**How long?!**

I've used rimmel Stay MAtte foundation since I was 15 years old and i'm now 36! That's 21 years! ... 21 YEARS!!!!!!!! Wow! I can't quite beleive it's been that long, but fortunately its done me proud as my skin is still looking g'uuuuddddd *strikes a pose*

**Why Rimmel?**

I can't really remember how I got into buying rimmel. I had a bit of a mad spots phase as a teenager and with very little money, it was probably a choice made upon low price and something that actually didn't break me out in a rash. the cost has definately risen over the years but hasn't everything. Overall, Rimmel is still one of the well established but cheaper brands around, compared to say Maybelline or Max Factor. I think I tend to pay between £4-5 for my stay matte, and it lasts me a good 4-5 months.

If you have sensitive skin like me, are on a low budget and want a foundation thats not likely to disappear off the shelves any time soon, Rimmel is definately worth considering.

**Been around for years**

and so has the foundation.. haha!.... I think the fact i've been using it for 21 years, is testament to its longivity. I'm also not sure when the packaging changed and some of the colours disappeared - a few years ago now though. I used ' pale biscuit' for donkeys years and was absolutely devastated when I went to buy my foundation one time and not only did I have palpatations because I couldnt find what I knew to be my foundation - the colours were different as well as the packaging. The old packaging is as seen above. Pretty outdated now I guess in comparison to the new style packaging, but ohhhh I loved my pale biscuit!

At least they kept the ' stay matte' range though. My only problem for a while was discovering which colour I was going to choose. I'm still not aware of all the colours but I tried 3 and they were all pretty much similar so now when I go, as long as it says ' something beige' ... I'm ok with it. I tend to look for soft beige. There obviously can't be a huge different between the beige range because i've certainly not noticed it and i'm not always sure which one i'm buying anyway. I also don't think there even is a great range of colours because whenever I go to the stand, it's always the beige ones that are there, with very little else. I would say there is a choice of about 5 colours but thats a bit of a guess.

**Packaging**

The general feel to the packaging I feel is simplicity. Other than modernise the packaging, the feel is still natural natural natural. Beige in colour, brown font (green as well on the new tubes) - the old style tube above was very simple with a screw on off lid. The new style now is in a flat squeezy matt plastic tube, that would conveniently fit into a pocket or handbag easily. It's flatter now so not as bulky as the one in the picture. It's also better being plastic, as i've noticed alot of new and expensive foundations are in little glass bottles. That would be disasterous for me - one huge smash factor at some point.

The new style tube has a screw on lid now that has to click on to be secure, and click off. It's nice that it does that because it ensures against any unwanted spillages.

**Natural ingredients**

There is a certain nice feeling knowing that the foundation you are applying to your skin daily is full of natural ingredients. Chamomile is know for its skin calming properties, cucumber helps to clarify and cotton helps to control shine. Being as I have pinky peachy blotchy uneven skin tone at times (only have to cry and my face goes white and pink in blotches), this foundation does a good job of reducing any red areas I have around my nostrils. The bottle states ' up to 12 hours of natural shine control'. Thats a tad optimistic I think, but certainly from the time i've gone to work and home again, say 8 hours, and my skin is fine. I may have had to pat a few shines on the odd day if its gotten really hot or something, but not usually.

**Consistency**

Not too thin, not too thick. Thats not much help I know, but if I squeeze a small blob, probably the size of a tiny petit poi pea onto the tip of my finger, it will stay on and not run down my finger. Consistency is smooth and blends into the skin evenly and well........ as long as.......... you've washed and moisturised first! there have been times where i' haven't put any moisturiser on and my face has looked a bit patchy. Occasionally i've needed to exfoliate a bit and get rid of some dry skin perhaps. As soon as i've done that, the foundation goes on well. It's all about getting into a bit of a routine with it really and not skipping a step if you want the best results. Don't get me wrong, you don't have to go through a massive beauty routine at all , but definately nice fresh clean skin with it feeling smooth, certainly helps the application process.

**For Best results**

Apply moisturiser as it aids the blending process.

Don't try to smear it all over your face at once with huge blobs. It gets far too messy. Do a small section at a time. I tend to do my cheeks, chin, nose, then forehead. There is no reasoning behind it, other than its the routine i've got into.

If you notice patchy flaky skin, you need to moisturise!

If you are wearing this make up applied moderately to heavily, rather than lightly, you will probably notice some patches of shine. Keep a tissue handy to pat your face lightly, especially on a night out.

**Overall**

After 21 years of using this foundation, I'd be at a loss if it ever went awol. I haven't a clue really about other foundations, other than the odd ones i've tried out here and there when my own hasn't been available for whatever reason. This foundation also works well with rimmel concealer stick. I use ' sand' concealer stick as it works well with the beige tones. It's very good at hiding my slight non raised pinky birthmark on the end of my nose. So good that whenever people see me without make up they think i've banged my nose lol.

I only wear this make up lightly because I like to feel llike my skin can breathe. I would say the non shine advert comes in when only wearing the make up lightly. I've put extra make up on for a night out, and like previously mentioned, no make up is going to look bone dry in a sweaty hot nightclub when you are dancing or something.

I'm very lucky in that people comment on my skin looking nice. I've always put it down to making sure I take my make up off, using a mixture of either vitamin E moisturiser, oil of olay or johnsons lotion, facial tan wipes (occasionally) and my rimmel. It's DEFINATELY a great product and for my sensitive skin, has always protected it. Love it!