So Benefit goes hard when it comes to promoting their new releases. Like, they don’t play ANY games. Me being me, I fall for it every. damn. time. I’m a marketer’s wet dream because I will buy (almost) anything for the sake of beauty. Which brings me to their latest launch… Roller Lash ($24) promises to not only lift and curl lashes, but the “instant curve-setting formula holds for 12 hours.” It contains provitamin B5 and serine, known for their lash-conditioning benefits, according to the brand. It has a curved plastic wand which makes applying pretty easy. As someone with naturally curly lashes I do notice that my lashes look super curled and a bit longer. But only by a smidge. The more I use it, it tends to clump on me. The curls didn’t last long and by mid-morning, I noticed my lashes looking pretty regular.
It’s the basic bitch of mascaras.
I wanted to love this so much. Desperately so after all of the hype and positive reviews from the blogosphere and YouTube universe (YouTubeverse? Not a word). It just didn’t cut it for me, especially when there are so many other mascaras out there that WOW me. It’s okay but not great. I much prefer my mark. Lash Act Build and Define Mascara ($12). Now that’s a mascara.
If you’re keen on trying it, I say pick up a sample at Sephora if you have the chance. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara is available at Sephora and Benefit boutiques.
When Benefit launches a product, they go for it. Between hilarious videos and social media campaigns galore, I can appreciate a brand who has a sense of humor and wants to support the products they put out. When they launched the They’re Real! Push-Up Liner it was E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E! It honestly got a little annoying when ever YouTube beauty vlogger was promoting it and the reaction was mixed. Some raved. Other raged. Meant to be paired with the They’re Real! Mascara ($23), the They’re Real! Push-Up Liner ($24) claims to be the first foolproof and budge-proof gel liner in a pen (though I did hear Maybelline launched a gel liner pen overseas last year - not sure how budge proof it is). If you’re a beginner - you’re probably going to cuss. I was warned about this. While I’m decent at doing a cat eye, I won’t sit here and tell you I’m a pro. There’s always that one eye that looks perfect and the other looks busted. I bought this with the hope that it’ll solve my dilemma. It comes with a protective orange cap that prevents the gel from spilling while in the box. My recommendation: twist the liner and get the first few gunks outta the way. Don’t go in for the kill at the first attempt because it comes out a bit weird when you first use it. It’ll be dry and will be difficult. Use this time to practice applying the liner and using the AccuFlex™ tip against the back of your hand to get familiar. The angle of the tip allows you to get close to the lash line and create a solid wing. Next, move quickly. It dries pretty fast so if you work quickly you can get a nice line and if you mess up, wipe that bad boy up fast! Overall, I think this decent. Would I give up my Stila Liquid Liner or Maybelline Line Stiletto for it? Maybe not.
What better way to ring in a new month by starting a new makeup routine!?! I’ve been stuck in somewhat of a rut and after watching the 2013 BET awards I decided that today was the perfect day to channel my inner diva and put on ALL OF THE MAKEUP!
All makeup listed in order of appearance (left to right). Disclosure: some samples provided for editorial consideration
Makeup bag: the M·A·C Illustrator Bags are always fun, funky, and a nice addition to my beauty arsenal and this year is no different. Two artists teamed up with the brand to transform the traditional M·A·C makeup bags into mini-masterpieces. This one is by illustrator Anja Kroencke (available online on 7/2) whose black and white wavy haired model makes me smile. The other bags are by New York City (NYC represent!) graffiti artist (sick) Indie 184 who tagged the bags with her vibrant graphic street style. These bags are massively sized and dangerous since you can stuff a mini beauty cabinet inside.
Italian Badger Kabuki Brush by Crown Brushes: purchased during a random Hautelook sale, I found this kabuki brush last night after mourning the loss of my MAC 182 buffer brush. I love a solid kabuki brush since my 182 perfectly buffed and applied powder while giving me an airbrushed finish. This brush has really soft hairs that applied powder like a dream BUT it sheds like a mofo.
