REVIEW: Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick

hi everyone!
i saw the Rimmel London Kate Moss Lasting Finish lipsticks on sale at Shoppers recently and i couldn't resist. regular price at Shoppers was $6.99 but they had a "buy 2 for $7.00" sale so i went home and did a little research on the shades. after thinking long and hard, i decided to buy shades 08 and 12 (it's too bad that the lipsticks don't have any names!)

there are currently 15 colors available - a few are quite daring; i don't know anyone that rocks a dark purple everyday. i think 7 colors were released first (last year) and Rimmel have expanded the collection since then. there were a few colors i also wanted to try especially since i want to find a nude lipstick that doesn't wash me out (03 or 07 maybe?). i guess i went the safer route and bought the two colors that i liked and have seen swatched often.
the lipsticks come in a sleek black case with the Rimmel brand around the middle and the crown on the slanted top (similar packaging to their other Lasting Finish lipsticks).

the lipsticks are 4 g each and have their distinctive Rimmel scent (the sweet fruity smell). they glide on super easily and leaves a shiny finish. they feel quite moisturizing for a lipstick. however, if you apply it with a lip brush it is more drying so you will probably want to run a gloss over it. they have lasted quite a few hours for me but doesn't survive eating and all that.

quick shot of my bare lips (in artificial lighting):

first up is 08 which is a somewhat nude color that has a pink base (? i really don't know the proper lipstick terminology).

i took pictures first in artificial light, but found that the bathroom lights made the lipstick look a lot different than it actually was so i have also included pictures taken in natural light.
as seen here, the artificial lighting made it look more coral-ly than it actually was while the natural light gives you a much better idea of the actual color. i find this color complements my skin tone. it is definitely a shade that you can wear comfortably everyday that gives you just enough color to make you look awake.

top to bottom: 08 in artificial light; in natural light

aside from searching for the perfect nude, i was also looking for the perfect coral. i have made plenty of attempts and my search has been futile. to me, "coral" means a soft orange color but my previous contender - a Maybelline Superstay 24 Color - disappointed me (more on this later!)

anyways, here is 12 - it looks like a darker orange but i figured that it might look different on me since my lips are quite pigmented.

in artificial light, the orange looks quite bright but in natural lighting, it is much more toned down which i really like. this one is a fun summery color that i'd personally wear all year round.

top to bottom: 12 in artificial light; in natural light

i figured that since i took pictures in both types of lighting, i'd do it again for swatches on my arm:

left to right: 08, 12

top to bottom: artificial light, natural light

overall, i love the color payoff of these lipsticks - super pigmentation! i'm excited to try more but i keep finding myself overloaded with lip products but continue to purchase them anyways... if i find them on sale again, i probably won't resist (again). :)

LUXE BOX: April 2012

the Luxe Box arrived on the first of may - which i was actually surprised about since Loose Button sent it out so late in the month. apparently they upgraded shipping for the west and east coasts to make up for it but i don't see anything different on the box and the Canada Post tracking info still says the same "Expedited Parcels".
anyway, i am glad i actually got the item i reserved for the First in Line program fiasco. as mentioned at the end of my Topbox post, i wasted a lot of time on it. so a quick summary of the process in April:
Thursday, April 19
- program was supposed to start at 12 pm EST but was not active
- Loose Button began addressing the issue maybe an hour later
- some people finally able to log in and reserve a product, but not all
- Loose Button suspended program temporarily and decided to send emails out instead for people to reserve time slots; once you pick a time slot, you will receive an email with a password to log in during that time
Friday, April 20
- was sent the time slot email at around 2 am EST; quickly reserved a time slot for next day between 3-6 pm EST
- did not receive email with password so sent Loose Button an email inquiring about this
- received an automatic reply that the company will be responding to emails over the weekend
- received my password at around 7:30 pm EST; First in Line program was no longer active
Saturday, April 21
- around 11 pm EST, received an email saying that they noticed i haven't reserved a product
- surprisingly, i was still able to reserve an Essie nail polish

the choices for April's First in Line program included: an Essie nail polish, Seche Porcelain, Bobos Remi leave-in conditioner and Panty by Post. i found the last option interesting but i did not feel i had enough time to do a little research so i went with what i knew.

after all the kerfuffle (first time ever typing that word and finding that is how it is spelled - nice!), April's samples are:

1) Essie Nail Polish in "793 Pink-a-Boo" - yay actually got what i reserved. i heard plenty of issues of people not getting what they reserved on Facebook so i was a little scared. i believe this color may be too sheer for me though since it is a very light pink color. it is super sparkly though - with purple and green glitter from what i can see; i got a little dizzy when i stare at it too long trying to pick out the colors of the sparkles. i will have to do a swatch for you later since i just put on the Misa nail polish from Topbox yesterday.
i Googled the color and found out that this polish is part of the Essie Resort 2012 collection. it's pretty exciting that it is brand new.
size: 13.5 mL (full size!)... card says 15 mL
retail value: $8

-- update 05/07/12 -- so i got around to using this polish and here are the results:
with 1 coat; natural light - super sheer. you can only see the glitter.

with 2 coats; natural light - you can see a hint of pink.

with 3 coats; natural light - i can still see my nail ridges but i think this is a nice soft pink. i think 4 coats would also be great.

i tried to do a close up here; first in natural light and then in artificial light.

my nails feel smooth (you can't feel the tiny glitter particles) and dried really quickly between coats! i didn't smudge them at all this time! hooray!

