Rimmel Scandaleyes XX-Treme Mascara

ANOTHER new mascara! This time around it's the Rimmel Scandaleyes XX-Treme Mascara ($7.99).   The mascara is advertised to give both volume and length at a (presumably) XX-TREME level with its unique brush. 

The wand is plastic, which I'm typically fond of. I find plastic wands are typically better for combing out clumps. One side of the brush is flat, while the other is arched. The flat side is to be used for creating length, while the arched side is meant to be for creating volume. 

Does it lengthen? Yes. Does it volumize? Yes. Does it clump? No. Does it smudge? No. Does it droop? No. 

The Rimmel Scandaleyes XX-Treme Mascara pretty much meets all the criteria to be a Stephanie-approved lash product, perhaps on par with my favourite CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara. It provides non-clumpy volume and length without smudging or drooping, so no complaints here. 

Do you like Rimmel mascaras? 

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Rimmel Provocalips 16HR Kissproof Lip Colour in Make Your Move, Kiss Fatal, and Kiss Me You Fool

Finally! The Rimmel Provocalips 16HR Kissproof Lip Colours ($8.99) have finally made their way to Canadian drugstores. These lipsticks claim to be kiss-proof, transfer-proof, non-drying and moisturizing. The test? Wear the Rimmel Provocalips to bed. If it smudges on the pillow case (and all over my face) it's a dud. If not, it's a winner. 

The result? ... No smudges! No transferring! I kissed the back of my hand which means it's totally kiss-proof. Unheard of. 

The Provocalips are available in 10 shades. Shown above are Make Your Move, Kiss Fatal and Kiss Me You Fool. The other 7 are Dare to Pink, Pucker Up, I'll Call You, Little Minx, Play With Fire, Skinny Dipping and Heart Breaker. Provocative names indeed. 

Rimmel Provocalips in Make Your Move, Kiss Fatal and Kiss Me You Fool 

To apply: (1) Apply the coloured side and wait 60 seconds. You'll know the product has set when your lips feel tacky. If you have a hard time creating sharp edges with a doe footed applicator, I would suggest using a lip brush to apply. (2) Seal in the colour with a clear top coat. The top coat adds moisture and shine to the lips. 

Ah. But the Rimmel Provocalips are by no means a perfect product. The balm has a slight plastic scent that lingers for a couple hours. The first 4-5 hours of wearing the Provocalips is pretty great. It looks good - even through eating and drinking. However, after wearing the Provocalips for 8+ hours, the inner rim of the lip begins to look a bit funky (only noticeable close up and if you open your mouth a lot). This is easily fixed with a re-application of the colour and gloss to that part of the lips. After 10+ hours the lips start to feel a little tight but the good thing is that they don't look tight and after removing the product, my lips aren't peeled or cracked. 

Pigmented, yes. Long-lasting, definitely. Perhaps long-lasting is an understatement. More like permanent, staining or very hard to get off if you don't own an oil-based make-up remover. If you own a cleansing oil or something of that nature, than these are easy to remove. 

Make Your Move

 

Kiss Fatal

Kiss Me You Fool 

Overall, this is the longest wearing lip product that I've ever tried. If it can last all night (through sleeping and drooling), then it will most certainly last all day long. They're not perfect but they're worth the few issues if you don't have the time to check your face throughout the day. Moreover, I've found a red that I can wear to an event without worrying about getting it all over my face. If anything,  I'm impressed with the staying power and will be wearing these on my overtime work days! 

What's the longest wearing lip product that you've ever tried? 

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Rimmel Wonder'Lash Mascara with Argan Oil

New from Rimmel is the Rimmel Wonder'Lash Mascara with Argan Oil ($8.49 CAD). It's yet another mascara that claims to leave lashes feeling conditioned, soft and supple (re: CoverGirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara), which gives me the feeling that conditioning mascaras are the next "thing" in beauty. 

The Rimmel Wonder'Lash Mascara with Argan Oil is available in three variations - Black, Extreme Black, and Waterproof. The mascara is housed in a shiny brass tube, of which is probably the most luxurious drugstore mascara packaging I've come across. Think, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette packaging (fingerprints included). 

The brush is a large, flexible plastic wand with tons of tiny bristles. While the large brush is great for grabbing on to every lash, I always end up getting mascara on my eyelid and the wand is way too clunky for my bottom lashes. 

