PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BENEFIT SOME KIND- A GORGEOUS FOUNDATION (DEEP)

Here's an initial review on BENEFIT SOME KIND- A GORGEOUS (DEEP)

PRICE: 750PHP (ORIGINALLY RETAILS AT AROUND 2800+PHP)
PLACE BOUGHT: GIRLTALK
OTHER LOCATIONS: SEPHORA ONLINE; ONLINE RESELLERS; SALON IN EASTWOOD (THE NAME ESCAPES MY HEAD RIGHT NOW)

ON THE BOX: The Foundation faker. FAKE IT. Don't cake it with our shortcut to gorgeous

THE VERDICT:

Okay, so for the nth time, I'm going to repeat that I've been lemming for this, for almost two years. The price is kinda' prohibitive so that's why I've never gotten any. Benefit is waaay tooo overpriced here in the Philippines so I never dared getting anything from the brand. Thanks to online shopping, I managed to score a few great Benefit cosmetics deals.

Thank you sis Ana for selling me your brand new benefit some kind- a gorgeous at an ABSOLUTELY cheap price. :)

So let's now go to the actual product. Benefit has always been praised for their fancy and cute packaging that enables girl power and confidence in a woman's beauty. Match it with their non- conventional make- up tag lines plus their mannequin mascots equals a trademark that is significantly Benefit.

I love the old- record tape design of the foundation. And the box is cute too so I give the packaging 10 stars.

It may be a bit plumper than the studio fix's case but the plastic case is lightweight so this won't be too much of a burden to bring in your bag. However, the plastic material is kinda' cheap and I can almost feel that one drop can permanently detach the cover of the case. It comes with a puff, which I don't really need because I wouldn't want to waste a good amount of the product because the sponge will definitely absorb 50% of it.

So let's now go to the actual product. This is a cream to powder foundation. Check out the swatch. It's creamy and moist, which I like because it's less messy than liquid foundations. Another great characteristic, it's so lightweight and it blends in seconds! And the best part is, this foundation is oil- free.

Deep is the second and last shade of this foundation. The other one is light. You might think that you don't have much choices. But this foundation is soo sheer, it fits almost any skin tone, as promised by Benefit.

True enough, it did fit my skin tone. It looked hell scary on the pan because it looks like an NC50 but when I blended it evenly, it just disappeared into a sheer finish.

Here's my face without Some Kind- A Gorgeous. Sorry for the nasty marks hehe. :)

Here's my face with Some Kind- A Gorgeous. Check that my minor blemishes and bumps were covered. I give the coverage 10 stars because it managed to make my skin look flawless!

Check that it's a perfect match for my neck and face skin!

It's a cream to powder formula so I did not set it with powder. For reference, I have oily skin. And this foundation stayed put for four hours without any powder on top! So I give the staying power 15 stars :D.

If you sweat like hell, the foundation may have the tendency to run- off but setting it with powder can seal the foundation.

One MAJOR con of this product is the smell. I suspected that what I got is an expired product because the smell is totally pungent. It stings your nostrils with the chemical-ish scent quality.

Many people raved about this foundation but their major qualm is the smell. I hope Benefit does something about the scent because people will always find a better alternative.

If not for the small, it would be a perfect product for me. But I can withstand the smell and it fades once you apply it on your skin. The coverage and staying power mattered to me more so overall, I love this product! :)

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BENEFIT SILKY FINISH LIPSTICK IN MY TREAT

Here's an initial review on BENEFIT SILKY FINISH LIPSTICK IN MY TREAT

PRICE: 730PHP

PLACE BOUGHT: EBAY

OTHER LOCATIONS: ONLINE; MULTIPLY RESELLERS; BENEFIT SALON (?) I'M NOT SURE WITH THE NAME OF THE SALON IN EASTWOOD THAT SELLS MAC AND BENEFIT COSMETICS SO CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

THE VERDICT:

This is my first Benefit Lipstick. I decided to make it part of my lipstick project because I've read so many great reviews on the silky and full finish line. I was supposed to get Lady's choice or On the Sly from the Full Finish Collection. On the Sly is a bit too dark on the tube and I can't find any picture reference online so I'm not sure how it looks like. Lady's Choice is much like Chanel's RA in Comedia. Hubby got me Comedia so I don't want something that almost looks like it.

I took a risk on My Treat since it's the only color I liked from the Silky Finish Line. However, I was hoping that it wouldn't look too loud since it looked too pink on the tube. I love pink lippies but I wouldn't want this to turn into a fuschia pink color.

My Treat is described as a cream/vibrant rose color by Sephora.com. It is in a sheer formulation and it does give off a good (but not OTT) shine on your lips.

Skin Swatch

This lipstick is unscented. so it's good for those who don't like scented lippies. It doesn't have any taste too.

Check out the lurve- ly color. It gave me this sheer yet pigmented candy pink color on my lips! Once the lipstick settles on your lips, it dries off to a sheen, leaving your lips with a juicy looking shine that's not OTT while still giving your lips a nice pigmented pink hue.

