Hello there, lovely readers!
Let’s have a chat about makeup, shall we? For years, my bathroom cabinet was overflowing with products. I had lotions, potions, foundations, and concealers all promising to make me look perfect. But I started to feel a shift. I began to care more about what I was putting on my skin, not just the final result.
That’s when I discovered RMS Beauty.
If you’re into the world of clean beauty, you’ve definitely heard the name. It’s everywhere! From the pages of Vogue to the shelves of Space NK here in the UK. But with so many products, where do you even begin? It can feel a bit overwhelming, not to mention pricey, to try everything at once.
After years of testing (and absolutely loving this brand), I’ve whittled it down to my holy grail items. These are the five RMS products that live in my everyday makeup bag. The ones I reach for again and again, whether I’m just popping to the shops or heading out for a fancy dinner.
This is my personal RMS Beauty starter kit. No fluff, just the real products I actually use every single day.
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A Quick Word: What Makes RMS Beauty So Special?
Before we dive into the products, it’s important to understand why this brand is so beloved. It’s not just clever marketing.
RMS Beauty was founded by Rose-Marie Swift, a legendary makeup artist who worked with everyone from Miranda Kerr to Cindy Crawford. She started the brand after she experienced serious health issues that were linked to the toxins in conventional makeup. Shocking, right?
She realised that what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies. So, she created a line of makeup that is not only beautiful but also good for you.
Here’s what RMS stands for:
- Clean Ingredients: Their products are filled with raw, food-grade, and organic ingredients. They are famous for using coconut oil, cocoa butter, and herbal extracts. You won’t find any parabens, sulphates, synthetic fragrances, or nasty chemicals here.
- The “Living” Philosophy: RMS products are “living.” This means the ingredients are in their most natural, active state. This is why they sometimes melt in hot weather or need a good stir – it’s a sign of their purity! It’s a small price to pay for such quality.
- The “Glow”: This is the brand’s magic word. RMS makeup is designed to enhance your natural features, not cover them up. It’s all about that dewy, healthy, “lit-from-within” glow that everyone craves.
Okay, history lesson over! Let’s get to the good stuff.
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Product 1: The “Un” Cover-Up – My Secret for Looking Awake
What it is: A creamy concealer and foundation in one.
Let’s be honest, who wakes up every day with perfectly even, bright skin? Not me! The “Un” Cover-Up is, without a doubt, the product that got me hooked on RMS. It’s the cornerstone of my routine.
Why I Use It Every Day:
This isn’t a thick, cakey concealer that sits in your fine lines and shouts “I’M WEARING MAKEUP!”. It’s incredibly creamy and blendable. I use it to cover up any redness around my nose, any dark circles under my eyes, and the occasional blemish. It doesn’t mask your skin; it melts into it, becoming one with your complexion.
It’s also brilliant as a light foundation. If my skin is having a good day, I’ll just dab a little bit all over my face and blend it out for a perfectly even tone.
How I Use It:
- For Under-Eyes: I use my ring finger (it applies the gentlest pressure) to warm up a tiny dot of product. I then gently pat it into my skin, starting from the inner corner of my eye and working outwards. The warmth from your finger helps it melt perfectly.
- For Redness/Blemishes: I use a small, synthetic brush to pat a tiny amount exactly where I need it. Blending is key!
- As Foundation: I take a larger amount, dot it on my cheeks, forehead, and chin, and then blend it out with a slightly damp makeup sponge for a sheer, your-skin-but-better finish.
My Shade: I use shade 11 for my light skin with neutral undertones. RMS has a great shade range, and it’s worth getting matched at a counter like Space NK or using their online guide.
Pro Tip: Because it’s made with natural oils, it works best on moisturised skin. If your skin is very dry, it can cling to patches. So, always moisturise first! In the summer, if the product gets a little soft, I just pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes.
Where to buy it in the UK: You can find it at Space NK or Cult Beauty.
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Product 2: Lip2Cheek – Two Products in One!
What it is: A multi-use cream product for both lips and cheeks.
I am a huge fan of multi-tasking products. They make life easier and your makeup bag lighter! The RMS Lip2Cheek is a superstar in this department. It gives you a beautiful, natural flush of colour that looks like it’s coming from within.
Why I Use It Every Day:
This product is the definition of a healthy glow. On the cheeks, it gives a dewy, stain-like effect that no powder blush can replicate. On the lips, it provides a wash of colour that’s moisturising and never drying. The colour is consistent, so you always match. It’s perfect for the “five-minute makeup” routine.
