Easiest Nudes Ever FOTD

I picked up the Easiest Nudes and Glamorous Nudes palettes when I got my allocation through from Benefit at the beginning of the month.  Here's a look I did using the Easiest Nudes palette.  I really like it, but definitely felt the need to add some black shadow to it to get the look I wanted.

Face

Benefit Porefessional primer

Benefit Big Easy Light

Benefit Boi-ing concealer Light

Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer White and Light 1

Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder Light

Benefit Majorette blush

Benefit Dandelion blush

Eyes

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk

Benefit Easiest Nudes Ever palette

Urban Decay Blackout eyeshadow

Benefit They're Real gel liner

Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero

Benefit They're Real mascara

Benefit Brow-zings Light

Lips

Revlon Strawberry Shortcake lip butter

Silver smokey FOTD

Pretty standard smokey eye I did for work.  I used Sleek's Bad Girl palette, but you could get the same look with Benefit's Smokin' Eyes palette.

Face

Benefit Porefessional primer

Benefit Big Easy foundation Fair

Benefit Boi-ing concealer Shade 1

Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer Light 1 and White 

Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder Light
Benefit Sugarbomb blush

Eyes
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
NYX Jumbo Pencil in White
Benefit Blingo! eyeshadow
Sleek Bad Girl palette
Benefit They're Real gel liner
Benefit They're Real mascara
Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero
Benefit Brow-zings Light

Lips
Benefit Sugarbomb lipgloss

Majorette FOTD

I finally got around to wearing Majorette yesterday, but was super ill in the evening so didn't get a chance to post.  Blush is always a hard one to show off in pictures, without looking like a clown in real life, so you'll have to put a little faith in me when I say that it's a super pretty blush.  I applied it with a normal blush brush, and found it really easy to slowly build up and blend out the colour.  I like blushes that are a bit on the sheerer side as I find they work better with your individual skin tone.  The peachy colour is so pretty that I'm not sure I'd want to put a blush on top, but I'm sure I'll do some playing around in work.  Wear time was about the same as your average powder blush (5-6 hours before fading).  The scent didn't linger for very long at all, and whilst I like the smell, I was pleased that it disappeared, therefore not interfering with whatever perfume I might be wearing.

For the look I used Illamasqua's Paranormal palette, and Precipice from Illamasqua's Reflection palette.  Love the colours, but they crease so quickly that by the time I'd finished doing the rest of my makeup they were already looking worn.

Benefit Majorette sneak peak!

Now that the hype over the They're Real Liner is dying down I thought I'd give you a sneak peak at what Benefit have in store next.  Majorette is a peachy cream to powder blush.  I haven't had a chance to wear it yet, but I can share with you a couple of pictures!  

The packaging is typical cutesy Benefit, with a marching band theme.  I was a little unsure about the colour when I first saw it as it looked quite dark and orange toned (it reminded me of MAC's Spaced Out blush).  Luckily it's lighter than it looks and isn't nearly as orange, so I think it will work well on cooler tones too.

This blush is designed to 'amplify your flush', so can be used either on it's own or as a base under your powder blush.  My manager says it looks great under Rockateur!  It also smells amazing - peach and pomegranate.

I'll do a proper look with this and get a more detailed review up on Tuesday, so watch this space!

Simple smokey FOTD

Just a simple brown smokey eye I did for work.  I'm getting to the stage where I'm going to have to start repeating myself when it comes to work looks.  I hope there are plans in the pipe line for some more colourful eyeshadows and lipsticks!

Face

Benefit Porefessional primer

Benefit Big Easy Light

Benefit Boi-ing concealer 01

Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer White and Light 1

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural Light

Benefit Sugarbomb blush

Eyes

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes palette

Boots Natural Collection eyeshadow in Sea Shell

Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero

Benefit They're Real mascara

Benefit Brow-zings Light

Lips

Benefit Benetint

Behind the scenes - Benefit They're Real training

Last week I posted a short review of Benefit's They're Real Push Up Gel Liner (find it here).  Today I had another training day on it.  This training was a little different (and more exciting!) to that which I received last week, so I thought I'd do a post about what went on.  At the end of the post is a couple more product pics and my initial thoughts on the They're Real Remover.

