Review: Benefit They're Real Mascara, Comparison with Cover Girl Lash Blast

Benefit hit the nail on the head with their marketing for Benefit's They're Real Mascara, what women want most out of their mascara is the appearance that they are false lashes, but wait, they are real! We all know that the mascara advertisements that we see all contain women wearing false lash inserts, those results are not attainable alone. So does Benefit's They're Real give a pleasing result? And are the girl's boobs in the advertisement real too? I think the left one definitely looks fake, less shading on it or something, it looks weird. I guess it's up to you to decide.
 
I went back and forth about getting Benefit's They're Real because of the high price, normally I get drugstore mascaras and find some of them to be very good and comparable to that of high-end types. But I love trying out new products so I finally caved. Benefit's They're Real retails for $22 US and $29 Canadian, I got mine at Sephora, it's always sold on the Benefit website.

Review: Benefit Feelin' Cheeky Mini Set

If you're looking to try out some Benefit cheek stain products, but don't want to pay the hefty price, the "Feelin' Cheeky" Mini Set is really cute to pick up. I sound like an ad don't I? Seriously though, Benefit is pricey and some of the products that I've purchased from them, I haven't been crazy about (ie boxed blushes) and regretted paying so much, this set is available exclusively at Sephora (notice the sticker?) for $15US/$18 CAD and allows you to try out the products before committing to the full size (full sizes are $28US/36CAD each).

Review: Hard Candy Smooth Talker Blush vs Benefit Sugarbomb

Today I am comparing Hard Candy's Smooth Talker to Benefit's Sugarbomb. There has been a lot of hype about the Hardy Candy Fox in a Box blushes because they look so similar. When I picked up Smooth Talker (on left) I definitely thought it looked like Sugarbomb, no question about it. Both blushes have very similar colours in the mosaic pan, the HC has squares and the Benefit as triangles. I was excited to test it out today and see if they really are dupes.

Sephora, MAC, Drugstore Haul

So my apartment complex was doing some work on the electricity today, so there would be no heat/power/light from 10am-6pm, and after showering in the dark, I decided it was a good day to go shopping!

I stopped by Sephora to pick up my free Beauty Insider birthday gift (my birthday is March 9), this year it's the Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath. It's a nice freebie, big 180ml bottle, there is no purchase necessary to get this, just tell the cashier that it's your birthday and you'll get it (if you are a Beauty Insider). Last year's gift I didn't even bother getting, it was a Sephora brand eyeliner, eyeshadow set.

My main mission at Sephora was to get my first NARS blush, but upon looking at the section noticed they did not have Gina (the blush I wanted), not even a spot for it. Luster was a nice peach too, but too shimmery and Taj Mahal, which everyone raves about didn't have a spot either. I spoke to one of the girls there and they hadn't heard of the colours and told me they must have been US only blushes.. great, don't you love when that happens? You have your heart set on something and you can't get it. I dislike shopping at Sephora online too because paying $10 extra to get something (shipping cost) when I should be able to get it in the store is just irritating, I'll probably end up buying those blushes elsewhere.

While I was waiting in line to pay I also noticed this cute Benefit set, it comes with 3x 4ml bottles of Posie tint, High beam and Benetint for $18 CAD, it's available online too. I've wanted to try High beam for a while and the full size is like $30 CAD and frankly, I would never go through the entire thing, and the High beam To Go is like $12 so for $6 more you can get 3 minis, which are really cute and practical. Let me know if you've used any of these three and how you like them.

I also got another Benefit Creaseless Creme Shadow/liner, this time in Birthday Suit, it's described as a "brushed chrome" to me it looks a bit taupey or brown, not really sure what colour it is yet. This was one of those spur of the moment purchases, I probably shouldn't have bought it.. got home and regretted it, I might return it. I have that problem with Sephora, I always buy too much.

I was pleased to see that my MAC store had Lady Gaga 2 lipstick in stock still, the picture of it looks peachy, but it's a light brown/nude lipstick. I grabbed that and also Back to MAC'ed 6 empties for MAC Hue lipstick, which I have wanted for a long time too.

