Category Archives: Benefit

Spring Trends: Pantone Fashion Colour Report Spring 2013

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Pantone Spring 2013

Source: pantone.com

Presenting all the pretty colours that are in for spring! What a happy, fun post to put together. I had to run out and buy something yellow because — can you believe it? — I had none. What shade are you most excited to wear this season? I’m all about the Dusk Blue and African Violet. Enjoy all the eye candy, and don’t forget to leave me tips on how you wear these colours. :)

Pantone Spring 2013 Emerald Grayed Jade Tender Shoots Lemon Zest

Pantone Spring 2013 Emerald Grayed Jade Tender Shoots Lemon Zest Swatches

Emerald: Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Emerald ($10.95 at drugstores / used here)
Grayed Jade: Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in 06 Rock Angel ($3.99 at drugstores)
Tender Shoots: MAC Eyeshadow in Swimming (CAD $14.50 / US $12 for a refill pan at MAC stores and counters)
Lemon Zest: Annabelle Studio Pigment in LOL (around $8 at drugstores)

Pantone Spring 2013 Dusk and Monaco Blues and African Violet

Pantone Spring 2013 Dusk and Monaco Blues and African Violet Swatches

Dusk Blue: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Periwinkle ($26 at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and Sears); Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 008 Light Blue ($5.99 at drugstores)
Monaco Blue: MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream in #20 ($26 at Sephora); Lancôme Artliner in 400 Azure ($37 in counters May 2013)
African Violet: Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in 09 Lavish Lilac ($19 at Sephora and Clinique counters); Mary Kay Cream Eye Color in Violet Storm ($16 at online)

Pantone Spring 2013 Linen Poppy Red and Nectarine

Pantone Spring 2013 Linen Poppy Red and Nectarine Swatches

Linen: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Bikini-tini ($24 at Sephora); Marcelle Velvety Eye Shadow + Primer in Primer Rose ($15.95 at drugstores); Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 005 Nude ($5.99 at drugstores).
Poppy Red: Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in 110 ($7.99 at drugstores)
Nectarine: shu uemura rouge unlimited supreme shine in ob dream orange ($36 at Holt Renfrew and online); MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Natural in #N40 ($22 at Sephora)

Be A Snow Bunny With Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit.

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Because I live in a country when the winter season is seemingly never ending, I had to find a way to love winter. Several years ago, I took up snowboarding and loved it. While the cold winter wind on the mountain slopes isn’t exactly comfortable, there’s no denying that the fresh pink cheeks I get from it is, well, pretty damn cute.


Wearing Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit


That’s me (one of the many times I was on my butt that day in Mt. Tremblant). :P

For those of you who are afraid of the cold or allergic to nature (I’m not judging) but still want that snow bunny glow, Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit ($32 at Sephora) might be for you. It includes:

  • PosieTint (4 ml) — pink lip & cheek stain
  • High Beam (4 ml) — liquid face luminizer
  • Dandelion (3 g) — blush
  • Ultra Plush Dandelion (6.5 ml) — lipgloss


Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit


Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit

The kit also comes with a mirror and a tear-off tips-and-tricks sheet if you’re not familiar with the products.


Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit

I already love PosieTint for years before this set came into my life. If you get over the fact that it looks like Pepto Bismol, this pink is perfect for perking up a dull complexion. High Beam is fantastic for highlighting the tops of the cheekbones with its micro-shimmer. I’m surprised that High Beam works well even on my darker skin tone. Dandelion is a very light pink that tones down the effect of PosieTint when layered. It applies sheerly and because it’s so light, it’s not my first choice for a blush on myself. It’s a great blush for a pale person, though! :P The Ultra Plush Dandelion lipgloss is also sheer with some shimmer, and the formula is wonderful: glides on almost like an oil that hugs the lips, and isn’t at all sticky. The only thing I hate about it is the smell; it smells like candy. I think it’s caramel candy? I just can’t stand it.


Benefit Feelin’ Dandy swatches: PosieTint, High Beam, Dandelion, Ultra Plush Dandelion 

In the photos below I am wearing PosieTint on my cheeks and lips; Dandelion on my cheeks on top of PosieTint; High Beam along the tops of my cheekbones, down the centre of the nose, brow bones and cupids bow; Ultra Plush Dandelion lipgloss on the lips.


Wearing Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit


Wearing Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit

Despite the sweet lipgloss smell, I highly recommend this set. It provides such great value for $32. Perfect for gifting!

FOTD: Subtle Smoky Eyes with Steely Blues.

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Whew!  I’m back with another FOTD.  I attended a friend’s wedding yesterday and this is the look I wore.  Thank goodness the hair was also cooperative.  Those are flat iron waves created by yours truly, thankyouverymuch! :P  I haven’t used my MAC Smoke & Diamonds (LE) eyeshadow in any FOTDs so I thought I’d pull it out of hiding for this look.  I just kind of winged it, but I really like how it turned out. :)

Don’t let the finished face fool you; this look was actually quick and easy!

Swatches (from left): MAC Smoke & Diamonds (LE), Annabelle B-Ray (LE), MAC Carbon, MAC Soft Brown, MAC Arena

Get the Look

For the eyes, fill in any sparse areas on your brows (Benefit Medium Brow Zings).  After priming your eyes (Too Faced Shadow Insurance), apply a light shimmery peach (MAC Arena) on the inner corners and under the brows.  Then, take a shimmery grey taupe (MAC Smoke & Diamonds, LE) all over the lid.  Take a matte navy (Annabelle B-Ray, LE) to the outer crease and outer V with a crease brush, and go over it slightly with a matte black (MAC Carbon).  Lightly blend above the crease with a matte warm brown (MAC Soft Brown).  Smudge the matte navy to the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line.  Line the upper lash line (MAC Blacktrack Fluidline) with a slight wing.  Line the upper and lower waterlines with a pencil dipped in gel liner (Urban Decay Zero dipped in MAC Blacktrack) for maximum staying power.  Apply mascara (CoverGirl LashBlast waterproof) to both upper and lower lashes.

For the face and cheeks, start by priming with a mattifying primer (CoverFX ClearPrep FX).  Apply foundation (FACE atelier Foundation #6 Honey), concealer (theBalm TimeBalm Medium), and powder (Marcelle Translucent Medium).  Sculpt the cheeks, temples, and jawline with a dark matte brown powder (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso).  Then, add a pop of matte peachy pink to the apples of your cheeks (Pink Beauty Object of Affection).

For the lips, get your favourite neutral pink lipstick (MAC Viva Glam V) and top it off with a golden pink gloss (Smashbox Candid).

Read on to see more pictures!