I’d like to introduce to you today, one of my favourite-est pressed powders. Oil control? Check! Smooth even finish? Check! Pricey? Check and check! 😛
Unfortunately, ladies quality like this doesn’t come cheap. This is the RMK Pressed Powder N which somes with SPF14 PA++ and comes in 5 shades. This is just one of them. What this powder is, is a setting powder. A powder you apply after you are done with your base makeup – concealer and foundation. When you are done, dust this all over, and it sets the base, keeping you looking flawless all day. I kid you not! I wear this one over BB Cream or liquid foundation and I’m pretty much shine free by the end of the day and skin takes on this luminous smooth look I’m absolutely obsessed with at this point in time 😛
The powder is sold separately from the case, which is something I find common in Japanese makeup. Perhaps Japanese use palettes a lot more? I don’t know. But you don’t need to buy the case if you don’t want to. But I’d suggest you do, because if you don’t, you’d miss out on that absolutely lovely brush that comes included in the two tiered case.
The powder has a strip of shimmer which isn’t obvious on the skin so don’t worry about it. The colour at the bottom is the translucent powder that has one shade common to all but 2 of the powders. The top white side is common to all but one of the powders and the side that is blue is the one that differs the most in all 5 shades. Here is an extract from the RMK webpage to show you what I mean.
5 RMK Pressed Powder N powders – 01 Pale White, 02 Pale Pink, 03 Pale Blue, 04 Natural Beige, 05 Bronze
The different colours perform different functions. Pink, I’m told is for brightening the skin. Blue (03) is is for toning down redness and that’s the one I have. There is one that is darker (05) which can be used as a bronzer.
If you are wondering, no. The blue does not apply as a blue on your skin. What the RMK Makeup artist taught me, is to use the flat goat hair brush included in the case to first, brush across the top half of the powder. Then apply this around the eye area. The blue tones down redness and it helps diminish the appearance of dark shadows under the eyes. This is especially helpful if you have reddish circles like I sometimes do and the effect is very subtle. The white powder brightens the area around the eyes which draws attention in.
Then, brush the bottom half of the powder and apply to the rest of the face in a downward motion so set your makeup. You can also mix up all the colours and apply to the skin. It is very very translucent and does not show up at all except as a fine setting powder. It, in fact, looks and feels like nothing on.
But the magic really happens as the day wears on. I complain about some… alright, most BB Creams making my skin feel and look oily as the day goes by. Some more than others. If I use this powder, the ones that make me slightly oily don’t and the ones that make me very oily, only give the merest sheen on the skin. Ditto with liquid foundation. Note: I do not have oily skin. I do not know how this will help those with oily skins.
I don’t know how it does it, but it manages to keep me looking shine free, and my skin feeling like velvet all day long. It isn’t like the Meteorites (I know some of you are wondering already). It does not add that sort of glow to the skin that Meteorites gives. But it does give a mattifying appearance that isn’y flat and is very impressive. I use it daily when I use liquid base products and if I don’t, I can tell the difference. Its quite an amazing powder and I’ve already committed myself to a repurchase. The good thing is, now that I have the case, I can just repurchase the pan. The brush included is very soft and, I’m told, the best brush to use with this powder because it picks up the right amount and deposits it on the skin evenly. I have been using it daily for a few months now, and haven’t made a dent in it, so it’ll last a while.
In a nutshell
Get it 😛 Ok perhaps not, after you’ve seen the price. LOL This is a setting powder that is very light textured and has some colour correcting qualities. It keeps my skin oil and shine free all day long, and keeps it feeling like velvet. Its an amazing product that I cannot recommend highly enough.
Pros: Smooth, fine milled texture powder, Keeps skin oil and shine free all day long, Skin feels like velvet even by the end of the day, Not cakey, Brush included is very soft on the skin and applies powder evenly
Cons: Pricey, Powder and case are sold separately
I cannot rave enough about this powder, so I will have to shut up now, before I’m accused of being a sell out LOL I suggest you traipse down to an RMK counter and check it out yourself. I’m not sure if the very tanned can use the lighter shades but there is a medium toned powder and one that’s darker that light skinned girls can use as a bronzer and darker skinned girls, perhaps as a setting powder.
