Colours that shine with Iridescence from the Deep in the RMK Deep Iridescence Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection

Of all the seasonal collections cosmetics brands come out with, my favourite is usually the Autumn/Winter collections. These collections usually feature stronger, deeper colours that appeal more to my style, than pale light colours of Spring or warm colours of Summer. So with a name like “Deep Iridescence” you can imagine that the RMK Autumn/Winter 2012 collection quite appealed to me ;)

When I scanned the collection at the counter, it struck me that the only items that truly deserved the “Deep Iridescence” title was the eyeshadows and nail polishes. Both these items have a deep, dark base with a luminosity or iridescence, if you will, of light. The lip and cheek colours are complementary and I think that was a good idea. You can’t have everything deep, dark and vamp or it might as well be called “Gothic Collection” LOL!

I have here one of the eye colours, cheek colours and lip colour, the latter of which I find truly fascinating, so I’ll share my thoughts on these below. By way of preliminary observation, I just have to say that I found them… surprising.

Lets start with the RMK Deep Iridescent Eyes (RM110), a collection of 6 limited edition duo eye colours. Each eyeshadow duo comes in a single pan with the lighter colour in the middle and the deeper colour surrounding it.

Deep Iridescent Eyes 05 Iridescent Deep Green

Not too large as you can see but I find the colour surprisingly pigmented. I say surprisingly, because my previous experiences with RMK eyeshadows weren’t quite as inspiring. It could be that they tended to be the sheer, light colours so typical of Japanese brands and although I do like that style, I found that I preferred other brands formulations. This one however, is very good.

The colour is 05 Deep Iridescent Green, which to my eyes, look like a teal. The outer ring is a black based deep green that has less shimmer than the middle. RMK means for the colour to be used as the lid colour over the eye socket, with the middle, more iridescent shade, to be used layered over to create the light and contrast. I personally prefer to use the deep shade on the outer edges of my eye and the middle shade as the primary lid colour. Both are very pigmented and that brush included is stellar! Never toss RMK brushes that come in their compacts. They are truly amazing applicators.

Creamy Sheer Powder Cheeks 01 Rose

Compared to the eyes, the Creamy Sheer Powder Cheeks (RM130) is a much more muted offering. There are 4 colours ranging from 01 Rose, 02 Pink Beige, 03 Coral Orange and 04 Beige Brown and the powder blushes come as a duo with a split pan.

The one I have here is 01 Rose, which is a soft rose-red on one side and a pale highlighter on the other. The rose side is powder based and surprisingly quite pigmented. I didn’t expect it, but the minute I dipped in my brush, I noticed that colour was immediately picked up by the bristles, so be careful so you don’t overdo it. The highlighter side is a cream base that gives a glow and softens the colour somewhat. It isn’t shimmery or glittery at all which is great. It just gives that iridescence, hinted of in the name of the collection.

It is recommended that you apply the iridescent cream base first, and then top up with the powder colour. This allows the iridescence to glow thorugh the blush shade but I don’t do it that way, preferring to go the opposite. The cream side applies well even using a blush brush, so I usually just blend them both (it isn’t creamy so as to be liquidy and waxy, but feels quite dry and powdery) and apply to cheeks. Its quicker this way.

Here are the swatches of the items so far.

(1) Creamy Sheer Powder Cheeks 01 Rose (2) W Irresistible Lips 01 Gold Pink (3) Deep Iridescent Eyes 05 Deep Iridescent Green

As you can see, they are all quite well pigmented, with just enough iridescence without being shimmery or glittery. Japanese brands do these so well!

W Irresistible lips 01 Gold Pink

Now, yet another very interesting item in the collection – the limited edition W Irresistible Lips (RM90) which comes in 4 shades – 01 Gold Pink, 02 Soft Pink Coral, 03 Beige and 04 Deep Red . We have seen this before in other brands, I believe. The outer ring imparts lovely lip colour while the middle ring gives the gloss and shine factor to this unique lipstick. The difference is, this is RMK and their lipsticks are amazing stuff. I have a thing for Japanese lipsticks and these fit the bill perfectly – non drying, lovely colour, not too strong and very complementary.

I wasn’t expecting very much from these if I’m to be honest. Previous experiences with similar lipsticks left my lips feeling dry and the colour would apply patchily. I was however pleasantly surprised when swiping this on to find that it wasn’t so. Both colours applied smoothly to lips and blended very well, to the extent I couldn’t tell where one started and the other began. You can see from the swatch above, how the gold features in the middle of the swatch. The inclusion of the gold in the center is a nice touch, because it gives a lovely subtle shine right in the center of your lips, making them look more plump and luscious ;) Of the 3 items I’ve shown you from the Deep Iridescence collection, I’d say get this one because its really lovely and easy to use ;)

For the sake of completeness, the swatches on the relevant parts of the face :) You can see that the eyes are lovely and strong coloured, the lips as well, with that golden glow right in the center. The cheeks are sheer but it should be, to complement the rest of the rather strong look.

In a nutshell

The RMK Deep Iridescence Autumn/Winter 2012 collection is an interesting one. The eyes, cheeks and lips all feature an iridescent glow that is very flattering on skin, without looking overdone. The only truly deeply iridescent items are the eyeshadows and nail polishes which feature a blackened base and an iridescent shine of colour. The shadows are surprisingly pigmented, and I was very impressed with the Deep Iridescent Green which, after swatching all the colours at the counter, I feel is the prettiest of the lot. I found some of the others weren’t as impressive but I must say that these shadows work much better with brushes than fingers. The included applicator is a dream. Use it! ;) The lipstick too is something special and worth taking a look at. The cheek colour is pretty but if I had to only pick 2 items, I’d skip on the cheek colour. Coming from someone who loves blushes, that’s saying something! The other note I’d make is that the items are a bit pricey, but then, RMK has always been that way which is why their holiday palettes are usually an excellent deal!

Pros: Eyeshadow has lovely pigmented colour and iridescent shine without being shimmery or glittery, Brush included for cheek and eye is of very high quality, Lip color is not drying, applies smoothly, and is flattering as the gloss in the center adds a shine and plumps up lips, Sheer cheek colour imparts a glow to the skin

Cons: Pricey

Who will like this: Anyone who likes easy to use strong pigmented deep eye colours, Anyone who wants a creamy but pigmented and non drying lip colour with subtle shine

And so you know what the rest of the colours look like, here is a picture of the rest of the Deep Iridescence collection which I snapped at the counter.

For the eyes, I liked 05 Deep Iridescent Green but I also found myself drawn to 2 other colours flanking the green – 06 Deep Iridescent Gray (not gray at all! But a blackened gold with a gold iridescence – super pretty!) and wonders of wonders, 04 Deep Iridescent Purple (deep purple with lilac iridescence)

You can also see the new Creamy Gel foundation in the back in the round bottles. I picked one up too because I’m a sucker for foundation aren’t I? :P

Have you seen the Deep Iridescence collection? Does anything catch your eye?

I like that Japanese brands only do 2 major collections a year – Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter. This means the products are around for longer, and that I can actually have a think about what I want. It also means I don’t get sensitized to all the bombardment of new images and collections every other week. Agree? :)

Paris B

RMK Deep Iridescence Collection Availability: Parkson Pavilion and Isetan The Gardens and KLCC Prices: Deep Iridescent Eyes: RM110; W Irresistible Lips: RM90; Creamy Sheer Powder Cheeks: RM130; Nail Color EX: RM65; Crayon & Powder Eyes: RM144