Kits and Sets

You’re the Fairest in This Tale With the Benefit Rare Beauty Kit

April 6th, 2012 by Karen 22 Comments

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?

Benefit has an answer for that, and the answer, my dear, is you. 🙂

It’s movie magic time! — and this fairy tale is all about value. The new Benefit Rare Beauty Kit ($45), a limited edition set released to celebrate the launch of the upcoming movie, Snow White & the Huntsman, comes with products to re-create Snow White’s makeup look from the film, and to keep everything safe from the evil queen, a cute and convenient makeup bag.

The $45 Rare Beauty Kit includes…

A full-size bottle of Benefit POREfessional Primer (regularly $29)
One full-size tube of BADgal Lash Mascara (regularly $19)
A sample size of Benetint liquid blush
A sample size of High Beam highlighter
The makeup bag!
A booklet with a number of tips and tutorials
A card with QR codes to access behind-the-scenes footage of the makeup artists working on the set of Snow White & the Huntsman

The movie hits theaters June 1, but the kit arrives online at benefitcosmetics.com April 17 and to stores and counters in May.

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I’ve been really looking forward to the movie since seeing the trailer a couple weeks ago. It looks intense and frightfully medieval, like a tale told to mischievous children hundreds of years ago to keep them out of the big, bad woods. 🙂

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Benefit to Release Rare Beauty, a New Makeup Set Inspired by Snow White & the Huntsman

April 2nd, 2012 by Karen 26 Comments

Benefit Cosmetics Snow White & The Huntsman
Image via Collider

Exciting news, Benefit babes (and fairy tale lovers)! This spring, Benefit and Universal Films partner up on a limited edition makeup set inspired by the upcoming movie.

Rare Beauty ($45), meet Snow White & the Huntsman. 🙂

The film, which hits theaters June 1 and stars Kristen Stewart as Snow White and Charlize Theron as evil Queen Ravenna, looks like Grimm for grownups to me, and I like the spooky new look.

Benefit products also appear on the actors in the film, as they are the movie’s exclusive beauty partner.

More details (and product pics) coming soon, but from what I’m gathering through the grapevine, the set will include makeup to recreate Snow White’s super black lashes, flushed cheeks and milky skin.

Rare Beauty, a set inspired by Kristen’s look in the film, arrives in stores, boutiques and counters this May, but die-hard Bene-babes don’t have to wait that long. It will officially launch online on April 17 at benefitcosmetics.com.

I saw the movie trailer in the theater before The Hunger Games last week, and it looks pretty darn great! It even got El Hub’s attention.

Poor guy will indubitably have to put up with me whispering random Benefit makeup tidbits through the movie when we see it, like, “I think they used High Beam on Kristen’s upper cheek bones in that shot…” and, “I bet Charlize is rocking Hoola right there.” LOL!
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For Vampires, Glam Comes Naturally. Humans, On The Other Hand, Need Things Like the NP Set Glam Set

March 7th, 2012 by Karen 20 Comments

NP Set Glam Set

One day, back when Vampire Edward and I used to kick it (just friends, nothing more!), I asked him why humans find vampires so attractive.

I had a theory — something about predators — but I wanted to hear what the undead guy had to say.

We were at a Starbucks in Seattle, chatting over soy chai lattes and blood orange teas, and I remember telling him about this National Geographic special I saw on the hunting habits of big jungle cats.

The show described how cats are natural born killers, and when the conversation turned from the mechanics of a lion’s retractable claws and how their teeth are built for shearing to why vampires are able to glamour humans, Edward explained…

“It makes perfect sense,” he said, staring deeply into my eyes.

I felt lightheaded for a second, and then he continued. “When you’re turned, you become a more attractive version of yourself. And you need that, because it helps you feed. It makes humans easier prey.”

That’s it then. The shiny hair, soothing voice, porcelain skin and sparkling, seductive eyes that whisper, “I want you, Karen…for lunch.”

Long story short — hot looks help vamps reel in their next meal.

How unfair is that? Vamps get this natural, enchanting glamour and ageless beauty, while the rest of us have to work at it.

Ah, well… Maybe the new NP Set: Glam Set can help.

The subdued brown, peach and red shades aren’t the kind of full-tilt, red-carpet colors that jump to my mind when I think “glam,” but who knows? Maybe that’s by design.

The new NP Set Glam Set and Red Carpet Set palettes ($24 each) are new for spring 2012 and available now at Target stores and target.com.

Now, I don’t expect to wear these eye, lip and cheek colors to stalk man prey, but I do like looking polished and put together when I’m hanging out with the boys (El Hub and Tabs) or gallivanting with my gal pals.

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Why Wait for Summer? Prepare for Poolside Afternoons Now With Benefit Cabana Glama

March 2nd, 2012 by Karen 19 Comments

benefit cabana glama

Pretty soon it’ll be spring, and then summer soon after. Before you know it, our conversations will turn more to topics like swimming pools, beaches and other things, like how…

…getting ready to chill at the pool with Ryan Gosling can be sooo stressful (or so I’ve heard). 🙂

Do I go the glamazon route, curling my hair into beachy waves and shimmying into a string bikini, a cute coverup and a pair of nude wedges? Or do I go the rough-and-tumble surfer girl route, and scoop my mop into a messy bun, slip on a practical two-piece (the one with the top that looks like an industrial-strength sports bra) and my favorite pair of ratty Reef flip-flops?

It’s a big decision — but until I make it, one thing’s for sure: the new Benefit Cabana Glama ($26) kit will have my back.

benefit cabana glama

This latest kit from the boys and babes at Benefit comes with brightening and bronzing makeup for eyes, lips and cheeks.

If posing on your beach chair beside a fru-fru umbrella drink and a stack of glossy magazines ranks up high on your agenda (I could get into something like that, hello!), do it in style with a sun-kissed glow. Just sweep Cabana Glama’s Hoola Bronzer and Some Kind-A Gorgeous in Medium on your face, followed by one (or two or three) of the kit’s Eyeshadows on your lids.

And when you’re ready to cool off with a quick dip — and maybe do a few underwater handstands or dive from the high board (you so crazy!) — Cabana Glama can also help you keep it simple, by just blending soft pink Posietint on your cheeks and lips.

Benefit Cabana Glama Your DesTANation Makeup Kit
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