Showing posts with label benefit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label benefit. Show all posts

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Summer - Tan or Bust?

Summer is on its sunshiny way and ladies and gents from far and wide are flocking to beaches, pools, decks, rooftops, tanning beds and Jergen's lotions. For those of you who don't prefer to chase the Ginger Bread Man look this summer, embrace your natural tone (pale as it may be)! Out with the gold and in with the dew!

Tan faces and bronzed cheekbones are not the only option, so I advise thee, "Fear not, Love! The Bronzed Goddess has a sister, Flushed Femme!"

In lieu of fake 'n bakin' your way through June, July, and August, keep your face products natural (think tinted moisturizer, mascara, and gloss) and opt for a dewy, flushed cheek. A flushed cheek is associated with being active, adventurous, and healthy - the perfect face for summer seduction.

Cheek Stain
Available at Sephora


Benetint
Available at Sephora & Ulta


Lip & Cheek Stain
Available at Sephora & Ulta


Product Image
Available at Target


Liptini Lip Liqueur Lip and Cheek Stain Almond Berry
Available at Beauty360

xoxox

Saturday, May 8, 2010

The Highlight of My Day.

With summer just around the corner and the world clamoring for the perfect sunless tan, let us not overlook the ultimate in creating the effect of a healthy, glowing complexion - radiance.

These three products are excellent for giving the illusion of a higher cheekbone and a radiant glow. Apply them along your cheekbone while concentrating your bronzer just below or your blush at the apple and extending along softly. You can also use these products down your nose for a thinning effect, or atop the bow of your mouth for a fuller-looking upper lip. Apply in small amounts at a time, adding more as appropriate so as to avoid the Edward Cullen-enters-the-sunlight sparkling effect (to clarify that last Edward Cullen reference, click here, another deposit in your pop-culture piggy bank).

A mineral powder that is targeted for use all-over face. You can opt against total shimmer and use this along cheekbones for a more subtle, glowing look. Perfect for use over both liquid and mineral foundations.




A traditional pressed pan that is an excellent highlighter for cheekbones, along the nose, just above the upper lip, and even along the brow bone. The highlighter may appear barely noticeable when applying, but the sunlight will catch for a soft, luminous glow. Perfect for use over both liquid and mineral foundations.



A semi-dense liquid formula that applies with a nail-polish type applicator and rubs in along cheekbones, nose, above the bow of the mouth and along the brow bone. Recommended for use over moisturized skin or over That Gal brightening primer, also by Benefit. Because the formula is not a powder, I would recommend one of the above mentioned for use over liquid foundations or mineral makeup. Perfect for the minimalist who would like a bit of a healthy glow.



Now get glowing, Gorgeous! And remember to try the products out a little bit at a time until you've achieved your desired effect!

xoxox

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Mascara Woes...

They say you never know what you've got 'til it's gone...

And although I don't necessarily think that they were referring to mascara, I find that it applies here too. My favorite mascara tube is nearly empty and it's time to repurchase! On a brighter note, I will be repurchasing, not continuing to search for that perfect match! I thought perhaps it would be helpful to tell you a bit about mascaras that I've tried. A little bit of love it or leave it input to aide you in your quest for your own perfect mascara match!


At #1 - BadGal Lash by Benefit



This Mascara Will Change Your World. It has the ultimate fluffy brush-luxe, right? Unlike other mascaras, it truly does add volume and length with just a small amount! For those of you who prefer a few coats (several if you are me), you will notice that this mascara does not clump the way most others do! The formula dries quickly, minimizing the chance of the mascara'd lash stamp on your upper lid AND I've found that it doesn't flake on my cheek!

I have fairly sensitive eyes that have been irritated by certain mascaras in the past (think a certain pink and green that's been around since the beginning of time) and this mascara doesn't bother my eyes at all.

Benefit, you've done well!

Image Source / Buy BadGal by Benefit for $19


Runner Up - Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara by Urban Decay

My second favorite mascara at the moment, and one that I think works nicely but doesn't make my heart go pitter-patter at the same rate that the first did (le sigh), is Skyscraper by Urban Decay. The product description advises that the formula is meant to "lengthen, strengthen, separate, curl, brighten and thicken." While I cannot prove the mascara's ability to strengthen and brighten, I do believe that it accomplishes in creating longer looking, separated lashes. The wand is concise, but I can see this mascara being more useful for people of all lash lengths. The size of the wand allows for strategic placement sans undereye residue from a misguided swipe, so it will work great for shorter lashes as well.

Image Source / Buy Skyscraper by Urban Decay for $22

Amongst my leave-its are:

BareEcentuals Flawless Definition - the wand is very thin and I felt that it took too much time to achieve length and definition. The wand can support very little product at a time and application is more tedious than with other mascara options. If you are in no hurry at all (thus eliminating applications in the morning before work) this may work well for you. However, if you are looking for a mascara that you can swipe on and go, this won't be your cup of tea.

Maybelline XXL Pro - the primer works excellently, but the mascara itself does clump quite a bit so your lashes will require some declumping attention post application.

Maybelline Pulse Perfection - mascara works well enough and the vibrating wand does help slightly in preventing clumping. Unfortunately, I found that applying more than one coat is a difficult task because the mascara is quite clump-prone and adheres to itself.

Maybelline Full and Soft - an okay formula to get by with. This isn't going to take your lashes to the next level but it will suffice.

Rimmel Glam Eyes - an okay mascara with an awful wand. I will never repurchase this mascara because the wand is flimsy and literally bends against the container when you try to put it back into the tube. I cannot explain how many times I had mascara all over my hand because the wand bent when I tried to put it back in the container. Awful.

Overall, I would suggest Benefit's BadGal Lash to everyone. Go out and buy it now! Sometimes you can even score a sample of the formula as a gift with purchase from places like Belk, Ulta, etc.

Good luck, Gorgeous!