I arrived in Bristol city centre at 9am to find the they're real lorry parked up in the middle of all the shops.  This lorry has been touring the country, and I think it's the closest Benefit actually get to advertising.  It certainly got people talking, as the lady who served me in Boots spotted my bright orange goodie box afterwards and wanted to know all about it.

Out from the box came our trainers, dressed up and acting as cops.  After lining us up we were all 'branded'.  These are the hash tags that we're to use when posting about the products and our training on instagram/twitter etc.

Once on the lorry we all had to don not so sexy orange jumpsuits.  We had little work stations set up, and it was here we did our training.  We watched various videos including the advert (which was directed by the guy who directed 300 - see it here) and learning about everything that went into making the liner.  Then it was time to put liner on each other.  I said it in my review but I'll say it again here, this liner is so easy to use!

We all got out of our jumpsuits and off the lorry pretty quick after we finished.  Even though it was only early, being in a big metal box on the hottest day of the year was a little warm!  After that all we needed to do was have our mug shots taken.  Below is myself and fellow BA, Melissa.

 We were given the whole They're Real set; liner, mascara, and remover.  This is so that we can get used to the products before launch, and also so that we can wear them when we're on counter.

Here you can see the shape of the pen.  It's curved so that it pushes your lashes out of the way, allowing you to get your liner really close to the lash line.

The accuflex tip has a small slit in it which allows product to flow out.  The key to using this pen is not to click up too much product.  Two clicks is plenty, and rather clicking when the nib goes dry, gentle push the nib to one side to use up the product that's still sitting in the end.

Because the liner really does stay put Benefit have also released a remover.  Up until today I've only ever used it on my hand.  The remover is a creamy gel which you massage into the liner.  It gently removes the liner without any tugging or pulling.  You then use a damp cotton pad to wipe away any excess.  You only need a tiny amount, as a little goes a very long way.  I'm going to be honest here, in using this method removal is messy.  You end up with a smeary black mess all over your eye area that you then need to get rid of with a damp cotton pad.  Whilst I know I shouldn't be too bothered about it being messy (cos I'm only gonna take the rest of my face off, right?) I'm not a massive fan.  I'm sure that there must be a better way of doing it, and I am going to make the effort to find it, as it really does break down the makeup well.

The liner isn't out yet, but the remover is available exclusively in John Lewis tomorrow (14th June).  I think it comes out in other stores on the 28th when the liner is released.

Silver and pink FOTD

Another Benefit look I'm afraid!  I don't often use the silver from the Sexiest Nudes palette, but I quite like it here.  I switched my lipstick to Benefit's Air Kiss.

Face

Benefit Porefessional primer

Benefit Big Easy Light

Benefit Boi-ing concealer 01

Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer White and Light 1

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural Light

Benefit Dandelion blush

Eyes

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk

Benefit Sexiest Nudes Ever palette

Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero

Rimmel Glam Eyes black liquid liner

Benefit They're Real mascara

Active Cosmetics lashes

Lips

Armani Rouge d'Armani 507

Smoky brown FOTD

Once again I didn't have time to set my camera up to take pictures before work.  Today I just did a simple smoky brown eye and added some lashes that I'd cut in half.

Face

Benefit Porefessional primer

Benefit Big Easy Light

Benefit Boi-ing concealer 01

Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer White and Light 1

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural Light

Benefit Sugarbomb blush

Eyes

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Benefit Holy Smokes! creasless cream shadow

Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes palette

Boots Naturals eyeshadow in Sea Shell

Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero

Benefit They're Real mascara

Benefit Brow-zings Light

Active Cosmetics Dazzling lashes cut in half

Lips

Benefit Sugarbomb lipgloss

Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner Review

Today I had my first round of training on Benefit's up and coming They're Real gel liner.  We've had one of these on counter for a week or so now so I've had a bit of time to play with it and form my opinions.  As I'm not getting my hands on a liner of my own until next week I'm just using a couple of stock photos to begin with.  Lets face it, my personal photos of a pen wouldn't really show you much more!