2) Orlane Perfect Complexion Treatment Foundation in "Beige 23" - the sample itself was quite small - the box was much larger because it also held a pamphlet in many languages. i had to take the picture at an angle because the box was super reflective.
the daffodil pin was attached to the top of the box.

i used to think that since i am Asian, that anything "Beige"-y would be similar to my skin tone. thank goodness i figured that one out (don't think Loose Button did though). as you can see, i tried it first on my hand and it already appears really dark. since some of the products in the past have also appeared dark but blended really well, i tried to do the same thing with this one. it definitely didn't blend into my skin - i put some on my face and found that this is to be used as a liquid bronzer instead.
size: 3.5 mL
retail value: $60 (50 mL)

3) Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Shampoo + Conditioner - these came in the same cute black pouch that held the perfume sampler pack thing a few months ago. i like how they are in bottles rather than the style of the samples to be mentioned in like two seconds. i can't give you a review on these just yet since i alternate days where i wash my hair and i am just in between.
also i can already smell the product without even having to open it and it smells quite nice.
size: 50 mL each x 2 = 100 mL
retail value: $6 (375 mL) each

4) Fekkai Advanced Salon Technician Colour Care Shampoo & Conditioner - another shampoo and conditioner sample in the same box? i would have preferred a little more variety... and yet again with the hair products for coloured hair. what is going on with that?? as already mentioned several times, this sample packaging is terrible. you should open these before jumping in the shower because hands with any type of moisture will leave you extremely frustrated. at least we got 2 samples? :/
size: 9 mL each x 4 = 36 mL
retail value: $28 (236 mL) each
see #5) for pic

5) Fekkai Advanced Salon Technician Colour Care Rapid Results Moisture Mask - i have never used a hair mask before so i am interested as to how this will work. will update you soon on this.
size: 8.6 g each x 2 = 17.2 g
retail value: $45 (198 g)

since April is Daffodil month, we received a daffodil pin to show support for those affected by cancer. it is too bad we received this in May! i am glad that Loose Button is involved with the Canadian Cancer Society though. overall, i am mehh about the box. my favorite is of course, the Essie nail polish even though it may not show very well on my nails. nothing else is super exciting but i will probably use every single item in this box.

check out my link to Loose Button on the right if you are interested :)

GLOSSYBOX: April 2012

it's MAY already!!!!
well hooray for arriving yesterday so it counts for being in April i guess. hopefully the delay back in March does not continue to carry forward in the upcoming months.
you know how i was astonished at how heavy the March Glossybox was? well this one was even heavier! it was almost 1 kg (960 g to be exact).
upon first glance, i realized why this was:

pretty full hey?
aside from the products, the black envelope contained a note from Glossybox with the products list and a Wella Professionals brochure (as well as a bonus sample which i will mention later).

Glossybox's April samples:
1) Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer - first off, full size! and it's huge! it has all the things i look for in a moisturizer: SPF, oil-free, non-comedogenic... hooray! i was about to run out of my current Nivea Light Moisturizing Day Care which is really hydrating and works all day for me.
it's funny though, i received a sample of the same Aveeno moisturizer as a gift in my last Beyond the Rack purchase but the difference is that it is SPF 30. i checked their website and you can purchase this product in SPF 15 or SPF 30.
i used this moisturizer today and i already like it. it is lightly scented and makes my skin super soft. one pump is the perfect amount for my face and neck.
size: 120 mL (full size!)
retail value: $22.99

2) Elizabeth Grant Skin Care Shower Gel in "Madagascar Vanilla" - another full size product! i used it today and i actually feel that my skin is softer from it. "Madagascar Vanilla" has a really strong vanilla scent to it which makes me feel like i am showering with cupcakes. i don't use shower gels often so i don't think i will be purchasing this item again but i will however use this until it is finished.
size: 240 mL (full size!)
retail value: $20

3) Wella Brilliance Conditioner Fine to Normal - i found it odd that i received a conditioner without a shampoo but heard that many received one in Glossybox Canada's very first box (which i missed out on) so that makes sense for them. oh well, i am always running out of conditioner faster than shampoo. this product says that there is "diamond dust" in it - what? i am not sure what that means and how would that work? won't this dust just wash out? ingredients actually include "diamond powder" (as the very last item)... interesting.
i am also a tad confused as to why i keep being sent hair products for "Fine to Normal" hair or for "Colored" hair when i have the opposite - thick uncolored hair.
size: 30 mL
retail value: $13.99 (250 mL)

4) Wella Brilliance Treatment Fine to Normal - again, diamond dust? i wasn't too sure as to how to use this treatment since there were no directions on it but someone on Facebook asked the same question. Glossybox replied saying to use it after shampooing and leave in it for 5 minutes then rinse. so i skipped my normal conditioner altogether and found that my hair is indeed softer after using this. both Wella products smell very sweet, like candy.
size: 25 mL
retail value: $13.99 (150 mL)

5) Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara - yes you counted right, this is the 3rd full size product in the box! i am glad to try any mascara that can claim to give me a "lash-extension look without adding extensions" (you can see why from my posts on my actual experience with mink eyelash extensions) but i am still using my previous YSL mascara sample from February's Topbox. i will update you when i can!
size: 9 mL (full size!)
retail value: $12.50

6) *bonus* Marcelle BB Cream Beauty Balm in "Light to Medium" - BB creams are all the rage right now so it is nice to try a sample of Marcelle's version. it is a one-use sample that is apparently "formulated especially for Canadian women". it has an impressive list of 8 beneficial properties.
size: unknown - one-use sample
retail value: $22.95 (45 mL)

phew! that was indeed a big box. i am quite happy with Glossybox - i would say Topbox and Glossybox are my top 2 beauty box subscription services. i can use all the samples in the box and am impressed with the sizes of these products. if you are interested, check it out here.