Benefit

Two Ways to Win a Benefit Sexiest Nudes Ever Eyeshadow Kit (a $30 Value)!

December 28th, 2012 by Karen 355 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is AmyE! Congratulations, AmyE! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Sexiest Nudes Ever box front

Er, no. I’m pretty sure the name of the prize in today’s giveaway, Benefit’s Sexiest Nudes Ever, was NOT inspired by Magic Mike, the groundbreaking film starring Academy Award shoe-in Channing Tatum… 🙂

But snaps to you, girl, for making the connection, LOL!

I was really surprised by this eyeshadow kit (a Sephora exclusive) and its cool-toned smokey shades.

In all, it comes with six products — four Longwearing Powder Shadows in Milk It (a pearly off-white), Raincheck (a demi-matte mauve), Pause for Applause (a matte purplish pink) and Blingo (a metallic silver); and two Creaseless Creams in Bikini-Tini (a shimmery golden peach) and Holy Smokes (a shimmery bluish gray).

I hope you’ll love these colors as much as I do, and because I think you will, I’m giving one of the kits away today!

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Sexiest Nudes Ever closeup

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Sexiest Nudes Ever overhead

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Sexiest Nudes Ever box back

One (1) Benefit Sexiest Nudes Ever Eyeshadow Kit valued at $30.

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, do you remember the name of the first purple eyeshadow you ever wore? Do you like cream and sugar in your coffee? What’s one word that describes the way your hair looks right when you get out of bed in the morning? How often do you wear smokey eyes? When was the last time you had a salad? What’s your least favorite household chore? How long does it take you to decide what to wear? — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a Benefit Sexiest Nudes Ever Eyeshadow Kit (a $30 value)! http://bit.ly/Vl9CjZ

The deadline to enter is Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 11:59PM (PST).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals internationally and in the United States who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! 🙂 Wait! — don’t go yet. Have you already entered these two other giveaways? The first one is for one of my favorite accessories of the year, the Zella Gathered Tote (I LOVE that thing).

Two Ways to Win a Zella Gathered Tote (a $68 Value)! — Closes Friday, 12/28/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Two Ways to Win a Benefit Most Glamorous Nudes Ever Eyeshadow Kit (a $30 Value)! — Closes Saturday, 12/29/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is AmyE! Congratulations, AmyE! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Two Ways to Win a Benefit Most Glamorous Nudes Ever Eyeshadow Kit (a $30 Value)!

December 27th, 2012 by Karen 468 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Edith! Congratulations, Edith! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Do you believe in magic?

I only ask because it’s real…as evident by the spellbinding new Benefit Most Glamorous Nudes Ever Eyeshadow Kit ($30 value).

This kit’s combination of rich, warm neutrals will brighten your eyes quicker than you can wave your magic wand and yell, “ABRACADABRA!”

Okay, well, maybe not that quickly…but you know what I mean. 🙂

It comes with two Creaseless Creams (shimmery champagne Birthday Suit, and My Two Cents, a warm and shimmery golden copper), and four Longwear Powder Shadows in Call My Buff (a pearly, peachy beige), Kiss Me I’m Tipsy (a warm reddish brown with a hint of plum), It’s Complicated (a shimmery pinkish gold) and Gilt-y Pleasure (a shimmery peachy gold).

Enter tonight’s giveaway (expires Saturday, December 29 at 11:59 p.m. PST), and you could be the lucky lady (or gent) who takes one home.

Would be a nice way to start the new year. 🙂

One (1) Benefit Most Glamorous Nudes Ever Eyeshadow Kit valued at $30.

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, have you been loving any neutral eyeshadows these days? What tools and technique do you use to apply cream eyeshadows? If you got one this year, have you taken down your Christmas tree yet? Are you taking it easy or going buck wild for New Year’s Eve? What’s been your biggest beauty challenge this winter so far? Is there a veggie you absolutely, positively will not eat? — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a Benefit Most Glamorous Nudes Ever Eyeshadow Kit (a $30 value)! http://bit.ly/YSdLSL

The deadline to enter is Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 11:59PM (PST).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals internationally and in the United States who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. It’s still giveaway-fest 2012 around here! Have you already entered these other ongoing giveaways?

