Rimmel Kate Nude Lipstick Review

I usually opt for Nude lipsticks for work or everyday wear because there is something so classy and understated about them. However, it is quite difficult to get a lovely nude lipstick that would suit my complexion and I think it is the same with many ski tones because people have different undertones. Besides, my lips have two different colours which makes things slightly complicated. My upper lip is slightly darker or maybe more pigmented than my lower lip which is light pink. This means a lip colour which is nude for my lower lip may end up looking ashy on my upper lip. However, there are various ways around it. I tend to mute out my lips with a concealer or foundation so most lipsticks would pop or appear evenly on my lips. Majority of my nude lipsticks are from MAC and Estee Lauder and a few other high end brands because they are more pigmented and offer a wider range of shades. I am not a huge fan of many drug store nude lipsticks because there aren't many shades that are actually nude on my lips. When I heard and saw that Rimmel had launched their Kate Nude Lipsticks and Nail polish range, I was curious. First off, I was pleased they tried their best to cover a wide range of skin tones. I really like Rimmel lipsticks because their formula is amazing particularly the Kate range. I popped into Boots for a little swatching session and I ended up picking three shades from the five shades that were available. I did not pick up any nail polish because I have way too many nail polishes in my collection but they looked pretty. I am not going to lie; the lipstick packaging lured me in completely. They look amazing in pictures and in real life but more importantly, they work really well. I am sure you would notice from the picture that two of the shades look similar but they are not that similar in real life.


Overview
I am sure everyone knows about the Rimmel Lipstick Kate Range because this range has been around for a long while now. I own a few lipsticks from the Kate range and I love the formula and packaging design. In case you are wondering, the Kate range is created by the lovely super model Kate Moss whose taste and style is so chic and she is one of my favourite models. Her signature can be found on the packaging of all the Kate range lipsticks and it adds a really personal touch to the design. The Kate Nude Lipstick was launched last month (or maybe this month) and there are five shades of lipsticks to choose from and they aim to cater to a range of skin tones. The shades don't have any names but they do have numbers and they start from -040, 042, 043, 045 and 048. Yeah, I know the numbers are not quite in sequence but maybe they plan to release more shades. Who knows? In Boots, there is a helpful chart in the Rimmel Makeup stand which is useful for choosing shades. Some of the shades have warm undertones and some have cooler undertones but nevertheless, I think you can choose whatever you wish like I did.



Packaging
Isn't the packaging the classiest thing ever? I have always loved the Rimmel Kate packaging but this creamy beige packaging is just divine. I even spied a lip balm in a similar white packaging and I know I am definitely purchasing it even though I don't need it. Well, I could use my Boots points for it instead of shelling out. I am sure many people are inclined to try this because it has a pretty packaging and of course, the lipstick is also lovely. It has the typical Kate Moss signature inscribed in white as well with a little heart. The colours of the shades and shade number can be found underneath the lipstick and I think they are quite close to the actual colour pay off of the lipstick. The best part of the packaging is that it has a click when you close the lipstick. Yes, I am one of those crazy girls obsessed with packagings that have a satisfying click. On a more serious note, packagings with clicks mean the products are secure in your handbag and there are minimal chances of any spillage or damage.



Shades I chose
It was a little difficult to choose what shades I wanted because they all looked pretty. I knew 048 (the darkest) was definitely going to suit me and 040 (the lightest) was a huge no-no so it was between the remaining three shades. There was also an offer on- I think it was 3 for 2 or maybe buy one get one free so I had to get one more lippie. I eventually settled for 043, 045 and of course, 048. I almost did not pick up the 045 because it was designed for people with cooler undertones but I still wanted it. In a way, I think it reminds me of the Kate 03 Lipstick (allegedly a dupe for MAC Velvet Teddy) but it has a pinkier hue to it. I am really pleased with the shades I purchased and I think I may just buy one nail polish when pay day arrives because the darkest Nude shade looked so lovely.



