Review | b.right! Radiant Skincare by Benefit intro kit

First of all, how cute and retro-looking is Benefit's packaging? And in dinky little mini bottles? Anything that comes in a miniature version is adorable, isn't it?

This limited edition 6-piece intro kit from Benefit's b.right! skincare range, contains a cleanser, an exfoliator, a toner, a facial emulsion, a face cream and an eye cream. Oh, and the scent... Aah! A very fresh and clean cucumber fragrance.

I'll start with the first step, the cleanser: Foamingly Clean Facial Wash. The word "Foamingly" in the name put me off, because I never tried a foaming cleanser that I liked. The thing is, I like my face to be perfectly clean, but I don't enjoy that tight feeling that these types of cleansers provide — a.k.a. squeaky clean. I'll stick with my balm and cream cleansers, instead.

I usually prefer chemical exfoliants to physical ones, with Glycolic and Salicylic acids, but I do try some once in a while — like Korres Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser, which is really delicate and does an amazing job at cleansing the skin.

b.right! Refined Finish Facial Polish has quite a grainy texture. In fact, I feel that the grains could be smaller, so that the product would work in a gentler manner. Having said that, this product does take care of dull skin, improves dry patches and provides an overall radiant finish. With natural clay and seaweed extract as a part of the ingredients list, this formula does the job when it comes to purifying the skin. I like to massage it in, very gently, and then leave it on for a couple of minutes before rinsing, enhancing the final result.

I love hydrating toners, they're so soothing and relaxing, especially when they carry a gorgeous scent like b.right! Moisture Prep Toning Lotion. The consistency is just perfect: not too watery nor too thick. Just right. Smoothes the skin and works as a primer before moisturizer, helping to improve its benefits. Benefit's benefits. Sorry, had to say it.

Anyway, having a look at this product's ingredients, I realized that most of them really do belong in the moisturizing and soothing categories: glycerin, oat extract, aloe leaf extract... Oh, and I should mention that this is the kind that you pour in a cotton pad and sweep all over the face, instead of spritzing, in case that's a deal breaker for you.

Triple Performing Facial Emulsion is an oil-free facial sunscreen lotion, with broad spectrum SPF 15. A good one to apply in the mornings, if you're on the look for something lightweight, soothing and ideal for dehydrated skins. Works well under make-up and did I mention, has a lovely smell? The sun protection might be enough during winter and if you work indoors, though I wear a base with SPF on top.

b.right Total Moisture Facial Cream is a heavy-duty, concentrated face cream, ideal to use when your skin is feeling tight, dull or uncomfortable. I like to use this at nighttime or properly taking advantage of its hydrating formula after pamper sessions. During application, your skin feels immediately quenched, soothed and spoiled, really. With an exclusive tri-radiance complex, that aids in the process of developing the skin's own reserves of water and reinforcing the skin's moisture barrier. If you have trouble with a particular foundation that doesn't sit well on those irritating dry patches, use this as a primer. Works perfectly.

I saved the best for last. A proper eye cream for dry skins: It's Potent! Eye Cream. Aah, the eyes... The real problem area for me. Not only I have to deal with concealing and brightening (seriously) dark circles, but my skin gets really dry. The eyes really do show everything, whether you're sick, tired, upset... So, before considering the proper camouflage, think about prepping the area with a nice, potent cream. The peptide complex in the blend helps to rebuild skin's elasticity and a mixture of hydrating botanical extracts protect the skin from free radical damage. Amazing during winter months or to prevent dryness caused by air conditioned areas. I'm getting my hands on a full-sized pot of this!

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Review | Benefit Stay Don't Stray

You may or may not be familiar with the regular version of Stay Don't Stray by Benefit. If you are, you'll know that there were some major improvements in the packaging department — namely the handy doe foot applicator, instead of a pump that dispensed too much product at a time. But I was mostly intrigued with the release of a Medium/Deep version of this primer, which means no more ashy shadows in sight, especially if you have (really) dark circles.

Let me be clear about this. The Medium/Deep shade isn't quite as dark as it sounds. Considering that this isn't just a primer for the lid area, but also primes the under eye area before concealer application, this shade should be defined as "Medium". And perhaps a release of a darker tone, that would be named "Deep". But let's not get greedy, my friend!

