I’ll be honest. Most "clean" foundations are kind of a nightmare. They either separate on your face by noon, smell like a salad dressing, or have the color range of a box of crackers. But the RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up Cream Foundation is a different beast entirely. It’s the evolution of a cult classic. Rose-Marie Swift, the legendary makeup artist behind the brand, basically pioneered the "no-makeup makeup" look decades before TikTok made it a personality trait.
For years, people obsessed over the original "Un" Cover-Up in the little glass pot. It was great, sure, but it was really a concealer first. When RMS launched the full-on cream foundation version, it felt like the brand finally grew up. It’s richer. It’s more pigmented. It’s essentially a skin treatment that happens to hide your redness and that one stress breakout you’ve been picking at.
What Actually Is the RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up Cream Foundation?
If you’re expecting a liquid that pours out of a pump, you’re looking at the wrong product. This is a thick, concentrated cream. It comes in a glass jar. It feels heavy in your hand, which I personally love because it feels like you actually got your money’s worth.
The formula is built on a base of cold-centrifuged coconut oil. This is a big deal. Most brands use heat to process their oils, which kills off all the good nutrients. Rose-Marie is a bit of a stickler for "living" ingredients. Because it’s oil-based, it doesn't just sit on top of your skin like a mask. It sinks in. It mimics the natural oils your skin produces, which is why it looks so much like actual skin.
The Texture Debate
Is it greasy? Some people say yes. I say it depends on your prep. If you slather on a heavy moisturizer and then put this on top, you’re going to look like a glazed donut in a bad way. But on a clean, slightly damp face? It’s magic. It has this bouncy, emollient quality that makes your skin look hydrated and expensive.
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The Reality of the Shade Range
Let’s talk about the colors. RMS used to be notorious for having about five shades, all of them very fair. They’ve fixed that, mostly. The RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up Cream Foundation now comes in a much wider variety, but the numbering system is still a little weird if you're used to Sephora’s standard "Light-Medium 22" labeling.
- The "000" and "00" shades are for the truly porcelain-skinned.
- The "11" and "22" shades are the sweet spots for most light-to-medium skin tones.
- They’ve expanded into the 99s and 122s for deep and rich tones.
One thing to keep in mind: because of the mineral pigments and the oil base, the colors can look a bit different in the jar than they do on your face. They warm up. They meld. Don't panic if it looks a half-shade off in the pot; give it five minutes to settle into your skin chemistry.
Why the Ingredients Actually Matter (For Real)
We talk a lot about "clean beauty," but half the time it’s just marketing fluff. With RMS, it’s about the chemistry. Beside the coconut oil, you’ve got wild-crafted buriti oil and organic jojoba oil.
Buriti oil is packed with Vitamin A and Beta-carotene. It’s basically nature’s retinol. When you wear this foundation, you’re technically doing skincare. I’ve noticed that when I wear this for three days straight, my skin actually looks better when I take it off at night. That’s rare for a foundation. Most of them leave me feeling congested and gray.
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Avoiding the "Clog"
Coconut oil is comedogenic. There, I said it. For some people, this foundation is a one-way ticket to Breakout City. If you are extremely acne-prone and sensitive to coconut derivatives, you might want to skip this. However, for those with dry, dehydrated, or "mature" skin (I hate that term, let's call it "experienced" skin), this stuff is a holy grail. It doesn’t settle into fine lines. It doesn't emphasize texture. It just glows.
Application Secrets: Throw Away Your Sponge
Stop using a Beautyblender with this. Just stop.
The RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up Cream Foundation is designed to be applied with your fingers. The heat from your skin melts the waxes and oils, making it spreadable. If you use a cold, damp sponge, you’re fighting against the formula. You’ll end up with a patchy mess.
If you absolutely hate using your hands, use a dense, synthetic buffing brush. Something like the RMS Skin2Skin Foundation Brush is designed with staggered bristles to mimic finger application. But honestly? Your ring finger is your best tool here. Tap it on, blend it out. It takes thirty seconds.
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How It Holds Up in the Real World
This isn't a 24-hour, "I’m going to a wedding in humidity" foundation. It’s a "I want to look like I drink three liters of water a day and sleep ten hours a night" foundation.
The Mid-Day Check-in
By hour four, you will have a glow. By hour eight, you might have a shine. This is where people get frustrated. If you have oily skin, you must set this with a powder. Use the RMS Tinted "Un" Powder if you want to stay in the family, or just any light translucent powder. Focus on the T-zone. Leave the cheeks dewy.
The Price vs. Value Proposition
It's not cheap. You’re looking at about $50 for a 1oz jar.
But here’s the thing: it’s incredibly concentrated. You need a tiny amount. Most people use way too much foundation. With this, a pea-sized amount covers your entire face. A single jar can easily last you six to nine months, even with daily use. When you break it down like that, it's actually cheaper than buying three bottles of drugstore foundation that you end up hating.
Common Mistakes People Make
- Over-moisturizing: As mentioned, this is an oil-based cream. If your skin is already slick, skip the facial oil before applying.
- The "Swipe" Method: Don't swipe it across your face like you're painting a fence. Tap it. Press it.
- Wrong Lighting: Mineral pigments are tricky. Check your face in the car mirror. If it looks "floating" on your skin, you haven't blended it enough.
- Ignoring the Shelf Life: Because it lacks the heavy synthetic preservatives of a traditional foundation, you can't keep this for three years. If it starts to smell like old crayons, toss it.
The Verdict on RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up Cream Foundation
Is it for everyone? No. If you want a matte, "flat" finish that covers every single freckle and pore, stay away. This foundation has an opinion. It wants your skin to look like skin. It wants to show off your natural flush.
But if you’re tired of foundation that looks like a layer of drywall, this is your answer. It’s sophisticated. It’s healthy. It’s the kind of makeup that makes people say "your skin looks amazing," not "your foundation looks amazing."
Actionable Next Steps
- Identify your undertone: RMS shades lean slightly yellow/golden, which is great for neutralizing redness but can be tricky if you are very pink-toned.
- Sample first: If you can get to a Credo or a Sephora, get a sample. Wear it for a full day to see how the coconut oil reacts with your pores.
- Prep properly: Use a gentle exfoliant the night before. Cream foundations love a smooth surface.
- Minimalism is key: Start with less than you think you need. You can always add a second layer to areas with more pigmentation.
- Set it right: If you’re worried about longevity, use a setting spray before and after application to sandwich the oils and keep them in place.