Benefit PosieBalm Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm

I know I don't need to buy another lip balm but it's one of the things I can't resist. Especially when they come in the cutest packaging! I've always loved Benefit's packaging, but they're admittedly pricey, so I bought the minis first instead. Hihi. I tend to go for their kits as well (such as Finding Mr. Bright), since I get to try more products that way.

Benefit PosieBalm Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm

Ingredients:

This deluxe sample looks exactly like the original shiny pink tube, only shorter. It's so pretty! 

However, it contains just that small amount of product, and that's already fully twisted up.

Swatch: 

Benefit's PosieBalm has a rose scent and a nice sheen. It has a smooth glide and a cushy feel, thanks to it's mango butter and sodium hyaluronate content. I was expecting it to have a poppy-pink tint such as PosieTint or at least to be at least pinkish, but it applies transparent on my lips (and even on my skin). It's not buildable as there's no color to build to begin with. As much as I want to love this one, it's too sheer for my liking. This range has 4 shades in total: BeneBalm, PosieBalm, ChaChaBalm, and LolliBalm. Among the 4, only BeneBalm has a sheer red tint that is actually visible, so you might want to get that instead.

Price: P1,000 (for the full-sized version)

Available at Benefit stores and Sephora

What's your current go-to lip balm?

Love,

Helen

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Benefit They're Real Tinted Primer

My lashes are basically non-existent, and in the past, I've had a short-lived love affair with lash extensions. Lash extensions would make me feel beautiful until they start falling off unevenly. After that, I let my lashes recover by literally doing and using nothing on it for months. (So much for being a beauty blogger!) But now I'm back and more determined than ever to practice more when it comes to doing my eye makeup. Benefit's They're Real Tinted Primer is one of the newest additions to my ever evolving makeup kit and this shiny silver tube got excited me with eye makeup again!

Benefit They're Real Tinted Primer works in 2 ways. You can wear it alone since it's tinted to a mink brown shade, or you can wear it underneath your favorite mascara for an extra dramatic length boost. To be honest, I tried to work with They're Real mascara before, but I wasn't blown away with it at all. I have short and sparse lashes, and when I tried to layer it on, I got spidery lashes. Hence, I decided to just give the They're Real Tinted Primer a whirl on its own.

They're Real Tinted Primer comes in a sleek silver tube. It contains 8.5g product inside, and just like usual mascaras, it's good for 6 months upon opening.

One noteworthy thing about this tinted primer is its ExtraFlex brush which literally does yoga for you! It's custom-designed to move (and even bend) so you could reach, separate, and coat even the tiniest lash. Heck, this can even work on lower lashes!

Before & After

With They're Real Tinted Primer alone vs bare lashes
 

I love using this tinted primer as a stand alone product because it makes my lashes more defined and feathery even on its own. It comes in a water-resistant gel formula and it doesn't smudge, and it's also easy to remove at the end of the day. It also nourishes my lashes with the conditioning ingredient ProVitamin B5 (Yes, the same one always advertised in Pantene commercials!). I believe this one strengthens my lashes as I haven't had fall out upon removal. This primer revealed to me the lashes I never knew I had - even the lower lashes! It's lightweight and gentle too, so it's a good everyday mascara if you're after a natural look. 

If you're planning to layer mascara over it, this is the obvious choice. White primers work to lengthen my lashes by leaving fiber on each strand, but they also leave my black mascara looking grayish sometimes. You won't have that problem here since this mascara already has a dark mink brown tint. You just have to let it dry first before applying mascara, and you're good to go.

Tip: Benefit recommends They're Real Tinted Primer + Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara for vavavoom lashes!

Price: P1,400

Available at Benefit stores in Manila: Greenbelt 5, Megamall (2/L Bridgeway), Trinoma, MOA, ATC, BGC Central Square, Rustan's Makati, and Rustan's Shangri-la

Like Benefit Cosmetics Philippines on Facebook for more information.

Love,
Helen

Let's keep in touch! 
 