After playing around with the Rimmel Wonder'Lash Mascara with Argan Oil, I'm liking it a lot! The performance is pretty great AND my lashes do feel soft during and after use. The Rimmel Wonder'Lash is everything I look for in a mascara with the wonderful addition of soft, flexible, non-crispy lashes. 

Does it lengthen? Slightly. Does it volumize? Yes. Does it clump? After 3 coats. Does it smudge? Slightly, after 8 hours or a nap. Does it droop? No. 

Have you tried the Rimmel Wonder'Lash Mascara with Argan Oil? 

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Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Black, Sparkling Black, Brown, Taupe & Nude

Raves upon raves upon raves for the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Nude since my first encounter over a year ago (see here). A year later, I began to test out another four neutral shades (01 Black, 02 Sparkling Black, 03 Brown & 04 Taupe) from the Rimmel Scandaleyes line and expected no less in terms of creaminess, pigmentation, and lasting power. 

Pigmentation and creaminess is100% on point. The Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal pencils are one swipe wonders that glide on like a dream. They're very comparable to the likes of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencils and the Shu Uemura Drawing Pencils. 

The staying power of the three darkest colours Black, Sparkling Black, and Brown are a little underwhelming. Even after giving the liner time to set, within two hours the eyeliner transfers onto my eyelid. Therefore, the three darkest shades are in no way my eyeliners of choice. 

On the flip side, Taupe and Nude are absolutely stellar. I love 05 Nude on the inner corner and in the bottom waterline to add brightness to the eyes and 04 Taupe on the upper lashline and bottom lashline for a natural shadow. They both last 4-6 hours, unusual for such subtle colours. 

In summary, the formula is fairly consistent across the 5 shades of the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajals however I've experienced some messy transfer with 01, 02, and 03. I'd definitely recommend Nude and Taupe as must-have liners for anyone who loves a subtle liner and I'd still love to try the 5 coloured shades in the Scandaleyes range. 

Have you tried the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajals? 

I purchased 05 Nude with my own money and the other 4 shades were provided as press samples

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Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in In Nude

Eons ago, I reviewed the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal  in Nude. This Fall, Rimmel launches the Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in In Nude ($6.99). The difference? Not very much. 

LEFT: Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in In Nude; RIGHT: Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Nude

First off, the packaging is slightly different. The new Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer is a twist-up pencil with a smudger, which I find to be a little pointless considering the texture of the eyeliner. Conversely, the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal is your standard pencil that needs to be sharpened every so often. 

At a glance, the Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer is slightly lighter in colour than the Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal. The lighter colour brings more brightness to the eye, but if you've got a darker skintone than me you might want something less stark, so going for the Kohl Kajal might be the more preferred option. In terms of texture, the Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer is not as creamy. This doesn't make a difference when it comes to staying power, as both linger on the lashline for 4-5 hours, which is impressive for nude coloured eyeliners. 

Essentially, both products work in the same way. Both are nude liners to brighten up areas like the inner rim of the eye, inner corner, or underneath the brow bone. I prefer my old Rimmel Kohl Kajal over the Exaggerate Eye Definer but I think that either one is an essential when it comes to brightening the eyes. 

Do you use nude eyeliner? 

Purchased one on my own and the other is a press sample! 

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Rita Ora x Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in 863 Do Not Disturb and 613 Midnight Rendezvous

"A woman is helpless only when her nails are drying." That means that a fast drying nail polish is every girl's dream. This August, Rimmel launches 6 new polishes in the 60 Seconds Nail Polish by Rita Ora ($3.99) for the Rita Ora Capsule Collection. 

Today, swatches of two of the colours - 863 Do Not Disturb and 613 Midnight Rendezvous. In addition, the other four colours include 873 Breakfast in Bed (seafoam green), 703 White Hot Love, 323 Don't Be Shy (hot pink), and 203 Lose Your Lingerie (pastel pink). 

Does the Rimmel 60 Second Nail Polish REALLY dry in 60 seconds? Yes, indeed! These polishes are a one coat wonder. It's kind of amazing - full opacity and 60 second dry time all in a few swipes of a brush. BUT... there's a but, a trade-off. It chips after a day and five seconds if you don't use a topcoat. So my best advice would be to use one like Seche Vite for extra lasting-power. Other than that, the line has gorgeous colours and I love the Rita Ora graphic on the bottle!

