RAVE: Benefit Realness Of Concealness Limited Ed PaletteFor 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.