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Wanderlust: A Benefit x Saladbox Blogger Soirée (featuring the March 2016 box + They're Real Tinted Primer)

Last Sunday was extra fun for me since my loved ones and I just ate all day long - Thai food, Tex-Mex fries, wings... :3 It's been so long since I've been to SM Megamall and I love that there are so many new restaurants to try! Oh, and the main purpose why I went there in the first place was because I had an event to attend that afternoon. I was actually first day of school nervous since I didn't know anyone there, but for the love of makeup...there I was! :D
 

Saladbox has another partnership with Benefit, the first one being their December 2015 box. For March 2016, it's even bigger and better! ;)

 

Before the event started, I got to roam around the store. I love how everything's so girly and glam here!

 

Lovely setup :3
 

Before the event, guests had their brows waxed at the Brow Bar. I've tried out this service ages ago, which you can read about here.

 

Sweet for everyone!

During the event, the Saladbox team revealed their March 2016 box with the theme Wanderlust. In here are just some of the loveliest travel essentials you can ever have. Saladbox's collaboration with Benefit is a very timely one, since it's their comeback box. Whenever other beauty boxes collaborate with Benefit, everyone becomes wild with excitement, but there is hardly ever a full-sized product in it. But everything has changed. LOOK!

 

This is a sample of the Benefit exclusive Wanderlust box for March 2016. Do you see the full-sized Rockateur blush? My eyes just popped! :D Saladbox promises you 1 full-sized product, 2 deluxe samples, 1 experience sample, and 1 brow gift certificate all for P500! (The brow wax GC alone is already worth P650!)

The catch is you'd have to subscribe for a minimum of 3 months (for P1,500), since they don't sell individual boxes. Let's just hope the next 2 boxes are as amazing as this one!
 

I wasn't able to capture it in photo, but the Benefit girls are the perkiest and bubbliest ladies I've ever met! :D The event was also the launch of Benefit's newest product, They're Real Tinted Primer. They did a live demo where we saw how this lash primer magically transformed the model's lashes in just a few swipes. It works best when paired with Roller Lash or They're Real mascaras.

 

I'm used to lash/mascara primers colored white, and it somehow affects my black mascaras, turning them from jet black to a slight grayish tint. They're Real Tinted Primer is a mink-brown tinted lash primer, so you can use this on its own for a natural defined look during the day. It's water-resistant, so it doesn't smudge but it easily removes in warm water - perfect for lazy girls like me. Hihi! For a more dramatic look, top it off with your favorite Benefit mascara.

 

They're Real Tinted Primer vs bare lashes

The best part is, They're Real Tinted Primer revealed the lashes I never knew I had. It's like I've had extensions done, but it's just the primer! This one deserves a separate blog post, but I think I've spoiled most of the details. You have to try it and see for yourself!

 

 

Subscribe to the Benefit exclusive Wanderlust box here! For more information, LIKE Saladbox and Benefit Cosmetics Philippines on Facebook.

Love,
Helen

Let's keep in touch!

 
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My Benefit Babies!

My Benefit babies finally arrived last night and I couldn't contain my excitement when I ripped open the package. They're so pretty, I want to cry. :') This haul literally fits the size of my palm.

I got all these from my friend Beauty By Tellie's Giant-er Blog Sale. She moved to Korea just this week and I'll miss her a lot. I'm excited as well for your new adventures there, Tellie! :D

I got her lot of Benefit deluxe samples since I've always wanted to try these best-selling products. It's just like getting the Benefit Edition of BDJ Box, only I am sure that I'm getting the stuff I really like. Haha :D

Benetint, Cha Cha Tint, and Lollitint

Posiebalm

Fake Up

They're Real! Push-Up Liner & Mascaras

Loving the note and sample as well. Can't wait to test these products out for review. :D Thanks again, Tellie! From your suking buyer. Haha!

Which cute little Benefit sample is your favorite? :3

Love,

Helen

Benefit Fake Up [Light, Medium & Deep]

Let's all solve the curious case of the hydrating concealer!

Benefit Fake Up [Light, Medium & Deep]

Sometimes, concealer is all you need to look fresh and awake even if the days are long and the nights are short. (Literally, since all work and no sleep can mean major haggardness.) Concealers are perfect for when you want to hide your eyebags or dark circles.

I got these samples of Benefit's Fake Up sachets in all 3 shades as part of the loot I received from answering their survey last January. I love the fact that this sample looks like a book that you'd have to flip open. How I wish they'd regularly give samples with every purchase, just so Benebabes could try more of their products!