863 Do Not Disturb (turquoise blue) 

613 Midnight Rendezvous (deep purple) 

Rita Ora songs are super hit or miss for me. Kind of like this nail polish. Here's a Rita Ora song I've listened to on repeat probably 1,000 times over: 

Overall, I'm on the fence about these polishes. They're super fast drying but not long lasting. Considering the fairly low price point, I'd definitely go for 873 Breakfast in Bed (sea foam) or 703 White Hot Love, just because I hate waiting for my polish to dry. 

What's your favourite fast drying nail polish? 

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Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in #127 Chic Pink and Clear Lip Liner

It's still summer but Fall-time beauty launches are quickly trickling their way into the drugstore. Today - a review of the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in #127 Chic Pink ($7.99) and the Rimmel Moisture Renew Clear Lip Liner ($7.99). The other three product reviews will come in due time...

Rimmel Moisture Renew Clear Lip Liner

I don't use lip liner nor does this product make me change my thoughts on lip liners. I simply think it's a useless step in the making-up process. Generally, lipstick never bleeds on me and stained lips can easily be fixed with a little exfoliation. The liner is quite stiff and bothersome to work with. Perhaps it may work better for you if you have issues like bleeding lips. 

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in #127 Chic Pink

I love the formula but I'm not quite a fan of the colour. The lipstick is superbly moisturizing and lightweight and the shine is almost gloss-like. Since the formula is so moisturizing, lasting power is only around 2-3 hours, a fair trade-off because this lipstick formula helps me avoid dry, chapped lips. As for the colour, good thing there are 21 others in the range because the cool pink tone of #127 Chic Pink looks a little strange with my colouring. 

Overall, no to the lip liner and yes to the lipstick but perhaps in a different colour. 

What Fall beauty launches do you have your eye on? 

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Rimmel Scandaleyes Thick and Thin & Micro Eyeliner

More often than not, I feel like winged eyeliner is the bane of my existence. It's the single step in my 10-minute beauty routine that takes 5 minutes too long. The 5 minutes typically consists of (1) applying winged liner (2) realizing my eyes look uneven (3) removing attempt #1 (4) re-applying the liner (5) realizing that the wing is too dramatic for daytime (4) removing attempt #2 (5) settling for a non-existent thin line because winged liner is stressing me out. Life is rough, I know. 

Rimmel proposes two solutions -  (1) the Rimmel Scandaleyes Thick & Thin Eyeliner and (2) the Rimmel Scandaleyes Micro Eyeliner (~$6). Both make promises of 24H waterproof, smudgeproof intensity. The difference between the two is that the Thick & Thin has a slanted tip and the Micro features a fine tip for artistic lines. 

Unfortunately, neither the Rimmel Thick and Thin nor the Rimmel Micro Eyeliner is the solution to all my winged liner woes. It lasts all day... though I haven't tested the waterproof claims just yet. Unfortunately, the liquid liner in both products is not as black or intense as I'd like. Furthermore, they're a bit watery and thin, so the product bleeds into the skin. So, although both applicators on both liners have the potential to create beautifully sharp and precise lines, the bleeding of the formula erases all that is awesome about the applicators. 

Good thing winged liner isn't the only way I like to define my eyes. The Micro Eyeliner is great for getting in-between the lashes for the no-liner eyeliner look, even with the bleeding. Unfortunately, that's the extent of my usage with this product. 

Do you have any winged liner secrets? Please share! 

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Rimmel Salon Pro Nail Polish in Soul Session, Punk Rock, Hot Gossip and Barmy Blue

When I think "Lycra", nail polish isn't quite the first thing that comes to mind.. (there's also a mascara with Lycra). So what added benefit does Lycra have in nail polish? The Rimmel Salon Pro Nail Polishes with Lycra ($5.95) is meant to be a base coat, top coat, and gel colour all in one for the fraction of the price. 

The Good: Glorious colour payoff in 1-2 coats with a glossy gel-like finish. Stunning colours (including two Kate Moss collabs). The brush is flat and wide, allowing for quick 3-swipe application. Plus, the polish is fully dry in less than 10 minutes after application, which means that I can paint my nails before bed without worrying about sheet marks on my nails!

The Bad: The only caveat for this polish is the wear-time. My nail activity on a scale from 1 to 10 is probably a 10 - I do a ton of typing and cooking daily, a true test of the longevity of a polish. Unfortunately, the Rimmel Salon Pro polishes don't quite make the cut. On day 2, the tips are severely chipped. The product claims to last 10 days, but I'm not so sure about that. 