They're Real Push Up Liner combines the smooth finish of a gel liner with the ease of a pen applicator.  I'm a bit of an eyeliner fanatic, and whilst I love the finish of gel liner I've ditched my gel liners and switched back to liquid liners recently.  My main reason for this is that gel liners dry out so quickly (some quicker than others *cough*Bobbi Brown*).  The pen format should solve this.  You click up just a bit of eyeliner, so you're not exposing the rest of it to the air.  Before you use it you'll want to give the nib a wipe to remove any liner that has dried out from the last time you were using it, but it's such a tiny amount that I don't feel it's wasting lots of product.  After you've done that you'll have fresh gel every time.  This may be one gel liner that I can actually finish!

The accuflex tip is what really makes this eyeliner special (and after 5 years in the making you'd expect it to be good!).  As you can see in the pic above, it's an angled felt pen type nib with a slit in the middle where the product is dispensed.  Each click produces only a small amount of gel, so as long as you don't go click crazy you won't end up with too much.

For me, the application has taken a little bit of getting used to as I'm used to using a liquid liner with a very thin brush.  Even when using gel liners, I've always favoured a thin brush to an angled one.  That being said, I think most people will find this easier to use than Benefit's liquid liner, Magic Eye.  Whilst the brush on Magic Eye is super tiny, you have to have a delicate touch in order to get an even line.  I've been applying liquid liner on myself for over 10 years now, so I judge the ease of use when it comes to liners on how easy it is to apply it on someone else.  I'm comfortable applying liquid liner on others, but my god this pen makes it so much easier!  The soft tip means you can apply pressure without it flaying out like a brush does.  The best way to apply it is to 'stamp' it along the lash line, joining up after.  When I apply it on myself what I notice the most is how easily I can get right up to my lash line.

Here's a couple of pics of one of the looks we did during our training.

When it comes to wear time I struggle with gel liners and this one is no different.  I have the oiliest lids in the world, and if I don't prime my lids I do get the dreaded imprint above my eyelid.  I've tried a dozen and one different gel liners (Maybelline, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Illamasqua... the list goes on), and I have had this problem with every single one of them.  However, when I put They're Real on my hand it will not budge at all.  This is more like what it's like on other people's eyelids.  You're going to need an eye makeup remover to get this off (which Benefit are also bringing out).  For 99% of people, this is going to be super long wearing.  For the 1% with the oil slick eyelids, a primer will be needed to get all day wear.

Overall, I think this is going to be a holy grail product for so many people.  I'll definitely be getting one for my freelancing kit.  If you've ever struggled with winged liner, give this one a try!  It's out on the 28th July and will be £18.50

No makeup makeup FOTD

Today was one of those days that called for no makeup.  Sort of.  I didn't want to go completely naked, so I did no makeup makeup.  I focused on my skin, defining round my eyes just a little.  It's days like this that I reach for Benefit's latest brow product, Gimme Brow.  It's been out a while now, so I'm sure most of you have read reviews on it.  I think it's a great brow solution, building on the hairs you naturally have, but for most days it's not enough for me.  I love a nice strong brow.  However, a strong brow looks a little daft with no other makeup, so Gimme Brow lets me add just a bit of definition, colouring the super blonde hairs at the end of my brows so that you can actually see them.  The eye close up here is more so that you can see the brows rather than the eye makeup!

Face
Laura Mercier foundation primer
YSL Touche Eclat Foundation BR10
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer in White and Light 1
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder in Light
Illamasqua powder blush in Rumour
Benefit Dandelion blush
MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade

Eyes
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Urban Decay Theodora palette
Illamasqua pencil in Vow
Lancome Hypnose Star mascara
Benefit Gimme Brow Light/Medium

Lips
Dior Addict lipstick in Diorling

Dramatic purple and antique gold FOTD

Apologies for the hair in the close up picture.  I was in a bit of a rush this morning and didn't realise it was there until I reviewed the photos this evening!  