The full-sized version of this concealer comes in a fancy silver tube packaging with pink details, and the product itself reminds me of The Body Shop's All-In-One Concealer, only on reverse.

What makes this formula unique is that the hydrating ring contains vitamin E and apple seed extract, which provides immediate moisturization, while the concealing core is has a light diffusing formula and silky smooth coverage.

The 3 shades I have are already pre-blended, so they look like this.

Swatches:

Light | Medium | Deep

Light | Medium | Deep (blended)

Light disappears on my skin, but I think I can work with either light or medium. Medium is a versatile middle shade that could also work for morenas, but deep is probably too dark even for morena skin.

Light (when worn)

I'm wearing Light here, which is a close match to my skin tone since it almost disappears (in a good way) when applied. While I don't have very problematic dark circles, I think the coverage of this concealer is nice. The pre-blended samples I got almost has that mousse-y feel, and the texture is very light. It has a dewy finish and slippery feel (which makes it ideal only for the undereyes, and not for face flaw coverage). Definitely hydrating! I applied this in the morning, topped it off with powder (which I always do for all concealers), and true enough, this stayed on me crease-free the entire day. Of course, it also manages to cover my dark circles and brighten up my eye area. This one's perfect for everyday use since it doesn't feel as heavy or thick as other concealers, and is highly recommended for those with dry skin.

Price: P1,300.00 (for the full-sized version)

Available in Benefit stores.

Have you tried Fake Up? :) Like Benefit Cosmetics Philippines on Facebook for more information on their products.

Love,

Helen

Benefit Finding Mr. Bright

Mr. Right may be hard to find, but not Mr. Bright! I found him in Benefit. :D

Benefit Finding Mr. Bright

Your brightening makeup MANual

This was actually a present for my sister last year for her birthday, but she lets me use it when I need to. (The perks of sisterhood!)

The box itself is so bright and girly. It's just like a teaser of the amazing stuff inside!

At the back of the box are the product descriptions and ingredients.

Inside it are the glorious little makeup! ♥ The cardboard background is removable, so you can use the box to store other things.

The box also has a mirror and a quirky leaflet containing tips about the products.

This set contains 4 deluxe-sized products of Benefit. This is perfect for when you want to try their products in small amounts before committing to the full-size version. In this kit alone, some are hits, a miss, and a meh (for me, that is).

Let's study them one by one!

Girl Meets Pearl 7.5ml

liquid pearl for the face

Initially, I thought this could be a substitute for Benefit's Sun Beam (the golden counterpart of High Beam) because of its goldish shade, but I find this shade to be quite subtle and barely noticeable. This may work better for those with deeper complexions, I prefer something more noticeable.

Posie Tint 4ml

poppy-pink tinted lip & cheek stain

Ah, can't go wrong with the tints!

Posie Tint has a very youthful pink shade. Very cute, bubblegum pink! This one dries fast, so you have to blend away the moment it touches your cheek. The result is a long lasting pink flush that's tamer than Benetint.

High Beam 2.5ml

luminescent complexion enhancer

My favorite part of this set would have to be THIS! (Why does it have to be the one to contain the least amount of product, at only 2.5ml?) I am in love with powder highlighters because of the convenience, but this liquid highlighter gives the perfect lit from within glow. Recommended for fair skin. (Deeper skin tones will benefit from Sun Beam.)

Erase Paste 3.2g

brightening camouflage for eyes & face

No. 2 medium

Erase Paste is promising with its creamy, blendable texture, but No 2 medium is too dark, too orange for my skin tone. This one is a miss for me.

(My sister is planning to sell this. Used/swatched once. Any takers?)

Swatches:

Girl Meets Pearl | Posie Tint | High Beam | Erase Paste

In another lighting:
 

Girl Meets Pearl | Posie Tint | High Beam | Erase Paste

I think Benefit's sets are a super nice and cute (but expensive) way of trying out their best-selling products. I also like the fact that the size of these products are so tiny and travel-friendly! :D

My favorite product from this kit would be High Beam! Posie Tint and Girl Meets Pearl are okay, but I don't have any use for Erase Paste. Had it been shade 1, it would have been a better match for my skin tone, but oh well.

Price: P1,700.00
Place bought: Benefit Trinoma

I'm curious. What Benefit set or product is on your wishlist? For me, it's the full-sized version of High Beam! :)

Love,

Helen