237 Soul Session (the chic nude)

711 Punk Rock (the rebellious blue grey)

323 Hot Gossip (the red with a sprinkle of glitter)

447 Barmy Blue (the ocean blue)

I had very high hopes for this polish (especially when it has Kate Moss's stamp of approval/endorsement). The colours translate beautifully onto the nails and it's so shiny there's no need for a top coat, but it's such a shame that the formula doesn't last a couple days longer. 

Have you tried the Rimmel Salon Pro Nail Polishes?  

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Rimmel Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tint in Pop of Pink and Sunkissed Cherry

Blush-gasm. For the love of blush, I have been graced with the opportunity to review the Rimmel Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tints ($5.99). Through my blogging endeavours, I received two colours - 001 Pop of Pink and 004 Sunkissed Cherry. In addition, the Rimmel Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tints also come in the colours 002 Touch of Berry, 003 Peach Flush, and 005 Apricot Glow. If it's any indication of how much I enjoy these, I'll have you know that I want them all. 

The packaging of the liquid cheek tint is a little boring but I'm kind of digging the squeeze tube. Despite the lack of finesse with the white plastic, it's quite hygienic. Unless you can somehow fit your germ-ridden fingers or brush into the little hole of the tube, you're golden and practically germ-free. 

The colour of the Rimmel Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tints. One word. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I mean, check out that pigmentation. The photo shown above was was only the tiniest squeeze of the tube. Pop of Pink is a bright, warm pink while Sunkissed Cherry is somewhat more "natural" for a slightly deeper brown-toned flush. 

Not only that, it blends out like a dream into the skin. Despite looking harsh when swatched, a little blending or stippling goes a long way. The texture feels light, almost "whipped" into smoothness. On the skin, the cheek tint feels slightly wet, but the product eventually dries down to a natural matte finish and lasts all day long. The product claims are along the lines of "stays on your face for 24H". I don't doubt it, but I cherish my beauty rest dearly, so I haven't gotten the opportunity to test that out. 

001 Pop of Pink

004 Sunkissed Cherry

I typically apply this blush in one of two ways. I squeeze as little as possible onto the back of my hand then (1) swirl the product around with the Make Up For Ever Artisan 148 Blending Brush and stipple the product onto the apples of my cheek or (2) pat my fingers onto the back of my hand to ensure that I don't pick up to much product, then pat the products on my cheeks. 

As far as I'm aware, all colours in the Rimmel Stay Blushed Cheek Tint range are shimmer-free, which makes for a wearable, natural flush. All in all, this product is a big, fat, blushing YES. Great pigmentation, long-lasting, and a lightweight formulation - if you're a blush lover (and even if you're not), this one's for you. (What I mean is that blush is for everyone...!) 

Have you tried the Rimmel Stay Blushed Cheek Tints? 

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Rimmel Colour Rush Balms in Drive Me Nude, Keep Mauving, Give Me A Cuddle, and The Redder The Better

The lip crayon craze is never-ending and I'm certainly not over it. There's Clinique, Revlon, Soap & Glory, New York Color, and now...the Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush Intense Colour Balms ($7.99) have landed in the the drugstores of Canada. I've tried my fair share of the lip crayons from other brands so maybe I can call myself a "Lip Crayon Aficionado"?

The last week has been a toss up between 4 colours - 710 Drive Me Nude (pink-brown nude), 200 Keep Mauving (deep mauve), 100 Give Me a Cuddle (light pink), and 500 the Redder the Better (neutral-toned red). The other three Colour Rush Balm shades include 220 Rumour Has It, 600 On Fire, and 700 Not an Illusion. I swear there's a colour for every occasion. 

The Rimmel Colour Rush Colour Balms lean much more lipstick than lip gloss and none of the colours contain shimmer or glitter. In general, the lighter colours are more sheer and require layering for full pigmentation. The deeper colours like "The Redder The Better" need a more precise application that might not be satisfied by the jumbo tip of a lip crayon. 

The scent is very similar to the New York Color and Soap and Glory lip crayons. It's a sweet vanilla with no tingly feeling. In terms pigmentation and texture, Rimmel's is very comparable to Revlon or New York Color. Lasting power is decent at 4 hours with eating and drinking. Of course, the darker colours are bound to last longer and leave a stain. 

The big claims on this particular product are the moisture and colour. Colour? Check. I'm not so sure about moisture. It's not quite balmy or soft enough to smooth over the dry patches on my lips. I actually find this product to dry out my lips slightly. So, a thorough exfoliation and use of an actual balm prior to using this product is highly recommended. 

