Product Review: RMS Lip2Cheek

Few brands have popularity that radiates so strongly across both the natural-based beauty product world and the more conventional beauty world like RMS Beauty. For a long time, RMS was one of the only brands that could be classified as Green Beauty that dealt exclusively in color cosmetics, not skincare, haircare, or bodycare. Yet, it was only recently that I ever tried anything from RMS beauty. I came across an interview with the brand-founder Rose-Marie Swift and was taken by her passion about more “clean” formulations in color cosmetics both for their wholesomeness for the skin but also for their effectiveness in how they perform, so I was then persuaded to try a product and went with their “cult classic” so to speak, the Lip2Cheeks, the brand's lipcolor/blush hybrids.

I chose the shade Diabolique, which is probably the most famous of the colors. The shade almost looks like blackened mulled wine in the pot but can be applied sheerly with a few quick taps across the cheekbones to just look like a subtle wind-bitten, rosy flush. With more layering, it can be built up to a deep, blood-red hue. I like it either way, and this type of shade is my favorite blush tone but is not a color I see often. So this alone makes it something truly special.

But the formula is also great. Like all RMS Products, the Lip2Cheeks are Non-Gmo, soy-free, and gluten-free, making them—and the whole of the range—an excellent choice not just for those who love using more natural-based products, but also those with allergies or who have sensitive skin. RMS Lip2Cheek is largely coconut oil-based. The coconut oil is extracted through a process called cold centerfuge, the only kind of oil extraction that does not involve any heat whatsoever. Because of this, all of the nutrients of the coconut oil get applied to your skin. Though RMS does not test on animals, there is a small amount of ethically-sourced beeswax in this product that lends amino acids to the skin to strengthen its barrier against environmental aggressors. The color pigments in the Lip2Cheek come mostly from minerals, so this means (depending on the shade you choose), little to absolutely zero synthetics are used to produce the color. When synthetics have to be incorporated in order to get a specific shade, it is done at less than half of 1% of the formula and with food-grade synthetics approved by the FDA. But with the primary basis, or the exclusive composition, of each shade being mineral pigments, they will meld more seamlessly into the skin and mix with the skin's own pigments for a more natural-looking effect.

My favorite thing about this product is that it has a true cream-to-powder consistency. Even at the start, it is never truly wet-feeling-- more like, stiffly silky. It does go on the cheek with a nice glide and doesn’t set right away, so you have a few moments of playtime to get the color where you want it before it is stamped on, which can be hard to come by in a cream blush. The formula melts further with the heat of your finger as you swirl it around to blend it in. Though you can, I don’t recommend using these with a brush. They blend much more smoothly with the fingers. If you still want to use a brush, though, I'd suggest a synthetic-bristled one instead of one with natural fibers, as those tend to apply creamier formulas more smoothly without leaving streaks. Once the silky creaminess has set, the blush stays in place like a dream and doesn’t get sucked into my pores and do the disappearing act midday.

One downfall to this cream-to-powder texture, though, is that I don’t love it as a lipcolor. The finish looks lovely on the lips as does the color. I just find the wear over time too dry on my lips, but it does last a good while and leaves a pretty stain.

Overall, I would definitely buy this product again and recommend you try it for a great cream blush with buildable pigmentation, unique color selections, and that is made with good quality natural ingredients with sensitive skin in mind. This is an icon in the Green Beauty world for a reason. Currently, the Lip2Cheeks retail for $36 USD and are sold at Sephora online and the RMS website, Nordstrom, and many boutiques (like The Detox Market, for example) that specialize in carrying natural-based beauty lines.