M·A·C Mineralize Skinfinish in Lust: part of M·A·C’s new Tropical Taboo collection this MSF has become my new favorite highlighter. I’m sometimes afraid of M·A·C’s MSFs because there are times they can look frosted and the last thing I want to do is look ghastly out in these streetz. This is a pretty pale pink with what the brand describes as a cranberry pearl. The lightest hand is needed and when applied on cheekbones brings a beautiful hint of shimmer.
Maybelline FitMe concealer in 30: to brighten underneath my eyes. Read my review of the FitMe range here.
LORAC Touch-up-to-go concealer and foundation pen in C12: now I know I’m already wearing foundation and concealer, so what in God’s name could I possibly be needing with this right? Well, I’m a fan of versatility and this two-in-one concealer/foundation pen covers imperfections and gives a natural finish - so forgive me if I like to have it on me just in case. While I don’t use this as an all over foundation, I do like to use it to highlight the bridge of my nose, between the brows and go again underneath the eyes. I have a complex about my dark circles so let a girl live, mmkay.
Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 20 in 08: so I use this to set my foundation since it gives a great finish AND has SPF. The lady at the counter made it a point to explain that it was not an all over powder to be worn alone but rather to complement what’s already on your face and provide sun protection. I think it was code for her to say that it may tun me grey if worn alone but I did that for a week straight and there wasn’t a grey face in sight. It’s pretty alone but even more beautiful to set the look.
M·A·C Mineralize Blush in Sweet Samba: another beauty in the Tropical Taboo collection this blush made me jump up and down. I literally bounced up and down in my seat as I did my makeup because I was so friction’ excited. It’s a beautiful, gorgeous, absolutely divine dark pink blush that really stood out against my skin. I didn’t think it’d be so pigmented for a mineralize blush but it goes on! Do not use a heavy hand at all with this guy because you will regret it.
Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer: fact: I bought this after reading Dana’s review on HuffPo. I’m guilty of touching my face throughout the day (like, resting my chin on my hands) and my biggest pet peeve is seeing my foundation transfer from my face to whatever document I’m touching. It’s especially gross looking at my white Mac keyboard at the end of the day, hoping my employer doesn’t think I’m a disgusting human being. I haven’t noticed that at all today whilst wearing this primer and for that, I thank yo Benefit! I’ve only owned this for 24 hours so I can’t say whether or not it locks my foundation into place for 15 hours but I will say it definitely holds onto my makeup.
Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW Brightening Makeup: I think this foundation is okay. I bought it mainly because I was really excited that Benefit had a shade dark enough for me. It provides good coverage but it does make me look greasy when worn without primer.
Revlon Cherries in the Snow Lipstick: do I really have to review this? C’mon guys, what is this - amateur hour?
M·A·C Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow in Smokeluxe: shut up another M·A·C product? Yes. Imagine M·A·C’s pigments and how much you love them. Now imagine them in pressed form. NO MORE SPILLING! You can apply thee wet for a saturated, foiled look or dry for bits of shimmer in the day time. My goal of being a 70s disco queen = fulfilled.
M·A·C Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Orpheus: I know. I know. But M·A·C recently sent me a few samples so I’m doing my duty to test them out. An eye liner with shimmer. Again, you guys, the goal for today was 70s disco queen. I needed to play the part.
Rimmel Lash Accelerator in Black: listen, I because I saw that Nicole Guerriero swears by it in all of her videos and have you seen her lashes? These truly do lengthen lashes but beware of clumps.
