Rimmel Apocalips in Canada !

Retails for $7.97 CAD at The Great Canadian Superstore, Wal-Mart

After searching high and low for these in Canada, I FINALLY found them. By accident too.  So, ever since I heard they were launched in the US, I have been making trips to several Wal-Marts and Shoppers Drug Marts hoping to find them- all to no avail. Then one day while accompanying someone to Superstore, I stopped in the cosmetics section. I was disappointed when I did not see them initially. Although I did happen to find 2 tubes of Apocalips stuck in between some Rimmel eyeliners. Now if this were a TV show, I swear upon picking them up, there would be that cheery music going on the in background. So now that I knew Apocalips where somewhere, I went around the aisles like a mad woman, until finally, I found an entire display in its glory…at the back of the section. But anyways, there were all 14 colours that were introduced in Canada, along with testers. I tested all 14, and after much deliberation, I narrowed it down to 4.

The four that I ended up getting were 101 Celestial, 201 Solstice, 303 Apocaliptic and 401 Aurora.

A week later, I saw all 14 shades at Wal-Mart, although they were incorporated with all the Rimmel products with no separate display or testers.

Packaging: The packaging is unique in the sense that the tube is a gradient from black to the actual product on the inside, therefore showing you the colour and making it easy to see when it is almost finished. The top of the applicator is black and somewhat chiseled, making me think of icicles for some odd reason, although I like it. Another unique thing about the packaging is that before the product is first opened, there is a chamber between the product in the tube and the brush that is clear. After removing the brush for the first time, it fills up with product. The only problem I have with the packaging is that the name of the colours are written nowhere else other than on the bar-code sticker for the product, so if you decide to peel off the bar-code (which I usually do) then you no longer have an idea of the colour name.

First Application: Upon application, they were not sticky at all and the pigmentation was as promised, like a lipstick and very impressive. They were pretty opaque.  

Applicator: The applicator is a normal doe foot applicator, and it seems that the little grove on the applicator holds quite a lot of product which prevents the need to keep dipping into the tube.

Texture: They maintained that creamy sort of feeling for about an hour and a half until you really could not feel anything on your lips afterwards. These however were by no means drying, although I would recommend wearing a balm or similar underneath if you have dry lips or deep lip lines to prevent them from settling in to your lips and accentuating any lines.

Wear Time: Within about I would say by around 3.5 hours, I felt the need to reapply (less if you drink or eat).Where eating and drinking is concerned, there was definitely need to reapply after, although without reapplication you are left with a slight stain to your lips.

 101 Celestial

This is my second favourite that I purchased (after 303 Apocaliptic) mainly because it is a nice pinky nude. It is not extremely light and it works well on darker skin tones as well. I have a feeling that this is the sort of colour that will complement all skin tones actually. It is also a beautiful summery colour.

201 Solstice

Upon swatching this at the store, I failed to realize that there is a slight shimmer to this one as opposed to the other 3 I purchased. I am not the biggest fan of shimmer on the lips, but I did not really mind this colour. For darker skin tones, I feel this is a true nude, and on me, it looked like “my lips but better”. This colour seems like something that can be worn to work or with a dramatic eye to not look overdone.

303 Apocaliptic

This colour is definitely my favourite! Not just because it represents the product name. But the overall colour is absolutely gorgeous! It is this gorgeous fuchsia colour that can be built up to look extremely in “your face”! (Possibly why I love it so much). I can see this colour being perfect for work, or to add colour to a plain face and make it look like you put a lot of time into your makeup when you really didn’t. I also feel that the staining power is slightly better in this shade than the rest.

401 Aurora

This is probably my second favourite of the few that I purchased, again because of the brightness of the colour. This one is a super pigmented orange that could really brighten up a face with no to minimal makeup. This again, is a very summery colour, although I can see it being worn nicely in the Fall as well. After building Aurora up, I was somewhat reminded of Vegas Volt by MAC.