I have to mention that the way these lipsticks swatch on my hands are not the same as they look on my lips. If you can, try and get a swatch in store. It is always important to disinfect the tester, swatch it on your hand and then onto your lips. I say this because you may be surprised that it may come up differently on your lips as opposed to the swatch. Never EVER use a tester lipstick directly on your lips; it's super gross and disgusting. Generally,I go by the swatch on my lips but if I have to test it on my lips, I use a wipe (I always have one in my bag) and wipe the lipstick before swatching on my hands and transferring the swatch to my lips. It seems like too much of a hassle (which it is) but you can't return drug store products here in the UK so it's better to be safe than sorry. I would try my best to describe the shades as well as I can. Also, I used a lip liner before applying all the lipsticks but I don't think it is necessary with the 048 which is perfect for my lips.


043- I would describe this lipstick as a light brown peachy nude shade with slight  hues of pink. I really like this lipstick a lot and it reminds me of MAC's Shy Girl. It's a perfect everyday lip shade for me and I think it would work well with many skin tones particularly if you have olive skin tones or light brown skin tone. As mentioned, I always line my lips first before using this shade because it looks super ashy without using one. My favourite lip liner for this lipsticks (and all the other lipsticks in this range) is MAC Lip Liner in Cork. I absolutely enjoy it and I think it's my favourite one from this range.


045- I would describe this as a pinkish nude shade with a cool undertone. I thought I would love this more than any shade because the swatch looked amazing. However, it looks way different on my lips. It is borderline ashy on my lips which is why I have to really line my lips well but it does look lovely when I manage to sort it out. Don't get me wrong; it's not difficult to work at all. This would definitely be more suitable for anyone who has a light skin tone with cool undertones. I also think it has more of a lustre compared to the other shades which makes it stand out a little more.


048- I find this a little difficult to describe this shade because it looks different every time I wear it. I don't think this is particularly nude for me but it suits me much better than any of the shades. I would describe it as a reddish dark brown shade with warm undertones. It is the most pigmented of all the colours and I do think it looks very pretty. Although it is designed for darker skin tones, I do think it would suit other skin tones. I really like  it and I think it would be suitable for Autumn/Winter because it reminds me of  a vampy shade.



Formula/Application/Longevity
I have always liked the Rimmel Lasting Finish formulas because they apply so smoothly and they do last well. I won't say they last for 8 hours as advertised but it does wear well even when I eat or drink. I have to say the lighter nude shades (043 and 045) don't last as long as the darker shade (048) bit that's not a surprise as 048 is well pigmented. They have a slightly sweet scent (I think it's vanilla or something similar) and I love it. I heard a few people don't like it but I don't think it is overpowering or annoying. These lipsticks glide on easily and they have a slight lustre finish. I don't have to bother with a lip gloss with them although I sometimes use a lip gloss with the 043 so it looks better on my lips. If you have dry lips or cracked lips, I think you can get away with these lipsticks because they are quite forgiving on the lips.


Cost// Link
I don't think they are pricey at all at £5.49 a pop. Most drug stores like Boots and Superdrug always have offers and you would be hard pressed to actually pay full price. I know I never do even if it means getting an extra shade which is precisely what I did. I think I may have paid £10 or so for three of them which is pretty affordable if you ask me. I think they are really good value for money. If you are not fussed about the other shades, you can also pick up a matching nail polish so you have a complete Nude collection. I do really recommend trying them.


Overall Thoughts
I have really enjoyed using them especially for normal everyday wear. As mentioned earlier, I love Nude lipsticks because they always seem so classy and elegant. I am really pleased I purchased these affordable lipstick and I know I am going back to pick up at least one nail polish. Have you tried the Rimmel Kate Nude Lipsticks?...xx
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Rimmel Makeup Brand Focus

Rimmel is a drug store brand that has surprised me over the years. I think their lipsticks and some other lip products are really good. I decided to branch out and try some other products from their range and I have found some gems. Just like all brands, I did not get along with all the products but the ones I did were amazing. Let's find out the ones that did it for me and those which let me down.



Foundation- Rimmel Lasting Finish 25hr Foundation// Link here
The reason I never bothered with Rimmel Foundation is because they never cater to darker skin which is pretty frustrating. The few ones which are slightly darker than the rest are very beigey which sometimes make me look ashy. Despite all these issues, I decided to pick up the Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in 400 Beige in the hope that I could work with it. It was also on offer in Boots for £4.99 so I knew it was not particularly going to bankrupt me if I hated it. Thankfully, I actually like it. It is still slightly beigey but once I add my concealer and my trusty MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Dark, it sets it all to my correct complexion. They were not joking when they said it was long lasting as it really lasts for a long time; it may even be longer lasting than some of my high end foundations. The finish is demi-matte which is perfect for my oily skin. I always prime my face before using it so I don't know how long lasting it will be without it but I really like it. The only downside is the shades are very limited.



