RIMMEL: Two RAVES and one REGRET.

- I've been using the Retinol since my last entry, and no real change yet.  I've been told it takes at least a month to show any benefit, if the Retinol is to improve the skin clarity, so we shall see.  No dryness or redness thus far, but no improvement either (which I didn't expect yet)

- I got my Nutrisystem and am actually pretty pleased.  I'll do another entry about my first impressions later, but it's definitely better this go around than last.  I picked an assortment of food that works better for me, and it seems the nutritional manner allows a lot more "additions" than it did when I tried this about five years ago!

- Haven't gotten the workout DVD's (see "What's Coming" entry for more info).  They're in the mail, set to be delivered Tuesday or Wednesday.  I'll do first impressions on those when they arrive.

NOW, ON TO THE MAKEUP!

As I've said before, until recently Rimmel has never been a "go-to" brand for me at all.  I snobbishly dismissed it as some "cheap" drugstore brand that would surely only have smudgy, poorly pigmented products, and they certainly wouldn't work for me.

LOL.  Ye of little faith.  rugstore products definitely aren't what they are back when I started wearing makeup.  These drugstore brands have to STEP UP THE GAME to compete with the department stores, and many of them are really starting to deliver.

Onto my first RAVE!

1. 

RIMMEL ROYAL GLOSS in "701" COOKIE.

(I've also tried this in "291" BUBBLE BLUSH and I hated it.  The taste was sickeningly sweet, like BubbleYum, which I loathe.)

This gloss is pretty sheer and is a lovely pearly nude.  So, it doesn't really add a ton of color, but it adds a gloss that is far more soft than sticky.  (I hate sticky gloss in the summer.  I turn my head and BAM, my hair is stuck to my mouth.  GROSS!)

Now, I'm really particular about the scents/tastes of my lip glosses.  I refuse to use anything that tastes like either fake fruit or bubblegum.  It's just disgusting to me, although I know that's completely personal taste.  This is called cookie, and it actually smells like a sugar cookie.  I adore it.  This is my third tube already, and I'll definitely repurchase again when it's done.  It's just an all around great gloss for summer that makes me feel refreshed without feeling as if my lips are overly done up.

RAVE NUMBER 2.

RIMMEL LASTING FINISH FOUNDATION.

Okay, the store with this one is this: Typically, I alternate between Clinique and Laura Geller for foundation.  Because my skin is acne prone, I only use oil-free foundation... but, because my skin is dry, these very foundations tend to make me look even drier.  Well, I ran out of Laura Geller, and due to poor planning wasn't able to order another in time (I can only get it online... don't have a place that sells what I use here!).  So, I made a quick trip to Walgreens to find any oil-free foundation that may tide me over until I could place a mail order.

I ended up grabbing two: a Neutrogena oil-free foundation (which was splotchy no matter how I applied it, UGH!) and this one from Rimmel.  OMG, love at first site, really!  It's oil free, which means it's not clogging my pores, AND it's moisturizing, which means it's not cakey on my dry face.  The coverage is probably best described as "medium" (which may be too heavy for some in summer, I understand) but is definitely buildable.  I usually build the foundation on problem areas to double as concealer, and it's fine.

There are two variations of this foundation: a "16 hour version," which I understand is being phased out and is thus easy to find cheap in most locations (I picked mine up at Walgreens for $3.99) and a "25 hour version" which is around $8 at Target.  I've used both and haven't noticed a ton of difference, although I didn't wear either for more than 12 hours, so can't attest to the 16 vs 25 hour claim.  I adore this foundation and am so shocked that it competes well enough with my Laura Geller that I haven't looked back! (And, my wallet thanks me)

One downside, though: the color selection isn't great.  And, if there are testers, use them.  The colors seem darker and warmer in application than they look in the tube.  Also, I wouldn't recommend this for oily skin, unless you set it with powder... and in all honesty, when I tested by setting with regular powder, it looked too heavy and just not attractive at all!  (Although, I do top it with something different, which I'll discuss in my next entry.  Such a tease!)

Okay, done with the good, let's go on to the one ZONK.

1. RIMMEL EXAGGERATE WATERPROOF EYE DEFINER IN OCEAN BLUE.

I had read reviews online that this liner "doesn't smudge" and "truly has to be removed with tough makeup remover".  Uhh, I object!  This was the smudgiest liner I've used in a while.  The color isn't heavily pigmented, and it didn't apply particularly evenly either.  I didn't even need soap to rub this off my eyes, let alone a full-on makeup remover!

Granted, that's not to say this product isn't good for anything.  If I'm doing a neutral color lid with a dark mascara, I could see myself using this faint blue as a smudged color under my lashes, just for a POP of interesting color.  I just can't see myself using this as a serious liner.  (But then again, we probably know by now I like my liner one way and one way only... black!)

Okay, that's it for tonight.  If you have a favorite Rimmel product, let me know... or if you've tried any I've mentioned, give me your thoughts.  Thanks for reading!