RAVE: Benefit Limited Ed Palettes

RAVE: Benefit Realness Of Concealness Limited Ed Palette


For those of you who LOVE Benefit but don't want to spend a lot of $ on 1st time new product purchases, this one is a must have.


Benefit has some of the best cosmetics packaging out there. Through their packaging, the line really does a good job of appealing to the younger generation. Sort of like Hard Candy where clever names and creative packaging is a key part of what sells the line. Ironically, it’s this key selling point that hurts the line as well. I’ve been told by a few older women that they think the line is a bit juvenile in appearance, therefore they avoid it. That said, there are some really good products within the line and they can appeal to any generation - they only need be tested and tried and what better way to do it then with a sampler palette.


I got the palette because it looked fun. Mini purse size vials and a little bit of everything - what could I lose. Some of the products I had dabbled with a little but was never really to spend the full amount of $ on the product. I don’t want to spend a ton of $ on something I’m not going to use proactively. This palette and the Justine Case palette (which is covered later) were both great ways to try new products with what I consider, little expense.


Short version of what’s included: Purse size samples of Hi Beam (facial highlighter), Lip Plump (lip neutralizer), Oh La Lift (under eye lift), Lemon Aid (eye lid primer), & Boi-ing (industrial strength concealer)


Long version of what’s included:
Hi Beam (facial highlighter) comes in a mini vial - Love this high lighter. Very happy to have it as a mini as opposed to the regular big size. My big size always seems to dry out before I’m finished.
Lip Plump (lip neutralizer) comes in a mini vial. This one is a fun edition to the palette that I would not normally buy. It’s a full neutral lip primer and goes over the entire lip in a nude color. It did help my lip stick stay on longer and I liked the way it worked with my lip liner. I’m more of a lip gloss girl so I can’t say that I would use this regularly, but for someone who wears lip stick daily this might be a good investment as a full size product.
Oh La Lift (under eye lift) comes in a mini vial. Supposingly it gives your eyes a lift. I personally have better products than this one for that. This one was a bit of a disappointment for me. This is the one this that I wish was not in the palette. Does not deter me from buying the palette because I really do love the other products, but this one I could have done without. For me this one is pointless. I can’t say that I would even use it on clients.
Lemon Aid (Eye lid primer) comes as a matte cream. I really like this primer. Had used it a few times before on clients, but that was the extent. It goes on matte and you can quickly start working over it. I’m really happy this one came with the palette. I would not have bought this one as a stand alone product; partially because I do have other primers I like, but now I just MIGHT get it. Again, this palette is a great way to try a new product that the line offers with little financial loss.
Boi-ing (industrial strength concealer) comes as a matte cream. This is another product that I would not have bought as a single. I’m very married to the concealers I use and this one was surprisingly good. A little dark for my skin tone, but my regular foundation covered it nicely. It would match many of my clients.


TIP: When applying the Lemon Aid and Boi-ing products use your fingertips. Your natural body heat will heat the product, allowing it to go on smooth and easy.


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IFFY: Benefit Justine Case Limited Ed Palette


This is another palette that Benefit was offering. Since I had 2 of the products included already I decided to make the splurge and buy this one as well as the other one. Purse size vials are cute and they are so much better than carrying around the full product and as said before minimal expense trying new products



This palette was not so much my favorite as compared to the other one. Comes with only 4 products while the other has 5 and this one was 50/50 with what I would use and what I would use. If you had to choose I would totally recommend the Realness Of Concealness over this one. That said, this is a sampler palette and a great way to try new products, without spending a ton of money.


Short version of what’s included: Some Kind-A Gorgeous (cream to powder foundation), Benetint (lip and cheek tint), California Kissin' (blue minty lip gloss), & Eyecon (for dark circles)


Long version of what’s included:
Some Kind-A Gorgeous (cream to powder foundation) comes as a matte cream. This one does not work for me. It’s too dark. For contouring I could use it, but I have better products that I would personally use. For a teen who is just looking to spot correct this is a good product. I have used it on clients and have I have mixed feelings about it. It does need to be warmed up between your fingers when applying for a more even look.
Benetint (lip and cheek tint) comes in a mini vial. I’ve been a big fan of this stain since it came out. This was probably one of the first stains on the market. I have the full version of this and often use it on my lips with a little gloss on top. I don’t use it on my cheeks because I can never get it right on me, but I do use it on my clients cheeks. The big version for me always seems to dry out before it’s finished, not to mention that in my case it almost always leaks. I love the mini because I can carry it around without no spillage issues...or at least none yet!
California Kissin' (blue minty lip gloss) - comes in a mini vial. I love a blue lip gloss. It makes your teeth look whiter. It really pops you out. I have the full size of this product and am happy to have mini version.
Eyecon (for dark circles) comes in a mini vial. Did not work wonders for me, but concealers and preppers are not always easy on me. I have had some luck with this product with some clients. I do have the full size, but it’s not a product that I would buy again.