Primer-Rimmel Lasting Finish Primer//Link here
This was also on offer in Boots so I picked it up at the same time as the foundation. I was not too fussed if it would work or not because I always use primers I don't like to lighten up dark foundations. However, I actually really like this one because it helps my foundation last much longer particularly the Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation (they were made for each other). It has a slightly whitish blue hue when you apply it but it disappears after a while and that bothers me a little. However, I don't think it really affects the foundation. It is absolutely amazing for oily skin and I love how it helps my foundation last longer and keeps my shine in control. I am definitely repurchasing this again as I think it's brilliant. If you have dry skin, this may not be for you as it may keep your skin super matte.




Lipsticks- Rimmel Lasting Finish (Kate Moss Range) and Moisture Renew Lipsticks//Link
I think Rimmel Lipsticks are a firm favourite amongst many ladies/girls because their formulas are amazing and their packaging is rather luxe for a drug store brand. I think the first one I ever tried was their Moisture Renew Lipsticks and I think they may have changed the packaging. I have only two of these and I have a feeling I may have more somewhere or maybe I threw them away because they were expired. The shades from the Moisture Renew Range in my stash include Rose Sorbet (110) and Mocha Cream (690). They glide on so easily and they are really moisturising on the lips. If you have dry/chapped/cracked lips, you don't have to worry about them clinging to the dry areas or accentuating it. I absolutely love them and my Rose Sorbet is on its last legs. The other Rimmel Lipstick I have is from the Kate Moss Range which has such a beautiful and classy packaging with a nice click. It's part of the Lasting Finish Range and I absolutely love it. The only shade I have is 03 which is a good dupe for the MAC Velvet Teddy especially if you have cooler undertones. It still suits my warm undertone and I still reach for it often. It's not as moisturising as the Moisture Renew range but it is much more longer lasting. The variety of shades in both ranges are very impressive and they are definitely worth checking out.


Lip Gloss/Liquid Lipstick- Rimmel Apocalips//Link Here
I was really excited by these lip glosses because the shades looked rather impressive and I had read good reviews about them. I did not want to kid myself and buy a lot of shades I won't wear so I picked out five which I knew I would get a lot of use from. Out of all the shades, my favourite and most used is the Celestial which I absolutely adore. It is a perfect light pink which looks really flattering on my lips. I have a full review of these babies over here if you fancy a read. I like the wand because it has a groove which means one dip is enough for one application; you don't have to dip it in again and again. The only downside for me is the smell; I can't even describe what it smells like but it's not pleasant. Thankfully, it disappears after a little while but it can be off putting sometimes. I love these lip glosses as they are really long lasting, easy to apply and the shades available are lovely. They also have a matte version of these Apocalips but I have never tried any of them.



Brow Pencil- Rimmel Eye Brow Pencils// Link here and here
I can't remember who recommended this eye brow pencil to me but I really like them. Of course, I am now spoiled with retractable pencils like Anastasia Brow Wiz and Soap and Glory Brow Pencils which roll up and down and don't need to be sharpened. I still reach for normal brow pencils that need to be sharpened and one of my favourite drug store brands is the Rimmel Brow Pencil. I find the formula of their pencils are really good and  they apply well. They don't break at all and they have such good pigmentation. I have the shade Black Brown (004) which is on its last legs and it really suits my brows. They are a couple of other shades available too. I also like the Rimmel Soft Kohl Pencils which I got it this brown shade- Sable Brown (011). It's much softer than the brow pencil but I prefer it for a softer brow shade/application rather than using it to tight line my eyes.




Eyeshadows- Rimmel Single, Duo and Quad Eyeshadows// Link Here
Now we are moving on to the tricky territory. I have a love-hate relationship with Rimmel Eyeshadows as I never know which would work for me or not. The first eyeshadow was this Duo which I used every day because I just liked to keep everything simple. I love the pigmentation and the shades are right up my street. Then I went to get the Quad which I didn't get on with because I found that the colours/shades were lacking in pigmentation. I only used the lighter shade for my brow bones. I did not let that deter me so I tried these two single eyeshadows; I loved the bronze one but I did not like the pink one. I don't buy eyeshadows anymore from their range because I don't know what to expect. I am not saying they are not good but they have not worked me. Besides, I have loads of eyeshadow palettes so I don't need any more.


