I will just be showing you what is in the L3 beauty loop box in this quarter. Also, this post is not sponsored whatsoever.
Products in the box
Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment (7.5ml)
Description: (from mecca.com.au)
Clarify and polish skin to reveal a glowing, fresh-from-the-Clinic complexion. Microbeads and Fruit Enzymes are intended to clean pores, while salicylic acid is formulated to balance hydration, without over-drying.
Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
Bare Minerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Fusion – (7.5 ml)
Description: (from mecca.com.au)
The first of its kind, SkinLongevity combines the weightlessness and absorption of an essence with the efficacy and potency of a serum for the ultimate hybrid formulation. Fine lines and wrinkles are softened, moisture is restored and skin is adorned with a youthful radiance.
Create an instant flash of glow with these cream highlighter sticks in a smooth, weightless texture designed to give you an instant seamless highlight.
Prepare your pout for high shine without the sticky finish. These ultra-shiny plumping glosses glide over the lips with precise ease, delivering long-lasting, bold shine.
If you are eligible for a beauty box this quarter, I would encourage you to get to your nearest Mecca asap before they run out!!! These boxes are such a great way to try different beauty products without breaking the bank 🙂 Well technically I have already broken the bank in order to be eligible but meh, details
I’ll be reviewing the products once I’ve used them for awhile so stay tuned!
me and my mirror 