The RMS Re Evolve Foundation was launched last year and has become a very welcome edition to the range. It joins the Un Cover Up which is the original complexion product and still one of my favourites, and the Un Cover Up Cream Foundation.
So how is it different?
When RMS launched over a decade ago, the green technology just wasn’t there. Yes there were great formulations with lovely ingredients – Un Cover Up is a testament to that; however textures and longevity couldn’t quite match the more ‘conventional’ products. The RMS Re Evolve Foundation is a great demonstration of how far green beauty has come.
The foundation definitely feels more ‘technical’ and promises 12 hour wear and water resistance, which is a first I believe in the green world – typically ‘natural’ foundations have had less longevity than conventional ones. Often it is the silicones that help a make up product to stay on and many of the natural brands will avoid them, so therefore the staying power of those products can be less. The RMS Re Evolve Foundation does not contain silicone which is really great.
It does contain Hydrogenated Polydecene which according to my trusty Beat The Micro Bead app is a sceptical microplastic – a synthetic polymer for which there is not enough information available for them to judge it either way.
It really is quite tricky to get the technicalities of this kind of foundation, with purely natural ingredients. The compromise is way better than what it used to be, but I think perhaps it might still be there for a while.
The RMS Re Evolve Foundation is also skincare infused containing Tightenyl which is a new ingredient that can help to firm, tone and smooth skin (apparently improvements can be seen in just 2 weeks – taken from the maker’s website not RMS). It also contains vegetable squalene and organic aloe as well as RMS’ signature Adaptogenic Herbal Blend bringing hydration and goodness to the skin.
When I first tried it on my skin it felt a little heavier than what I was used to – in its application and in its finish. However it is one of those looks better with time; it settles in to the skin and has an ability to make skin just look better… I applied it at the beginning of a session I was doing at Content; I popped to the bathroom a little later and had to take a second look at my skin as it looked way better than I had expected!! Almost a bit like a filter. I had a comment the other day when I was wearing it that my skin looked luminous which was obviously very nice!
I’ve been putting it on quite a few people during our Studio Sessions at Content – a real mix of ages and skin tones and it has looked great on them all. It gives medium coverage with a satin finish – at the beginning it feels more matt but as I said, it settles into the skin and blends with natural oils it gives a natural healthy finish.
How to apply the RMS Re Evolve Foundation
When applying foundation to other people I like to use a combination of a brush and fingers, on myself it’s usually fingers unless I’m making an extra special effort and then I’ll use a brush.
RMS recommend to use a damp brush or sponge with the Re Evolve Foundation. I’ve tried with fingers but feel the brush or sponge do give a better finish. The product ‘spreads’ on the skin better and a little goes a long way – one pump will do the whole face. I don’t tend to use sponges in general but I tried with one and the finish was great.
I find with fingers you need more product and it perhaps goes on with a fuller coverage but doesn’t sit so well on the skin. I have tried mixing it with the Radiance Locking Primer (see below) to make almost a tinted moisturiser which does work and I find allows a more ‘relaxed’ application.
I find I don’t need a powder with it, however an oilier skin might like a dusting down the t-zone.
Like with any foundation, skin prep is key. Make sure skin is well hydrated beforehand – foundations especially those without silicone can have a tendency to sit in dehydration lines. Try lightweight layers of plant based skincare rather than one thick cream.
Here is a video I did – I’m using shade 22 here – I’m kind of in-between 11 and 22 – I like to start from my nose and centre of my face as there is where I have the most redness and then build is slowly, building coverage where I need it. I did one side of the face first to give some comparison but would usually work on both sides together.
I find this is not really my every day foundation but the one I reach for when I’ve got a bit more time, or feel I need more coverage or have a longer day ahead. My skin tends to be on the dehydrated side so I find I have to really hydrate well before hand – the primer (see below) helps with application for sure.
The initial purchase of the RMS Re Evolve Foundation is £50 and from then you can buy the refill for £41
Ingredients – Water/Aqua/Eau, Isoamyl Laurate, C9-12 Alkane, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Silica, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Squalane (vegetable), Sodium Dehydroacetate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Lysine, Tocopherol (non-GMO), Magnesium Chloride, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Sodium Glucuronate, Beta-Sitosterol, *Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower Extract, Squalene (vegetable), *Hypericum Perforatum (St. John’s Wart) Flower Extract, *Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Leaf Extract, *Hemidesmus Indicus (Country Sarsaparilla) Root Powder, *Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, *Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Root Extract, *Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499). *organic
Re Evolve Radiance Locking Primer
I’ve also been using the Radiance Primer – this is beautiful on skin. It helps to lock in skincare and hydrate skin while adding radiance and also helping make up last longer. It contains the same magic ingredient Tightenyl as well as hyaluronic acid and vegetable squalane to really help boost skin.
It is almost a gel like consistency that blends onto skin in a really smooth application. It looks a little peachy but there is no colour on the skin so great for all skin tones. I apply with fingers. RMS recommend to use the primer after your sunscreen.
This again contains no silicone, however it does contain a few microplastics – Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyisobutene, Polyurethane-15, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloylddimethyl Taurate Copolymer.
As I said above, unfortunately the real long wear of makeup does come with these added ingredients.
The majority of primers on the market will contain a silicone – more often than not, a myriad of them. I’m not necessarily a fan of wearing a primer everyday because of this reason, but I do understand the reasoning behind it. I think it is about being aware of what is in your makeup products and then being selective about what you wear and when. For example – if you have a special occasion where you don’t want to worry about touch-ups, a long wearing primer can come in useful. The key is to then be aware of your removal – for the health of the planet remove with cotton pads and dispose in the bin (as opposed to washing down the sink), and then for the health of your skin do a double cleanse to ensure all product has been removed.
I feel that this Radiance Locking Primer is definitely bridging a gap between the natural world and that of ‘conventional’ longer lasting makeup. I guess it comes under the ‘cleaner’ umbrella rather than ‘greener’ (need to update some posts discussing this!!)
I think it is a great product to have in your kit if you find that makeup doesn’t last as long as you would like, it will also help with foundation application. I tend to reach for it when I’m feeling particularly dehydrated and my skin needs a boost. I nearly always use it when I’m wearing the RMS Re Evolve Foundation.
The primer is also refillable – the initial purchase is £39 and then refills are £32. The plastic component is 50% PCR (post consumer recycling).
Ingredients – Water/Aqua/Eau, Propanediol, Glycerin, Tricaprylin, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Polyurethane-15, Betaine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Polyisobutene, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Mica, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Squalane (vegetable), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Tin Oxide, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Copaifera Officinalis (Balsam Copaiba) Resin, Sodium Glucuronate, Magnesium Sulfate, Myrtus Communis Oil, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua (Galbanum) Resin Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491).
Contains Essential Oils at the following percentage: Bergamot 0.01%, Lavender 0.001%, Orange Peel 0.004%, and the Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil (Geranium) 0.008%
Have you tried the RMS Re Evolve Foundation or Radiance Locking Primer yet? What are your thoughts?
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