Blushes- Rimmel Powder and Cream Blushes//Link Here and Here
I am going to be honest; the only drug store blush I really like is the Sleek Blushes and (MaxFactor Creme Puff which I recently swatched and loved) because they are well pigmented and they cater to a wide variety of skin tones. I think I may have picked up the Rimmel Blush in Bronze because I was getting it free as part of a 3 for 2 offer. The name bronze is quite deceptive as it doe snot show up on my skin at all. I think it will even show up really subtly even if you have lighter skin, I can't really comment much on it. However, I sometimes use it as a highlighter and it looks okay. I don't get much use out of it to be fair. The other blush which I thought I would hate is the Rimmel Cream Blush in Sun Kissed Cherry. I actually really like it although I am not a huge fan of cream blushes. It is a lovely light pinkish peach shade on my skin tone and it looks rather lovely and natural. It sets really easily and lasts a good while. If you are hesitant about trying cream blushes, I recommend this one as it's very subtle but easy to apply.



Lipstick Lock and Nail Polish// Link Here and Here
I am not a fan of these two products particularly the Lipstick Lock. I am not sure why I picked up this Lipstick Lock but it just does not work for me at all. I think it is designed to help your lipstick last longer. I can't say I have noticed any difference in the longevity of my lipsticks; I guess I may have been distracted by its rather strong smell and tingling on my lips. I never say I don't recommend products but this is definitely one I don't recommend at all. If you have tried it and you like it, please tell me your experience as it's possible I may have picked up a bad formula. I also have the Rimmel Pro Lasting Finish Nail Polish (Top Coat) which is actually okay. I love the wide brush which is made up of two tiny brushes and it is very effective. I can't say the formula is the best but it's really nice and I still reach for it every now and again.


Overall Thoughts
I like Rimmel Products and I won't say they are my favourite but I think they are pretty good. My favourite products are their face makeup and lipsticks/lipglosses. They are other products which I have not tried on here which include their fairly new eyeshadow quads especially Brixton Brown which I have heard good things about. If you can find your shade in their foundation range, I suggest trying their other foundations like the Wake Me Up range including the concealer which I have heard good things about. I also forgot to include the Rimmel Just Let it Go Eye Makeup Remover which is absolutely amazing and I am actually on my second bottle. It's so brilliant and takes off my eye makeup so easily and it's very gently. That's it folks; I hope you enjoyed this little round up and have an amazing week ahead. What your favourite Rimmel Makeup Product?
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Drug Store Foundations Review/Roundup

A little while ago, I never gave Drug Store foundations as much as a glance mainly because I could not find any that matched my skin tone at all. It's only recently that many drug store brands have realised that they indeed have a market among darker skin ladies. When Maybelline Fit Me foundation (review here) launched and I received a sample to try, I was shocked to find that it was a perfect match for my skin. I loved it so much and I promptly purchased the full size. It definitely set the standard for other foundations and that pretty much ignited my interest in drug store foundations. 



Some drug store brands are still quite limited in their shade range because they only have my shade as the darkest so if your skin is darker than mine, you may have to stick to only Revlon, Sleek and L'Oreal. I know in the US many of these drug store brands stock foundations for darker skin and I really wish they could do the same here in the UK :-(. I hear it's the same thing for paler/very light skinned ladies as they also struggle to find a suitable foundation shade that doesn't make them look too yellow, pink or completely washed out. It's a common struggle! I still love my high end foundations and I will definitely favour them over many drug store foundations. However, there are still really good drug store foundations that are perfect for everyday use.



The presence of a pump in the packaging definitely influences my purchase as I can't deal with foundations (high end or drug store) that have no pumps. I made an exception for the Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude Foundation because it has a pipette/dropper/wand applicator. I  have rounded up all my drug store foundation for mini reviews and I hope you find it useful..

