There is something about the products you discover in your early beauty years that never quite leaves you. They hold a certain nostalgia, tied to late nights watching tutorials and convincing yourself that with the right tools, you could absolutely become a professional makeup artist by the weekend.

For me, the RCMA VK11 Palette sits firmly in that category.

I can still picture myself rushing home, opening YouTube, and watching Wayne Goss with complete devotion. He had that quiet authority that made every recommendation feel like gospel. When he spoke about brands like RCMA and Graftobian, I was already halfway to checkout. Naturally, this palette felt like the obvious place to start.

 

Why I Bought This Specific Palette

At the time, I was completely convinced I was on the path to becoming a professional makeup artist. This palette felt like a rite of passage, something that signalled you were serious about your craft rather than just playing with makeup at your bedroom mirror.

Ironically, I bought it at entirely the wrong time. I invested in it, then spent my freelance years relying almost exclusively on MAC bases, leaving this palette sitting untouched. It only really came back into rotation when I stepped away from freelance work and started using it on myself again. That said, there is something undeniably satisfying about opening it. It makes you feel like you know exactly what you are doing, even if you are just getting ready for drinks on a Friday night.

 

How Is the Shade Range?

This is where the palette truly shines. The VK11 is packed with medium tones, which made it ideal for my own skin tone, but it also includes lighter and deeper shades that allow for proper cream highlighting and contouring.

For anyone building a professional kit, this kind of versatility is invaluable. You can work across multiple skin tones without carrying dozens of individual products. RCMA also offers variations of these palettes to suit different complexions, which makes them even more practical for artists who need flexibility. It is one of those products that feels designed with real working scenarios in mind.

 

How Does It Last on the Skin?

Longevity with this palette is impressive, but it is heavily influenced by application. I have found that using a brush gives the best results, particularly something dense enough to pick up the product properly from the smaller pans.

I tend to apply with a more precise brush and then blend with a larger one to maintain coverage while still achieving a seamless finish. When I have used a damp sponge, it has sheered the product out too much for my liking. Once set properly, the finish holds beautifully throughout the day, with a skin like quality that never feels heavy or overly made up.

 

Would I Repurchase This?

This is where things become slightly more complicated. There is no denying that this palette performs incredibly well and offers excellent value if you are using the full range of shades.

However, for personal use alone, it feels excessive. I have completely finished a handful of shades while the majority remain almost untouched. Unless you are working on multiple faces regularly, it is difficult to justify the investment. For a freelance artist, it makes perfect sense. For everyday use, it feels like owning far more than you realistically need.

 

Final Thoughts

This palette is, without question, a professional grade product. The performance is there, the versatility is there, and the nostalgia is very much still there for me. But would I buy it again for myself? Probably not. My routine has evolved into something more streamlined, and I no longer need that level of range on a daily basis. That said, if you are building a kit or stepping into the world of freelance makeup, this is one of those foundational pieces that will serve you incredibly well.

As always, I would love to know your thoughts. Are you a palette person, or do you prefer to curate your base products individually?