RAVE: Smashox Photo Finish Light Primer

RAVE: Smashox Photo Finish Light Primer

When it comes to make up primers Smashbox is the first thing that comes to mind. While Smashbox may not have invented primers, but they were one of the first lines to introduce primers to a younger generation. Was really a “the right marketing, at the right time” sort of thing. Today’s youth wants flawless skin, and a primer can help you achieve that.

The first time I heard of a primer, it was from Adrienne Arpel’s line. It was a product that was a filler and a lifter. It came in a cute little vial, was a soft purple, and had real linen fibers in it. For what it was for that time, it did work so some extent. It was the idea behind the product, “balanced surface = blank canvas” that sold it. The problem with Arpel’s line (still the same problem now) is that it appeals to my mothers generation, not mine.

Today you can’t walk into a Sephora or department store without seeing a vast array of primers. Primers are now part of an everyday make up routine. Primers can aide when applying make up to badly damaged skin, if you have the right one.

Smashbox makes a variety of primers and I’ve tried just about all of them. The Classic Photo Finish Primer (PFP), which I REALLY, REALLY have tried very hard to love - I must admit I can’t love it. I feel as though it does nothing for me. The oil base is a little much for me, which ironically I do love the texture of the product. It’s nice and silky and not as overly greasy as some of the other brand primers out there, but I just can’t love it - I can only sort of like it.

Smashbox’s other big primer, the Photo Finish Light Primer, for some reason is another story with me. I LOVE this one. It has the texture of a light moisturizer and is not as oily as the Classic PFP. On your fingers it feels slightly heavier then the classic PFP. This one goes on better for me and I feel as though I have a better coverage in it. My foundation does go on easier and more even.

Both primers are good primers. I’ve used both the Classic & Light PFP’s on clients and have gotten good results. It’s a matter of trying it on and seeing what you like. The Light just works better on me.

For in case your PFP confused the Classic PFP is clear, while the Light PFP is white.

Do Lunch with Smashbox: If you purchase from the Smashbox website on Tuesday's or Thursday's, between 9AM & 2PM PST, you get a free gift. You get a full size product as a gift your getting, not a itty bitty sample size and shipping is currently FREE on all orders. Lots of perks on the website, so if your a Smashbox fan and you know the products you want I recommend visiting the site over purchasing in a store. If you cisit the site be sure and check out the Curtain Call section for some great deals.

RAVE: Make Up Forever HD High Definition Powder

RAVE: Make Up Forever HD High Definition Powder

This is one of my newer favorite finds. When I first saw it at Sephora I was very skeptical at what it could actually do. In my mind a blotting powder would have allowed the same benefit at half the price; which ironically the product itself contains no talc base. The texture is very smooth and silky; softer than most mineral products I‘ve tested. The texture is actually what kept bringing back to the product. I confess I did not buy it the first time I saw it, but I did go home thinking about it. 2 Sephora visits later, I finally broke down and bought it. I started wearing it the next day and immediately people were commenting about it - it was evident I found a new toy and people wanted to know what it was.

If you’re a foundation only person, this will give your make up a final smooth finish. When I wear it with just foundation I can see an extra glow without having to use any highlighters. When I do photo shoots with my younger teen clients, I find it visually giving them a nice, silky, final finish over what a traditional blotting powder does. For a translucent powder it does appear to promote a seamless finish.

COST: It is a bit of a splurge. With tax by the time everything is said and done, a little over $50. Sephora will try and see you a special Kabuki brush as well, which is not necessary f you have a good powder brush already. I think if your a foundation only person and you want that natural finish - this is a MUST HAVE product. If you wear make up regularly and are into facial highlighters already, you can get by without it. For me, as of now, the comments I'm getting and finish I see will keep me by buying.

MAKE UP FOREVER: Brand scoop - MUF is a French company that was acquired by LVMH (Louis Vuitton in 1999) That alone says luxury make up. Only available to Sephora (as far as I know) in the US.