Now, here's the lowdown. I have to say, this is the best eye primer I've tried so far.
Let's consider the skin in a 360º mode: oily lids, dry skin under the eyes and the occasional bit of eczema in the inner corners. This doesn't cling onto dry patches, like some primers do — especially tinted ones — and has an amazing staying power on the lids. Quite impressive, really. Plus, it neutralizes the lid colour, making it ideal to wear on it's own, or to make eyeshadows pop.
What really sold me, was the fact that because it's tinted, you need a lesser amount of concealer — which, together with the priming action, means less creasing. I rarely set it with powder anymore. And I could (and have) totally rock this on it's own, for a no make-up day.
Besides lasting quite well throughout the day, it also doesn't dry out on the skin, due to the sodium hyaluronate in the formula.

I find that the best way to apply this product is with light tapping motions, using your ring finger (as per usual). Start on the under eye area and apply the remaining product onto the lids — this is the part where I say "a little bit goes a long way". You can immediately notice the brightening effect upon application. Definitely a keeper!

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Review | Benefit Fakeup Hydrating Crease-Control Concealer

Today's review is on something I've wanted to get the minute it was released. But, at the time, I thought I had so many concealers already, just sitting in my drawer, therefore I didn't need another one. That was until I went to Sephora one day and caved in. Ah... Who can resist a bit of Benefit and it's super cute packaging?

Anyway, if you have dry skin under the eyes, you'll love this: Benefit Fakeup Hydrating Crease-Control Concealer (mine is in Medium). Comes in a bullet, so it's pretty much like applying a lip balm under the eyes — but less weird, I suppose. It's very soothing and kind of feels like you have a protective barrier throughout the day. The concealer bit is on the center, surrounded by a hydrating balm on the outside — reminds me of the Clarins Crystal Lip Balms. You can stroke it directly under the eyes and then blend it, patting with your ring finger or a brush. I like to use the Real Techniques Setting Brush for this.
Before I tried this product, I assumed that it would crease really badly, since it's so hydrating and emollient, so I was really astonished by the results. Sure, it did crease a bit, but every concealer creases on me — even Make Up For Ever Full Cover or Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil. After I blended it the first time it creased, it didn't move for hours. Pretty cool. What I really like about this, is the fact that it makes the skin look really healthy and radiant. I even tried layering a bit of the Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil on top and set it with a bit of loose powder, and it still had a slight glow showing through. Doesn't cake up or dry out.
It's formulated with apple seed extract and Vitamin E to hydrate the skin, making it look luminous and natural. I'd say this concealer has a medium coverage, but you can top it up with a more opaque concealer (or highlighter) just on darker areas, like the inner corners of the eyes, and it'll cover up. Also, the packaging is ideal to carry around in your make-up bag, to top up during the day. I might get the shade Dark and mix the two to get the perfect colour. All in all, a big thumbs up!

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Current blusher love

Today's post will focus solely on blushers, more specifically, my all time favourites — up until now.

Between creams, powders, bright hues, contour shades, matte or glowing formulations, I'm pretty sure there's something to please everyone. 

I'll start with a product that was featured in previous posts: MAC Powder Blush in Harmony. This is one of those shades that doesn't seem very appealing at first sight, but it is a staple for sure. Sometimes, it's hard to find the perfect contour shade — it's too warm toned, too shimmery or too dark. But this is the perfect shade, really. A rose-beige brown that's cool toned without being ashy or dirty looking. And you can use it (more sparingly) on lighter skin tones. I really want to try out Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow — again, a strange colour that works really well for contour. 

The next blusher is a fun, girly and bright option, that provides a fresh looking complexion. Too Faced Full Bloom Cheek & Lip Colour (in Prim & Poppy) is a cream blusher that you can use on the cheeks or the lips, to give a healthy glow. This shade is a warm coral and the texture is really smooth, sheer and easy to blend. I like to apply it with the Real Techniques Contour Brush, for precision.

