I used to be very active on a makeup forum back before I started blogging, and at the time the “star foundation” everyone was raving over worldwide, was the RMK cream foundation. Any request for a foundation rec would inevitably throw up RMK. Yet I was also warned repeatedly that the cream foundation might be a little heavy for our tropical weather so I was always a little afraid to try it. Why did no one then ever tell me there was a lighter liquid foundation option?! 😛
Well let me tell you now, that there is a liquid foundation and there is a makeup base and they are both excellent products.
The products themselves are superb and I don’t hand out superlatives like this lightly. Texture is featherlight on skin, colour match is very impressive, and it is just an all round winner.
I will however grouse about the packaging, as we’ll see. Yeah, it would appear that nothing is really perfect. Sigh…
Let’s get the packaging out of the way first so I can go on and rah rah about the foundation and base itself 🙂 The bottles are frosted glass with a matte grey plastic twist on cap. Don’t be fooled by the colour of the foundation in the bottle – they all look much much darker than they really are. Trust me, I was at the counter going “NO WAY!” when the SA first showed me the colour I was matched to #201. It looks very dark and pink and dull in the frosted bottle.
Twist off the cap and you get this for both makeup base and for liquid foundation.
Boo! 🙁 It is a pour out system and I really really dislike this sort of bottles because of wastage. Someone told me a tip to get around it though. Instead of pouring it out, as I normally do, I should just cover the hole with my finger, up turn the bottle and then apply to skin.
It works. It is a bit of a bummer, but it works, and happily, this light textured foundation and makeup base is easy to apply with fingers too. In fact, for the foundation, I personally prefer using my fingers to apply this as opposed to using a foundation brush. The finish seems better and smoother somehow.
The texture for both products is featherlight. On skin, you hardly feel like you’re wearing anything, which is awesome in our sort of weather.
Left: RMK Makeup Base Right: Liquid foundation #201 (Ignore colour in this swatch. The one below is more accurate)
The makeup base looks pink in the bottle and swatched heavily here, appears whitish. However, on skin it is transparent. I only apply a very thin layer and it feels very different to other makeup bases or primers I’ve tried. Firstly, there is absolutely zero silicone feel. It just feels like a light gel liquid on skin. Its like applying a serum on the skin. Its that light and I love it. Its in a class of its own, seriously.
As for the performance, I find that the finish it gives to products layered over it is less perfect than other thicker primers I have tried. It doesn’t quite fill up pores and I don’t get as airbrushed a finish as I do with other primers. It does help makeup stay on my skin better and its more natural and comfortable, but it just doesn’t give as perfect a finish. That’s what I feel anyway.
I do like it because I like the texture and I”m not crazy about looking air brushed but if you are, then you may prefer something a little thicker with more coverage and maybe more silicone in it. This one is super light. RMK does have other creamier bases which might do the trick for those wanting something a little more but I haven’t tried those so I can’t compare.
As for the liquid foundation, here’s something to take note of. You must ensure that it is properly shaken up before use. The foundation is an emulsion so once you leave it standing, it will tend to separate. Shaking it up ensures that the product is properly mixed up and you get an even colour. I find it useful to shake it up while holding it upside down. This seems to ensure that the product settled on the bottom is properly mixed.
Then, pour it out into your palm, the back of your hand or a dish if you prefer; or as I’ve mentioned above, cover the hole with your finger and upturn the bottle, then apply product to face. I usually draw on 2 stripes on the side of my face, and then blend it out. The product is very liquid so it goes a long way but the coverage is awesome. I usually only apply a thin layer all over and it gives a very lovely,very natural and smooth coverage that lasts me all day, even without the base.
I have read that this product may oxidise on skin but I did not experience it myself. I take #201 which is the lightest shade in the pink toned range. The liquid foundation comes in yellow tones starting with #1, pink tones starting with #2 and some deep brown tones.
Here’s the comparison of RMK Liquid Foundation #201 to some other liquid foundations that I also wear. The colours are surprisingly diverse but all seem to wear well on me. How odd.
Comparison L-R: (1) Clinique Even Better Makeup Fresh Beige (2) Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua B10 (3) RMK liquid foundation #201 (4) Diorskin Forever 010 (5) Shiseido Perfect Refining Foundation I00
In tone, I find that the RMK is closest to the Dior Forever foundation. In texture, it is closest to Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. Diorskin Forever gives better coverage than the RMK but the RMK gives a more natural finish. So if you prefer a light textured, almost water like foundation that feels like nothing on your skin, yet makes it look quite flawless, do take a look at the RMK one.
