I swear, whoever is behind the packaging design over at Benefit knows what makes girly-girl beauty lovers squeal with delight! It's no secret that I absolutely adore the packaging, but what's even better? Their products are actually functional.
Benefit Confessions of a Concealaholic ($44 CDN, available March 2010): The pad-lock diary packaging brings me back to my youth. When I received this kit I seriously squealed like a little girl. My husband turned to me and said, "Like a kid in a candy store". So true. How brilliant is this concealing and brightening kit? You have everything you need to spackle, cover and brighten in here.
Kit includes: travel-size "that gal" brightening face primer, boi-ing concealer in 1 & 2, travel-size erase paste No.2, eye bright, lemon-aid colour correcting eye-lid primer, and 4 concealer/brightner brushes. Inside is a good sized mirror and comes with a complete step-by-step guide for the makeup challenged.
erase paste is my god-send! I never leave home without it. This tub of creamy goodness brightens and conceals all in one. You can read a past review here. boi-ing concealer is a heavy duty cover-up but only comes in 3 shades. I like to use lemon-aid after plucking because it gets rid of the redness. As a primer it works ok but it did crease my shadows a bit. I've used eye bright back in the day but was not a fan because it gave my under eyes a slight grey cast and gave me a rash. That's just on me though. It was my first time trying "that gal" brightening face primer and I'm in love! I loved how radiant the pink primer made my skin look and my makeup stayed fresh all day. Will definitely get a full-sized version when this is done.
Overall, the concept is genius if you have fair to maybe medium-dark skin but if your skin is any darker the shades will look off. Now if Benefit would extend their shades then we're talking!
Benefit STAY Don't Stray stay-put primer for concealers & eyeshadows ($30, available February 2010): I was really excited when I heard Benefit would be coming out with a primer for eyes and concealer. When I received it, I put it to the test right away.
The Good: The primer is really concentrated and a little goes a long way. It contains vitamins C & E to fight the signs of aging. The primer helped even out and brightened up my eyelids.
The Bad: First, I expected the primer to be clear but it in reality looks like a light beige concealer. I think going clear would have been a better option. I found that it changed the shade of my concealer, therefore, making my under eyes look white. Secondly, I hate the airless pump. Every single time way too much product would dispense. Since it is so concentrated, I'd end up dabbing a tiny bit and wasting the rest. Third, rather than making the skin around my eyes look hydrated, it dried out my skin and enhanced my fine lines. And lastly, my shadow didn't crease but did fade by the end of the day.
I rarely get disappointed with Benefit products but this one was not a winner for me. I'd be interested to hear other reviews! :)
Benefit Bathina "take a picture...it lasts longer..." ($32, available February 2010): Similar to Bathina "body so fine", this golden-pink velvet body balm makes your skin look luminous. Just brush on wherever you'd like a little sheen and glow. Your skin will feel fabulous from the jojoba seed oil, natural aloe extract, and vitamin E ingredients. Oh, and the velvet puff - love! Pamper yourself by smoothing the balm on with the cushiony-pillow.
Benefit Cosmetis available at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix Beauty Boutiques, Murale, and select Holt Renfrew locations beginning February 2010.
Stay tuned for eye shadow swatches from the Spring collection!
