Review and Swatches: Rimmel Apocalips/Show Off Lip Lacquers

Friday, May 24, 2013

A little over a month ago, I heard all my favorite UK YouTubers rave about the new Rimmel Apocalips lip lacquers.  As Rimmel London products obviously get to the UK first, I scoured the internet and figured out that I didn't have to wait for their US arrival because Asos sold them
UPDATE: I have Part Two review and swatches for Nova, Celestial, Stellar and Aurora!

The UK release had 8 shades, so I picked up four pretty different ones to play with. The only bad thing about Asos (and the Rimmel website) is that they don't list ingredients, so I couldn't tell if these were paraben-free. On Asos they're $7.62 each, so slightly more expensive than Rimmel products here in the US, but worth it for the first-look.

A couple days ago, I saw them on Drugstore.com, and turns out they are called Show Off here in the US. They retail for $5.49. On Walgreens.com, they're $4.99! Looks like there's 14 shades now.

Here's how Rimmel describes them:

Earth-Shattering Color

    For the first time, the intense, richer color of a lipstick is enhanced by a smooth satin shine
    Ultra-intense, ultra-comfortable – it lasts all day
    It's neither a lipstick... nor a gloss... it's BIGGER than both

The earth-shattering lip lacquer from Rimmel London combining the intense color of lipstick with a lacquer like shine, Show Off Lip Lacquer is an explosive make-up phenomenon that represents the end of color as you know it.  Packed with pure color pigments, its lusciously creamy, conditioning formula promises a never-before combination of color, shine and comfort that last and last.

What I Think: 

The Show Off/Apocalips lip lacquers apply very evenly. They have a candy-fruity smell like most Rimmel lip products and feel so soft and lightweight on the lips. I do feel like they're moisturizing.  As you can see from the swatches below, these definitely look like lipstick/gloss combo. As a girl who favors 1-step lip looks (lipstick + gloss is a pain sometimes), these are perfect. They last perfectly for 2 hours, but they are definitely not a stain. After more hours, they wear off but wear off evenly, not looking splotchy at all. 

I have not tried them with lipliners underneath, but that would be a great idea to extend their wear. I would definitely recommend applying these with a mirror for super precise lines around the lip.

Here's the bad news. Drugstore.com listed the ingredients and 2 parabens are listed: Methylparaben and Propylparaben.

So would I buy more shades now that I know what I know? Yes. I know I made the paraben-free rule for myself, but these are just too unique and cheap to ignore in my beauty life. I figure I can have a couple exceptions!

Doe-Foot Applicator Close Up
I absolutely love the doe-foot with that mini groove
Make sure you don't load up too much product!
I would recommend 2-3 light applications for a long lasting, pigmented lip

Here's some swatches!

 Top to Bottom:
Big Bang
Apocaliptic
Luna
Nude Eclipse

Top to Bottom:
Nude Eclipse
Luna
Apocaliptic
Big Bang


Nude Eclipse

I normally am not a nude lip kind of girl, but I had read on other blogs that this shade was actually super chic, and I agree! This color nude is wearable and doesn't make me look dead. 
I'll be wearing this with dark smokey eyes.

 Luna
Now this color is great for this summer! It's a great peachy coral. 
I will be wearing this a lot with bronzed peachy cheeks.
This color could look a little wrong (sickly) on some lighter skin tones. 
I could see this working amazingly well for darker skin tones. 

Apocaliptic
This is a rich deep berry pink. Very romantic. It'll be great for nights out, paired with a simple eye.

 Big Bang
Now this is the perfect red. No words besides "everyone needs this."
Hope you enjoyed! 
xo, Anaïs

All of the products I mention above I have purchased myself with my own money 
or they have been gifts from family and friends.

2 comments:

  1. your lashes look amazing!! which mascara are you wearing here?!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much! Eek, I don't remember! It may be one of the Lancôme mascaras I had some deluxe samples of, either Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes or Lancôme Hypnôse Star mascaras. Next time I'll write it down :)

    ReplyDelete

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