710 Drive Me Nude

I usually hate nude shades, but I think I've met my match. This one's great for pairing with a heavier eye look or wearing for a muted, natural makeup. 

200 Keep Mauving

Keep Mauving is a stellar dupe for something a little pricier - the MUFE Artist Rouge Intense in N9. 

100 Give Me a Cuddle

Give Me a Cuddle is my least favourite of the bunch. I don't find it to be flattering on me. Also, what does the name have to do with cuddling? I'm confused. 

500 the Redder the Better

The Redder the Better, indeed. I feel like this is the kind of red that would look beautiful on everyone and anyone. 

All in all, as an official lip crayon aficionado, I can't say that this is better or worse than any other lip crayon that I've tried. It all comes down to what you look for in a lip product. If you want colour intensity with a slight glossy sheen, then this is the lip crayon for you.  

What's your favourite brand of lip crayon? 

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Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in Soft Beige and Stay Matte Primer

When it comes to foundations, "matte" is my buzzword. Any indication that a foundation is matte has me running to the nearest store to swatch and smother all over my oily-skinned face . The Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation ($5.99) is one of those products. In addition to its mattifying claims, it's also supposed to be oil-free and ultra-light weight (hence being called a "mousse"). 

Also a new release from the Rimmel Stay Matte range is the Stay Matte Primer. Since I'm quite oil prone, I opted to pair the primer and foundation together in the hopes of aiding my complexion in staying matte for longer. 

 Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in 091 Light Ivory, 100 Ivory, 200 Soft Beige, and Primer

The Stay Matte Foundation comes in 8 shades - Light Porcelain, Ivory, Light Ivory, True Ivory, Soft Beige, Classic Beige, True Beige, and Sand. I received 091 Light Ivory, 100 Ivory, 200 Soft Beige to test out. Obviously, Light Ivory and Ivory were way too light for me, but Soft Beige (5th from the lightest) has proven to be a good match. 

My first thought when applying this foundation was something along the lines of... "Holy shitake mushrooms. Coverage. Woah." If the Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation is anything, it's ultra high-coverage. Yes, it 100% covers all the flaws on my skin. But it's also high-coverage as in... it doesn't look natural at all and there's no way I'd be wearing this foundation everyday. 

Also true to its claims, the foundation is very light-weight. Surprisingly so, since it 100% covers every single thing on my face. When applying, it feels super soft and airy. Though, it dries quite quickly so either you can work very quickly or use a damp sponge to make the product more workable. 

As for the matte effect, the shine control of Rimmel's Stay Matte is unmatched by my current favourite CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1. The CoverGirl foundation coverage itself lasts 10 hours long but areas around my forehead and t-zone start to get a little oily at the 6 hour mark. This doesn't happen with the Stay Matte. 

The Rimmel Stay Matte Primer ($6.99) seems to be a drugstore dupe for something along the lines of the Bioderma Pore Refiner. The only differences are (1) the lesser price and (2) the slightly weightier texture (3) Rimmel's Stay Matte Primer can be worn over or under makeup. I prefer to wear this over exclusively over liquid foundations because I like the way Bioderma feels directly on my skin. Also, the Rimmel Stay Matte Primer does move my foundation a little when applied overtop but it's nothing that can't be fixed with a light coverage powder. For extra oil-prevention, I  make a product sandwich on my face. A layer of the Bioderma Pore Refiner, then foundation, then the Rimmel Stay Matte Primer and lastly a light dusting of powder. Lately, the sandwich has been my trusty go-to oil-fighting power squad that lasts me a full 12 hour day. 

All in all, both the Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation and the Rimmel Stay Matte Primer are impressive products for a fraction of the price of a similar something you might find at Sephora. Although the Stay Matte Foundation is a bit too heavy coverage for everyday makeup, it's perfect for special occasions and it photographs like a dream. 

Do you like matte or dewy foundations? Do you use a primer? 

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Rimmel BB Cream Matte in 001 Light

I am a firm hater of BB creams. From Garnier and Physicians Formula to Lioele, I haven't tried a single BB cream that I can bear to wear on my face. Asian BB creams are thick and grey-toned, while their North American counterparts are like tinted moisturizers - ultra sheer and too dewy for those with oily skin. The Rimmel BB Cream Matte in 001 Light ($6.99) falls somewhere in between - matte, medium-coverage but still lightweight. 

