Tropical Flush

I know I mentioned that I'd review some of the products I talked about in the post I did on bronzers a few days ago. I'd planned on already having at least one product review posted but I've been slacking off a bit. So, I figured I'd finally get started. One of the products I mentioned dusting over Benefit's ChaCha Tint was Benefit's Corolista blush. It's a warm coral pink color with just a hint of gold shimmer to it. This is a universally flattering color that will look great on pretty much anyone. The color has often been compared to "Orgasm" by NARS. It's warm but not so warm that fair skin tones can't pull it off. I'm very fair with strawberry blonde so I'm speaking from experience on this. I only wear Coralista in the warmer months of the year & I always wear it over bronzer. I've never tried wearing it without bronzer so I can't say for sure if I'd like it without the bronzer. I'm sure I would but I don't want to say that I'm 100% sure. I really do think this is such a great Summer color though. I think coral is such a beautiful color & that more people should give it a shot when it comes to their makeup. It's a great color to warm up your complexion with. Like all of Benefit's products, this one comes in an awesome package. Coralista is one of Benefit's "box o' powders" so the box is in the same square shape all the other box o' powders come in. I love their collections of powders in this category b/c you really get quite a bit of product in the package which makes the $28 price tag worth it for me. If you're like me & alternate between several different shades of blush from day to day, one box of this stuff should last you quite a while. I actually bought my box when it first debuted last year & I still have more than enough to last me through the rest of this year. One added little extra about Coralista is the awesome smell! I can't describe it aside from saying it smells really yummy. If you're interested in buying a box for yourself you can purchase it at Ulta, Sephora or at: www.benefitcosmetics.com .If you are a fan of the NARS "orgasm" blush & haven't tried Coralista, I definitely recommend it. You're getting quite a bit more product for only $1 more!

Must-Have, Especially for Summer Months!

Here's a shocker... I'm going to review a Benefit Cosmetics product that I LOVE! If you haven't noticed from the 3 previous product reviews I've done, I have a SERIOUS love affair with this company. They have too many great products & they do the most adorable packaging I've ever seen. What can I say? I'm a sucker for girly, cutesy stuff, especially when the stuff works. Anyway, this product is called The Porefessional. It's a primer that does the most amazing job of making pores invisible. I was blessed w/ good skin & I really do enjoy taking care of it (that is basically why I want a career as an aesthetician) but my T-zone has an issue: My nose & chin get a bit shiny, especially when it gets warm & humid out. This is a velvety smooth balm that feels amazing on your skin! It's super lightweight & the color is translucent, so it blends right in w/ your skin. I don't know how exactly this stuff works like it does but I do know that as soon as you put it on, your pores become invisible. I guess the finish on this would be described as matte since it makes any shininess on your face go away... but in a natural way, not an "I'm wearing pressed powder" kinda way. I only put this on my nose & chin but there are times I want to put it on my entire face & even my body because of how wonderful the product feels. Another great thing about this stuff is that while it fills in your pores so they disappear, it doesn't clog them up or break you out. Now, I've never had acne prone skin so I don't know if it will do the same for every skin type. I always put this stuff on after moisturizer but before my bronzer which leads me to yet another great thing about this stuff:  You can put it on under or over your makeup. It comes in a small tube so during the "hot months" here in the South, I pop mine into the case I keep all of my lipsticks in so I'll have it with me if I need a touch up. A tube of it will cost you $28. I realize some people don't like spending a lot for makeup & beauty products but what can I say... when it comes to stuff I put on face, I usually like brands that fall into the more high end categories! (& I absolutely do not mind paying a bit extra for Benefit's super cute packaging)This stuff only came out last year & I bought my first tube of it during Summer 2010. Even though I've only been using it for a year, I can honestly say I do not know how I lived without it. I'm definitely glad that I don't have to worry with that now!

I’m in Love! Benefit’s Total Moisture Facial Cream

I figured since I do plan on going to school to become an aesthetician & because I’m OBSESSED w/ skincare, I’m allowed to start handing out “advice”.  I’ve been lucky w/ my skin all my life. I never had to deal with acne aside from a “monthly” pimple. (ALWAYS in the exact same spot) However, from 9th grade up until about 2 or 3 years ago, I had a SLIGHT addiction to the tanning bed. A little scare with skin cancer put an end to that. Now, I know a lot of those tanning lotions you get in salons say they have anti-aging components in them and all but believe me, if you’re using them in a tanning bed, you’re gonna get wrinkles!! My neck now has those lovely “necklaces” on them. It’s horrible!! So, now, I spend a ton of money on anti-aging face and eye creams trying to undo even a little of the damage I did from all of those years going tanning. I use 2 different moisturizers but the one I use at night has become my favorite. It’s from Benefit Cosmetic’s new skin care line, b.right! . They’ve really done an amazing job w/ all the products in this line! Their moisturizer is called, Total Moisture Facial Cream. It’s rich but it hasn’t caused me to breakout anywhere. Sometimes the really rich moisturizers cause my skin to get a few of those really painful “underground pimples”. The moisturizer contains what they call their “triple radiance complex”. The complex does 3 things:  1) Captures water on the skin’s surface 2) Maintains the water on the surface 3) Develops the skin’s reserve of water. The cream is recommended for dry-normal skin & has a slight fragrance of cucumber to it. (it also is mixed w/ a slight floral fragrance but all I smell is the cucumber, which I like) It’ll cost you approximately $40 but b/c it is so concentrated, a little goes a REALLY long way. (not to mention the jar is pretty big!) I’ve been using mine for a little over a month now & it’s barely put a dent in it. Like all of Benefit’s products, their skincare line comes in super cute packaging. The bottle is real glass (made to look like sea glass) and the top looks like it’s made of cork. I would definitely recommend this stuff! (unless you have really oily skin) My skin feels so smooth since I’ve been using this and I am really enjoying this entire line. I look forward to putting this stuff on every night before bed. I’ve got my mom using this stuff now too and she has pretty sensitive skin, so, this should be okay to use if your skin runs on the sensitive side. If you’re interested in buying this, Ulta & Sephora both carry the line. Some places also have Benefit boutiques but unfortunately, we don’t have one in Memphis. The closest I know of is in Nashville. You can also get on the web site, www.benefitcosmetics.com and place an online order. I’ve ordered from the site several times and it always comes wrapped up in the cutest paper. Plus, they always include samples of some of their best selling products!