How I Use It:
- On Cheeks: Again, I use my fingers! I swirl my ring finger in the pot to warm the cream, then smile and gently dab the colour onto the apples of my cheeks, blending upwards towards my temples. I build the colour slowly until I’m happy.
- On Lips: I use my finger or a lip brush to apply it straight from the pot. It’s so creamy and feels lovely on.
My Favourite Shades:
- Demure: This is my everyday, go-to colour. It’s a beautiful neutral pink that gives the most natural “just pinched” look. It’s impossible to overdo it, making it perfect for beginners.
- Illusive: For a bit more drama, I use this mauvey-berry shade. It’s gorgeous in the autumn and winter months.
Pro Tip: If you find cream blush tricky, try applying it after your concealer but before you set your face with powder. This helps it blend seamlessly into the skin without moving your base makeup around.
Where to buy it in the UK: Find it at Space NK or Cult Beauty.
Product 3: Living Luminizer – The Magic Wand for Glow
What it is: A legendary cream highlighter.
If there is one product that RMS Beauty is most famous for, it’s probably the Living Luminizer. This little pot of magic is the secret behind that famous “RMS Glow.” It’s been imitated but never, ever duplicated.
Why I Use It Every Day:
This isn’t a glittery highlighter. It’s a pearlescent, dewy glow that looks wet on the skin. It catches the light in the most beautiful, ethereal way. It makes you look healthy, awake, and radiant. I use it even on days I wear no other makeup. It’s that good.
How I Use It:
- Cheekbones: I dab a tiny amount on the highest points of my cheekbones and blend it gently.
- Inner Corners of Eyes: This is a game-changer! A tiny dot in the inner corners of my eyes instantly makes me look more awake and bright-eyed.
- Brow Bone: A subtle sweep under the arch of my eyebrow helps to define and lift the eye.
- Cupid’s Bow: A little dab on my cupid’s bow makes my lips look fuller.
- Collarbones: For a special event, I’ll even sweep some on my collarbones for an all-over glow.
Pro Tip: You need the tiniest amount! Seriously, just a light tap with your finger is enough for both cheekbones. This pot will last you forever.
Where to buy it in the UK: This cult product is available at Space NK and Cult Beauty.
Product 4: Buriti Bronzer – For a Sun-Kissed Look (Without the Sun)
What it is: A cream bronzer.
I am very pale. Powder bronzers often look orange or muddy on me. I gave up on them for years until I found the RMS Buriti Bronzer. It’s completely changed the game for me.
Why I Use It Every Day:
This bronzer gives colour and warmth without any shimmer or orange tones. It’s a beautiful, reddish-brown shade that mimics a real, natural tan. It looks like you’ve just spent a week in the Cotswolds (on a surprisingly sunny weekend!). It’s creamy, blendable, and adds a dimension to the face that makes me look healthier.
How I Use It:
I use this to add a little shape and warmth to my face. I take a small brush (a stippling brush is perfect) and apply it:
- Where the sun would naturally hit: the temples, the hollows of my cheeks (just below where I put the blush), and a tiny bit along my jawline.
- I also very lightly sweep it across the bridge of my nose and my forehead for a truly natural, all-over sun-kissed effect.
Pro Tip: The key with this, as with all cream products, is to start with a small amount and build slowly. It’s much easier to add more than to take it away! Always apply it after your base but before powder.
Where to buy it in the UK: You can find it at Cult Beauty and Space NK.
Product 5: “Re” Evolve Radical Setting Powder – To Lock It All In
What it is: A translucent setting powder.
“But wait,” you might say, “RMS is all about cream products and a dewy finish! Why would you need a powder?” I used to think the exact same thing. And then I tried the “Re” Evolve powder. It’s a total exception to the rule because it’s magic.
Why I Use It Every Day:
I have combination skin. While I love a glow, my T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) can get quite shiny by lunchtime. This powder is finely milled and silica-free. This is important because most powders use silica, which can give a white, chalky cast and settle into lines.
This powder is different. It sets my makeup perfectly, controls shine in my oily areas, and does it all without making my skin look flat, powdery, or cakey. It truly is “invisible.” It locks in my cream products while letting the glow from underneath shine through. It’s the best of both worlds.
How I Use It:
I use a small, fluffy powder brush and lightly dust this powder only where I need it:
- Under my eyes to set the “Un” Cover-Up and prevent creasing.
