Benefit Hervana

I recently welcomed the latest Benefit Box Powder, Hervana into my blush collection.

Hervana, marketed as a “good karma” blush is a swirl of four shades lucky shell, divine peach, heavenly rose and berry delight which when combined creates a soft natural pink glow to your cheeks or even to highlight facial features.

The finish is quite matte however it still has slight sparkles and like all Benefit powders, it smells berry sweet.

Released with Bella Bamba, the new Benefit powder boxes contain a hinged lid with a built in mirror. The mini brush enclosed is angled to allow an effortless sweep of product onto your cheek bones and the packaging is heavenly with beautiful pastel colours which mimic the colours of the powder and silver lettering.

I purchased Hervana for $28(USD) online at http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ otherwise it can be purchased in Australia for $51(AUD) at Benefit counters or online at http://adorebeauty.com.au

October Favourites

Can you believe its now only 8 weeks until Christmas? Exciting! Time flies when you’re having fun right? Sorry I have been MIA lately, I have been really enjoying daylight savings and getting out and about to enjoy the longer days after work. Feel free to browse my beauty loves for the month of October. x

 Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder – I have been using this translucent powder everyday to set my foundation or BB Cream. This powder is inexpensive but effective and works a treat to set foundation, reduce oily shine and applies like silk – makes my face feel amazingly silky.

Benefit Coralista Box o Powder – A gorgeous shade of coral with a gold shimmer, this blush (like all Benefit box powders) works so well for day and night. I have been reaching for this blush for a simple pretty spring glow achieved with one sweep – smells lovely too!

L-R: Sand Pink and Rose

NYX Lipliner Pencil in Rose and Sand Pink that works well with most pink lipsticks. These liners are also very kind to the bank account and are creamy to apply and have great staying power. I hope to own more colours in the near future :)

L-R: Girl Meets Pearl and SAX Liquid Liner

SAX Liquid Eyeliner in Blackest Black – Let me start by saying this is the first liquid liner I have tried but after being successful in my very first liquid liner attempt, I have been using this regularly throughout October. The applicator is similar to a felt tip so its easy to get up and personal with your lash line without a brush bending to make mistakes. The liner applies really black and I found it to achieve great staying power after long days of shopping or nights out. I did find some applications did bleed a little however as mentioned above this is my first liquid liner I've tried and either way I have been loving the liquid look.

Benefits Girl Meets Pearl – Another highlighter to add to my collection! I received a sample of this a while back and loved it enough to purchase a full size. The colour is a pearly pink with a gold shimmer (so pretty) and I particularly love that the packaging is similar to a glue stick and you can twist as little or as much product as you like. A great product to brighten your complexion and highlight features.

Alpha H Liquid Gold Prep and Prime – Step 1 of the Alpha H Liquid Gold Skin Perfecting System this little baby has been ticking all my boxes in the skin care department for October. I apply 4-5 drops of this solution every night in conjunction with my normal night routine (alternately) and my skin has never felt so soft or looked so bright and hydrated. The purpose of prep and prime is to slowly prepare your skin (through the use of rich botanicals) to tolerate active enzymes and AHA’s ready for the use of step 2 the Skin Perfecting System – Liquid Gold (which I’m so excited to try as step 1 has been so amazing).

VIP Gold Super Beblesh Balm (BB Cream) – A perfect alternative to foundation for the warmer months. I have been reaching for my BB Cream more and more this month as it’s quick and easy and provides the perfect light coverage for days when it’s too hot to pile on the makeup. For a more in depth review, see my post here.

Nivea Invisible Anti- Perspirant Deodorant – Again, I have been using this all month and have been quite happy with the pleasant scent which has been long lasting, even during my sometimes 10 hour work days. It claims to be invisible against both white marks and yellow stains on clothing which is an added bonus.

….and the pièce de résistance

Urban Decay Naked Palette – Yes, I’m officially part of the Naked Club. 12 shades of neutral beautifulness which I’m sure need no introduction, I have had a great month experimenting with these colours and these are some of my top picks:

L-R: Virgin, Sin, Naked, Sidecare and Hustle

So what were your October beauty favourites?

Disclaimer: The Australis Finishing Powder and Alpha H Skin Perfecting System were provided as sponsored gifts as part of ABBW, however; I was under no obligation to include these productions in my favourites post or on Beauty Soiree.  

Benefit's Confessions of a Concealaholic

Image source

Hi, my name is Stephanie and I’m a concealaholic, well not exactly but I sure do love it!

So when I saw this palette online at Benefit, I though it was quite fitting and a great excuse to try out some of the different concealing and brightening products from their range.

