Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real Double The Lip Lipstick Review

Last week I left for Florida to write a travel article and escape from the snow. It was warm in Miami with swaying palm trees, beautiful beaches and delicious food so I needed to transform my makeup look from winter chic to summer blooms and incorporate bright color. I decided it was a good time to try my new Benefit lipsticks and sweep on some sunshine with the pretty GALifornia Blush.

The Lipsticks ($26.00 ea) are two-toned and well coordinated to deliver consistent, uniform color. I was expecting an ombré effect but the pigments blend to create one solid shade. The deeper hue at the very tip is supposed to function as lip liner but since the finish is quite sheer, it doesn’t really produce a distinct outline. The sharp teardrop shape is great for neatness and precision around the lip contour and the creamy texture helps fill in the center of your pout for a subtle wash of color. What I like most is how lightweight, supple and soft the lipsticks appear. The moisturizing finish looks like a juicy, faded stain creating the illusion of plumpness. The saturation is not very intense but the colors are easy to wear - similar to tinted balm.

Revved-Up is a vivid pink and Flame Game is a bright orange/coral.

The golden-pink tones in the GALifornia Blush ($38.00) instantly revives a dull complexion with a pop of radiance and the delicious scent features notes of pink grapefruit and vanilla. The silky, color is buildable so you can adjust the intensity and the powder sweeps on seamlessly creating the perfect coral flush and glow for all skin tones. The mini size is ideal for travel and I love the surfer girl artwork.

Benefit is available at Sephora, beautyboutique.ca, Shoppers Drug Mart, Benefit Boutiques and online at benefitcosmetics.com

Benefit Cosmetics Foolproof Brow Powder, Pore Minimizing Makeup & NEW Punch Pop Liquid Lip Color

Well sculpted brows have been all the rage recently so Benefit has created a range of products to help make grooming easier. They have also released a new Pore Minimizing Primer, vibrant Punch Pop Lip Gloss and fun Go Go Tints for lips and cheeks.

The Foolproof Brow Powder ($32.00) comes in a cute silver tin with mini applicator and is available in 3 shades (light, medium and deep). Each powder has two tones designed to mimic the gradual look of natural brows and the silky pigment applies smooth and saturated for easy blending and fullness. The 12 hour formula adheres to the hair and skin so you can deposit color where you need it most with minimal fading or transfer. I chose the deepest shade and I am able to layer and intensify the color to thicken my arches and enhance coverage. I still use a brow pencil for shaping but the powder fills-in sparse areas to accentuate and define.

The Punch Pop Lip Gloss packaging reminds me of the Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum from my childhood. The flirty lip color comes in 5 fruity shades providing lightweight, creamy shine that softens and quenches dryness with nourishing Vitamin E. Although they look like candy, they don’t smell like it (total bummer) but the sheer, moisturizing color makes lips appear plump and juicy with no stickiness. The bold pop of Barbie Pink instantly perks-up a dull complexion.

A good primer is a must if you want a flawless finish but large pores and rough, uneven skin can ruin your makeup. The Pore Professional Primer ($40.00) is available in 5 tints (fair, light, light-medium, medium and deep). The medium shade helps brighten my complexion without altering the finish of my foundation and it doesn’t cake or flake. The texture is quite liquidy so you need to shake the tube before use and there is a flat top applicator sponge that pops out of the base. The formula blends well and coats the face in a lightweight matte layer that controls oil and shine without clogging pores. It instantly transforms the skin by creating a smooth, even canvass, filling in lines and diminishing textural irregularities so makeup applies seamlessly.  

I have the Go Go Tint Lip & Cheek Stain ($40.00) in Bright Cherry and I think the concept is very cute. The bottle and applicator looks like nail polish and the pigment is very versatile. Simply dab some onto the cheeks and blend to create the perfect rosy glow with a natural faded flush. Once set the color does not transfer or fade and lasts all day! The thin brush is a bit difficult to work with for lip application because it flexes and bends too much when tracing around the lip contour but the color is buildable. Once dry the stain becomes kiss-proof for hours of wear.

Benefit is available at beautyboutique.ca, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and Benefit Boutiques/kiosks.

Benefit Cosmetics Boi-ing Concealer Review

The last few days have been hectic and tiring. I’ve been running on 4 hours of sleep per night and lugging my 8lbs Prada purse all over the city to attend press events for work. On weekends I hit up the festivals, parties and patios which means long, summer nights and deep under eye circles. Thankfully Benefit’s new Boi-ing concealers are formulated to provide the ultimate camouflage for blemished skin so you don’t have to skip work or school after pulling an all-nighter.

The Airbrush Concealer ($27.00) is available in 3 shades – light, medium and deep (featured below) but keep in mind that you can always go lighter with your concealer to create a brightening effect. The soft-focus, lightweight formula is designed to provide sheer-medium coverage with up-to 10 hours of waterproof wear. The pigment helps blur the look of fine lines and wrinkles to smooth skin texture and even discoloration with a finish that is virtually undetectable! I like how creamy and spreadable the concealer is and because it dries quickly and blends easily, you can layer more on top without disrupting the underlying coverage. The pigment melts into the skin seamlessly and helps refine large pores to create a flawless complexion without drying out the skin. I require a little more help with my dark circles but this is a great first step to achieving the perfect level of customized coverage and it doesn't cake or flake.

*Tip: To keep the concealer moist and prevent it from drying out, keep the little white seal under the cap.

For those who need more coverage (like me) the Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer ($27.00) has your back. This buttery cream also comes in 3 shades and is formulated to cover heavy dark circles, blemishes, acne scars, discoloration, hyperpigmentation and redness. Like the Airbrush formula, it sets quickly without appearing thick, oily or cakey. The matte finish also prevents creasing under the eyes and helps correct prominent undertones. The pigment is not the most full-coverage formula I’ve tried but it does a fabulous job hiding all your imperfections and the texture is definitely lighter than most cream products on the market. If you’re looking for a good, travel-friendly concealer that smooths your skin instead of accentuating roughness and lines, these are definitely worth trying!

Benefit Cosmetics is available at Benefit Boutiques, Shoppers Drug Mart and online at benefitcosmetics.com and beautyboutique.ca.