For blemishes and pigmentation, when I use this foundation, I just layer on more on the areas that need coverage in lieu of using a concealer. It never looks too thick or over done and it covers up perfectly. Saves lots of time because I don’t need to fiddle around with a separate concealer unless I want a perfectly flawless base 🙂
In a nutshell
I don’t know why its taken me so long to try the RMK base products but I’m very glad I did. The RMK Makeup Base is a very light textured gel emulsion base that applies transparent on skin. Unlike a thicker primer, I feel that it does not cover up pores as well although it does provide a good base for the colour cosmetics that go on the skin. It feels featherlight and is very comfortable with none of that silicone primer feel. Those who want something that gives an airbrushed finish may not like this as much. The liquid foundation is also featherlight in texture, being almost like a water. It spreads very easily and I find that using fingers gives a better finish than using a foundation brush. Coverage is very good and I can even use it as a concealer without it looking too thick. The pink tones have a brightening effect on my skin and it dries down a little matte. The only grouse I have with the products is the packaging. The bottles should really come with a pump for ease of use and to prevent wastage. I am prepared to overlook it for now, because really, its impressive stuff.
Pros: Lovely feather light texture for both makeup base and liquid foundation, Makeup base feels very comfortable on skin without that silicone primer feel, Liquid foundation provides very good coverage although it is very liquid and light, Liquid foundation looks very natural on skin and for me does not turn oily at all
Cons: Bottle needs a pump, Pricey initially, Liquid foundation needs to be shaken well before use
Who will like this: Anyone who likes a very light good coverage liquid foundation and makeup base, Anyone who does not mind a finish that is more matte instead of creamy or glowy
Here is the unretouched images showing you just why I love this foundation so much
You can see that the base does nothing for my skin but it is transparent. The foundation shade I use is #201 and although coverage is very good, it is not 100% so you can still see some pigmentation shadows and a shadow of the blemish on my chin. It actually looks much better in real life because the camera does enhance a lot of flaws. Unless you are a superstar, never base anything on how you look on camera but how you look in the mirror. You’ll be happier that way 😉
#201 being a little pink toned also has a bit of brightening effect which is great of course 😛 I find that it also dries down a little more matte without too much glow to the skin but not as flat as the Diorskin Forever or Clarins Everlasting foundation. So if you don’t like that sort of finish and prefer something more creamy and glowy then this one may not be for you. Here’s the ingredient list for those interested.
Have you tried the RMK Makeup Base or their Liquid Foundation? Any thoughts?
I love them both, but I love the liquid foundation a little more than the makeup base because I’m not one to use a makeup base often. So whilst they work well together, they work just as well separately and I’d pick the liquid foundation if you wanted to try just one of them. RMK just needs to get their act together and put a pump in these bottles already! I was told once that RMK’s strengths lie in their base products and I will agree. The colour cosmetics are pretty but I don’t feel them very much. Their base products however are very impressive.
Paris B
RMK Makeup Base and Liquid Foundation Price: RM135/30ml each Availability: RMK counters – Isetan KLCC, Isetan The Gardens, Parkson Pavilion
Wow–that sounds amazing! I love serums and anything that’s really light and refreshing on the skin. Because I have such oily skin, I need something really light otherwise my skin starts to feel all covered up by the layers of products and produces more oil–so thin layers are good! And that foundation looks INCREDIBLE on your skin Paris! Definitely very natural looking. I really want to try it!
Oooh Becca I think you’ll really like the texture of this RMK base! I just don’t know how good it is at controlling oil 😛 Can you get RMK where you are?
Hi Paris!
I am going to buy a bottle of liquid foundation since my current one is going to finish soon. At first i plan to get the Clinique Even Better Makeup foundation after read your review on it but this RMK liquid foundation looks pretty good on you! So can i know how are both of them differ in terms of finishing , coverage and quality? Which one do you prefer?