Recently, I became a member of the Glam Beauty Board meaning that I, along with several other beauty bloggers, will be bringing you the best up to date beauty reviews. As if I didn’t do that already 😉 First up are the must have beauty picks of the season. The following items were handpicked my by my homegirl and Glam Beauty Editor, India-Jewel Jackson (she also wrote about these products and included quotes from several Beauty Board members. Check it out here).
a few of my favorite in the package
As someone who loves lashes full of DRAMA, I was excited to try Rimmel London’s Volume Accelerator Mascara($10). It’s Rimmel’s first mascara formulated with an Advanced Volume Boosting Complex. It promises to instantly make lashes appear up to 10x fuller. While I did notice a bit of volume, I had to apply two to three coats for maximum impact. As I truly believe that the eyes frame the face, it’s IMPERATIVE that my brows look on point! At the moment, I’m currently trying grow out my brows and Benefit’s Brow Zings ($30) are the perfect solution! The kit comes with everything needed to shape up my bad boys. As someone who’s “brow challenged,” I love the simplicity of Brow Zings. The kit comes with a pigmented wax for shaping, a natural-shaded powder (I received the dark shade) for setting the wax, itty bitty tweezers, tiny hard angle and blending brushes (plus a mirror). Whew! To really get the right look, don’t forget to apply it gently — too heavy and your brows look drawn on.
Perhaps it’s my Sunday evenings spent watching PanAm but I’ve recently become re-obsessed (so not a word) with the cat eye. First it was LC’s epic wing et maintenant it’s Colette’s. Maybelline’s Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black ($7) is a no fuss way to apply liner. I’ve never really been a fan of gels primarliy because they tend to harden quickly and dry out. Maybelline’ss gel liner is easy to apply (thank god) and lasts like a liquid.
Lastly, in the eye makeup arena, is Urban Decay Eyeshadow’s in S&M ($17). Now this color, I’ve been using to blend with other shadows. While it’s great on its own, I find that the silver color is a great for blending into a nice smokey eye (with a dark OR bright color). This smooth, silvered gray shadow applies well with your fingres or a brush and doesn’t crease like many other shadows I’ve used in the past.
We all know I love a good red lip, especially a matte, so I was thrilled when I spotted Revlon’s Matte Lipstick in Really Red ($8) in my little kit. Talk about smooth application! It’s one of the few matte lipsticks I can wear without worrying that it’ll dry out my lips and magnify my sometimes not so discreet lines. ick! It glides on my lips with its creamy and uber pigmented color.
Lastly, we can’t talk about Fall beauty without taking in essie nail color in midnight cami ($8). Midnight Cami is described as “a shimmering deep twilight blue.” It’s definitely a dark royal blue with hints of shimmer throughout the polish. Honestly one coat gave me a beautifully dark finish and the polish isn’t too thick or goopy. Because I’m a cliche, I love heading towards the darker colors for Fall and this fits the bill.
I received free samples to review as part of the Glam Beauty Board Program. These opinions are my own. Please don’t forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.
Guess what I discovered while browsing the interwebs…
Sephora is offering 6 free downloads while you check out Benefit’s “Hello Flawless” powders. The songs are from the six ladies who are some of the hottest singers out now, including my “muse” Keri Hilson.
Click here and enter promo code MAKEYOURMIX, to get this party started.
Roller Lash ($24) promises to not only lift and curl lashes, but the “instant curve-setting formula holds for 12 hours.” It contains provitamin B5 and serine, known for their lash-conditioning benefits, according to the brand. It has a curved plastic wand which makes applying pretty easy.
As someone with naturally curly lashes I do notice that my lashes look super curled and a bit longer. But only by a smidge. The more I use it, it tends to clump on me. The curls didn’t last long and by mid-morning, I noticed my lashes looking pretty regular.
Meant to be paired with the 
It comes with a protective orange cap that prevents the gel from spilling while in the box. My recommendation: twist the liner and get the first few gunks outta the way. Don’t go in for the kill at the first attempt because it comes out a bit weird when you first use it. It’ll be dry and will be difficult. Use this time to practice applying the liner and using the AccuFlex™ tip against the back of your hand to get familiar. The angle of the tip allows you to get close to the lash line and create a solid wing. Next, move quickly. It dries pretty fast so if you work quickly you can get a nice line and if you mess up, wipe that bad boy up fast!
Overall, I think this decent. Would I give up my 