- On my T-zone to control shine.
- Around my nose and chin.
I avoid putting it on the high points of my cheeks where I want my highlighter and blush to remain dewy.
Pro Tip: The “press and roll” technique is perfect with this powder. Instead of swiping the brush, press it into the skin and then roll it off. This sets the makeup without disturbing the cream products underneath.
Where to buy it in the UK: Find this miracle worker at Space NK or Cult Beauty.
How I Put It All Together: My 5-Minute Everyday Routine
So, how do these five products work together? It’s simpler than you think!
- Skincare First: I always start with a clean, moisturised face. My current favourite moisturiser is from REN Clean Skincare, a brilliant UK brand.
- The Base: I apply the “Un” Cover-Up wherever I need coverage.
- Colour and Warmth: I dab on a little Lip2Cheek in Demure onto my cheeks. Then, I add a light wash of the Buriti Bronzer for shape.
- The Glow: I apply the Living Luminizer to my cheekbones, inner eyes, and brow bone.
- Set and Go: I lightly dust the “Re” Evolve Powder under my eyes and on my T-zone. Then, I apply a little more Lip2Cheek to my lips, and I’m done!
This routine gives me a polished, healthy, and natural look that lasts all day.
Final Thoughts
Switching to RMS Beauty has completely changed my relationship with makeup. I no longer see it as something I use to cover up. I see it as a way to enhance my own features and give my skin a healthy, radiant boost.
My starter kit of the “Un” Cover-Up, Lip2Cheek, Living Luminizer, Buriti Bronzer, and “Re” Evolve Powder gives me everything I need for a beautiful, simple, and clean everyday look.
If you’ve been curious about clean beauty or about RMS, I highly recommend starting with one or two of these products. See how they make you feel. I have a feeling you might just fall in love with them, just like I did.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! Have you tried any RMS products? What are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions: Your RMS Beauty Starter Kit Queries Answered
I get so many lovely messages and questions about my RMS Beauty routine. It’s fantastic that so many of you are curious about making the switch to cleaner makeup! I’ve compiled the ten most common questions I’m asked to help you on your journey.
Q1: I have oily skin. Can I really use these creamy, dewy products without looking like a greaseball?
A: This is probably the number one question I get! I completely understand the concern. The key is all about strategic application and setting. While RMS is famous for its glow, you don’t have to be shiny everywhere.
- Focus the glow: Only apply the super-dewy products like the Living Luminizer to the high points of your face (cheekbones, brow bone, cupid’s bow). Avoid placing creamy blush or bronzer on your already-oily T-zone.
- Your Secret Weapon: This is exactly why the “Re” Evolve Radical Setting Powder is in my kit. It’s silica-based, which is a miracle worker for absorbing excess oil without looking chalky. Lightly dust this only on your oily areas (forehead, nose, chin). This will lock your makeup in place and control shine, while still allowing the glow from your cheekbones to show through. It gives you the best of both worlds.
Q2: How do I know what shade of “Un” Cover-Up to choose without being able to test it in person?
A: Online shade matching is tricky, but not impossible. Here’s my advice:
- Understand Your Undertones: First, figure out if your skin has pink (cool), yellow (warm), or a mix (neutral) undertones. Look at the veins on your wrist under natural light. If they look bluish, you’re cool-toned. Greenish means warm-toned. If you can’t tell, you’re likely neutral.
- Use Online Tools: Websites like Cult Beauty and Space NK have excellent shade-matching tools and often provide very detailed descriptions (e.g., “for light skin with neutral undertones”).
- Watch Reviews: Search on YouTube for “RMS Un Cover-Up [shade number] swatch.” Seeing the product on someone with a similar skin tone to you is incredibly helpful.
- When in Doubt: If you’re stuck between two shades, I often recommend going for the slightly lighter one. A lighter concealer is great for brightening under the eyes, and you can always warm up the rest of your face with bronzer.
Q3: The products sometimes seem separated or oily in the pot. Is it expired?
A: Absolutely not! This is actually a sign of its quality and “living” nature. Because RMS uses raw, unrefined, and organic oils (like coconut oil), they can naturally separate or soften with changes in temperature, much like natural peanut butter.
- The Fix: Simply use a clean spatula or the back of your nail to give the product a good stir. In the summer, if it becomes very soft, you can pop it in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to firm it up. This is completely normal and means you’re getting a truly pure product.
