RMK Stick Foundation SPF20 PA+++ in 102

I've spent almost half a decade wondering at RMK's Stick Foundation on their website. I was drawn to it because it is RMK, and also because stick foundations are not so widely used. There was nary a review of it to be found, so at RMK's counter I gave my beans and got it to try. 

It comes in RMK's trademark silver packaging with the enticing words, "Choose me, Take me, Open up..." Of course I'd take you, RMK, I have always had a weak spot for you. 

I got it in 102, the second lightest shade. 

I've come to expect the shinier silver trimmings inside RMK's boxes, besides the matte silver finish outside. It also comes with a styrofoam to further protect the product. 

Out of the box!

Here the giant bullet (well, compared to lipstick) gleams like an alloy, with RMK subtly engraved in the middle. 

It comes in a twist up tube that feels quite substantial but not too heavy. 

The product weights 12g and offers SPF 20 PA+++ sun shield. 

Above, swiped once. It is at first glance a medium coverage foundation with a cream-to-powder texture. It settles somewhat into the natural lines on one's skin. 

The shade may be a tad darker and I may have been better off with 101, but on the face 102 translates as a very natural shade that closely matches my skin tone. Had I wanted to look brighter and more made up, I would have strayed from my usual 102 and went with 101 instead. 

The RMK Stick Foundation sets very quickly so it is necessary to be swift with blending or else it can be quite hard to spread. I am always at a loss when using this foundation for on a properly moisturized and primed face, it seems to be too thick for my skin type and just slides off and leaves me with an oily look. When I do skip moisturizer it goes on too cake-y and clumps around dry patches. 

While it may look like it immediately gives heavy coverage, it blends quite sheerly with either a sponge or fingers. I would have to swipe it on the face a number of times to cover the redness on my cheeks and the rest of my face to achieve a unified complexion.

It provides build-able coverage; one can adjust from light to medium to full. However, each time I end up with a not-so-clean look -- a little oily and patchy here and there; also it settles into my pores at the end of the day. It is apparently a well-made foundation as one can feel with its texture and finish; it is unfortunately just a mismatch for my skin type. 

Overall, I find it to be a difficult foundation to work with. Too oily a skin and it slides off, too dry and it won't blend well. Still, it is a good product for the skin type it was made for. 

I would probably recommend this to people with normal skin types. For these people, this foundation offers the convenience of a stick foundation and the lovely cream-like sophisticated finish/polished look this foundation is meant to provide. 

RMK knows base makeup; now I just have to quell my curiosity and know which formula to choose.

RMK Super Basic Concealer Pact 01

Rumiko. RMK. The makeup artist who singularly influenced my view and passion for makeup. I loved ogling RMK's website at the height of my makeup craze. It was her message and philosophy as a makeup artist that struck me:

“To me, make-up is about making you feel happier, sexier and fresher. It’s not something that masks your natural skin. It exists as a factor to bring out the beauty within you”. “With RMK, the first thing people will notice is you, not your make-up. There is only one “you”: RMK is about an individual discovering and accentuating her own allure, enhancing the qualities that make you “you” in this world.” – RUMIKO

With heart aflutter, what self-respecting teen wouldn't fall for such an ideology? I loved it! I would hang around in their Sogo counter in Causeway Bay and just marvel at the elegant colors behind the stark simplicity. Everything, from the lipsticks, eye shadows, glosses, bases, brushes, I beheld as a beautiful spectacle. It is no surprise that my second foundation (the first was Awake which strayed in no time) was their now discontinued Powder Foundation N. I was loyal to it as if bound by contract. It wasn't that hard. Together with their famed Make up Base, they loved me, and I loved them back. It was the easiest and most fulfilling relationship. 

Actually, I've have had a long history with RMK. There was many a time when my mother would come back from Hong Kong armed with her staple RMK foundation and makeup bases. During holidays in HK, I would remember visiting the first Causeway Bay RMK counter located in the now-defunct Seibu. They gave out beautiful pamphlets with fruits printed on transparent plastic material. I also cut out their silver packaging with the words "Choose me, Take me, Open up," and pasted these along with the fruits adoringly on my daily planner. I would stare at them in reverie during recess and like magic, my spirits lifted up. Such warm memories : )

I would say, after MAC, RMK was the next cosmetic brand I obsessed about, and is also my first true cosmetic love. I profess that they have one of the best bases, lipsticks, lipglosses, jelly eyes, cheek colors, and makeup brushes in the market. Some products from the line that did not work for me include their Skintuner, UV Face Protector, Control Color N, Super Basic Liquid Concealer, Ingenious Natural Eyes N, Pencil Eyeliner & Pressed Powder (both the old versions), and Loose Powder. These did not deter me from trying out another item from their line, for it is a brand I already hold in high regard.

RMK Super Basic Concealer Pact 01 comes in two colors. I chose the lighter offering.

This pact contains two different-hued creamy concealers, one powder, and two brushes for applying the concealers and setting the powder. It is a nifty packaging that I thought would be very useful. But as someone who does not like bringing cosmetics out of the house, I didn't get much use of the brushes and powder. The powder brush is very soft and of good quality. Similarly, the concealer brush has a firm grip with smooth bristles.

I originally planned to use the lighter tone on my under eye circles, and the darker one on pimples and blemishes. But I soon found out that the formula is too thick and drying for the under eye area, so I have been using this pact solely for blemishes. Both are great for concealing redness, pimples, and other skin imperfections. The finish relies more on how the concealer is applied, which can look cakey when too much piled is on. This can be avoided using careful application by slowly layering the concealer. The colors can be mixed to one's skin tone easily. This 01 shade is particularly suited for lighter skin tones. These are good quality concealers and I don't regret buying the pact because the concealers work well. However, I do not find much use for the powder and powder brush because I use a separate loose powder to set my base makeup. The concealer brush is slightly tapered and applies the concealers very well.

It's got a large mirror. For on-the-go use, this is an indispensable concealer kit. I would definitely see myself using all of the items in this pact if I bring this out and have no access to other makeup.