Sun-kissed Skin (Rimmel Lasting Finish Minerals Loose Powder Foundation)

Member Name: cyberem78

Product:	Rimmel Lasting Finish Minerals Loose Powder Foundation
Date:	28/05/09 (188 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Mineral rich and good for skin. Provides even coverage and healthy glow.

Disadvantages: Messy to use. Brush is too short.

I was recently sent a free full sized sample of this new Rimmel powder foundation as part of the company's promotional campaign to endorse the product. It's actual retail price is around £7 to £8 and it is available at all major chemist chains like Boots and Superdrug as well as supermarket chains selling the Rimmel brand.

The product comes packaged in a neat little box which holds the plastic case of the powder and a mini application brush. Information about the powder and it's benefits are listed on the outer packaging. The powder boasts a lot of 'free' claims: it is oil, preservative, talc and fragrance free! The brand promise this powder will provide up to 12 hours of wear.

The plastic pot has a screw top lid which feels very sturdy and which is easy to take on and off. When you open the lid the inner portion of the case is fitted with a built in plastic sheet which has holes punctured into it. It looks a little like a pepper pot! The idea of this is that you take the lid off then shake the powder into the lid. The lid has a built up rim of around 12mm so you can be sure that you aren't going to spill any over the edges. A couple of taps on the edge of the case and a generous sprinkling of powder is dispersed. I like to tap the powder out as I need it though or else I'm left with excess in the lid which can't be returned to the case.

I find the whole method of doing this slightly messy and fiddley. The case becomes quite dusty all over the inside of the lid and around the edge of the case where you screw on the lid. I have never wanted to put this into my handbag incase plumes of powder escape from the edge of the case. There is a little plastic tab that you can plug into the holes in the plastic inner layer which stops powder coming out during transit but nevertheless the powder seems to end up all over the case just through normal use. I have racked my brains thinking of ways to improve the design and actually can't think of any better way, however, so perhaps this is the best that a make-up company can produce right now?!

Anyway, I have the shade 'True Nude 303' which is one of the darker of the shades available. It has a reddish tint to it which means it's good for tanned skins or for those who need a healthy glow.

I have been reading lots of buzz about how this new design of mineral rich powder foundation is THE latest thing to have for super looking skin. According to make-up professionals and relayed to me by the ever so honest articles in my beauty magazines, mineral make-up reflects light and does not clog up the pores of the skin, allowing you to achieve a healthy, natural looking glow. In theory it sounds amazing and certainly the idea of putting a mineral rich substance on my skin is quite appealling to me. It sounds like giving your exterior the equivilent of a vitamin tablet!

I at first tried to use the supplied 'Kabuki' brush to apply the podwer. I found the brush to be uncomfortable to hold - the stem is too short and makes me feel like I'm just stubbing the brush at my face. So I then used my own brush after this. The powder is easy to collect on the bristles - it has a very soft, feathery texture. I do need to tap off the excess before softly sweeping the brush over my skin. I find that the powder spreads evenly over the skin and does NOT look patchy. It gives quite thick coverage which means that it has the same benefits as a liquid foundation and pressed powder combined.

The appearance of the powder on the skin is good. The powder is definately light reflecting although it does not sparkle like some light-reflecting products do and merely seems to glow. It reminds me a little of Piz Buins's tan intensifier. It has the same effect as seeming to make your skin look healthy, slightly sun kissed and well maintained. The powder takes away greasy shine and replaces this with a cool, iradescent glow. It also feels very nice on the skin - soft and fawny and not at all heavy.

I do not really agree that the powder provides cover for up to 12 hours. The powder's consistency is so soft that it does seem to rub off my skin more than my usual product pressed powder does. Re-application is necessary for the freshest, just-applied look.

Overall I'm quite pleased with the powder although I really don't like the mess the powder makes when you have to tip it into the lid before use. I also find this time consuming and a bit of a hassle if I'm in a hurry. I also frequently find that I've got excess powder left in the lid which I just throw away. The powder looks good (although for less than the 12 hours promised) and provides a beautiful finish on the skin.

Check out:

www.rimmellondon.com

for more information.

Summary: A mineral rich powder foundation worth trying.