Q4: How long do these natural products actually last?
A: This is a crucial point. Because they are preservative-free and use natural ingredients, they have a shorter shelf life than conventional makeup. Most RMS products have a Period After Opening (PAO) symbol on the packaging (a little jar with a number and ‘M’).
- Typical Lifespan: This is usually 12 months (12M) after you first open them. It’s a good idea to write the date you opened it on the pot with a sticker.
- Trust Your Senses: After this period, always trust your nose and eyes. If the smell changes (becomes rancid) or the colour looks off, it’s time to replace it. The good news is, because you use such a tiny amount each time, you’ll likely finish them well before they expire!
Q5: Can I use these products if I have acne-prone or sensitive skin?
A: Generally, yes! The fact that they are free from common irritants like synthetic fragrance, parabens, and silicones makes them a fantastic choice for sensitive skin.
- The Coconut Oil Caveat: The one ingredient to be mindful of is coconut oil, which is a key component in many of the creams. While it’s non-comedogenic (meaning it doesn’t clog pores) for many people, for some it can cause breakouts.
- Patch Test: If you know your skin is reactive to coconut oil, you might want to patch-test a product first (try a small amount on your jawline for a few days). Alternatively, focus on the powder products like the “Re” Evolve Powder, which are oil-free. RMS also has a fantastic Oil-Free Foundation that is specifically designed for oily and acne-prone skin.
Q6: What’s the best way to apply these cream products? Fingers, brushes, or a sponge?
A: You can use all three, and each gives a slightly different finish!
- Fingers: My personal favourite. Your body heat warms the product, helping it melt seamlessly into the skin for the most natural, skin-like finish. Perfect for the “Un” Cover-Up, Lip2Cheek, and Living Luminizer.
- Brushes: Use synthetic bristle brushes for cream products (natural hair brushes absorb more product). A small, dense brush is great for precise concealer application, while a stippling brush gives a very airbrushed, blended effect for blush and bronzer.
- Sponge: A slightly damp beauty blender is excellent for sheering out the “Un” Cover-Up if you want to use it as a light foundation all over. It gives a flawless, hydrated finish.
Q7: Is the RMS “glow” suitable for mature skin?
A: It is exceptionally good for mature skin. Powder makeup can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, making them more noticeable. Cream products, like those from RMS, behave completely differently.
- Why it Works: They sit on top of the skin without emphasising texture. The dewy, luminous finish reflects light, which has a softening effect and can make the skin look plumper and more youthful. The hydrating oils can also help to nourish drier, more mature skin.
Q8: This seems like a lot of money for a few products. Is it really worth the investment?
A: I see it as a shift in perspective. You are not just buying makeup; you are investing in the health of your skin.
- Ingredient Quality: You are paying for ultra-pure, organic, food-grade ingredients that actively nourish your skin while you wear them.
- Concentration: A little goes an incredibly long way. The pots are small but densely packed with pigment and product. My “Un” Cover-Up lasts me over 6 months with daily use. When you break down the cost-per-use, it becomes much more reasonable than many drugstore products you might use up quickly.
- Multipurpose: Products like the Lip2Cheek eliminate the need to buy a separate blush and lipstick, which can help justify the cost.
Q9: Can I layer powder products (like my usual blush) on top of these creams?
A: You can, but you might not want to! The beauty of this system is the cream-on-cream finish. However, if you want to intensify colour or set things in place, the order is key.
- The Golden Rule: Always apply your cream products first (concealer, blush, bronzer, highlighter). Then, if you wish, you can lightly dust a matching powder blush or bronzer on top to lock the colour in place. Finally, use the “Re” Evolve Powder only where you need to mattify. Applying powder under a cream product will cause it to patch and not blend properly.
Q10: I’m used to full-coverage matte foundation. Will this look provide enough coverage for me?
A: This is perhaps the biggest mindset shift. RMS Beauty is not about full-coverage masking; it’s about skin enhancement.
- Adjust Your Expectations: You won’t get a flat, perfectly airbrushed, Instagram-style filter face. Instead, you will get a healthier, more radiant version of your own skin. It’s about letting your freckles and natural skin texture show through while neutralising redness and darkness.
- You Can Build It: The “Un” Cover-Up can be sheered out for a light tint or built up to a solid medium coverage on spots and areas that need it. It provides enough coverage to make you look put-together and even, but it will never feel like a mask. Embrace the glow and the realness—it’s far more beautiful and modern
