~~Introduction~~

Having exhausted all other possibilities in my recent lipstick endeavour (quickly dismissing most brands as lacking in originality and excitement), I once again found myself marvelling at the colour offerings in the Rimmel section. There's no denying that the new 'Colour Show Off 'range is incredibly eye catching and by all accounts, consumer seductive, but like most things in life looks aren't everything so I was pleased to discover that my purchase was of more value than just an initial colour induced magnetism, but also incredibly effective in its purpose. The 'Colour Show Off' range not only sports great depth of colour in my opinion, but also has a quality that could arguably rival even the most luxurious of brands like for example, Christian Dior.

~~Packaging and pricing~~

Rimmel's usual lipstick casing design, whilst well made, is often bland and lacking personality in my opinion. With a bright metallic pink casing and gold central ribbon the "Colour Show Off" has almost certainly been given an upgrade in terms of Rimmel usual plain and simple styling. There's been some real attention to detail here, with the inclusion of ribbed spheres around the lid that are not only visually appealing, but also make removing your lid a much easier task even with hands smeared in slippery foundation.

The price is fair in my opinion, retailing at around £6 depending on where you go (£2.49 0n Amazon, bargin!); it's not exactly a bank breaker and less than half the cost of those elitist brands that sport about the same quality of product.

~~Use and opinion~~

The range has twelve different shades, with variations of dark and bright reds, pinks, oranges and one that can only be described as borderline purple. The emphasis here is on high end fashion, catering to those young and trendy fashionista's in pursuit of that all important "London look". I spent a good 45 minutes examining the range in a 'spoilt for choice' consumer like daze, and having had the opportunity to test them all, I would argue that most have a retro flavour and all a timeless sensibility that make them a suitable purchase for every age range or style requirement. Contrary to how long I had actually spent bedazzled by the range my ultimate decision was actually quite hasty and prompted more by the sudden paranoia that someone might consider me lurking and as such a potential shop lifter, than it was driven by any ability to pick a definitive favourite. Most of the colours in the range are rich, bold and as equally tempting in my opinion. Rimmel boast claims of "pure colour intensity" and "unsurpassed colour richness in any light" which I think is a fair and correct description. I chose "Kiss Me" in the end; it's a colour choice that has not left me disappointed.

"Kiss Me" is one of the more orange colours in the range. Sounds a little off putting on paper and would perhaps be better described as a deep, vibrant peach, though even that is not entirely an accurate description. It's fair to say that "Kiss Me" is an unusual and unique colour; it's by no means overly eccentric but never the less, one that is often pointed out in a positive way by those looking to add that little something different to their make-up bag. In terms of skin tone suitability I don't think I'd be out of line suggesting that "Kiss Me" is likely to suit most. I have a very pale complexion and the lipstick never looks out of place sat alongside it, though I would say that the contrast of tan looks particularly striking.

Application is made simple and hassle free by nature of the products moisture content, which is incredibly well balanced. It's not as greasy as a gloss but by the same token it's not as drying as a long lasting matt effect lipstick, just an ideal combination. I find that it glides evenly and effortlessly across my lips without bleeding into lines or highlighting cracked/chapped lips. My lips feel hydrated, instantly replenished and the product bares just the right amount of moisture to give the deceptive impression of slightly plumper lips, which is always a bonus. It has a smooth finish that fills in creases rather than highlighting them, this makes your lips appear plumped but flat in terms of texture. The colour thankfully stays true its original 'in case' appearance unlike a lot of other lipsticks that I find tend to distort or lack the same richness when applied. Making a mistake is easily remedied with a quick wipe which means no sore lips and no having to scrub the overlapped area. The only downside to this lipstick is its durability. Though it does last a fair few hours, it's also one that needs bit of topping up at times and certainly won't last to the same consistency with which it were applied. It's a sacrifice you make with a moisture giving lipstick in my opinion, and one that I am more than happy to make given the high quality of the product.


All in all, the range has been a Rimmel triumph in my humble opinion. The colours are all intense, bold, memorable and some even a little unique. The lipstick is easy to apply, rehydrating and flattering to both the shape of your lips as well as the quality of your skin. The price tag is reasonable and affordable, which allows you to experiment a little more in the range. I would happily recommend this product and would certainly purchase it again.

~~Also written on ciao under the same user name~~