How to apply RCMA foundation

I’ve been wanting to write about the RCMA products for a good while now. It’s one of those “scary” products, meaning that when you first purchase it, you might feel like you got a little too big for your britches! I certainly did. I knew their foundation palettes were super legit but I felt mad intimidated by them. Now that I’ve gotten into my RCMA groove, I can help you too!

how-to-use-RCMA

I purchased both of the RCMA VK Palettes, both #10 and #11, (I just call them Shinto and KO), for use in my freelance makeup kit. These foundation palettes are by far the easiest and most lightweight way to ensure you can match anyone’s skin tone and I mean it. I’ve used these palettes for skin tones that range from very pale to very, very deep.

What is amazing about this formula is that it’s 50% pigment. That’s right-fifty! Traditional liquid foundation contains 18-23% pigment so that should help put things into perspective. Because of this, they can be thinned down to create tinted moisturizers, used with a damp beautyblender as I like to personally do for my dry skin foundation look or just straight up as concealer! Talk about bang for your buckaroo, boo.

Another baller feature of the RCMA formula is that it is fragrance free, contains no animal extracts, mineral oils or lanolin. It is simply wax, pigment and vegetable-based oil. I love a good pure formula!

The colors are what took me longest to get used to as there’s a bit of a learning curve. This chart helped me a lot! To simplify-the VK #10, or KO palette, has more neutral to slightly pink/red undertones. It also has some great deeper shades.

The VK #11, or Shinto, contains the more yellow and olive based shades. The Shinto palette has a bit more versatility in my opinion as it contains some amazing cream contour shades in the last row. I used them here.

Finish-wise, a little bit goes a long way and they melt into the skin, appearing truly second-skin-like. They are formulated to look and wear flawlessly under HD film and video, making them an excellent formulations for your brides and other photographed clients.

Definitely watch my video tutorial for more in-depth application instructions. I hope that this makes you feel a bit more confident about using this awesome line of professional makeup. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask! 🙂


Products featured
RCMA VK Palettes
Paw Palette
beautyblender Pro
Metal spatula
RCMA No Color Powder
RCMA Cream Cheek Color Palette




22 Comments

  1. megan

    07/01/2015 at 4:04 PM

    Does this make up last ALL day even on oily skin?

    1. Ivy Boyd

      07/06/2015 at 9:32 AM

      Hi Megan! When used with a primer and setting spray, yes! I have dry skin but with oily skinned clients, I use a more mattifying primer and the Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray. Hope that helps! Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂

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    11/12/2015 at 8:42 PM

    […] show how to use the beautyblender Pro to apply cream foundation as well as cream blush in this post and video below. Thanks for reading and I hope this […]

  3. Stacey

    02/12/2016 at 5:41 PM

    Great video, I definitely had buyers remorse after purchasing the 5 series to test out before I splurged on the Shinto and Ko palettes for my kit. Thinking about getting the pro Beauty Blender too now!

    1. Ivy Boyd

      02/12/2016 at 5:46 PM

      I’m so glad it was helpful, Stacey! I had a client the other day who was really concerned about looking like she had foundation on so I used 2 drops of the RCMA Thinner, which I don’t always do, and it was beautiful. I love how customizable it is.

  4. Ana

    03/10/2016 at 11:17 PM

    What type of primer do you use ?

    1. Ivy Boyd

      03/11/2016 at 1:08 PM

      I use a primer depending on skin type. For dry types, I love Embryolisse. For oily or textured skin, Smashbox Photo Finish, Pore Minimizing, or Murad Invsiblur. Thanks for reading/watching!

      1. Claire

        01/16/2018 at 9:53 PM

        Hi, I have recently started using RCMA and I have combo skin but my face turns into an oil slick a few hours after I put my make up on. I have been using the Becca mattifing poreless primer however I have been having issues with my foundation “falling off” and looking patchy in places like my chin where I’ve never had issues before as well as my nose and t zone. I set with setting powder pressed into my foundation with a blending bulb the way Wayne Goss does it as well as setting with skindivina setting spray. What else can i do to prevent this?