The palette, Confessions of a Concealaholic contains five of their best concealing and brightening products and includes:

That Girl – Brightening face primer

Erase Paste – Brightening Camouflage for Eyes and Face

Boi-ing 1 & 2 – Industrial Strength Concealer

Lemon Aide - Colour Correcting Eyelid Primer

Eye Bright – Instant Eye Brightener

The palette also contains two double ended concealer brushes and a booklet containing illustrated pictures on how to use and apply each product. The packaging is quite cute and resembles a lockable diary and includes a nice size mirror. The products included are sample sizes but I find it’s a great way to try before you choose to buy your favourite in its full size.  

My favourites from the palette include:

That Girl Brightening Face Primer – Great multi purpose product and can be used as a foundation primer or as a highlighter over your makeup. The pink pearlescent formula is silky to apply and is a glycerine based (applies like lotion) which allows your makeup to stay put and adds a bright sheen to your completion – it smells yummy too.

Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer – Which is a waxy based concealer, however don’t let this put you off. Boi-ing quickly becomes smooth and manageable when warmed with a finger or concealer brush. I mix 1 & 2 together for the perfect coverage which I didn’t find it to crease or become cakey. Boi-ing is great for full coverage and concealed my dark circles like a dream.

Lemon Aide Colour Correcting Eyelid Primer – I have been wanting to try colour correcting products for a while as I have redness is some areas and my eyelids are quite sheer. I like Lemon Aide as it colour corrects my eyelids, hiding any visible light veins and doubles as a great primer too. As yellow is great for counteracting dark colours, I also use Lemon Aide on early mornings (or the morning of the night before) to diffuse dark circles before I tackle them with Boi-ing.

So, are you also a concealaholic like me?

Purchase Confessions of a Concealaholic (or other great products) from Benefit for $36(US), from Adore Beauty for $68(AUD) or your nearest Benefit Counter.

FOTD - Simply Spring



As the weather is starting to warm up I am welcoming spring with open arms so as I headed out this morning I thought I would share my face of the day created to give a simple, pretty and natural look perfect for warm spring days.

Products used:

Face

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B30

NARS Laguna Bronzer

Bloom Sheer Colour Cream Blush in natural

Eyes

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in RSVP (lid and highlight)

Napoleon Perdis Colour Disc in Irid Taupe (crease)

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara

Lips

Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid

These are a few of my favourite things…

As mentioned on my previous blog, My Guilty Pleasures, I have been getting into the beauty community on YouTube recently. As I have been immersing myself in all things beauty, I too have developed the need to buy, try and review the latest products. Below I have put together a collection of my favourite products that I have been loving so far in 2011.

Nude by Nature – Mineral Make-up

Natural ingredients and chemical free, this product offers great everyday coverage. Easy to apply (lightly buff over face using a kabuki brush) and team with concealer and light bronzer for a flawless finish.  

Too Faced – Natural Eye Pallet

My new favourite eye shadows! Create a day, classic and party look in one pallet. The colours are beautifully pigmented and it comes with three step-by-step “look” cards for easy application – bonus!

Benefit Creaseless Cream Eye Shadow – R.S.V.P

Just a beautiful Champagne base colour, easy to apply and true to it’s name – it does not crease.   

Maybelline – The Falsies Volume Express

I had to try the mascara that the online beauty world was raving about and I was not disappointed. I was surprised that it applies so well and was not clumpy even after a few coats, eye lashes don’t look false but definitely adds volume.

Benefit Box-O-Powder – Dallas

My current every day blush, a beautiful sunset plum colour. I love benefit’s powders, I have recently ordered the new “Bella Bamba” online so I will let you know what I think when it arrives.

Skindinavia – No More Shine Make-up Finish Spray

Spritz over your face before and after make up application for make up that stays put all day. Just having purchased it a few months ago it came in handy during the summer party season.

Yes to Carrots – Eye and Makeup Remover

I was first introduced to this brand in 2010 when my sister gave me the Yes to Carrots and Cucumber Shampoo and Conditioner for my birthday. Ever since then I loved the brand and wanted to try more from the Yes to range. I was very excited to find that they sell Yes to in Priceline and I purchased the Eye and Makeup Remover. It applies as a cream and easily removes all make-up including stubborn eye liner and mascara. Once the cream is massaged into the face it is then removed with warm water – so effort is needed.  

Moroccan Oil

I use this every time I blow dry my hair and it gives a silky smooth result every time (not to mention I really like the scent).

St Tropez – Bronzing Mousse

A great fake tan that I have been re-purchasing for a few years now, great colour and the scent is not too bad. I prefer the mousse for an easy application, oh and apply with rubber gloves or the application mitt as it’s much easier and you will have orange free palms.