Benefit's Fine One One

When it starts getting hot, the last thing we want to do is pile on the products knowing that they will simply melt off within the next hour or so. In order to prevent that from happening, you need products that are lightweight and made to last.

Benefit's Fine One One is a stick containing three cream colours, designed for both your cheeks and lips (Did I mention it makes a great multi-use travel product too?). Cream products are better for your skin in the heat as they are much lighter than adding anything powdered that will block your pores. They can also work in your favour by acting as a cooling agent if you pop them in the fridge beforehand!

 

 

 The product is pushed up the tube by a wheel, revealing a beautiful coral, sheer watermelon pink and a light pink highlighter. With the combination of the pink and coral it is a product that can be used universally. However, if you have a darker skintone and are opting for a more coral-based look, you can apply over Benefit's Cha Cha Tint or another coral tint for a more dominant shade.

This is such a great multi-use product. It eliminates the need for adding an extra highlighter, and the packaging makes it a great fuss-free travel product. I found that for me, it was a perfect combination of coral and pink, sheer enough to blend nicely with my skin tone but with enough colour to add a pop to my otherwise bare face. In summer I don't like to wear a lot of make-up, especially not cheek colour as my cheeks are naturally rosy in the heat, however this product is complimentary but remains looking natural.

I found that the product was more effective on my cheeks than my lips, as although the colour stayed on well I personally preferred using just one of the shades making the stick uneven when wanting to apply to cheeks. However, overall its a tough product, resisting the summer heat and keeping my cheeks bright with a gorgeous yet subtle glow. At £23.50 its definitely steep, but when it eliminates the need for a highlighter and lip colour, it takes the sting off a little!
 
To apply, glide the product from the apples of your cheeks to your temple, coral shade at the bottom, adding more highlighter if neccessary. Blend with the fingers in a circular motion outwards and upwards. 

You can purchase Fine One One from your local Benefit counter/shop or online here for £23.50.

Benefit's 'She's so... Jetset!'

First of all, I want to apologise for my absence. I've been going through some personal things, amoungst moving back home for Christmas from University and going on holiday for my birthday (I will be sure to do a post later on!), so i've been extremely busy. However, i'm now home and have made sure I will get this blog back on track as we move into 2013!

With my holiday fast approaching along with my 21st, my friends thought it was fitting to give me an amazing travel-themed giftset from Benefit - 'She's so...Jetset!'*. This is one of their limited edition Christmas sets and I feel really fortunate to have amazing friends that understand just how excited I get over these things!

 

 (Sorry for the bad sizing of the images, can't seem to suss it out!)

'She's so... Jetset!' is a compilation of Benefit goodies in convenient travel sizes. Perfect for girls on the go, this kit is everything you need to stay vibrant and fresh-faced during your travels. I love the vintage feel of the box, complete with air-stewardesses and little planes dotted around the edges. The kit contains:

• The POREfessional - Primer (7.5ml)
• Eyeshadow Pallette - 'Champagne Please', 'Gold Card', 'Pretty in Mink', 'Elegant Expresso'
• 'First-Class face powder' - Blush and highlighter combination
• They're Real! - Mascara (4g)
• 'Life on the A-List' - Lip gloss
• Double-ended applicator
• Powder brush
• Instructions

Shocking how much can fit in such a small space! I've linked in previous reviews and will review the remaining items in-depth in a separate post, i'm just wanting to give a general overview! The 'in-flight instructions allow quick application, and give hints to achieve amazing results (For example, tilting your head back to easily find the crease in your eyelid - may seem a simple one, but you'd be surprised how many people fail to find it properly!) along with instructions to go from day to night with the eyeshadow palette. Unfortunately, being a blogger I didn't have time to photograph it in time to be able to take it on holiday with me, but as i'm constantly travelling this little kit is going to fit snugly in my handbag and with the enclosed mirror I can apply frequent touch-ups!

The set is quite pricey at £29.50, but any Benefit user will know that this is a standard price for them. With the travel-sized 'They're Real!' being approximately £13 on its own, its understandable. The POREfessional is easily one of my staple products, and the lip glosses are of high-quality and achieve fantastic pigmentation. This shade will be perfect for the day-time, allowing an natural look that is essentially effortless!

Overall this is a great little gift for anyone whose going away in the new year, or spends more time on a train than they do in their house (Yes, that's me!) - a great combination of high quality products that's bound to score you major brownie points at Christmas!

You can purchase 'She's so...Jetset!' from your local Benefit counter or online here.

YSL Touche Eclat Highlighter

If you're at all interested in beauty products, you would have heard of the iconic Touche Eclat highlighter pen from YSL. A staple product in countless makeup artists, celebrities, models and everyday womens make up bags for the past 25 years, the pen has multiple uses - from a under-eye shadow banisher to an eyeshadow primer.