It just gives my lips a sheer pink color that makes someone look fresh and younger! However, since this is too wet, it just hangs on for a short period of time. But, it's not completely wiped off, which goes to show that this lipstick tries to hang on to dear life. But if you use your mouth often, this might run off easily. But if you don't use your mouth at all, it does last long.

I looove the formulation. It's glossy without being too slick!

However, I'm not willing to repurchase since this is kinda' expensive. But if I have extra cash, why not??? I wanna try Sugar Cookie next, or one from the Full Finish line. :)

DETERMINE IF YOUR BENEFIT POWDER BLUSHES ARE AUTHENTIC!

I've received a call from sis Crissy after my review of my Benefit Coralista. Apparently, she was suspecting that hers was a knockoff so for reference, she asked me to compare hers with my Coralista. And what sucks the most is, she bought it for 1500php, almost the same price of my authentic Coralista priced at 1576php. It's cheaper than the original but I think 1500php is waay to much to pay for a knockoff.

I've stated in my blog before that Benefit Cosmetics are the easiest to replicate. The real nature of the product lies in the littlest details. So here's an entry on how to guarantee that your Benefit Powder is authentic.

MY BENEFIT POWDERS ARE: CORALISTA AND DALLAS. BOTH ARE BOUGHT IN THE BENEFIT COSMETICS COUNTER IN TANG'S, SINGAPORE.

LET'S START WITH THE A SHOT OF THE BOX COVERS. WE'RE GOING TO INSPECT MY CORALISTA AND DALLAS.

SIS CRISSY ASKED ME TO TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE PEEL- OFF FLAP OF MY CORALISTA. I TOLD HER THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL LANGUAGE TRANSLATIONS OF THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION LISTED INSIDE THE PEEL- OFF FLAP AND THERE'S NOTHING LISTED INSIDE HERS. AFTER KNOWING THIS, SHE THEREFORE CONCLUDED THAT MAYBE WHAT SHE HAS BOUGHT IS A KNOCKOFF. BUT SINCE I DON'T WANNA JUDGE, I INSPECTED MY DALLAS FIRST AND SAW THE STRIKING CONSISTENCIES.

HERE'S A PIC OF THE INSIDE OF THE PEEL- OFF FLAP OF MY BENEFIT CORALISTA. IT HAS THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION IN SEVERAL LANGUAGES AND THE INGREDIENTS ARE LISTED OUTSIDE THE PEEL- OFF FLAP.

HERE'S A PIC OF THE INSIDE OF THE PEEL- OFF FLAP OF MY DALLAS. IT ALSO HAS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE POWDER IN SEVERAL LANGUAGES. THE PIC ON THE OUTER PART OF THE PEEL- OFF FLAP ALSO HAS THE INGREDIENTS LISTED ON IT.

**I'M NOT SAYING THAT THIS IS THE GENERAL RULE BUT THIS COULD LEAD YOU TO CONCLUDING IF YOUR BENEFIT POWDER IS AUTHENTIC OR NOT. I'VE COMPARED BOTH AND BOTH PATTERNS ON THE PEEL- OFF FLAPS WERE CONSISTENT, THOUGH THE ONLY DISPARITY ARE THE LANGUAGES, COS APPARENTLY, THE LANGUAGES ON THE DALLAS WERE DIFFERENT THAN THE ONES IN CORALISTA. BUT NEVERTHELESS, THE INFORMATION ON THE FLAPS WERE CONSISTENT. IF YOUR BENEFIT POWDERS DON'T HAVE THESE INSIDE THE PEEL-OFF FLAPS, CHANCES ARE, YOUR POWDER IS A KNOCKOFF.

HERE'S A CLOSER PIC OF MY DALLAS BLUSH. IT'S BROWN AND IT'S MATTE. IF YOUR DALLAS BLUSH HAS NOTICEABLE SHIMMERS, IT IS A KNOCKOFF.

HERE'S A CLOSER SHOT OF THE CORALISTA BLUSH. SORRY FOR THE DARK PIC BUT THIS IS ACTUALLY ORANGE UNDER GOOD NATURAL LIGHTING. TAKE NOTE OF THE WHITE SHIMMERS IN THE POWDER. IF YOUR CORALISTA IS MATTE, IT IS A KNOCKOFF.

I SWATCHED BOTH HEAVILY FOR REFERENCE. DALLAS (TOP) HAS A MATTE ROSE- BROWN COLOR WHILE CORALISTA (BOTTOM) IS A CORAL BLUSH WITH A HINT OF WHITE FROSTED SHIMMER. TEXTURES OF BOTH BLUSHES ARE CREAMY AND ARE VERY PIGMENTED AND EASY TO APPLY.

THE DALLAS BRUSH (LEFT) IS MADE OF BEIGE- COLORED HAIR WITH A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC ON UPON PURCHASE. THE CORALISTA BLUSH (RIGHT HAS) IS MADE OF WHITE- COLORED HAIR WITH A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC UPON PURCHASE ALSO. BOTH FEEL SOFT YET QUITE SCRAGGY AND THEY KINDA' SHED DURING THE FIRST FEW USAGES. THERE MIGHT BE COLOR INCONSISTENCIES ON THE HANDLES BECAUSE WOOD ITSELF HAS UNEVEN TRUNK COLOR PIGMENTATION. BUT THE HANDLES SHOULD BE MADE OF AUTHENTIC WOOD. NOT WOOD- PAINTED PLASTIC.

