benefit

MBBTV #8: Tweezerman for Benefit & Crazy Lunch Lady Hairs

April 3rd, 2010 by Karen 14 Comments

How’s it going, girl? 🙂 What are you up to today, and are you doing anything for Easter this weekend?

Can’t say I have anything exciting on the agenda (other than hopefully watching Hot Tub Time Machine), but we are driving out to visit my parents in the East Bay tomorrow morning. I’m looking forward to seeing them and getting out of dodge for the day.

Anywho, here’s a video look at the Tweezerman for Benefit collection of tools for cute brows and lashes.

For more on the Tweezerman for Benefit collection…

The Brow Benefits of Tweezerman for Benefit Beauty Tools

NOTE: The pattern on the slanted tip tweezer in the video is supposed to be yellow and not orange or pink (something goofy happened to the color in that part of the clip).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The Brow Benefits of Tweezerman for Benefit Beauty Tools

March 18th, 2010 by Karen 36 Comments

Do you remember my affair with Raul? What a terrible mistake… Obviously, we weren’t right for each other. He knew it; I knew it, but when it ended, Benefit was there for me. Like a trusted friend, they had my back (and my brows). 🙂

That’s because Benefit knows brows. Their kick-ass brow kits, Brow Bar services and new partnership with Tweezerman promise to keep millions of eyebrows out of trouble.

Tweezerman for Benefit

The new four-piece Tweezerman for Benefit collection offers tools to tweeze, shape and curl your way out of beastly brow/lash oblivion!
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A Sunset-Inspired Face of the Day with MAC, Urban Decay and Benefit

March 15th, 2010 by Karen 81 Comments

Can you remember the last time you watched a sunset?

I couldn’t, so I watched and waited on the back deck last Saturday afternoon with my camera to refresh my memory. Luckily it was a clear day (one of very few lately), and I caught the sun, in a burst of buttery gold, peach and pink, slip back behind the mountains.

Such beauty… It moved me to do my makeup! 🙂 Well, kinda. We were going out to dinner anyway, but what better inspiration than a beautiful sunset, right? I picked shimmery, peachy golden eyes and a pink lip with some random MAC, Urban Decay and Benefit.

Since we were going out, I blinged it up with Urban Decay’s Heavy Metal Glitter Liner along the lower lash line (what a nice glimmer of subtle, golden sparkle!) and added Benefit Hoola Bronzer into the crease.

Lips: MAC Liberty of London Lipstick in Petals & Peacocks, MAC Lip Pencil in Trimmed in Pink

Hello, kinda awesome! I think it brings a warm depth to the eyes, especially where it contrasts with something shimmery. If you’re already a Hoola fan, I recommend giving it a try in the crease with your favorite shimmery gold eyeshadow on the lid.
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MBBTV #4: I’m Loving Benefit High Brow Lifting Pencil

March 14th, 2010 by Karen 12 Comments

How’s it goin’, ladies? Are you having a good weekend so far? Doing anything fun? I am SO GLAD the sun came out again today. With yesterday that makes two whole days in a row! We’ve been seeing a little more of it lately… It’s beginning to feel like spring.

Today I’ve got sun and eyebrows on my mind, specifically Benefit’s $20 High Brow pencil. Have you seen it before? Here’s a quick look in this video.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Episode 4 Link:

Benefit Hi Brow ($20)

The Benefits of Benefit’s Confessions of a Concealaholic Kit

January 19th, 2010 by Karen 51 Comments

Are you a practitioner in the ancient Art of Concealing? Are your hands considered concealed weapons? If so, you may be interested in Confessions of a Concealaholic, a new concealing kit from Benefit ($38, arriving in February).

The nine-piece kit’s a prime example of something Benefit does well — putting together perfectly packaged, affordable makeup kits that feature all-star products from their permanent line.

It comes with generous mini-versions of Benefit concealers, brighteners and brushes, as well as a primer and how-to booklet.

That Gal: I adore the subtle glow I get when I wear this shimmery pink makeup primer beneath foundation or powder.

That Gal

Erase Paste in No. 2 Medium: A light-coverage, peachy pink concealer to cover and brighten the area under your eyes. NOTE: If your dark circles are more purple than Prince, Erase Paste may not pack enough punch to cover ’em up. You may have to use a second concealer on top.

Erase Paste in No. 2 Medium
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Benefit Sugarbomb: The Zero-Calorie, Super Sheer Blush

January 4th, 2010 by Karen 61 Comments

benefit-sugarbomb-review
Holmes, Benefit just blasted your last reason to fear blush. Their newest boxed beauty, Sugarbomb ($28), is so sheer, so subtle, that even the most ‘fraidy cat blush newbie can safely climb aboard.

When swirled together, the four shimmery powders — two shades of peach, a plum and a rose — blend to create a sweetly subtle flush for cheeks.

Before and after

Like the sheerer lovechild of Benefit’s Coralista (a bright, shimmery, cool coral) and Dallas (a warm, matte peachy brown) but with touches of plum and golden shimmer, Sugarbomb scores.

sugarbomb-before-1
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Benefit Stay Don’t Stray Primer for Eyeshadow and Concealer

December 18th, 2009 by Karen 44 Comments

benefit stay don't stray

Benefit has been on frickin’ fire this spring, ladies. Their upcoming “360-degree” eye makeup primer, Stay Don’t Stray ($24), works beneath eyeshadows AND concealers to lock both of them in place.

The “360-degree” part applies to where it’s designed to be used — from the eyelid to the under-eye area, and all the way around. Cool, yah?

benefit stay don't stray box

A couple of notes and first impressions…

Color: Just one, a neutral medium beige with a hint of yellow. Because it doesn’t have strong peach pink or tones, however, it should work well with a wide range of skin tones. And while it shines in liquid form, it dries on my skin to a matte finish.
Texture: Thin, like a liquid lotion that feels super light and smooth to the touch. Also, a little really goes a long way.
Packaging: I was expecting a wand (like Urban Decay’s Potion Primer) but like the so-called “custom airless pump.” That’s Benefit’s phrase for it. I’m not sure what it means, but I do know that it’s touchy. Push down a little too hard, and out comes a ton of product!

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Benefit Celebutante: Helping Me Face the Day

October 27th, 2009 by Karen 26 Comments

benefit-celebutante-fotd-no-flash

Hey, celebutantes! Remember the Benefit holiday 2009 kits from a few weeks back? This morning I felt like playing with ’em, so for my look today I put Celebutante and Powderazzi to work (along with some goodies from Benefit’s permanent line).

benefit celebutante fotd eyes

benefit celebutante fotd eye-1

benefit-celebutante-fotd-final

I wasn’t feeling too coordinated (observe my birdsnesty hair), so I went with an easy pewter eye that didn’t require a ton of blending, pairing it with a plum lip — which initially seemed like a good idea but didn’t turn out great judging by these pics, LOL! Once I eat my lipstick off, I’ll probably change to something more neutral.

What makeup are you wearing on this terrific Tuesday? 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. If you’d like to see a tutorial featuring this look, hit me up in the comments!