I mixed Urban Decay's 24/7 pencil in Psychedelic Sister and NYX's Jumbo pencil in Milk to get a light purple cream base for my crease.  I need to pick up Benefit's cream shadow in Always a Bridesmaid, as it's the second time I've mixed this combo.

Face
Benefit Porefessional primer
Benefit Big Easy foundation in Light
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer in White and Light 1
Benefit Boi-ing concealer shade 1
Benefit Sugarbomb blush
Benefit High Beam 

Eyes
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk
Benefit The Sexiest Neutrals palette
MAC eyeshadow in Woodwinked
Urban Decay 24/7 pencils in Psychedelic Sister and Zero
Rimmel Glam eyes black liquid liner
Benefit They're Real mascara
Benefit Brow-zings Light

Lips
Benefit Benetint
Benefit Sugarbomb gloss

Benetint FOTD

The one thing I feel Benefit are missing from their range is a good red lipstick.  I put on about 5 layers of Benetint to get a decent red colour.  Here it's topped with a Dior gloss, but I when I'm on the counter I use Bella Bamba gloss instead.

At the moment I'm still missing a couple of core essentials from my Benefit collection, such as under eye concealer (Fake Up), finishing powder (Agent Zero Shine), and a liquid liner (Magic Eye).  I'm sure I'll pick these up soon.  Magic Eye in particular is a great liner, although I had a chance to play with the new They're Real gel liner today, so I may just wait for that!

No eye close ups today as it's a pretty basic look.

Face
Benefit Porefessional Primer
Benefit Big Easy Light
Benefit Boi-ing concealer in Light
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealer in White and Light 1
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder in Light
Benefit Dandelion blush
Benefit High Beam

Eyes
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Urban Decay eyeshadow in Broken (Theodora palette) 
Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes palette - darkest shade
Rimmel Glam Eyes black liquid liner
Benefit They're Real mascara
Illamasqua pencil in Vow
Benefit Brow-zings in Light

Lips
Benefit Benetint
Dior Addict gloss in Iconic Red 

Benefit Big Easy Review and FOTD

I've been working for Benefit Cosmetics for about 3 weeks now, so I've had plenty of time to put some of their products to the test.  I'll admit right now that when I worked for Benefit about 4 years ago I hated their foundations, and I haven't given them a second glance since.  Their Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation really doesn't work for me.  The palest shade is too yellow, and the pinkest shade too dark, and my oily skin barely goes two hours before I need to powder.  Step in Big Easy.

Big Easy is Benefit's version of a BB cream.  I'm not sure I'd really class it as one though, as it doesn't really have any skin care benefits, we still recommend a primer, and due to the cream to powder formula if you have oily skin you'll definitely need to moisturise.  That being said, it does have SPF 35, which is great as we're getting into the summer.  Here is where I would normally put in a product picture, but I'm away from home at the moment and forgot to take a picture before I left.  So on with the pictures of the foundation in action (click the pictures to enlarge).

Bare skin/Big Easy

Bare skin/Big Easy

As it's a cream to powder formula I find it's be applied with my fingers.  It blends out really easily, and sets down quickly.  It's a sheer-medium foundation, and whilst it's a powder it doesn't look powdery.  Instead it has a lovely satin-matte finish that leaves skin looking smoother.  It's not going to cover up darker blemishes like the ones I have on my chin.  But I think the best way to look like you have nice skin is to use the lightest coverage you can get away with, and then conceal any bad patches with concealer.  If you're looking for a full coverage you should probably skip this one.

As it's a powder finish most can skip the setting powder.  I like to set my concealer, and then dust a little over my t-zone though.

For me, the real test of a foundation is how well it holds up against my oily skin.  Even with mattifying moisturisers and primers, I still need to powder around the 3-4 hour mark.  Big Easy can make it through 6 or 7 hours before I start feeling shiney.  This is honestly the best foundation for oily skin that I have ever tried!  I pair it with Porefessional, and I don't have to worry about my skin until the last hour or so of my shift.  I never thought I'd give up my Touche Eclat foundation, but I'm away from home this weekend and it's Big Easy I've packed.

