Benetint...not as embarrassed as I thought I'd look...

It's been a while, I do appologise.  By way of an official appology i'm going to review a new (to me) find (OK it was a while ago now, but I was so smitten I didn't want to share yet).

Benefit Benetint

I'd seen this product on the benefit website, it's a lip and cheek stain, I have steered away from it because of the stain factor.  I always expect this to go wrongly and end up looking like I was highly embarrassed by something.

I had my mind changed for me when I was at the Benefit counter in Myer and the lovely lass there offered me a free mini makeover.  One of the products she used was this.  I WAS IN LOVE. So so so easy to use and left not only a lovely hint of colour (reapply to make it deeper) but a sort fo sheen over the top of my cheek bones.  I literally kept checking it out in the mirror in the car (thankfully I was not driving) and turning to my mum and saying 'I really do love this cheek stuff' even my mother, who wears makeup perhaps, twice a year and every time its applied by me, agreed.

As well as using it for your cheeks you can use it to tint your lips, it give it a very lovely 'just into a warm room after the snow' look, mainly due to its transparancy. 

I now use it every day.  You simply put a few spots on the apples of you cheeks and rub it in. So easy, so fast, so lovely.

You can get this product from the Benefit counter at most Myer stores or you can get it straight from the Benefit website, remember; free international shipping on goods over $125 purchased from Benefit, straight to your door.

Interesting fact about this product, it was developed for an exotic dancer who wanted a nipple stain.  It is now one of Benefit's top sellers. True Story.

So You Say You Want A Revolution...

Woo... a product review.
This week's product review comes in the shape of an Urban Decay "Revolution" eyelash curler.  On the whole, I don't bother with eyelash curlers because mascara being what it is these days, the need isn't the same as it used to be, having said that, I have yet to find a waterproof mascara that curls like the others. 

I have a fear of lash curlers, I pretty much cannot use them without catching my eye lid, usually this isn't in the curler itself but rather the sides of it.  When researching Urban Decay products I stumbled across the "Revolution" I watched the promo video (you can see it here) and I was well an truly sucked in.

It is hard to see in that picture but this curler has no sides to the actual curling part.  It does look like a torture instrument BUT it does what is claimed although it is still more than possible to catch your eyelids but its MUCH less likely.  The other clever thing about this curler having no sides to it is that if you have small eye or even big eyes you can easily use it in sections rather than, like the website says a 'one size fits all' curler.

This is a better view of the curling part and the missing sides.  It works by using springs and is really a clever little design. 

As far as eye lash curlers go its pretty pricey but I love Urban Decay so I bought it and i can safely say that although sucked in by the video I have never been so happy with an eyelash curler.  So far I haven't nipped my eye lids once.  So they're pretty happy too.  Strangely though, since I bough them I seem to have got free eye lash curlers with everything, so if anyone wants a pair, sing out. :)

In Love

I'm completely in love with Medusa's makeup.  Their range of colours is amazing as the ability to use the pigments on the lip or as an eye liner (with the aid of some potions) is awesome.  I can't stress how much i love these products.  Also, competely vegan and cruelty free.

Love it!

This week I decided to do a little comparison of 3 readily available, reasonably priced foundations.  I chose 3 different  Maybelline foundations "Dream Liquid Mousse", "Dream Smooth Mousse, and the recently released "Fit Me" foundation.
First off the ranks was "Fit Me", it went on well,  had  nice coverage without looking cakey and a little went a long way, making it great value for money, however by the time I finished work and looked in my rear view mirror there was we little trace of it.  I work a standard 8.5 hr day and so I expect my makeup to manage that at the least, I’m not a gym instructor, where possible I try not to break a sweat at work.  So it’s lasting power was lacking but the colour match was super and I would certainly use it for an evening makeup.  The best thing about this foundation was the feel, not feeling caked on and the worst thing was the open neck bottle so getting a little on to the back of my hand was tricky and messy.

The Next day I tried “Maybelline’s Dream Liquid Mousse”.  Again, went on easily, felt a little heavier and certainly didn't live up to its claim of an air brushed finish (that I never really believed any way).  This one managed a bit better on the full work day. I touch up my powder at lunch with a translucent powder and it seemed ok then but by the time I got to my car my chin was shiney and foundationless.  It did however seem to stay on the rest of my face better than the “Fit Me”. I loved the awesome little pump top so you could get just enough out easily and relatively mess free. The worst was the heavier feel but then if you don’t mind that this is a good product.
Finally I used the Maybelline ‘Dream Smooth Mousse”, I deliberately left this one to last because when I took it out to look at it, it was almost slimy.  I tried to apply it with my foundation brush, having converted to the brush, I'm reluctant to go back by using a sponge.  This stuff just wouldn't work. I had to use the sponge and in doing so ended up with a thicker application. (a bit like trowelling out concrete) It felt a bit masky for my liking but then, for every day, I tend to use a tinted moisturizer set with a powder so it’s nice and light. 
The other problem with the mousse is that there were no testers in the shop(whether this is common or not I am not sure, but it was the case in the store I was in) so I bought the same shade as I had in the other 2 types, it seemed fine in my bathroom but then in the harsh light of the mirror at work it was a little orange, nobody openly called me an orange panda so I’m not sure at all.  The best thing is that it offers a great coverage (whether you like it or not) the worst thing, well either that it needs a sponge to apply it or that it’s in a jar, and the top is screw off so you have 2 pieces, not handy for anything.
So, in conclusion, over the 3 days I tried 3 different foundations, if it wasn't for the fact I desperately wanted to get back to my every day moisturizer I would have tried them out for longer.  I'm always worried when I buy a foundation  than it will end up looking orange, even if I do try the 3 stripe (good shade, 1 lighter, 1 darker to be sure) thing.  I found that not getting to test the mousse in store was infuriating as I think the colour I selected  made me look a little orange.  Having said that, if you don't mind feeling like you're wearing makeup it did give a lovely coverage.  Not quite air brushed but certainly smooth.  If however you wanted something to even up skin tone and little more, you cannot go past the “Fit Me” as an option.
My personal favorite? Although it didn't do the whole 8 hr of work the Fit Me was my pick of the 3.  I think if I took it with me to potentially re-apply or for an evening makeup, it would be great.

Box 'o stuff

My  new find this week was Beauty Box, basically you pay $14.95 a month and they send you a selection of 5 or 6 deluxe sample sized beauty products.  I signed up because at the very least, it means I can write a blog on each and they didn't cost a lot.  I got my first beauty box today.  It looked amazing.

Inside is a little card telling you what your items are and reminding you to review them for a chance to win more stuff.

Then under some lovely tissue paper is all your goodies, this isn't a great picture and I won't list every item that's boring but there is a pretty cool selection of high end and VERY high end branded products.

All in all I think for my $14.95, which includes shipping I'm pretty happy, i just used the tester of the perfume (not due for release until the end of the month) and its GORGEOUS.... just as well i have 3.

:)