It's only been recently that the highlighter has gone from just three shades to ten, which was the main reason I didn't purchase the product sooner as even the lightest of the three shades was too dark. I decided to try this out alongside the new Touche Eclat foundation - which is basically the foundation version of the complexion highlighter pen. I was instantly matched to the lightest shade - 1- which accourding to the sales assistant is a shade for all skin tones.

Since its released 25 years ago, the packaging hasn't changed - its still a glamorous gold pen which the trademark YSL symbol stamped on the removable lid. The pen has a button on the end of the pen that releases more product onto the brush when clicked. I'm not usually one to purchase something for the brand, but the gorgeous YSL symbol does add an element of glamour to the product - an added bonus!

 

First of all, I just want to apologise for the poor quality of the photos. I've started to finally use my DSLR for my images and even though i've had it for a few years now i've never quite sussed out how to work it, therefore sometimes the pictures aren't the best - but i'm trying to improve, I promise. It's a really great handbag size, and the metallic gold finish allows me to quickly identify it amoungst the other products in my makeup bag. The brush (Which is originally white, but this is a long-overdue post so I've used it quite a lot before actually taking photos!) is extremely soft and distributes the right amount of product with just one pump.

When I first thought about purchasing this product, I thought it was simply a concealer. However, I was astounded by the multiple uses. I've swatched the product quite heavily, as obviously it being a highlighter its quite discreet but with an amazing healthy looking glow. I use it under my eyes as a concealer, down the bridge of my nose, in the little 'dimple part' of my chin and along my jaw line - but really you can use it anywhere you want to hide shadows and catch a little extra light.

I was instantly amazed at how vibrant and glowing my skin tooked immediately after application, especially under the eyes. Just a few dots of the pen followed by gently patting into the skin and it instantly iliminated any shadows I had! I can definitely see why this highlighter has been around for so long and adapted into a foundation, it's just a quality product that goes above and beyond simply highlighting cheekbones. It's so versatile and looks incredible paired with the YSL Touche Eclat foundation. It's really light, natural and there's no need for reapplication throughout the day. However, the price tag does put a damper on a perfect product - a lovely £25. Definitely not the cheapest, but for someone who is a frequent buyer of Benefit's High Beam at £18.50, the jump doesn't seem as great for a product that can be used in so many different ways. I can now officially say that the iconic highlighter has found itself another frequent buyer - this is taking up permanent residence in my makeup bag. It may seem a bit steep, but for a product thats been going strong for over 25 years, it's got to be something special.

You can purchase YSL Touche Eclat Highlighter Pen for £25 at your local YSL counter.


*Click here to enter my giveaway to win a MAC lipstick in a shade of your choice!*

Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

Do It Yourself - Highlighter!

I've been fascinated with DIY beauty products ever since I started browsing the blogesphere - it's fun being directly involved in the making of something you want to use, and usually the finished product is alot less costly than if you were buying a ready-made product from a brand.

After reading up on bloggers that use eyeshadow directly onto their cheekbones for a highlight, I decided to elaborate and give making my own a try:

You Need:

• Facial Lotion
• A small container
• Pearl/sparkly eyeshadow
• A spoon
• A primer (Not pictured)

Just three ingredients make up a super shimmery highlighter, however the primer is used to elongate the highlighter but I did not have a suitable one with me to use in this demonstration (I had attempted to use Benefit's POREfessional but the consistency wasn't compatable with the lotion), so be sure to use a liquid primer, not one with a thicker paste-like texture. I bought the small container in a pack of five for £2 and the lotion was less than £2 also. The most expensive products will be the primer and eyeshadow, but there are inexpensive brands if you need to buy a new shade, or you can use the last few bits of an old one. With the primer, you only need a tiny amount so you if you need to purchase some especially, you can just use it as a great new addition to your makeup kit after adding it into the highlighter!

Squirt some of the lotion into the small container, as you can see i've filled about 1/3 of the pot. However, you can really use however much you'd like, just ensure you have enough shadow to even it out. This would then be followed by a small squirt of your chosen primer and use the spoon (Or the spoon handle depending on the size of your pot!) to mix together thoroughly.

Using the back of the spoon, carefully mash the eyeshadow and tip the desired amount into the pot with the lotion and primer. Then mix. And I mean REALLY mix. I found that the eyeshadow tended to solidify and form small clumps within the mixture if it wasn't mixed quickly and vigorously.

As you can see, because of the chosen eyeshadow colour the finished product doesn't look a lot different than the lotion pictured at the beginning,  but there is a slight shine. I have included the half-used palette to show how much shadow I actually used - but it's really a case of adding more and mixing until you've found the right amount for you.

I applied it quite thick for you to visibly see the finished product, and as you can see it gives a light pearl shimmer that looks gorgeous when it catches the light. I have used it since and i've found it to be a great alternative for expensive products such as Benefit's 'High Beam', which comes with a hefty £18.50 price tag! It's great for people who enjoy experimenting and creating to find cheaper alternatives to high end products. The primer will ensure that the product is long lasting, and the facial lotion ensures that it doesn't dry out your skin.