Unlike many other cheek and lip creams, this actually feels nice on the lips. And the packaging is really charming, with a black adorned lid and a mirror inside. I also want to try the other shades (Tea Rose and Sweet Pea).

I'm following with another bright hued cream blusher, the Topshop Blush in Prime Time. A vivid blue-ish pink that really brightens the whole complexion. I love using this during the winter months, when my skin is more dull, as I feel it provides a luminous and radiant look. It's really easy to blend, either with fingers or a brush, like the Real Techniques Buffing Brush — this really does it all, doesn't it?

The perfect blusher to use on top of it, or to wear on it's own, is the Burberry Light Glow in Peony Blush No. 04. This is one of those shades/formulations that allow you to apply it quickly and without a mirror. Seriously. And the rose scent just surprises me everytime. Love it! I won't even mention the gorgeous case, because you might start to get the idea that I fall for packaging, and honestly... I do. By the way, the brush it comes with is quite good and practical.

Last, but definitely not least, is the Benefit Sugarbomb Sugar Rush Flush Face Powder — could the name be any longer? This is one of those items that I forgot I had, because I was trying something new at the time. Then, I rediscovered it a few months ago and have been using it almost every day since. The box has four colours — peach, soft plum, shimmering pink and rose — that you can mix together or use separately. I like using it to connect the contour with the highlight, making it all seamless. The natural bristle brush is quite good to apply and blend on the go. Again, one of those products that you can apply without a mirror. Mine is nearly finished, as you can tell by the photo, but it's been like this for a couple of weeks now. It may be a while before it pops up on an "Empties" post. At least, I hope so.

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From the backstage | Marc Jacobs Fall 2013

Marc Jacobs closed out New York Fashion Week, with an amazing show in sepia-tinted lights. This effect made the clothes appear black and white. So, to go with that, François Nars chose a neutral toned make-up, to look like "a black and white photograph".
I love the inspiration for this look: an edgy girl with a touch of rock. All it takes is some smudged black eyes, for me to fall for the look. To go along with that, a strong brow (swoon), lots of mascara and a matte face. There was no shine at all, but at the last minute they applied some grease, to give a worn-in, sweaty look. You can choose to skip that, of course.
It's an easy look to recreate with products that most people already have. To start off, we'll conceal any imperfections — I'd use MAC Select Moisturecover concealer in NC35, because my skin is very dry at the moment. To powder the skin, you can use any loose powder, like the Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder (mine is in 40 Doré). At this point, there's no shine on the face, but it remains natural looking.
Now, for the fun part: let's start with the brows. With the use of an eyeshadow (and a slanted brush) or a powdery brow pencil, define and fill in the brows, thickening them — to the point where they still look (quite) natural.
Take a soft black pencil and line the eyes — top and bottom — then smudge with a small eye brush, like the 219 from MAC. Optional: layer black eyeshadow with a soft brush, giving more staying power and preventing creases.
Line the inside of the eyes with a white or nude pencil, making them appear bigger and more awake. I like the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in Nude. It's a really nice shade to wear on the waterline. Finish the eyes with a few coats of mascara. You can guess from the previous posts, that I'd use the Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara or the Benefit They're Real.
The cheeks and lips are left pretty bare in the show, but for someone who likes wearing something, I recommend using a neutral blush to contour (MAC Powder Blush in Harmony) and a tinted lipbalm (Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Whole Lotta Honey or Mega Melon). Done!

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Make-up | Popular products #1

Today's post features the most reached for products of the moment. This is almost a monochrome look, with a bordeaux theme going on. An ideal look for most skin tones and eye colours, making them pop. In my case, intensifies the brown.

To start off, I prepped my skin with Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, before applying a layer of Estée Lauder Daywear B.B Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit Cream in Medium, with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. To cover any imperfections, a bit of Chanel Long Lasting Concealer in 40 - Beige Santal does the job.
Then, I fill in my brows and shape them a bit with a Dior Powder Eyebrow Pencil in Black. As a base for the eyes, a layer of Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in Ebloui does the job, blended with a MAC 217 – on the lid and below the lash line.
On top of that, I apply the second lightest shade from the Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Dark Spice – a warm medium brown with a slight shimmer running through it.
On some days, I feel like defining the lash line with the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Rockstar. After curling my lashes, they get a coat (or two) of Benefit BADgal Plum Mascara. Best shade ever!
After my concealer has done it's thing, I set the center of my face with Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder in Doré, using a Japonesque Pro Eye Shadow Fluff Brush. This is a brilliant multitasker. To contour my face I use MAC Powder Blush in Harmony and highlight with Guerlain Precious Light pen in 2, which is nearly over. *Scared*
To finish off, a layer of Burberry Lip Velvet in 308 - Pink Azalea blended on the inside of the lips, to give a stain effect.