Two Ways to Win a Zella Gathered Tote (a $68 Value)! — Closes Friday, 12/28/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Two Ways to Win a Mikas Pond Stacy Wallet from Kate Spade (a $100 Value)! — Closes Thursday, 12/27/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Edith! Congratulations, Edith! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Benefit Got Deep! The New Benefit Stay Don’t Stray Eye Primer in Medium/Deep

December 14th, 2012 by Karen 14 Comments

benefit don't stray in medium/deep — The new Benefit Stay Don’t Stray in Medium/Deep ($26)

“Sit. Stay. Don’t stray!”

Sounds like me trying to get Tabs to sit still for a picture. 🙂 It’s actually the idea behind Benefit’s $26 Stay Don’t Stray, the brand’s creamy eye primer for lids and under-eye areas.

It’s designed to boost the wear time of concealers and eyeshadows. Problem is, it’s only been available in a single shade…until now.

Yup, Benefit got deep! Come spring, a darker shade, Medium/Deep, joins the original, lighter Stay Don’t Stray.

Both shades will also get a new bottle with a doe-foot applicator instead of the old pump.

[Continue reading…]

The Six Sample-Sized Products in Benefit’s New Primping With the Stars Face Kit Should Make Working With or Without Celebrities Easier

December 3rd, 2012 by Karen 13 Comments

benefit primping with the stars — The new $32 Primping With the Stars kit from Benefit

Where am I…?

What is this strange place?

It’s as if, when I walked through that door, I came out in a different universe, a parallel dimension, a nexus, if you will, of time and space, where the impossible is possible.

Back in the universe where I came from, primping with the stars — at least the one particular plus-size feline celebrity I’m familiar with — often took hours, days and sometimes even weeks.

Based on my star-primping experience, which involved prepping a superstar kitty supermodel for all the major awards shows, it was always a chore, but Benefit designed this kit to change that.

They filled the $32 Primping With the Stars kit with six sample-sized products from their permanent line, hand selected to fake a flawless face in mere minutes. In the kit, you get Benefit’s Stay Don’t Stray Eye Primer, The POREfessional face primer, Girl Meets Pearl Highlighter, their Some Kind-A Gorgeous cream foundation in Medium, one Benetint lip and cheek stain, and a tube of They’re Real mascara.

[Continue reading…]

Benefit’s Betting That the Eye-Catching Neon Packaging of Their Latest Face Kit Will Prompt You to Do the Bright Thing

December 3rd, 2012 by Karen 15 Comments

benefit do the bright thing swatches — Wearing the products in Benefit’s new kit, Do The Bright Thing ($32)

They say that necessity is the mother of invention… Well, after seeing Glen do that thing with the zombie’s arm in last night’s episode of The Walking Dead (HOLY SCHNIZZ!!), I believe it!

I don’t know where I was going with that…but I think it had something to do with Benefit’s new $32 Do the Bright Thing Face kit.

I was thinking about decorating the house for the holidays, how I wasn’t sure if I have enough decorations, and then I looked at this kit’s bright, eye-catching packaging and thought, “Gee, this’ll work as a Christmas decoration in a pinch.”

This little Sephora exclusive lives to make faces glow, and it comes with five-sample sized products from Benefit’s permanent line.

See that pretty girl in the mirror there? (What mirror, where?)

Sorry! — random music reference! 🙂

She turned up the dial on her outer glow by wearing Do The Bright Thing’s soft, shimmery pink That Gal primer under her foundation, and to give her cheeks some color, she swiped light pink Dandelion Blush on her cheeks. Then, she dabbed and blended a few dots of highlighting High Beam on the tops of her cheekbones.

To make her eyes look bigger and brighter, she smudged Jet black Bad Gal Waterproof Liner along her lash lines and applied They’re Real Mascara, which works like yoga for lashes, s t r e t c h i n g them out.

[Continue reading…]

Benefit’s The Bronze of Champions Kit Goes for the Glory of Sun-Kissed Eyes, Lips and Cheeks

November 30th, 2012 by Karen 9 Comments

benefit the bronze of champtions — Wearing the new Benefit Bronze of Champions Kit ($32)

Weee are the cham-pions…my frrriend.

And weee’ll keep on bronnnzing…till the ennnnd.

Weee are the cham-pions. WEEE are the cham-pions!!

SWWWIPE on some Hooola…’cause weee are the cham-pions……OF THE BRONNNZE!!