I've had the chance to try this on lots of different skin tones and types over the last 3 weeks.  Shade wise, there are only 6 shades, but as the foundation adjusts to match your skin tone more closely (much like Benefit's You Rebel), there will be one to suit most.  You may struggle if you have particularly  dark skin though, as the darkest shade isn't all that dark.  Dryer skin tones will want to make sure that they've moisturised well, as the powder finish can cling to dry patches.  That being said, I've seen people with dryer skin love the finish of it.  It's worth popping down to your local Benefit counter to try out.

Finally, here's a couple of pics of the finished look!

Face

Benefit Big Easy in Light

Benefit Boi-ing concealer in Light

Urban Decay Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder in Light

Illamasqua Skin Base Lift concealers in Light and White 1

Fashionista Butterscotch blush

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade

Eyes

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk

Shiro Cosmetics eyeshadows in Master Sword, We're Up All Night To Get Loki, and You Know Nothing

MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Blue Flame

Sugarpill eyeshadow in Tako

Rimmel Glam Eyes black liquid liner

Urban Decay 24/7 pencils in Junkie and Freak

Lancome Hypnose Star mascara

MUFE Aqua Brow

Lips

Too Faced lipstick in Nude Beach

Chanel lipgloss in Aragonite 

Big Beautiful Eyes tutorial

So it seems life doesn't want me to blog at the moment.  As soon as had life quietened down and I get a few days off I got some horrid fluey bug that left me stuck in bed.  I finally feeling well enough yesterday to do the tutorial I'd been meaning to do all week.

On days where I'm working at Benefit I (obviously) have to wear all Benefit makeup.  I have a few bits and pieces now, one of them being the Big Beautiful Eyes kit.  This kit is one of their older pieces as I remember it from when I worked for Benefit years ago.  The shadows are smooth and pigmented, and a joy to work with.  The only thing I miss is not having a black eyeshadow to work with.  In this tutorial I use a black pencil (which Benefit do do) in place of a shadow.

1.  After prepping and priming your eyes as usual, pat the pale pink shade from the palette all over the lid.

2.  Apply the medium brown shade in the crease.

3.  Pat a nude shade under the brow bone and blend down, softening the crease shade.  Benefit's Call My Bluff works well, or you could just use your usual face powder.

4. Apply the dark brown shade from the palette into the crease on top of the light brown and blend.  You shouldn't take this shade up as high as the light brown.

5.  Draw a small v at the outer corner of the eye with a black pencil.

6.  Put some of the black pencil onto a flat shader brush.

7.  Use this to blend out that outer v.

8.  Apply the dark brown shade under the eye.  Use what's left of the black on the shader brush under the outer third of the lower lash line.

9.  Line the lid using black liquid liner.

10.  Add mascara to finish.

I wore this with Benefit's Big Easy Foundation (love this), Sugarbomb blush, and Juicy Details lipstick.

Soft purple FOTD

I haven't quite figured out my new camera, so I'm struggling to get good makeup photos at the moment.  I should have some time to sit down and have a proper play with it tomorrow.  I'm starting to feel a little better now, so hopefully I'll be back on top of my makeup game soon.

Benefit creaseless cream eyeshadows are so under rated.  These last even better on my oily lids than Maybelline's Colour Tattoos! 

Face
Maybelline Baby Skin primer
YSL Touche Eclat foundation BR10
Illamasqua Skin Base Lift White and Light 1
Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder Light
Illamasqua Rumour blush
Benefit Dandelion blush
Benefit Highbeam

Eyes
Nars smudge proof eyeshadow primer
Benefit Sexiest Nudes palette
Rimmel glam eyes black liquid liner
Illamasqua pencil in Vow
Lancome Hypnose Star mascara
Sleek brow set in Light

Lips
Benefit Posietint