L'Oreal True Match Foundation (£9.99) (N6.5)

Of course, I had to start with my favourite drug store foundation of all time. I have gushed about this foundation over here so I would try not to regurgitate everything. Long and short story- it's the best drug store foundation I have ever tried. L'Oreal released more than 20 shades of the True Match Foundation so you are very likely to find your closest shade, if not, your true match. It's great as an everyday foundation and offers medium coverage which can be built to full coverage without looking caked on. It is long lasting with a semi-matte finish but it's not drying. Some people have said it breaks them out but I haven't had any and I think it may be best if you have normal, combination and/or oily skin.



Barry M Flawless Matte Finish Foundation (£5.99) (Tan-5)
Barry M is the most unlikely brand I would look to for a foundation so you can imagine my shock when I tested this instore and saw it was a good match for my skin tone. I have to say I am impressed with this foundation because I didn't really expect much from it. My shade is Tan 5 which is the darkest shade (they only have five shades by the way). It is a matte finish so if you have dry skin, this may not be the best for you. It is a light to medium finish but I try not to build it up too much because it tends to look cakey. It's perfect for weekends if you just need a light but matte coverage. I have a review here. It is super affordable and the packaging is really cute; a little too girly for me but it has a pump and that's all that matters.



Rimmel Lasting Finish (25hr) Foundation (currently £4.99 in Boots) (400 Natural Beige)
Rimmel is another brand that has some great foundations but they don't really cater to darker skin tones as much. I only picked up the Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation from Boots because they were having £3 off this range. I have to mention that the way it looks in the bottle does not translate to how it looks on the skin so a swatch in daylight is necessary. I actually like this foundation a lot more than I thought I would. It also has a semi-matte finish, almost velvet-like, which you know I love by now. I am not about the dewy finish life at all. It claims to have a 25 hr lasting time/longevity; I don't think anyone would wear foundation for that long. However, it really lasts for a long time and I dare say it's the longest lasting drug store foundation within my stash. It also offers full coverage but still looks natural which is really impressive. The texture is slightly creamy to touch but it's easy to blend and lightweight once it hits the skin. I love it !



Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude Foundation (£8.99) (Sun Beige-48)
This is my most recent purchase and I have not completely made up my mind about it yet. It's the only drug store foundation within my stash without a pump but at least it has an applicator. I really like the packaging because it looks so different and very portable even though it's made of glass. It only contains 20 ml which is a little annoying because it makes it really expensive in the grand scheme of things. The shade range is very limited as well which is odd because Maybelline always caters to a good range of skin tones but I guess they may be releasing some more shades soon. My shade is Sun Beige 48 which is a close match to my skin tone. It has a very liquid texture and when you shake the bottle, you can literally hear the foundation swishing about in the bottle. As expected with any water-based foundation, it feels really light on application and it is super easy to blend. It has a funny texture when it sets; it reminds me of the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipgloss and I have no idea why. I like the matte finish and it offers good coverage (maybe light to medium) but I don't like building it up past its normal coverage because it looks funny and unnatural on my skin. A full review will be up soon but these are my initial thoughts. Nevertheless, I really like it and I am keen to see how it would fare during Spring/Summer.



Revlon Photoready Foundation (£12.99) (Caramel)
I left my least drug store foundation at the end of this post (sorry Revlon!). I already have a full review of this foundation here and I know it is a firm favourite for many people. However, it's not for me mainly due to its finish and how dull my skin looks when I use it (I have no idea why). I have tried several primers underneath, used it on its own, set it lightly, even used my Chanel Healthy Glow Powder to set it but all to no avail. You may have noticed from all the foundations finishes above that I lean towards foundations with a matte, semi-matte or velvet finish and I am not a fan of glowy or dewy foundations at all. My combination/oily skin just can't seem to handle it at all. If I need some glow or dewiness, I spray MAC Fix Plus or any makeup spray and I am good to go. This Revlon Foundation is actually a good colour match for me and it offers really good medium coverage for my skin. The packaging is lovely and may even be one of the sturdiest among my drug store stash. I still use it every now and then but I think I may be passing it off to a better home.


That's all folks! There are other lovely drug store foundations like the Revlon Color Stay Foundation (it has no pump so it's not an option for me), Sleek Foundations (I could not find a proper shade for my skin tone) and Bourjois Healthy Mix/Serum Foundation (No proper match for my skin tone). I have heard many good things about them. What are your favourite drug store foundations? Let me know any other good recommendations in the comment box...See you in my next post...xx
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