You can also carry this for touch ups, because its just so easy to use, and doesn’t muss up your makeup. Ok, ok really shutting up now 😛
Paris B
RMK Pressed Powder N comes in 5 shades and retails at RM110 separately or RM160 with the case. RMK counters are at Isetan The Gardens, Isetan KLCC and Parkson Pavilion
Eeeeks, pretteh pretteh! I’d like to see the bronze one in person ahahaha ^.^
I remember that looking quite dark. I’m not sure you’re that dark! Perhaps the Medium one 🙂
Paris, the powder compact looks stunning, and your review makes me want to run out and get it. Unfortunately I am balking at the price – grrrr Japanese cosmetic pricing, y u so expensive 🙁
Haha I feel the same way about Japanese cosmetics. They usually have one of the best quality in bases but their prices can be staggering! If its any consolation, I do think this lasts a long time. I use it so often and its been months but I don’t even see a dent forming yet!
I have been looking for a new oil-control powder and this one sounds wonderful.
I hope this might fit your bill then 🙂
I need to check this out at Selfridges on Saturday – the RMK counter is right next door to the Suqqu counter! In the UK, the powders come in cases.
I think you will like this one Jamilla. And I’m so jealous that you have access to Suqqu! I’m dying to give it a go but my nearest counter is in Bangkok 😛
And… you’ve created yet another lemming in me. 😛
Luckily this lemming can be squashed by the price (boo! 🙁 ) and the fact that I presently have a Lancome pressed powder in SG that I’m liking quite a bit. 🙂
But… I could use a pressed powder in MY no? *enabling myself* 😛
Haha… self enabler? 🙂 I think in the big scheme of things RM160 isn’t that terribly pricey. A little on the high side, but ultimately very worth it. Still, if you already have one you like at present, wait till you’re done… and then try this one. The bonus I find is that its very well packed so it doesn’t have any flyaway at all and that is really something in a powder.
Wow, so expensive! But really pretty. The case is gorgeous too. Glad it works very well for you. Too bad we don’t have RMK here, I’d really love to check it out.
I’ve been trying to find it online too but not many online stores sell it, just a few in the UK and I think it ends up a little more pricey. So I have to suck it up and get it in store 😛 Well, the next time you go to HK you can check it out there too! 😉 Looking is free 😉
I MUST get this the next time I make a trip to Kay El.
RMK Powder EX is about the ONLY powder foundation I actually love,
except it does oxidise on me.
Nevertheless, RMK powders are unparalleled <3 – the silkiest ever!
BTW, I casually asked the MA when I was getting my Powder EX refill:
“What happens if I lose the goat hair brush?”
(The Powder EX set comes with a sponge applicator for the foundation segment and the very same flat goat hair brush for the shimmer strip.
Refill only provides a sponge applicator.)
Purportedly, the brush is worth a whopping RM80! O_o
RM80!! *guards brush*
I haven’t tried their foundations which I’ve heard raved about so often! But I have heard that their liquid foundations do oxidise so I wasn’t sure about picking up one. Gotta agree though, RMK bases are really wonderful stuff.
What a lovely product !
I live in France, so I can’t find RMK products… (unfortunately). One of my friends go to Japan this winter, so I may ask him for this powder ! It seems like heaven !
If you have any suggestions about asiatic products, I will be really happy to hear it !
Hi Sarah, this one is, I feel very good. If your friend can find it in Japan, and its within budget do give it a go. I’m not sure what sort of Asian products you are looking for. There are many very good Asian brands for makeup and skincare so if you have a specific question or request, I’d be able to help better 🙂
Thank you for your answer !
I’m looking for a foundation. My skin is normal and a bit oily on T-zone. I love foundation with a glowy and natural finish. The foundation needs to be light. I was wondering if there a famous foundation in asiatic brands. (as SUQQU, Lunasol, Coffret d’Or, Esprique, Maquillage, RMK, Majolica Majorca, Integrate and so on…).
If you also have some advice about brightening products (always in asiatic brands), I will be pleased to read it ! (I hope I don’t bother you)
Hi Sarah, I know that Kanebo Lunasol has a light liquid foundation – Water Gel Foundation that feels light on the skin. I haven’t tried it though. RMK liquid foundations are famous! They are light and stay on and are not thick or cakey. I also like Shiseido Perfect Refining foundation but you should be able to get it in France. The new Maquillage powder compact foundations do look good too. I haven’t tried the other brands. As for brightening products, there are lots. I’ve only tried Kanebo Blanchir and Shiseido White Lucent, both of which work well.
Thank you for your quick answer ! After some researches, it seems that RMK’s foundation are very famous ! Maybe, I will get one of those !