Then at the drugstore I picked up the Physicians Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Lash Mascra, the packaging on this is really cool, it's like a green leaf shape. I find Physicians Formula to be really expensive for drugstore, and despite all the rebates they offer, you're still spending a lot of money, that's why I opted not to get those heart powders that everyone has been getting, too expensive for me, I'd rather spend that on other things. This mascara was 40% off and ended up being $10 after discount and it comes with a full price rebate, meaning you send in and get the entire amount you paid for it back.

I also picked up Revlon's Coral Reef Super Lustrous which I finally found, couldn't get it for the longest time, it's always sold out, it was $6.99. And I picked up some Garnier face wipes, the cheapest "nice brand" I could find, they were $7.99.

If you want reviews of anything, let me know, I am definitely planning to do a full review on the Lady Gaga lipstick and the Benefit set.

♥ Best of 2010 ♥

Now that 2010 has come and gone and 2011 is here, it's time to reflect on what products did the job well in 2010. Here is my list of favourite products of last year. I've tried to incorporate as much as possible products that came out in 2010, but in the mix got products that just worked for me too, regardless of when they came out.

Best Foundation

NARS Sheer Glow

MAC Pro Longwear

MUFE Face and Body

Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse

Best Concealer

Revlon Age Defying Creme

Benefit Erase Paste

Bobbi Brown Corrector (Light Bisque)

Best Lipgloss

Revlon Super Lustrous Lilac Pastelle, Pink Pop and Peach Petal

Best Lipstick

Revlon Soft Nude

MAC Jazzed

MAC Viva Glam Gaga

MAC Blooming Lovely

Best Blush

MAC Stereo Rose

MAC Peaches

Benefit Coralista

NYC Blushable Creme Stick in Plaza Pink

Best Eyeshadow

NYX Champagne and Caviar

MAC Naked Lunch, Sable and All That Glitters

Best Bronzer

Physicians Formila Bronze Booster (Light/Med)

MAC Golden

Best Powder

Revlon Colorstay Pressed Powder

Almay Wake Up Hydrating Makeup

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural (Light)

Best Highlighter

Hard Candy Honeymoon

MAC By Candlelight

Best Mascara

Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous

Loreal Million Lashes

Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion

Revlon Grow Luscious

Best Eye Primer

Urban Decay Primer Potion (Pro Size)

Best Skincare

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturizer

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost

Best Fixers

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

MAC Fix+ Rose

MAC Prep and Prime Skin

Best Perfume

Thierry Mugler Womanity

Givenchy Hot Couture

Best Nail Polish

OPI Suzy Says Feng Shui

OPI Jade is the New Black

American Apparel Malibu Green

Best Brush

ELF Studio Powder Brush

Sigma F80 Flat Top Synthetic 

Sigma E25 Mini

Sigma F25

What were your favourites of 2010?

Sephora: Awesome Beauty Insider 500 Point Perk Benefit Benefaves

Every time I am at Sephora I scope out what the Beauty Insider freebie gift is, and it's rarely something that I would actually redeem for. Then the other day, while looking up products on Sephora online I notice this awesome Benefit 500 point perk and almost placed an online order just to get it. Then I was at Sherway Gardens (Toronto) tonight shopping and their Sephora had it. So I picked up some things, or so my cousin bought me some Christmas presents and I got this pretty thing. This is the first time I've redeemed my points ever, so it's a big deal for me.

It comes with a full sized Coralista blush (I know full size!), and a 4g size Badgal lash mascara. I have several Benefit boxed blushes and they are pretty good, but expensive and I've always wanted this one, so I am so happy to have it. The blush retails for $36CAD ($28 US) and the mini BadGal I think I saw it for $8 CAD in the store today. So that's not a bad value there.

Coralista is a peachy blush, it has a coral pink sheen which is supposed to look great on the cheeks. It's definitely a sheen and not glittery overload, which I appreciate.

