RMK Hands-on Workshop with Kosuke Wada

Yesterday, Kas and I attended the RMK two-hour workshop at Takashimaya with Mr Kosuke Wada, RMK's makeup artist from Japan.

At the workshop, we got to try out RMK's skincare range as well as their new limited edition Summer 2011 makeup collection, which includes Mix Colors for Eyes (Shiny) EX03 Purple and EX04 Green (S$62 each) and Mix Colors for Cheeks (Shiny) EX02 Coral Pink.

The participants were guided through the process of removing makeup using the Cleansing Milk C and Eye Makeup Remover. Next, we prepped our skin with the Skintuner Smoother, followed by the Extra Brightening essence and the new UV Face Protector SPF43. After applying the essence, one way of helping it to really absorb into the skin is to rub your palms together to warm them up and then press them against the skin.

A native of Kyoto with nine years' experience with RMK, Mr Kosuke Wada explained that by properly concealing the areas with flaws or discolorations and using the right primer, one only needs to apply foundation very sparingly. This allows the skin to show through and looks much more natural than piling on foundation all over the skin.

First, he primed the skin with a light layer of the Makeup Base. To provide more oil control, he applied the Smoothing Polished Base on the T-zone. The Smoothing Polished Base can also be used on top of foundation for touch ups in the middle of the day. To give the skin a healthy glow, he applied the Control Color N #1 on the cheeks and under the eyes. Next, he applied the Super Basic Liquid Concealer in light strokes around the eye area, down the nose bridge and on the chin.

After blending out the concealer with his fingertip, he used a sponge to apply the Gel Emulsion Compact on the areas that were not covered by concealer (i.e. cheeks, forehead, sides of the nose and jawline). One tip that he gave was to evenly coat the sponge with the Gel Emulsion Compact and then very gently dab it on with downward stroking motions on the cheeks. For the forehead, he used vertical motions moving outwards from the centre. He also avoided layering the foundation over the concealer.

Next, he applied the Pressed Powder N #1 by first blending all the four shades with the brush. To give an added glow to certain areas, he used the thin, lustrous strip that runs through the centre of the powder. He also added a bit of color to the cheeks by brushing on the pink shade.

Next, he used Mix Colors for Cheeks (Shiny) EX02 Coral Pink, blending all four shades by running his brush horizontally down the palette and then brushing it onto the apples of the cheeks and upwards towards the ears.

On the eyes, he used Mix Colors for Eyes (Shiny) EX03 Purple by first blending all four shades with a downward stroke of his brush and applying it as a wash over the upper eyelid with extra layering over the eye socket area for greater intensity. He applied the more shimmery shades in the bottom half of the palette along the lower lashline. To further define the eyes, he applied the Ingenious Waterproof Special Eyeliner along the waterline, filling in the gaps between the lashes.

On the lips, he used a Lip Crayon topped with a ultra shimmery Gloss Lips N.

The finished look was very fresh, pretty and elegant, an easy look for every day. When asked about his impression of women in Singapore, Mr Wada (who was on his first visit here) said that he found that there was a much greater diversity of makeup styles among the women here, as compared to Japan.


One product that I'm very tempted to purchase after trying it at the workshop is the Extra Deep W Mascara. Not only does it make the lashes look lush and long, it was also very impressive in keeping the lashes curled.

Instead of the usual method of applying the primer side followed by the mascara, the correct way to use the Extra Deep W Mascara is to first apply the mascara side, then layer on the fibre-filled primer and then finish by applying another layer of the mascara.

Overall, I found the workshop very instructive thanks to the detailed explanation by Mr Wada and the fact that he took the time to recommend products and give advice to each individual participant after hearing their concerns. Many thanks to RMK for the invitation!