Let's talk Green

....Cosmetics that is! So I recently discovered RMS beauty. Created by Rosie Marie Swift, her products are all natural and organic. So basically all the good for you stuff and none of the carcinogenics, fillers and what not. I quickly set about tracking down where to buy her brand and stumbled across spiritbeautylounge.com (not affiliated). They have a lovely offer of your pick of any 9 samples + coupon for $10.00 off your next purchase of $40 or more for $25.00usd. I decided why not give it a whirl and this way I could try a bunch of RMS products so I ordered: living luminizer, Lip2Cheek in muse, modest, and smile, Lip and Skin balm in simply vanilla and simply cocoa, Lip gloss in moment. I also got a sample of organic perfume, Sexy Angelic by Honore de Pres.



I was actually rather surprised with the amount of the samples as they are quite generous. With natural/"green" cosmetics since there are no fillers, a little goes a long way. I think these samples will last me at least 2 weeks of daily use.


I definitely think I may need the full size of the illuminator, which gave a lovely subtle glow..(though sometimes too subtle). But I do like how it gives an un-makeup, well moisturized skin look. It does not scream "look ma! I'm wearing highlighter!" which I like. I have NARS coppacabana, which is nice, but at times I find that it's a bit too shimmery for my liking.

I also think the lip2cheek products are quite brilliant and may need a few of these! I definitely love modest lip2cheek. It gives me a nice just pinched cheeks look without aggravating my naturally slightly rosy cheeks into looking like I have a bad case of sunburn. Smile is also a nice peachy pink, a nice to have kinda color, but I think I like modest more. Muse, on the other hand, I found pointless as it didn't really show up on me as blush or highlighter, though I guess it'd make for a nice nude lip look.

As for the lip and skin balm, the scent is rather faint on both which is fine. I don't think I like using this on my lips as I do find that it doesn't really moisturize and leaves my lips feeling dry again. It would be nice to use under lipstick as it isn't slick and it absorbs quickly into the skin. I do like using this to sheer out the lip2cheek and give a more luminous "glow" though.

Lastly, the lip gloss. I like the colors as they are rather universal and are more of a lip "stain" as they aren't particularly glossy. It seems like a more slick, colored version of the lip and skin balm. I do find it eventually sinks into your lips and just leaves a nice tint of color on my lips. I'm not particularly sure why this is called a gloss as it is nothing like a gloss in my opinion. I definitely like moment which looks very brown toned rosy in the pot, but on my lips it's a gorgeous my lips but better shade. Bloom was a nice soft, nude pinky shade on me. I wish it came out more like it looks in the pot, a nice medium pinky peachy shade.

Quick look using the living illuminator, Modest lip2cheek on cheeks, lip and skin balm on lips, and a dash of mascara. Voila!

Indoors next to window..it kinda washed out the color :(

Final Thoughts: While I don't think I'd toss my current stash to go all green, I definitely think I will be picking up a few RMS products. I do find that the final look is very subtle, natural, and fresh, something I have been striving for and working on perfecting. Though the one downfall is that I feel I do need to re-apply as it does fade somewhat quickly, but I may just need to tweak how much product I apply and what not to see if it makes a difference. Also the price point is a little painful as all the products are 7g and range from $25-$38.

FOTD 12.28.10

As requested by Olives, here's a look I did using Illamasqua Katie blush. I hope this is helpful :D

On my face I used JANE IREDALE-Latte pressed powder foundation. It's a tad dark on me so I lighten it with PHYSICIAN'S FORMULA - SPF powder in translucent medium.

Next on my eyes I used MAC-Bare Canvas as a base then applied the lighter side of NARS -Melusine duo to just above crease. Then I took the darker side (purple) and applied to crease/lashline. Mascara and done.

On my cheeks I used a little bit of EDWARD BESS- daydream bronzer and applied ILLAMASQUA- Katie to the apples of my cheeks

Lastly I finished up the look with a little bit of NARS- Risky Business gloss.

Overall I'm not quite sure how fond of NARS Melusine I am. The lighter side is unfortunately too cool on me and I feel like it makes me look more sallow than I am. Or maybe it could be the terrible lighting?? Any thoughts?

Senna Cosmetics

Let me start off with saying Senna is such an underrated brand! It's sad it's not talked about more! I remember first finding out about Senna when I was in college. The Macy's downtown had a Senna counter and that's where I got Senna's kabuki brush, a blush in Charmed, and a gloss in Kissy. Then one day it was gone and I was heartbroken because my in-law's dog had chewed through my makeup bag and got my kabuki, which was the softest thing ever.

Fast forward to today where I am a web shopping aficionado who doesn't have the time or patients to deal with snotty sales people or crowds. First of all, I was impressed by Senna's quick shipping at a reasonable cost of shipping and handling...unlike some places ***cough**nordstroms**cough*** Also their CS is fantastic because they respond quickly and courteously. I also love how they keep you informed every step of your package's way to your doorstep.

Anyhow, on to the good stuff. I ordered the feather brush #15, the full size kabuki ($25), and the new blush in hue...but the goodies don't stop there! I got gwp of a FULL SIZE glisten powder in peachie, a FULL SIZE lip scrub + spatula, and a big bag of skincare samples!!! This totally made my day.

So onto my thoughts........

The kabuki isn't quite what I remember..it's not as soft and it's a little "poke-y". I wonder if there's a difference between the kabuki and the mini kabuki brush, and if I had the mini vs the full size before. Hm.....Anyhow, the feather no.15 brush is really soft, though I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but just swiping it along my eye, it feel fabulously soft.

The lip scrub is Aaaaaaaamazing! The pot is rather tiny, but you only need a tiny bit and your lips are flake free and feel oh so plush after the scrub. It smells really nice too, a nice vanilla-y/foody sent.

The blush is hue is lovely as well. It's yet another nude, everyday kinda blush to add to my collection. I can never have too many of those! It compares to my NARS Doceurs blush, but when swatched it looks to have much more pinky tones that the NARS which swatches on the nude/brown tone side.

The glisten powder is in the shade peachie. Such a pretty pinky peachy shad. It looks really shimmery in the pan, but don't worry you won't look like a disco ball when you put it on your face. It just gives a nice subtle ethereal glow.