Benefit Cheekathon Palette Review & Swatches

You guys probably know by now that I'm a total blush addict. I just can't resist when I see a pretty new shade! And I have to say...I tried. I tried really hard to resist the new Benefit Cheekathon Palette ($58). I put it in my cart at Ulta during the 20% off sale and it sat there for several days while I went back and forth. Should I? Shouldn't I? Yes? No? Maybe?

In the end, the makeup addict in me won the fight against my practical side and I indulged. I tried to justify it by reminding myself that I don't own any of these powders except for Hoola and as a beauty blogger, I really should because, you know, I might want to swatch these against possible dupes at some point down the road. Makeup Addict also reminded Practical Side that these are all full sizes and if I were to buy them separately, they would add up to $145 (and take up way more space). 

So in the end, I got it for $46.40 with the 20% off coupon at Ulta. If you missed out on the sales at Ulta and Sephora, I have another deal for you that will bring the price of this down to $33, which I'll explain at the end of this post. 

Before I even show the inside, let's talk about the packaging. It's all adorable, girly and retro with dancing showgirls on the front, tons of pink everywhere, and gold stars sprinkled throughout. It's also a great size, not too bulky and is made of soft cardboard rather than plastic.

Inside, there's a mirror, five face powders, and the same brush that's included in all of Benefit's single boxed powders.

I can't even tell you how long I've been waiting to try Rockateur, Dallas and Coralista. Back when I worked at Sephora, the only two shades that existed were Dandelion and Hoola (okay now I feel old!). I used them all the time when I did my makeup at work and I even ended up buying Hoola at one point. But I never went back and bought the other shades. I think part of it was that I wasn't too fond of the boxes they came in. I mean, they're cute, but kind of a pain to open (and to store...so bulky!). They were also really expensive at $29 for one blush...yikes.

Another thing I should mention is the scent! It has a beautiful fruity-floral scent that reminds me of peaches. I happen to love it but if you're sensitive to scents, just know that it does seem to disappear once you apply them to your face. At least, I couldn't smell them once they were applied.

When I swatched the shades, I was noticed that they were sheerer than they look in the pan. I do remember Dandelion being subtle, but I was expecting Coralista and Rockateur to be darker (Dallas and Hoola are more pigmented). I'm totally not complaining though, because I have really fair skin so they all show up nicely on me and look very natural. Plus, they can be built up very easily for more impact.

I just wanted to mention it because those of you who have deeper skin tones might be disappointed in the color payoff and may have trouble getting the lighter shades to show up.

Overall, this is one face palette that's not to be missed, especially if you're already a fan of Benefit's face powders. It's such a great deal for what you're getting and is way more portable than all of those bulky, individual boxes.
You can find this at Sephora and Ulta for $58 or...

if you're willing to sign up for the free Visa Checkout service on the HSN.com website, you'll get $25 to use toward anything over $50 at HSN. That brings the price of this palette down to $33!

Visa Checkout will store your credit card information (any major card, not just Visa) so you don't have to fill out the payment information forms when you shop online...basically it saves you time during checkout and is free. Here's how to sign up:

1. Go to HSN.com and add the Cheekathon palette (or anything else over $50) to your shopping cart.
2. During checkout, choose the Visa Checkout option.
3. Sign up for a free account and when you return to HSN, you'll have a $25 credit in your cart.

Have you tried the Benefit Cheekathon palette yet? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

New Benefit Cosmetics Products Arriving 2/26

There are some exciting new products arriving later this month at Benefit.com! If you're a fan of their classic matte bronzer, Hoola (it's a summertime staple for me!) you'll love the new additions to the line, PLUS...they're launching a liquid version of their best-selling Dandelion powder called Dandelion Dew! Let's take a closer look...

Dew the Hoola ($28) is a soft matte bronzer for the face that blends seamlessly and has that signature Hoola scent. I saw a video on the Sephora website here and it looks like the perfect lighter shade of bronze that's not orange at all! 

Dandelion Dew ($28) is a sheer, baby-pink that gives cheeks a dewy delicate pink glow. The lightweight texture melts into the skin for a lit-from-within glow. 

Hoola Bronzing and Contouring Brush ($24) has ultra-plush bristles for seamlessly blending bronzer or blush. Plus the dome shape makes it perfect for contouring. I'm loving the turquoise bristles!

Hoola Zero Tanlines Body Bronzer ($30) is a smooth, non-sticky body bronzer that glides on HANDS FREE and gives you a believable bronze that stays on for 12 hours. It's transfer resistant, streak free, and washes off in the shower. 

