New from RMK - Gel Emulsion Compact

Can you guess what my latest RMK purchase is? I love the Alice in Wonderland style messages on their product packaging.



Yes, it's the new Gel Emulsion Compact! RMK's base makeup products are among my very favourites and I've never used a foundation that I liked better than their Liquid and Creamy foundations, so I had to try this compact foundation when I saw it on lookfantastic.







Ideal for dry skin, this gel-based foundation glides on easily - I'm not usually a fan of compact foundations as I find them difficult to apply and blend, but this is very easy to apply for a sheer, even finish using the sponge that comes with it. As with the Liquid and Creamy foundations, what I most love about it is the way it seems to melt into my skin and not look at all obvious on. If you like a dewy finish, this is a good option and I found it very comfortable to wear all day (if your skin tends to be more oily or requires something less hydrating, then the Liquid Foundation would be a better option).

Choosing foundation online can be a gamble unless you know your shade - I chose 201 based on what I wear in the Liquid and Creamy foundations and though it looks a bit pink in the compact, it is a perfect match for me.

RMK is no longer available in Ireland but can be found on lookfantastic, where this Gel Emulsion Compact is priced at £33.

Kiehl's comes to Dublin

The news that Kiehl's was coming to Dublin caused me great excitement when I heard it and I couldn't wait to get into town to visit the shop when it finally opened at the start of the month. I've always loved the Kiehl's shops whenever I've been in the US and have tried and liked quite a few of their products before now, so I was looking forward to trying even more of them now that they were finally accessible.

My first impressions of the shop were very good. Prices are not horrifically high compared to the US dollar or Sterling prices and the staff are friendly and helpful without being in your face if you just want to browse. My purchases were packed into a reusable zipped plastic cosmetics case, which I imagine is an introductory thing:



I picked up Creme de Corps (€31 for 250ml), Açaí Damage-Repairing Serum (€43), Baby Lip Balm (€10) and Lip Gloss in Goldenberry (€16).



I was very kindly asked what type of products I'd like to sample and opted for haircare, since I haven't used any of their haircare products before. The sales assistant also added in the body scrub, which she said was a favourite of hers.



I'm particularly impressed with their recycling programme - bring back 3 empty Kiehl's containers and get 3 deluxe samples; 3 more and get another 3 deluxe samples; 2 more on top of that gets you a free Lip Balm #1 and 2 more again will bag you a free full-size Liquid Body Cleanser. Okay, you'd have to buy a lot of Kiehl's products to begin with to snag yourself all those freebies, but if you are a fan then it's a great way to reward your recycling efforts!

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream

Despite the fact that I'd just picked up a tube of La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF30 a few days previously, I couldn't resist trying Shiseido's latest sunscreen when I saw it on the counter at the weekend. I like the protection levels the Anthelios gives, but for everyday use it's not my ideal - it leaves me looking quite shiny, so that powder is a necessity and it also feels like sunscreen on my skin. Fine for occasions when I want to ensure I'm being protected, such as when I'm spending a long period of time outdoors, but for normal everyday wear, I want something closer to a moisturiser with the added benefits of UV protection.

And after 4 days of wear, Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF30 certainly seems very close to ideal. It applies like a moisturiser, sinking into the skin with no stickiness. My skin is dry at the moment and I apply sunscreen over a hydrating serum and so far it seems very comfortable - I don't get the dry feeling when I cleanse my face at the end of the day that I sometimes get with other sunscreens. There is a light fragrance, but nothing too annoying. The finish isn't completely matte; my skin looks dewy but not in a way that actually requires makeup to tone it down. I have yet to try applying foundation over it, but based on the way my skin feels and looks, I would guess this will also work well as a base for makeup (there was no problem when I applied the Armani Blushing Fabric over it).

As I'm only a few days in, I'm cautious in declaring Urban Environment to be The One, but given that congestion often appears very early when my skin doesn't like a sunscreen and has yet to bother me in this case, I'm feeling positive. And priced at €33 (€35 for the SPF50 if I remember correctly), this is still in the price class I feel comfortable with for everyday skincare.

Here are the ingredients:

Summer shades from Armani Beauty

I paid a long-awaited visit to the beauty department in Brown Thomas today; it was the first time I'd been in since before the baby was born. I mainly wanted to see the new Armani Tokyo Corals collection, as well as the Blushing Fabric, but sadly none of the products were in stock, due to the delivery going to Cork instead of Dublin.

I did get to play with the testers, however, and came away with a generous sample of the Blushing Fabric in shade 3 - a lovely peachy pink (don't pay any attention to the shade descriptions on the Armani website - as usual they are way off). This blends beautifully to leave a wash of colour and the tiniest dab is all you need, so even though the tube looks small for the €35 pricetag, it will last forever.

It looked like only some of the Tokyo Corals testers were out, but I did like the look of Shine lipstick in shade 54, a nice bright summery pink. The lollipop pink and coral nail polishes were absolutely gorgeous and perfect for glossy summer manicures and pedicures.

Let's hope that delivery finds its way back to Dublin some time soon!