And here is the brush on the Benefit Badgal Lash, pretty average looking I think, it's a big brush for sure. I took it out of the tube for the photo-op and it's going back sealed and in the box until I go through my mountain of opened mascaras.

Anyway, I loved Sephora's little Christmas present to those who spend lots of money in their stores. This was a nice start to Christmas for me. Definitely check out your local Sephora if you are interested in this one, they change around the perks every now and then.

What's the best points perks you've redeemed for at Sephora?

Review: Benefit Dandelion Blush

Dandelion was the first Benefit product that I ever purchased. It's a pretty pale, light pink blush, on the back of the box it's described as "finely spun with delicates mauves and pinks, this exquisite brightening face powder leaves a petal like finish." It's meant to be used as all over the face brightening, but I know most people that buy this use it as a blush, and on fair skin tones it will show up as such. I think this is a really pretty subtle pink blush, good for everyday, and good for those who aren't really into blush as this does give a perk me up, natural looking flush.

Monthly Faves: August 2010

I like doing these blog posts because it helps me reflect on the products that I used and liked most each month. I like reading everyone else do their faves too. August is always a sad month because it means the end of summer. Onto my faves for the month of August.

Review: Benefit Sugarbomb

I love Benefit's boxed powders, they are so pretty, recently I picked up Sugarbomb, one of Benefit's newer blushes. This retails for $36 CAD, you can get it at Shoppers Drug Mart. It is expensive and my heart dies a little every time that I buy one of these, but they are so pretty and will last you forever because you do get so much product.

My Bronzer Collection

 Happy first day of summer everyone!

To celebrate summer, I am talking about bronzer today! I wear bronzer year-round cause I am pastley white. Although in the summer, it is more necessary to get that bronzed look. I have a variety of bronzers. I prefer them to be matte, but a good matte one is hard to find. I am more about all over bronzing than contouring. My most used is probably the Physicians Formula Bronze Booster and MAC Golden/Refined Golden. I loooooove bronzer, I would pick bronzer over blush anyday.

What's your favourite bronzer?

Review: Benefit Lemon Aid

Another Benefit review coming up. Benefit's Lemon aid is a colour correcting eyelid primer and retails for about $23 CAD. This is a lemon yellow cream that you apply on your eyelids to conceal any redness or veins, making your eyes look young and refreshed. I wouldn't have normally bought this since it is quite expensive, but I had some amazon gift cards that I redeemed for through swagbucks (if you have any questions about swagbucks please ask below) and I order makeup off there for time to time, cause the prices are good, I paid $13 for this plus shipping.  The packaging is really cute, very sturdy and I like the mirror inside. You get 2.70g Net wt. 0.09 in the product. You only a small amount and even if you did use this everyday, it would last you a long time.

Review: Benefit Erase Paste

I've been on the hunt for a good under-eye concealer for a while. Recently I bought 3 concealers, ranging from liquid, cream and mousse. I was most excited about trying the Benefit Erase Paste because I have heard great things about it. It cost $30 CAD,  a price that I don't normally pay for something so small, but, concealer is important, and as I get older, I understand this more.

The benefit website describes this product as "concentrated, creamy concealer (that) brightens and camouflages in one easy step! Targets dark circles, discoloration and imperfections." This product comes in three colours: fair, medium and deep. Thank goodness the fair works for me, or else I would be SOL. I am surprised they only have this in 3 colours. I was earlier under the impression that yellow under your eyes is best for concealing, I guess from drugstore concealers which tend to be yellow. But no, peach or salmon colours are best because they neutralize the blue/purpley veins around your eyes. And this erase paste is that colour exactly, a peach colour. Also the shade is said to have "brightening melon undertones to suit every complexion."

Collective Haul #1

Some items that I've picked up throughout the past few weeks. I am a total sucker for bargains and I will always look in the makeup section of grocery stores and scourer the racks for sales. I use coupons regularly too, cause it's always nice to not have to pay full price for stuff. I will try to include the prices below.