What do you guys think of the new Benefit goodies heading our way soon? Will you be indulging in any of these? 

Benefit They're Real Tinted Lash Primer Coming Soon

The new Benefit They're Real Tinted Lash Primer has arrived on the Sephora and Ulta websites, but both have a little "Coming Soon" sign next to them, so it's not available for purchase just yet. I keep hearing rumors of the release date being 12/26 and I remember from working at Sephora that a lot of new products launch on that day. So we'll see! 

This primer can be worn alone for a soft, feathery look or under mascara to add drama, length and separation. I'm a big fan of the original They're Real, so I'm really excited to try this one.

Benefit Air Patrol Now Available At HSN

Last week, I posted about the new Benefit Air Patrol BB Eyelid Primer that I saw on Benefit's Instagram page. The caption said that it would be in stores on September 1, but it's already launched on HSN.com this week! Also, I have a coupon code for $20 off any $40 order when you open a new account on HSN...it's 151635. So if you've been wanting Air Patrol, this is a great way to get it for less, because you know it's going to be $29 when it launches at Sephora and Ulta! 
To use the code, you have to have a new HSN account and then to qualify, you'll need to add an $11 item to your cart in addition to Air Patrol to get the total up to $40 (Benefit has a They're Real mascara mini for $12 on the site if you need a suggestion!)
So for example, if you add in the They're Real mini, your total will be $41...then after the coupon, it'll be $21! So you're saving $8 on the Air Patrol and getting the mascara for free...pretty good deal, right?

Coming Soon: Benefit Shy Beam

Benefit posted another sneak peek on their Instagram tonight! Last night, I posted about their new Air Patrol BB Eyelid Primer that's coming out for Fall 2015, and now the newest product in their upcoming lineup is a matte highlighter called Shy Beam. I haven't seen too many matte highlighters but from what I can see from the swatch below, it definitely highlights! 

The good news is, you don't have to wait for it to be released (Benefit didn't say if it'll launch in September with the Fall line or at a different time) because there's a deluxe sample inside this Operation Pore-Proof kit from Sephora ($34).

Benefit Operation: Pore-proof $34 at Sephora

So what do you think, are you excited to try Shy Beam? Have you used a matte highlighter in the past?

*UPDATE* I was at Sephora today and they had testers of the Operation:Pore-Proof kit so I was able to swatch Shy Beam for you guys!
It's definitely a matte light pink...sort of like a liquid version of their High Brow pencil.

New Benefit Air Patrol BB Eyelid Primer SPF 20 Lands on Sept 1

I just saw a teaser on Benefit's Instagram page of a brand new eyelid primer they're releasing on Sept. 1 called Air Patrol. Since I'm a huge Bene-babe, I hauled over to their blog to see what it's all about! Turns out, it's not just to keep your eyeshadow from creasing...let's take a look!

Photo Courtesy of @benefitcosmetics on Instagram

 In addition to preventing eye shadow creaseage, Air Patrol protects the delicate eyelid skin we normally neglect with SPF 20 and EnviroDefend Complex which combines Shea Extract, Silktree extract and Licorice Root to protect, defend, and soothe. It also has a "cushion calm tip" inspired by gel foam mattresses and pillows for "stress free, pressure free application that's softer than your pinkie!"
Not to mention I love the retro aviation-inspired packaging...it's too cute!

Photo courtesy of the Benefit Blog

Benefit Air Patrol is landing in stores on September 1st! 

New! Benefit Puff Off! Instant Eye Gel

Benefit Cosmetics has just released a new undereye product for Spring 2015 called Puff Off! ($29 at Ulta) that's supposed to erase puffiness and fine lines.  Take a look!

Description:

Puffies & creases look "satiny smooth" with Benefit's innovative undereye gel. The custom "ironing" tip instantly helps smooth the look of puffies & fine lines. Iron away for a smoother day!

Directions:
Squeeze once and dot under each eye...then go back and glide on with "ironing" tip. Beauty Tip: Puff Off! works on bare skin or over makeup. When applying on top of makeup, gently pat with fingertips to blend.

I'm really excited to try this...I don't have puffy eyes that often, but I'm curious to see how it works on fine lines. Plus the iron applicator tip is too cute! Don't you wish you could just iron away the creases under your eyes like you do with clothes? That would be amazing but something tells me this isn't going to go that far.  Still, it's fun to try!