        1. Ivy Boyd

          01/20/2018 at 12:08 PM

          Hey Claire! I am a dry girl myself but I definitely use this foundation on oily clients. I might have you try a spray primer. This way, it primes without adding an emollient layer like a moisturizing primer or silicone based product. LimeLight makes one that I’ve had good luck using on models on shoots. I noticed when I used this, I didn’t have to touch her foundation up during an 8 hour shoot. http://bit.ly/2mcU0TY

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    03/08/2017 at 12:55 AM

    […] interested and I’ve reviewed it extensively here. I chose LimeLight because it’s the RCMA foundation I’ve used exclusively in my kit for 4+ years, original MAC formula eyeshadows, the […]

  6. Dawn

    09/30/2017 at 1:57 PM

    I know this post is VERY OLD but…This is a wax based formula… So, with that being said, water and wax DO NOT mix! So a damp beauty blender is NOT going to work. Unless you are spraying it down with finishing mist. Also, primers will cause separation as well. I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. If it did work for you like that for long wear, you’re very lucky.

    1. Brittany

      10/20/2017 at 1:42 PM

      Dawn, you aren’t the first I’ve seen say not to use a damp sponge but I’ve seen many makeup artists recommending it for smoother application… damp meaning they removed all water, squeeze until no water is coming out.. so I’m confused as to which advice to follow..?

      1. Ivy Boyd

        10/20/2017 at 1:45 PM

        I am a bit of a rebel I guess. I have had great luck and beautiful results applying with a damp sponge on myself. With my dry, sensitive skin it works wonderfully. It is a damp sponge but in no way is it soaking wet. I also do enjoy this foundation applied with a buffing brush, which is now how I apply it to clients. You can apply it with your fingers as well! RCMA shared my application video on their Facebook page so I assume that they approve of my non-traditional method as well. Thanks so much for reading, both of you.

  7. Kierstin

    03/11/2018 at 8:42 PM

    Can I use this foundation mixed with almost any moisturizer to make it just a tiny bit more sheer?

    1. Ivy Boyd

      03/12/2018 at 11:04 AM

      You are so smart! Yes you sure can! I do that a lot on clients who don’t need a lot of coverage, either by mixing with a moisturizer or facial oil. Thanks for reading and commenting!

  8. Gracie

    04/13/2018 at 8:43 AM

    Hi Ivy, Thanks for this massive info. 🙂 Of all the blogs I’ve read discussing about RCMA, i think this one is the most helpful for me. Just one clarification about Kierstin’s query, is it really fine to mix it with a moisturizer on a mixing palette? I’m just a little bit concern to use this for those clients who have very dry skin. I would like to try it but I don’t want to look stupid afterwards if it doesn’t turn out right. Thank you! 🙂

    1. Ivy Boyd

      04/19/2018 at 1:24 PM

      Hi Gracie! That means so much to me that you found this post helpful! I love talking about RCMA! Yes, it’s such a nice foundation because it’s so customizable. I mix with Embryolisse, the RCMA thinner or various skin oils for a more sheer finish. For dry skin, as I have, I just make sure to hydrate really well with something like Embryolisse beforehand. I hope that helps! Thank you for reading!

  9. Claribel T.

    07/08/2018 at 9:28 AM

    Do you still use a beauty blender to apply this foundation? A beauty blender is water based and rcma is oil based, water and oil do not work well together as they separate. I noticed toward the end of the video I could see your freckles on your forehead peaking through apposed to when you first applied it that’s all. This was a great video though very helpful.

    1. Ivy Boyd

      07/08/2018 at 8:41 PM

      Hi Claribel! Yes, on myself. I don’t apply to clients that way as it’s not sanitary. Though RCMA contains 1 oil-castor oil, it is best described as a waxed based foundation. I have no issues applying with a damp (not wet) beautyblender because my skin is really dry and could use the extra hydration. I find it can be applied successfully with fingers, a damp sponge or a brush as long as the skin prep is solid. Thanks for reading/watching!

  10. Connie Teeters

    01/17/2020 at 8:47 AM

    For the people asking about primers. Isn’t it true with this type of foundation you CANNOT use a silicone-based primer?

    1. Ivy Boyd

      01/21/2020 at 11:40 AM

      Great question! While you’ll typically find the answer to be no, I have used a silicone-based primer very strategically to minimize fine lines and pores and had no trouble applying this over it. I would just use very little and only where needed.

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