YOUR BENEFIT POWDERS SHOULD HAVE THIS PROTECTIVE PLASTIC BASE FOR THE BRUSHES (AS SHOW IN THE PIC) THAT SEPARATES THE BRUSHES FROM THE POWDERS TO PREVENT SCRATCHING.

HERE'S A SHOT OF THE BOTTOM PARTS OF MY BENEFIT BLUSHES. BOTH HAVE THE STICKER TAGS OF THE AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS

HERE'S A SHOT OF THE TOP PART OF MY BENEFIT CORALISTA

HERE'S A SHOT OF THE TOP PART OF MY BENEFIT DALLAS

OTHER TIPS TO DETERMINE A KNOCKOFF FROM AN AUTHENTIC:

- CHECK THE GRAMMAR AND WORD SPELLINGS, LITTLE THEY MAY BE, THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE A LOT IN KNOWING IF YOUR ITEM IS AUTHENTIC OR NOT

- IF THE POWDERS ARE CHALKY, CHANCES ARE, YOUR PRODUCT IS FAKE. TAKE NOTE THAT BENEFIT'S POWDER BLUSHES HAVE CREAMY TEXTURES, BASED FROM MY TWO BLUSHES AND FROM MY TESTING OF THE OTHER POWDERS WHEN I WAS IN TANGS.

- IF THE PRICE IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, CHANCES ARE, THESE ARE KNOCKOFFS. BUT IF THEY'RE PRICED AT APPROX. 1500PHP, (WHICH IS THE COST OF EACH OF MY BENEFIT POWDERS) AND THEY DON'T HAVE ACTUAL PICTURES, DEMAND FOR ACTUAL AND CLEAR PHOTOS OF THE PRODUCTS IN TWO TO THREE DIFFERENT ANGLES. IF THEY WON'T AND CAN'T, THEN IT'S TIME TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER SELLER. DON'T BASE TOO MUCH ON RATINGS BECAUSE RATINGS CAN BE MANIPULATED AND MADE.

*SAVE YOURSELF FROM BEING FOOLED BY EQUIPPING YOURSELVES WITH THE KNOW- HOWS ON HOW TO SPOT KNOCKOFFS!

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BENEFIT CORALISTA POWDER BLUSH+FOTD

Here's an initial review on BENEFIT CORALISTA POWDER BLUSH.

PRICE: 52SGD (APPROX. 1560PHP)

PLACE BOUGHT: TANG'S, SINGAPORE

OTHER LOCATIONS: ONLINE RESELLERS

THE VERDICT:

Benefit Coralista has probably made waves after it's phenomenal release. It gives a lovely tropical glow like no other, and maybe because it's a big surprise after a few disappointing blushes from the brand.

First off, let's take a look at the packaging. I like the cheetah print that makes this a lovely make- up case accessory. It's quite bulky but I don't mind since I find the packaging pretty unique.

Secondly, it comes with a brush, which is so convenient, yet it feels scraggy and it might end up scratchy, which I don't like.

Let's now go to the product. It's a lovely coral blush with hints of silver shimmer. Btw, this is a scented blush. I find the fruity tropical scent unique and nice. It's not overpowering and it adds to the overall "tropical" effect of the powder.

Here's a swatch of the powder on my skin. I find that the pigment pay- off is not that good since I had to swipe it thrice on my skin so you could somehow see the color of the powder, which makes it no different from the not-so-good pigment pay- off of Nars' blush in Orgasm. I also think that the problem lies on my skin tone. I'm quite dark, so that's the reason why this powder is having a hard time showing up. And I'm pretty sure this will show up easily on Fair skinned ladies. But I also love that it's buildable so you could decide whether you just want a hint of coral or a splashin' flush of coral on your cheeks.

Here's the blush on my cheeks. Unlike Orgasm's coral with strong pink undertones, this one stayed true to the name. It is a true coral shade which gives your cheeks a hint of orange glow. It has no pink undertones at all. It's pure coral goodness! I've also noticed that it worked differently on my facial skin as opposed to my hand skin. It only took me two swipes to get the coral flush and I just swiped more to build the color, depending on how intense I want it to be. The shimmer is nice also. It gives my face a summery glow and a lovely sheen that is great in accentuating my tan.

Amazingly, the staying power is good. It did fade a bit for hours, but I still see a coral glow on my cheeks every chance I had to look in the mirror.

And I threw in a BEACH GODDESS FOTD for you guys. :) (And why is the blush ain't showing? I might've fondled with my camera settings again :p)

Overall, I like this powder. It's cute and I'm lovin' the smell. However, I would say that I wouldn't repurchase since I just tried it for the heck of trying it since they say it's one of the best blushes created. If there's one thing that I love, it's the true coral shade. But apart from that, there's nothing so special about this powder. But I'm pretty sure this will be of some significance to fair skinned women since it'll show up easily on them. After I empty this, I might get a Nars Orgasm or Torrid. Anything that can pass off as a coral blush.