You can purchase Puff Off! at Ulta.com or at Benefit Cosmetics below:

Benefit Gimme Brow Review

Thick eyebrows are in right now, and with good reason- our brows thin as we age so thicker, fuller brows naturally make us look younger! My brows are a bit sparse, mainly from tweezing them in the 90's (when thin was in).  Lately I've been trying different brow products to make them fuller but one in particular has stood out to me- Gimme Brow by Benefit Cosmetics. 

Gimme Brow ($22) has been around for a while, but I always thought it was just another brow mascara so I didn't think to try it. Then, I caught the Benefit show on HSN and when I saw a demo of how it worked, I got so excited that I ordered it right away. So what makes it different? Check it out! 

Benefit They're Real Push-Up Liner Review

Benefit They're Real Push-Up Liner ($24) is a new long-wearing gel eyeliner that's been getting a lot of attention lately.  It's a totally new concept, since they've found a way to get a gel eyeliner into an easy-to-use pen format, rather than the standard pot and brush which can be a pain and not very portable.  I planned on purchasing this to see what all the hype was about, but then I ended up getting a deluxe sample free with a $25 Sephora order!  It's exactly the same, just smaller, so I was really able to test this out and it'll last me quite a while.

This liner is supposed to be long wearing and waterproof (they even sell another product to remove it).  It's also supposed to hug the lashine and make the eyes look larger.

It comes in a twist up pen and when you use it for the first time, you have to turn the bottom until the product comes up, then wipe the excess away.  One twist gives enough product to line both eyes.

It's hard to see in the photo, but the tip is a flexible rubber and toward the very end where it comes to a point is where the product comes out.  It's upside down in the picture below so you can see it better, but you just rest that part along your lashline and very slowly move it along.  The experts will tell you to work from the inner corner to the outer corner but I like to start in the middle and work toward the outer corner first, because I like the inner corner line to start very thin and get thicker as I go back.  If I start at the inner corner, there's too much product on the applicator and it starts out too thick.  I also don't draw this along like I would a pencil...I just carefully dot it along my lashline, making it thicker as I go.  When I get to the outer corner, I turn it and create a wing by dotting it up and out. Then, when there's less product on the tip, I go back and connect the inner corners to the middle.

Overall, I found this easy to use, but I have an incredibly steady hand when it comes to eyeliner.  If you're a novice or find applying regular eyeliner to be a bit tricky, you may find this a bit harder to use than a regular pencil.  It definitely takes some practice to get the hang of (and I've been applying eyeliner for the last 20 years or so).  I've read other reviews that complained that it skips or makes a messy line, but you just need to exercise a bit of patience and go very slowly and carefully with it and you should be fine.
As for it being waterproof, I really can't say since I didn't swim or take a shower with it.  I did find that it smudged a tiny bit throughout the day.  But, it stayed on from morning until I went to bed without fading which was impressive.  It looked pretty much the same as when I applied it, except for a few light smudges in the outer corner of my eye.
As far as removal goes, I was able to get this off with a cleansing oil and then some eye makeup remover on a cotton pad (I didn't have to buy their remover).
So if you're comfortable applying eyeliner and want to try something new, you should definitely give this a shot!
To purchase or read other reviews and see video tutorials, please visit Sephora below:

New Product Alert! Benefit Big Easy

I just got notified that my February Birchbox has shipped, and one of the possible products inside is Benefit's new Big Easy Multi-Balancing Complexion Perfector       (whew, what a mouthful!). This product is exclusively at HSN right now, arriving at Benefit.com later this month and Birchbox in early March. So what is it? Here's the description from Benefit...

Why we love it!

BIGGER than BB! Why? Two reasons. First, big easy balances moisture & controls oil. Second, the cushiony liquid-to- powder formula melts in like a cream, yet finishes lightweight & velvety like a powder.

This multi-balancing complexion perfector gives light-to-medium natural coverage to even out skintone and conceal imperfections. Even better, it contains ingredients known to soothe & comfort the skin and help fight free radicals. One & done…big easy saves the day! Non-comedogenic. Oil-free.

Beauty balancing act! 

• Balances moisture & controls oil
• Self adjusts on skin to your exact shade
• Perfects & evens with liquid-to-powder finish
• Protects with broad spectrum SPF 35 to help prevent aging  

BIG results!
97% said it balanced moisture & oil*
90% said it visibly smoothed & evened out skin texture*
93% said it visibly improved skin’s appearance*
100% said it had a lightweight finish*
*Results observed in a consumer panel survey

How to apply

Apply to moisturized face with fingertips, blending for an even, natural finish. Pat on more wherever you want to build coverage.

See a demo here:
Sounds like it does everything! Thoughts?