Just a quick rundown:
- Neutrogena Moisturizer SPF 20 and cleanser was $11 together on clearance (50% off, with the cleanser being a free bonus)
- Aveeno Moisturizer SPF 30 was 50% off reduced $13.
- Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous $8 - $1 coupon
- Maybelline Age Rewind Foundation $6 reduced - $3 coupon
- Maybelline Age Rewind Double Perfector $4 reduced - $3 coupon
- Maybelline Peach Satin Blush $7 - $3 coupon
- Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer $7 - $3 coupon
- Benefit Erase Paste $30 full price
- Benefit Lemon Aid $14 plus shipping on Amazon (free with swagbucks)
- L'oreal Insta-Dri nail polishes $6 each
- Maybelline The Falsies Mascara $3.99 on sale - $1 coupon

This isn't to brag, just to use you guys what I've been purchasing lately and to get an idea of what you'd be interested in seeing reviews of, if you want me to review anything, just comment below thanks.

Polyvore Hot For Summer

Polyvore is totally cool, it's a site where you can make collages of anything, there are pictures from everywhere, noticed tempalia's pictures on there, slap it all together and you've got your own unique collage. This is my very first one, I call it "hot for summer", these are popular looks that I've seen for spring/summer 2010. I haven't really focused on fashion in this blog, but you may be seeing more of it now.

Nearly Nude Tops: Anything nude, peach, skin coloured, particularly with some detailing like lace, ruffles and florals.

Nautical Chic -Breton Fisherman tops. Anything marine and sailor, striped, white, dark jean, inspired by the sea. Also those two toned dresses are everywhere too.

Boyfriend blazer - sort of warm for summer, but you can get lightweight ones in fabrics like silk and it can make for a cute jacket.

Rompers - Jumpsuits, playsuits, rompers, whatever you want to call them, I don't think I could pull this look off, but rompers are everywhere, it's basically like a one piece shirt plus shorts.

Those straw hats with the stripe - I don't know what these are called (boater hats?), but you know what I mean... everywhere. Someone tell me what the heck these are called.

Anything aqua/turquoise - jewel tones are always nice for summer, but primarily blue/aqua/turquoise looks so pretty on tanned skin. Also ice cream pastels like light greens (mint) and light purple are sweet. I like anything in these colour, especially nail polish. :D

Gladiator-type sandals - hot last summer and again this summer, dressier than flip flops, but still casual. I wearing metallic ones.

Bright vibrant nails - Orange, Fuchsia, Pink nails are all the rage and really stand out, nice for toes.

Wedge Sandals - If you want some height, wedges are always nice for summer, especially ones in skin colour, also those grey coloured heels look really hot. 

Wavey/Natural hair - straightening and curling is not summer friendly, let your hair breathe and do it's own thing, pretty waves are really cute for summer.

Coral/Peach Blush and Bronzer - great for summer, and for me, all year round, go for shades like Benefit Coralista, MAC Melba or Peaches, or a ton of others that all look like those. Tanning and burning and out, bronzer is in... sweep bronzer to get that glow instead.

White Watches - It started with the Chanel J12, but since that one is super expensive, people have found alternatives, like the Marc Jacobs pictured above. I want to get a watch like that.

What's your favourite summer trend or piece for this year?

My Blush Collection

So recently I got into blush, never really been into it before. My cheeks naturally flush so I don't need it, but I've been loving peach blushes lately and have a bunch that all pretty much look the same! Blushes are great cause they give you a nice glow and add colour to your face. Thanks for looking!

From Left to Right:
Benefit Dandelion, Physicians Formula Blushing Peach, Joe Fresh Pale Peach
On the MAC palette I've got: Peachykeen, Eversun on the top, then Peaches and Springsheen in pan form in the palette, Dainty next to those two, and Style, Well Dressed and Melba on the bottom.
On the side, I've got ELF blushes in Peachykeen, Tickled Pink and Candid Coral.