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Empties #1

Right, so, products I've used up. I guess I'm gonna have to save up those empties for the sake of blogging! My mum was weirded out by the fact that I was saving them, especially because I'm usually eager to finish stuff up so that I can throw away my old products and my make room for new ones! Any excuse to get new stuff, right?

So, I'm going to start with Bioderma Sensibio (or Créaline) H2O. I know this is a hyped up product in the blogging/vlogging world, but trust me when I say that it is worth the hype! Now, I know some people use this as a morning/nighttime cleanser, but I really wouldn't recommend it for that. Unless you just want to refresh during the day. This micellar water is really good for make-up removal, even waterproof mascaras and liners. This range of Bioderma products is aimed for sensitive skin, which is why I tried this out in the first place, seeing that I'm included in that category. I've seen lots of people, with different skin types using this product and none of them reacted to this. I'm in my fourth bottle of this, and I think this is one of those products that I'll always have. I haven't stopped trying out other make-up removers, because I'm always looking at new stuff, but nothing compares to this. Just try it!

Next, it's the Clinique Turnaround Radiance Moisturizer. Let me start by saying that this and the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair were the only nighttime products that I used and noticed a real difference in the first morning. I have combination skin, the real type of combination skin: dry patches on forehead, brows, eyes, around the lips and sides of the nose; oily on top of my nose; normal everywhere else. Because of this, usually I need different products to use on different areas, but since this cream is formulated for very dry to oily/combination skins, I used it on my whole face (except the eyes, for obvious reasons). It has exfolianting and resurfacing properties that optimize cell turnover, so my dry patches were smoother and felt my skin clean at the same time. And no oiliness to be seen on my nose. Also, it's really good to use in the winter months, when your skin has a dull appearance, it just gives back a healthy radiance to the skin. And if you like non-sticky creams that absorb quickly, you'll like this.

For fragrance, I discovered Burberry Body around christmas time in 2011. I ordered the coffret that has a 85ml bottle of eau de parfum and a body milk with the same size. The latter is still half full because I'm saving it up. Don't know why, it's a special occasion kind of idea – am I the only one who does this? But I've been using the EDP almost everyday since, so finished it up quickly and now I'm on my second bottle already. Since I ordered the coffret again, I'm going to start using that body milk, now.
I have to admit that I love the brand, so absolutely had to try it (and the bottle is really cool, which is always a bonus). When I looked more into the description and saw the notes, I just knew that it was perfect – delicate freesia, natural rose absolute, warm sandalwood and woody cashmeran? Approved! It was love at first sniff. For me this is the perfect scent to use all year around, because it has a nice balance of floral and warm notes. Also love the fact that it doesn't disappear throughout the day – hate when that happens. But, just in case, I carry a rollerball in my purse.

The final product is something that I'm guessing most of you already tried, or at least, heard about: Benefit They're Real mascara. First of all, I love the brush on this one. You can use it horizontally to coat most of your lashes and then vertically with the spiked sphere (it's kinda like Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes) on the outer corner, to give that flared effect. It doesn't clump and truly holds the curl while lengthening. The formula is really black and volumizing, so you get a nice defined eye, even when you're not wearing eyeliner. I've used three tubes of this already, that I alternated with others (because, as you know, I like to try out new stuff), but I always come back to this one. The only downside to this is that it's a bit more difficult to remove, if you only use a make-up remover. But, if you use a balm cleanser, it's easy-peasy. It's the most amazing mascara I've ever used. Ever. I doubt that you'll get that amount of definition and volume, at the same time, with one coat of any other mascara. And did I mention that it doesn't clump?

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