Hiya! Ok Even Better has a creamier texture while RMK has a much lighter watery texture. Even Better has sunscreen while RMK doesn’t. In terms of finishing, I think Even Better has a more dewy finish and RMK a little more matte but makes skin look a little brighter (because I’m using the pink base one) Coverage for both is quite equal. I think it comes down to preferences. Try to test them both and see which texture you prefer because I think it comes down to that 🙂
RMK Foundation has light sun protection at SPF14 PA++ 🙂
Oops! Thanks for the correction 🙂
i have repurchased RMK foundation for 2 times already, it has a light texture which is what i wanted, as if i put on creamy foundation, my fine lines will be prominent, so beside this the Lunasol liquid foundation is my other option too which both give a light coverage and grow on my face. The 2 bad things of RMK foundation is without the pump and it turn to a fishy smell in less than 3 months of using. I have tried my ultimate best not to use my finger to be in contact with the opening, but it still turn to fishy smell very soon. As well as the manufacturing date of the foundation is normally 1 year back or more than 1 year back product. Anyway i am still unable to find any foundation which is so light in texture without emphasizing in my fine lines, so i still have to stick to RMK foundation at this moment 🙂
Hiya Lee, I didn’t notice the fishy smell eeps! Wouldn’t be nice to have a fishy smelling foundation 😛 I’ll monitor and see if it starts to smell after the 3 month mark. Hopefully not 😛 I hear there’s a new foundation coming out with a nozzle so let’s hope that comes out soon and is as good 🙂
There’s a new RMK gel creamy foundation that will be launched in Sept 2012 with a pump! I can’t wait to try that! 🙂 I recently discovered that RMK is very popular among japanese and being very fair like the japanese, I think this foundation will work!
I currently on MUFE HD in 110 and it’s too pink toned on me. The SA thought I had pink undertones just because I’ve redness on my face. *sigh* Any idea how to make my foundation work?
Thanks for the heads up Regina! I have heard rumblings of it too and it will most definitely be a welcome addition to the line. Why they never thought to put a nozzle or pump on the bottle in the first place, I’d never understand 😛 As for your dilemma, I’d suggest finding someone to give or sell the foundation to. Base is the hardest to “make do” with because if it doesn’t match, it can look terribly weird. Otherwise, you could also try mixing it with moisturiser and using as a tinted moisturiser (a sheer colour may work better) or mixing it with a foundation that is more yellow toned?
Hi.
Compare to all the foundations shown above, (1) Clinique Even Better Makeup Fresh Beige, (2) Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua B10, (3) RMK liquid foundation #201, (4) Diorskin Forever 010, and (5) Shiseido Perfect Refining Foundation I00, or any others
Which one is the best? I have acne scar and pigmentation on my face with combination skin >.<
I've tried Shiseido Perfect Refining Foundation and it has no stickiness fell without finish powder on. Since RMK liquid foundation claims its waterproof, does it give a non stickiness feel too without applying any loose powder?
TQ. ^_^
Hi Hong, just based on the foundations shown in this post, I’d rate them in my order of preference as follows:-
RMK – Shiseido – Dior – Clinique – Chanel
None of them feel sticky on my skin and I have combination skin too. All work well for me except the Chanel which I don’t quite like. Of the lot, I think RMK is the least sticky. Dior too has very long staying power. If you have the time, the reviews of each foundation featured is clickable from the names and you can get an idea of what I think of them 🙂
I had this deluxe sample in my drawer for a year and I only started to use them early of this month!! #faceplam And I am very surprised that the foundation still work awesomely on my skin without giving me any breakouts!! I love how flawless and glowy my skin with this foundation. But it does give me a bit white cast under the flash. Nevertheless, it look wonderful real life ^_^
I’ve never tried RMK Makeup before, as i thought them to suit Chinese/ Japanese typed skin. Looks great on u! Since i love natural coverage, thought i shud gv it a try… Thanks for the review!
Chiming in late, but I’m considering this foundation as an alternative to my MUFE HD also in 110 (same with another commenter) and yes it is a little pink but the better match..another story. Paris, I saw on the ingredients list that this too has alcohol. Is it in much lower quantities than the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua & therefore passes ok in your books? If anyone can help with shade suggestions, that too wouldbe great. I’m thinking one of the two lightest pink shades…
My skin isn’t bothered by alcohol, Sharon so I’m sorry I can’t help you there. I can’t wear the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua because it oxidizes on me so the shade is wrong. Texture wise, I don’t have much to complain.
Wow! RMK has quite a good coverage! I thinking of trying this cause I saw so many good review about it! I think the only problem is the price! Quite pricy for a small bottle 🙁
It’s excellent! You don’t even need very much at all so a bottle can last ages. It’s definitely a foundation worth investing in 🙂
I’ll try and get it one day, maybe during promotion. haha