Since it's hard to capture the blush colours very well, I will show you some individual pics too...

MAC Dainty

Dainty is my only mineralized blush from MAC. This is a shimmery peachy-pink, it's really smooth and pigmented. Since it's mineralized it is silky, but also you get fallout, so you gotta blend it well. These are really nice, I'd get more of these.

MAC Eversun

This one was limited edition from the Style Warriors collections last year. Eversun is bronzy peach with gold shimmers. 

MAC Peachykeen

This looks just like Eversun in the pic, but it is different. Peachykeen was the first MAC blush that I got, it's a peachy coral, probably my darkest peach blush.

MAC Style

Style is a an frosty, orangey peach. I find this one a bit hard to wear. I just got this one recently. I know lots of people love this one, maybe I just need to work with it more.

 MAC Melba

This is my favourite peach blush. Melba is like the matte version of Style, but prettier. It is very pigmented, and very similar to MAC Instant Chic (which came out in the Pret a Papier collection recently)

MAC Well Dressed

Love this one, it's a satin, light pink. It looks great on fair-skinned skintones, perfect for everyday use, and a good starter blush.

Benefit Dandelion

This one looks a lot like MAC's Well Dressed, but maybe a touch more peachy. Benefit has their powders in these square cardboard packaging, which is cute, but not great for travel. Their products are pricey too, this blush was $35 CAD, but keep in mind this is 10g, whereas MAC blushes are only 6g. This doesn't show up on a lot of people, but if you are fair, it definitely will.

MAC Peaches and Springsheen

Peaches is a matte pure peach, it looks just like peaches, which is lovely. 

Springsheen is a beautiful, shimmery peachy pink, it gets compared to NARS Orgasm all the time in reviews.

MAC blushes impress me because they make gorgeous colours and they are highly pigmented, long lasting, and blend easily. You just need to dab your brush in 1-2 times and you get a lot of colour payoff. I would recommend MAC blushes to anyone. I am going to depot the ones I have and put them in my palette, and from now on, just buy the pans cause it's cheaper that way ($22 CAD, vs $18.50). I'll keep Dainty and any limited edition, special packaging ones in their packaging of course, and keep those for travel.

Some of the ones that I want to get are MAC Cubic,  Sunbasque and Pinch O' Peach, as well as some bronzing colours like Margin.

What are your favourite blushes? Got any recommendations for me?

EOTD: MAC Retrospeck and Woodwinked and ELF Eyeshadow Primer Test

ELF Eyebrow Kit in Light
ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer
MAC Retrospeck on lid
MAC Woodwinked on crease
Maybelline Telescopic Explosion Mascara

Rest of face....
The Body Shop Vitamin C Serum
Olay Definity Re-energizing Serum
Revlon Colorstay in Ivory
Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer
Benefit Hoola bronzer
MAC Style blush

So this was my third day wearing the ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer. I won't do a review just yet because I want to do one eye with each primer ($3 and $1 ELF primer) the same day to really tell. MAC eyeshadows have great pigmentation and stay on either way, so this isn't the best indicator, but nothing creased on my eyes on this day. Just in case readers don't know, you should always use an eye primer. It keeps your eyeshadow from moving around, it acts as a base and it helps with vibrancy. I normally use Urban Decay's primer potion, but mine is getting old and nearly done. The first day I used it, it seemed like the product had separated in the tube, so make sure that you shake it before use. It is not like Urban Decay's primer potion, this stuff is a lot more watery. 

Short kinda review on the Maybelline Telescopic that I got from L'oreal earlier this week. The mascara is okay but, I don't think it will be one that I'll reach for very often. It takes a long time to apply since you have to move the ball through multiple times to coat all your lashes. The idea behind a mascara wand is to coat with one sweep (maybe two if you have wide eyes) and with this ball applicator that just isn't possible. I thought it left clumps on my lashes and didn't quite "set" itself until a while after I applied it. I am still using the L'oreal lash serum and love that product a lot!!

And a picture of my eyeball, just for fun! : )