Rimmel London Wake Me Up foundation - True Ivory

The Rimmel Wake me up foundation is one that I have heard bloggers and youtubers raving about for so long now, it almost seemed that I owned it because I heard about it so often. It never really occurred to me that perhaps I could make an effort to pick it up because I was content with my Garnier BB cream for super light coverage, and my Maybelline Superstay Foundation for super heavy coverage. But then I realised that was exactly the problem, I had nothing in between.

Sure, it sounds stupid considering I have so many tinted moisturisers and other bits and bobs here and there but I was really lacking in a staple, medium coverage foundation for everyday kind of wear.

The only problem was, being the stingy person that I am when I saw that it was approximately $20 I didn't want to pick it up. After all, people overseas were talking about getting it on sale for $6! Then Chemist Warehouse had a half price sale and I came home $10 short holding this little beauty in my hands.

My first major concern was that it was a little too dark for me. It is, but with expert blending and a little bronzer here and there I haven't had too many difficulties working with it. I do tan oh-so-slightly in the summer, so I expect this shade will be ideal. It does oxidise the tiniest bit so I think picking up a shade that is slightly too light would be the better choice.

The next thing I was worried about was the underlying shimmer that seemed to be a selling point for most people in regards to this foundation. I am definitely into shimmery highlighters and eyeshadow, but shimmery foundation...not so much. I do wish that there was a little bit less of it because it is noticeable, however it hasn't been enough to stop me wearing it on an everyday basis and no one has mentioned it yet, so I think I am safe to carry on using it. I also think (actually I am sure) that it contributes to the youthful, glowy finish that it gives off, and I am not about to give that up any time soon!

I am only 16 so I hardly need younger, glowing looking skin but it's certainly not as though when I apply it that I find it looks greasy and overkill. It is a medium level coverage but with the addition of concealer I am able to achieve a gorgeous flawless finish that is healthy and not too powdery, obvious looking. The amount of compliments I have had (some people thinking I wasn't wearing a scrap of makeup at all) is just brilliant - I am holding on to this product with two hands!

When I wear this I avoid any highlighters or illuminators because it makes it too sparkly and rather than looking healthly and glowing it crosses that line and appears greasy and shiny. My favourite way to apply this is with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush, but it also looks lovely just using your fingers.

In terms of the packaging, the bottle is a lot smaller than I ever imagined it being, at 30mL. It is a lovely glass bottle with raised text along one side and then a label printed on the front. I am not really in love with the orange colour theme, but I guess it could be worse. The bright orange cap on the top is a strange shape that I don't really like, embossed with the Rimmel logo, as is the case with most of their products.

I absolutely love the fact that it has a pump because it is so much less fiddly than my Maybelline foundation that I have to fiddle around with until I get the right amount out.

This foundation photographs fairly well, certainly when no flash is used but can look a little sparkly when flash photography is the only choice at night. For special occasions or nights out I wouldn't use this, preferring a matte, higher coverage choice instead.

I can definitely see why this foundation is so popular and why so many people use it because it does 'wake you up' and give you healthy, glowing skin.

I give this wonderful foundation 8/10.

L-R: Unblended, slightly blended