Introduction to RMS Beauty: Lip2Cheek in Rapture, "Un" Cover-Up #22, and Living Luminizer

It took me a year of hearing about RMS Beauty before I finally found a physical store I could go to try it out, and what an introduction it was. Just as I planned to visit (the store in question is Bloom Beauty Lounge), I found out the store was hosting a free makeup lesson with Rose-Marie Swift, the founder of RMS Beauty. 

Rose-Marie Swift is unlike any makeup artist/brand owner I've ever met. It was refreshing that she didn't really have a filter to her thoughts, so we basically had two hours of uncensored insight from an industry insider. She spoke about how she fell sick years ago and couldn't find any suitable beauty products in the market that she could use, which was when she started researching on chemicals in beauty products. Appalled by what passes for "organic" and "natural" in the market (remember, FDA doesn't regulate cosmetics!) and spurred by the conspicuous lack of a truly organic line, she started her own, RMS Beauty.

Now, while I appreciate a completely organic line, I'm not one to be swayed just because of it. I purchased three of her most popular products to test drive the brand. Once I started using them, it took all my restraint to not immediately go back for more.

I love that she includes full ingredient lists on the actual pot

First time users need to bear in mind that the primary ingredient in RMS Beauty products is coconut oil and the texture reflects that. The "Un" Cover-Up ($36) and Lip2Cheek ($36) both have a thick consistency and feels very creamy to the touch, but once applied they blend into the skin and you'll hardly notice it's there (no matter how many layers you pile on). On the other hand, the Living Luminizer ($38) is lightweight and while creamy, is definitely less so compared to the other two.

How do we apply them? Rose-Marie is a huge advocate of working with fingers. But before you go ew, dirty pot she assures us that her products are antimicrobial because of the lauric acid in coconut oil, as well as the lack of water in her stuff. Because of that, her products will not go bad, even though I noticed she did put a 12-month expiry sign on the box.

Lip2Cheek in Rapture, blended out and heavy swatch

L-R: Living Luminizer, "Un" Cover-Up #22

In the pictures below, I used only the RMS Beauty products featured above (my eyebrows being the exception). The rich brick red that is Rapture inspired the cheekiness in me to do a china doll look, complete with garb. I applied three thin layers onto my lips with my fingers to build up intense color, but practiced caution when applying it to my cheeks. 

I used "Un" Cover-Up #22 as my concealer, applying it under my eyes, around my nose, around my mouth, and just a little on my cheeks to even out the tone. The Living Luminizer is what I've come to think of as a true highlighter. You can hardly see it in the swatch or even when applied, but in pictures it makes you glow. I placed it in the inner corners of my eyes, in the center of my eyelid, down the center of my nose, on top of my cheekbones, and on my cupid's bow.

The only downside to RMS Beauty products is it's not a substitute for say, a blush that lasts for twelve hours. Rose-Marie herself said she didn't want products that will stay on all day because it scares her. It all boils down to personal chemistry. Some of her customers said they never have to reapply, while others enjoyed shorter lasting power. My experience is Rapture lasts about 5-6 hours on the cheeks and 4-5 hours on the lips if I don't eat or drink. The "Un" Cover-Up and Living Luminizer stays on a little longer, but if I touch my face it will rub off.

RMS Beauty is available online at Spirit Beauty Lounge. I purchased mine from Bloom Beauty Lounge in New York City. Rose-Marie mentioned they will be introducing lipsticks in bullet form and an eyeliner to the product range soon, and she is working on a mascara with minimal amount of chemicals (just because it's impossible to make a good one without some). Sadly, she also said they will be discontinuing Rapture, which is why I snapped mine up.