Benefit Archives - Vikky Anna

Recent purchases and first impression

June 19, 2017 Leave a Comment

I managed to pick up a few makeup bits and bobs on my recent shopping trip and thought I would share them with you in my blog post today, along with my first impression of the products.

I first picked up two shades of Lancome Matte Shaker, which I was pretty excited to try since I love the Juicy Shaker so much and always have at least one handy in my makeup bag. The idea of the same packaging and applicator (which I adore from the Juicy Shaker) but in a matte formula was too tempting to resist. Most of the shades are pretty bold (and I’m not a bold lipstick wearer in any way shape or form), so I settled for two that are on the more subdued side; Beige Vintage and Energy Peach. Beige Vintage is a classic deep rose pink shade, and Energy Peach is a coral peach colour. To be honest I am majorly disappointed with the formula, which takes ages to dry, slip-and-slide, transfers on to everything, and can hardly be called a matte lipstick in my opinion. The lasting power is non-existent, and after a meal and a drink, the colour completely disappeared. In terms of colour range I also wish that there are more nude/neutral shades available as opposed to the current mostly bold shades. So on first impression I am sadly disappointed with the Matte Shaker, and wish I’d checked out reviews first before I bought it.

The second item I picked up was Benefit Galifornia blush. I have never been disappointed with any of the blushers from Benefit and this one is no exception. Galifornia is a beautiful peachy shade with finely milled shimmer that adds a beautiful glow to the skin. I love that it goes on quite sheer, making it easy and manageable to build up the colour while keeping everything looking very natural. Best of all is the scent! Galifornia has a delicious malibu/coconut scent, very similar to Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, which is my all time favourite summer perfume. This is a summer blush through and through, and makes me very happy everytime I use it.

The last item from my shopping trip was Urban Decay eyeshadow in the shade ‘Laced’. This is abit of a random buy but I wanted to get a single eyeshadow in this mauvey, lavender hue for traveling. Laced is a universally flattering colour, which suits everybody and goes well with every looks. So this is another winning purchase that I’m super happy about :)

Have you done any beauty shopping lately?

Benefit AirPatrol Review

October 14, 2015 Leave a Comment

I’m one of those people who viewed eye-primer as an absolute waste of time, so here’s a product I thought I’d never be excited about. But the new Benefit AirPatrol promises to be so much more than just your average eye primer; a BBcream for your eyes that acts as a primer and colour corrector, can be used on its own to create a neutral yet brightening finish, has broad spectrum SPF20 with a healthy dose of skincare benefits. Now how could that not get my attention.

In case you didn’t know, the skin on our eyelids is the most delicate compare to the skin on the rest of our face. This means it is more vulnerable to UV damage and other environmental aggressors such as smoke and pollution. Benefit Airpatrol contains a nifty ingredient called EnviroDefend complex, which helps to defend against such aggressors, making sure our delicate eye area is protected against premature aging and any other environmental damage.

In terms of what it does to your makeup, Benefit AirPatrol has a yellow-beige tone that colour corrects and immediately brightens and light up your eyelids. It also preps your lids to ensure a longer wear for your eyeshadows so they don’t crease or fade away during the day. The primer is a very light cream with almost watery consistency that completely disappears into the skin once blended in, but leaving the skin with a brighter, more even out tone.

The applicator is a soft, squishy silicone that glides on gently on the eyelids. However I find it easier to first dispense the product, by twisting the handle once, on to the back of my hand and either use my finger or my MAC 242 brush to apply and blend on the lids. I have to mention that little goes a very long way, you need the ‘tiniest’ amount to cover both lids so, like any other Benefit products, this should last you for a very long time.

In my opinion Benefit AirPatrol has a lot going for it. It’s a multi-task product that managed to convert me, an eye-primer skeptic, into someone who’s been reaching for it every single day. But this is because Benefir AirPatrol is so much more than an eye-primer; use on its own for a natural no-makeup makeup day to brighten your eyes and make you look awake and fresh, or use under eyeshadows to create a perfect canvas for the true colour of the shadows to come through. My favourite go-to look at the moment is to use Benefit AirPatrol as an overall base colour and then use a darker eyeshadow on the socket to define the crease. I have to confess, I thought my eyeshadows looked fine before but after using AirPatrol I finally realised I’d really been missing out!

Have you tried Benefit AirPatrol? What are your thoughts?

Spring Cheek: Benefit Lolli Tint

March 8, 2015 Leave a Comment

I went to Benefit the other day with the intention of getting the good old BeneTint as I’d just run out. Instead I saw the new Lolli Tint and was immediately drawn to its bright and super perky shade. This just screams out spring cheek to me!

It’s a creamy pink shade with purple undertone and works exactly the same as the Benetint. It creates a stain that won’t budge until you use makeup remover to take it off at the end of the day. I LOVE this shade. It’s very brightening yet softening at the same time and it creates a very flattering photoshopped complexion.

It does dry pretty fast and you have to be quite quick with this because once the stain sets you won’t be able to blend it out or wipe it off without makeup remover. So what I like to do is to put a few droplets on my Real Technique’s Stippling brush and just stipple and blend to my cheek and for me this is the perfect way to apply it.

Another added bonus is it can also be used as a lip stain. You can keep building up the colour to be as sheer or as intense as you like. I normally apply two coats and it gives a lovely bright fuchsia shade that easily goes with everything. This is definitely going to be one of my makeup staples this spring.