(and Maquillage’s products have such a gorgeous packaging…)
Glad to help! Hope you pick up something nice 🙂
I’m so tempted, as usual! I suffer from redness so this might just be the cure! =p
I find it helps me around the eye area. For the rest of the face, its just mostly a setting powder but that might be because I don’t brush on a lot of the blue 🙂
Aisay, i just bought myself a Laura Mercier powder. 🙁
Aww… After you’re done with the Laura Mercier then 🙂 Its not going anywhere … I hope!
I want it!!!!!!!! *planning next trip to KL*
Not sure where you’re based, but hope you’ll like it if you do pick it up! 🙂
Ipoh mali…. 😉
Ahhh! No wonder the “go to KL” references 😀 Would be awesome to meet up some day – perhaps when your dad’s on the mend 🙂
RMK…. I am still lemming for their cream foundation! Ahhh you can rave about this and I won’t call you a sell-out! I can’t stop raving about their foundation so I am not surprised this works !!!!!!! accckkkk!
I think RMK has lovely base products. I’ve heard so much rave for their foundation base and foundations both powder and liquid. Hearing it from you only affirms it. But I’ve never tried the rest! :O
Great review! I picked this up myself when I was in Taiwan! Got it in shade 04.
But I have yet to wear it more before I cab do an in-depth review on it! 🙂
Shade 04? Wouldn’t that be too dark for you Jess? I’ll wait for your review anyway
thanks for the recommendation paris! oooh it sounds marvellous and I feel like running to stores to get it now but I will wait till to go to Hong Kong next month to get it. I reckon it should be cheaper than Singapore right?
I’m not sure of the prices in Singapore Stacey – might be best to do your homework first because I’ve experienced cosmetics being a little pricier in Hong Kong before. That said, exchange rate fluctuations have to be taken into account too so if exchange rates have been good for you vs the HKD then perhaps it might be a little cheaper in HK 🙂
Do wants! I’m getting Tine to pick this up for me when she flies over for Christmas. I love the idea of a brush for powder! I use the powder puff packaged with my Paul and Joe loose powder but I actually use a brush to spread the powder around my mug! Not sure what colour to use though. We’re both around the same colour – will probably BBIM you to discuss this later 😛 Also, I’m coming up with a little list for Tine for her to help me bring stuff back (Larp you, Tine, bahahhaha)
Ooh Tine is back for Christmas? Awesome! And yes, better leverage on her goodwill to replenish (and buy new) stuff 😀 I’m ever horrified at prices in Australia 😛
Paris, how does this compare to the meteorites pressed powder which i understand is also mattifying? thanks again!
oops, allow me to clarify my question….how does this compare re: mattifying abilities comparied to meteorites pressed powder? i get really shiny/oily on my tzone and sides of nose after 3-4 hours (that’s when using the mufe mattifying loose powder). thanks!
Hi Lisa, I find the RMK better at oil control vs the Meteorites. The Meteorites gives a nice glow to the skin which the RMK doesn’t quite do. So in terms of mattifying, I think RMK is better but in terms of giving this indescribable glow, Meteorites do a better job. I don’t have very oily skin though so I cannot say if this will help you past the 3-4 hour mark. Hope this helps!
I’ve got a question on the Meteorites, Paris. Do u use it as a powder over your foundation? Or do u put it as an extra after your powder?
I’m not sure what you mean? If you mean whether I use it as liquid foundation -> setting powder -> meteorites or liquid foundation -> meteorites, my answer is the latter. I treat Meteorites as a setting powder. I also sometimes apply it over powder foundation.
Hi Paris, a very go and get it kind of review 🙂
I’m a European living in kl, and suffering from oily tzone. I’m planing to buy that one for oil control, but yet i can’t go and check myself the shades so I’ll ask a friend to buy it for me. I’m very pale/fair with mostly pink undertones and have redness on my face. Which share do you recommend? I don’t want to look like ghost as well 🙂
Hi Fabien, you could go for the blue one for counteracting redness on skin. Its the one I use. The pink one has brightening qualities which I also use sometimes, but if you have redness on skin then the blue one maybe the way to go. The girls at the RMK counter should be able to help you better. Good luck!
Hi, you’re one of the few people who have reviews of this product. I was wondering how sheer the powder is and if I’m a NC25-30, would the 03 Pale Blue be too pale? I’m tossing up between that and the 04 Natural Beige but I don’t have a RMK counter to try grrr…
Thanks in advance!
Hi Bonnie, the powder is retry sheer. I don’t know my shade but I should be in the 20-25 region and the blue one isn’t too pale. It does have a bit of a brightening effect. I find the beige one a bit too deep for my skintone but it boils down to preference on how you want to look.