— “We Are the Champions” (1977), by Queen, lost recording

[Continue reading…]

A Face of the Day With the New Benefit World Famous Neutrals Most Glamorous Nudes Ever Kit

November 30th, 2012 by Karen 33 Comments

This is the face you make when your parents try to FaceTime you from across the Pacific Ocean for the very first time, LOL!

Both my mom and dad are retired, in their mid-60s and not the most technologically savvy people. Example: Even though I’ve explained it to them a bunch of times over the last six years, they still don’t understand what a blog is (“Why do you post so many pictures of makeup and Tabs on the internet?”).

But bless their hearts for trying and for keeping an open mind to new gadgets and gizmos.

They’re on Oahu right now, and it’s been a couple days since I’ve seen them, so they FaceTime’d me (is that even a verb?) this morning to say hello and to show me the ocean. How sweet!

Because they’re my parents, I spent 10 minutes looking at my dad’s left ear before they figured out how to hold the iPhone. When they finally worked it out, my mom grabbed the phone to chat…

ME: “Hi, Mom. Whatcha up to?”

MOM: “Oh, I went to a country line dancing class this morning. It was a lot of fun. Dad says he went to the gym to walk on the treadmill, but I think he went to the buffet instead. You know. Retired people stuff.”

ME: “That’s cool.”

MOM: “Where’s my tabby?”

ME: “He’s sleeping at the top of his cat tower. I’d wake him, but I’m not in the mood to get scratched.”

MOM: “You know, if I had a grandchild, I’d take her on vacation with us.”

ME: “You know, you already have a grand-cat.”

MOM: “I know! But I can’t take Tabs with me to Hawaii. If I had a granddaughter, I could bring her to the pool, the beach and all that fun stuff.”

ME: “Are you asking for a grandchild so you can have something to do on vacation?”

MOM: “I’m just saying. If you had a baby, it would keep me busy. Ideally a girl. Hint, hint.”

ME: “Ummm…”

MOM: “Just something to think about!

Oh, I like your eye makeup today. What are you wearing?”

ME: “It’s a new kit from Benefit called the Most Glamorous Nudes Ever.”

[Continue reading…]

Benefit Set Out to Make This Christmas One of the Best Ever With Their New World Famous Neutrals Kits

November 29th, 2012 by Karen 32 Comments

The brand-spankin’ new Benefit World Famous Neutrals kits

If you decide to add one of Benefit’s new World Famous Neutrals kits to your holiday wish list, there’s a good chance (at least 93.5%) that your sis, mom, BFF or Secret Santa will find it hard to resist keeping it for herself.

(Because that’s totally what I’d be tempted to do.)

These three new $30 Sephora exclusive kits are some of the most exciting neutrals I’ve seen since Naked2, and I’m going bananas (B-A-N-A-N-A-S) over the colors, almost all of which are new.

Just when I thought the whole neutral palette craze was completely played out, along comes Benefit to put their signature spin on it.

First, they created “Eyenessa,” the magical, mystical makeup maven/character who graces the covers of all three World Famous Neutral kits, and judging by her giant hoop earrings and affinity for gold jewelry, she’s a girl after my own accessories-lovin’ heart. 🙂

Second, there’s the Creaseless Creams! — which are my favorite things about these. Each kit comes with two of them in tiny pots, along with four Longwear Powder Shadows.

Now, it seems like every brand has a nude/neutral palette of powder eyeshadows, but not many of them come with cream shadows. By including two Creaseless Creams with each of these, Benefit takes these kits to the next level. I think the Creams give Bene-babes much more power to layer and create their own custom combos.

What do ya say we take a closer look now at each of the kits? 🙂

KIT #1: Most Glamorous Nudes Ever

Abracadabra! This spellbinding kit’s combination of rich, warm neutrals is prompting me to put my obsession with Skinny Jeans on pause (BTW, have you tried Skinny Jeans yet?? It’s one of my favorite cream eyeshadow colors of all time!). The kit features two enchanting Creaseless Creams of its own, the shimmery champagne Birthday Suit and My Two Cents, a shimmery warm golden copper.

The kit also comes with Longwear Powder Shadows in Call My Buff (a pearly, peachy beige), Kiss Me I’m Tipsy (a warm reddish brown with a hint of plum), It’s Complicated (a shimmery pinkish gold) and Gilt-y Pleasure (a shimmery peachy gold) to add even more glow to your eye looks.

[Continue reading…]