The Rimmel BB Cream Matte is available in two shades (light and medium). It claims to be a 9-in-1 "perfecting super makeup with a natural matte finish". Yep, that's a ton of promises to be made by a single, drugstore product. As I wore this product for a week, I kept those 9 claims in the back of my mind.

Since this is an oil-free product, the formula is quite watery. This makes for a more lightweight product. The colour "Light" is a tad too light, but it's nothing that can't be fixed with a bit of bronzer or darker powder around edges of my face. I would probably go for medium once I finish my little sample tube up. 

 On the basis of the 9 claims, here's how the product performed: 

1. Pore minimizing - no, not really
2. Skin tone evening - yes, for sure! My skin is a little discoloured in certain areas and the medium-coverage of this BB cream definitely evens it out. 
3. Mattifying - yes, yes, yes! I dislike the traditionally dewy finish of BB creams. Rimmel's is definitely matte and in the best way possible. It's more of a satin, matte finish rather than a drying matte. After it sets into the skin, the product gives off a subtle healthy glow. 
4. Shine control - yes. This goes hand in hand with the "mattifying" claim. The shine control lasts around 5 hours on it's own. Apply on top of a primer and under powder, and you're golden for the entirety of a 10 hour day. 
5. Smoothing - yes
6. Soothing - not that I'm aware of... 
7. Concealing (of dark circles) - kind of... in general, the coverage is buildable to medium. My dark circles still require a brightening concealer and larger red blemishes still need a more heavy-duty product to cover them up. 
8. Blemish preventing - yes, in the sense that it hasn't broken me out. I guess I can't really tell if it "prevents", but my skin's been pretty good lately. 
9. All day coverage - see my comments under "Shine control". Yep! It lasts all-day as long as it's in conjunction with other products. 

6.5 of the 9 claims were fulfilled. By far, it's the best BB cream that I've tried and a great tangent from some of the heavier foundations that I like to wear on a daily basis. The Rimmel BB Cream Matte offers the coverage and mattifying effect of a foundation but the weightlessness and healthy glow of a BB cream that's perfect for my oily skin. 

Have you ever encountered a matte BB cream? 

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Revisiting the Rimmel Apocalips - Phenomenon, Celestial, Nova, Apocalyptic, and Big Bang

Eons ago I reviewed the Rimmel Apocalips (also known as the Show-off Lip Lacquer) in Nova ($7.99). At that point in time I was so on top of my beauty game that I reviewed the Apocalips prior to the product even being available in Canada. Now that it's available to the [Canadian] masses, the hype has died down. Nonetheless, I'm still enjoying what this lip product has to offer. 

I received 4 shades from Rimmel - 100 Phenomenon, 101 Celestial, 303 Apocalyptic and 400 Big Bang. In terms of formulation, my thoughts remain the same. Each colour has a glossy, non-sticky formula that's an odd cross between a lipstick and lipgloss. You can easily achieve a matte finish by blotting down the glossy finish (this will also make the product transfer-free). Longevity on the lips varies from colour to colour. Of course, bolder colours will wear longer than lighter ones. Furthermore, the product is slightly drying, but this isn't an issue if you exfoliate and moisturize before application. 

100 Phenomenon

100 Phenomenon is a peachy nude. In all honesty, it's no phenomenon. In fact, it looks terrible with my particular colouring. Also, the light pigment picks up on dry patches in looks quite gross on my lips. 

101 Celestial

Good thing 101 Celestial is the perfect my lips but better (and pinker) colour. It's a neutral pink with a shot of brown for the perfect everyday lip colour. Two swipes and you're good to go. 

102 Nova

An oldie but goodie, 102 Nova was my spring fling of 2013. It's the perfect pop of a bluer-toned pink. With the first layer, it appears slightly patchy, but the second layer of product covers any of that up. 

303 Apocalyptic

The pigmentation of 303 Apocalyptic excites me to no end. It's the ultimate raspberry red that's totally one of those "in-yo-face" colours. One layer and bright lips will be yours. 

404 Big Bang

400 Big Bang is your classic statement red colour. The red is actually quite neutral - not too orange and not too blue. Big Bang is also another one of those lip lacquers that goes on in one swipe. 

I'm happy to have revisited and rediscovered the Rimmel Apocalips. They're a lovely formula in a range of colours that I find pair well with my skin colouring (with the exception of Phenomenon). The superb pigmentation and beautiful satin sheen have me loving the Apocalips more than when I first reviewed them.

Do you revisit products your unused products? 

Press samples featured. I received Nova in a UK swap. Lips and opinions are my own. 

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