The compact container means its easy to pop into my bag if I want to top up my glow, and overall i'm so happy with the way it turned out and how it effectively highlights my cheekbones and is a great addition to my everyday make-up routine!


Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

Review: Benefit's 'Watt's Up!' Highlighter

In my opinion, using a highlighter is an essential part of makeup application. They're discreet and understated, but accentuate and essentially highlight your best features in the dimmest of lights.

I've only got two highlighters that I use on a regular basis, as I've found them so perfect that I haven't felt the need to purchase anymore. One being the 'Orgasm' illuminator from NARS, and the second being High Beam from Benefit (And as you can see from my post here, that i'm absolutely in love with it!). Both being prominently pink (although Orgasm has peachy undertones), I was curiously to try out what Benefit describes as a highlighter with a 'delicate champagne glow'.

What you notice first of all is the obscure shape of the highlighter. Unlike other Benefit highlighters, Watt's Up! comes as a stick which is designed for easy application with one hand whether you're applying your makeup for the day or topping up on the go. There's no nail polish style brushes, no dipping and wiping off the excess liquid, just a simple double ended stick. It's a designed to resemble a lightbulb (hence the name 'Watt's Up!') with one side concealing the highlighter and a transparent plastic cap revealing the 'soft glow blender'.

To use the highlighter, simply twist the black base and out it comes! As you can see, it's quite a warm colour which is perfect for spring and summer. It has a slight shimmer, and a luxurious creamy texture that looks incredible.

Here is a swatch of the highlighter un-blended. I thought it would be too dark for my skin tone, but the smooth applicator allowed me to glide the highlighter on without making it too thick, therefore leaving a subtle glow.

The sponge at the other end of the applicator is excellent. It's rounded so you can blend upwards and outwards with precision without essentially wiping it across your face.

Apply by drawing two lines resembling a C around the eye, beginning just by your eyebrow and down onto your cheekbones and blend. You can also apply to wherever the light naturally hits your face. It can be worn alone or on top of makeup. I personally love to team it with Benefits Cha-Cha Tint (review coming soon!) or any peach or coral blush, and finish with a light setting powder (I definitely mean light, having it too matte or applying too much will take away the gorgeous shine!)
It's quite steep at £24.50, but I think the outcome is worth the money. But if you're not too sure, pop into your nearest Benefit and ask them if you can try it out.

This highlighter looks great and is so easy-to-use, and is now a permanent fixture in my handbag for whenever I fancy a touch-up!

You can purchase 'Watts Up' by Benefit on their website or at your nearest Benefit boutique or concession stand.

Review: Benefit's High Beam, Moon Beam & 'V.I.P' lip gloss + Alternatives!

I intended to review one of my many Benefit palettes, Valley of the Stars, until I realised that it is not actually stocked at Benefit anymore! Even so, I will still review the products inside, as they are sold separately and in other palettes similar to this one:

High Beam

This has got to be one of my favourite Benefit products, EVER! It's a complexion highlighter that's described by Benefit as "supermodel in a bottle". It's silky pink with a gorgeous shine, and is designed to catch the light and make your complexion glow and generally draw attention to your face! Use on your cheek or brow bones or around your eye. For your eye, put 6 dots of the highlighter around the edge of the eye and brow bone and blend in a circular motion. For your cheeks use 3 dots either ontop or above your blusher and blend. You can also use down the bridge of your nose too.

High Beam can be bought in full here  for £18.50 or in smaller versions as part of the Finding Mr. Bright and Realness of Concealness make-up kits. This dewy highlighter is a must-have for 

healthy, glowing skin.

Moon Beam

In my opinion, Moon Beam is simply a warmer shade of High Beam. Although High Beam has a more watery texture for easy blending, Moon Beam is perfect if you have darker or tanned skin. For pale skin, it's far too shiny even when blended. You apply it the same way as High Beam, over the cheek and brow bones and around the eye. However, I would recommend using it sparingly as it is a lot shiner that High Beam and you really don't need much. Benefit also recommends mixing some in with your foundation for a permanent glow throughout the day?  A lovely looking product, but just not for my skin tone, but I know if I was olive skinned or miraculously developed a tan, this would replace High Beam. Moon Beam can be bought in full here for £18.50.

'Her Glossiness' Lip Gloss in 'V.I.P'

This is a gorgeous strawberry coloured gloss that's perfect for achieving candy coloured lips. However, Benefit do not stock this anymore, but I decided to review it as it's too gorgeous to leave out and Benefit have brought out three gorgeous shades that are practically identical to this: 'who are you wearing?' (passion-fruit pink), 'foxy lady' (diamond pink) and 'dancing queen' (watermelon pink) in their new Ultra-Shine range that are silky and bursting with colour and shine. A perfect alternative, take a look here.