Tag Archives: Benefit Cosmetics

10 Beauty Essentials

April 27, 2010

Filed Under : BEAUTY

Though I don’t like to wear a lot of makeup, I definitely have products that I use consistently.  I’ll randomly throw an eye shadow or two in the mix every so often, but these products are my basic foundation:

  1. Philosophy Skin Care: Ever since I started using Philosophy skin care products, like Hope in a Jar moisturizer and When Hope is Not Enough serum, I’ve seen monumental improvements in my complexion.  Though not pictured, I also use Philosophy’s Purity face wash daily.
  2. Bare Escentuals Bare Mineral Foundation: I’m a huge advocate for mineral foundations and Bare Escentuals is like the Rolls Royce of mineral makeup.  You just can’t go wrong with it.  I started using it in high school and still love it!
  3. Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey: This Clinique lipstick is extremely sheer and balmy.  Though it looks quite dark in the tube, it’s actually very transparent and gives you that just-bitten look to your lips.  Ahh, my favorite!
  4. Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara:  I am constantly testing out new mascaras.  I swear, every time I go to Sephora or Target, I find myself purchasing a new mascara.  But I always turn back to Lash Blast.  It’s one of the most lengthening and volumizing mascaras out there.  And for $7 a pop too!
  5. Benefit Erase Paste: I use this concealer under my eyes and it literally erases all signs of puffiness and dark circles.
  6. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler:  This eyelash curler was created by the gods themselves, I swear.  Sometimes I just don’t have time to fully decorate my face.  In that case (aka everyday), I quickly do two squeezes of the Shu Uemura curler and my eyes are instantly brighter.
  7. Benefit Eye Bright:  This eye brightener is one of the best kept secrets on Planet Earth.  Just as the name suggests, it brightens your eyes in every way possible.  I usually smudge some under my bottom lash line and in the corners of my eyes.
  8. Neutrogena Sunblock, SPF 70: No need to explain this one. The last thing I want is a leathery, wrinkled face.  Gotta protect!
  9. NARS Blush in Orgasm: As I described here, this blush has an amazing peachy-pink hue and gives a much-needed flush of color to my freckled cheeks.
  10. Vaseline: I use Vaseline for just about everything.  On my lips, eyelids, cuticles, elbows, toesies.  It’s cheap and it works – what more can you ask for?

What are your beauty essentials, lovelies??

[Images via Sephora and Target]

How natural!

October 23, 2009

Filed Under : BEAUTY

benetint1

I don’t like to wear a lot of make-up. Ok, I lied. I wear make-up but I try to make it seem like I have nothing on. The au naturale look, I call it. Ya know, that I-rolled-out-of-bed-and-don’t-need-make-up look. But really I do need it and I definitely use it. I just make it seem like I don’t! You following? I’m a little trickster!

One of my favorite techniques in acquiring said look is applying a lip stain. It’s not a lipstick or a gloss, it’s literally a stain. It stains your lips in the same way Kool-Aid fruit punch stains your lips. I don’t remember the last time I drank Kool-Aid or whether or not it even exists anymore but I think you catch my drift. The results are redder, fuller-looking lips without the appearance or residue of traditional lipstick. It’s an amazing optical illusion! What better way to achieve the au naturale look, non?

I have invested in many a lip stain throughout my lifetime and one of my favorites is Benefit Cosmetics’ Benetint. This stuff is AMAZING. It is a rose-tinted stain that you dot on your lips and blend with your finger. After applying, you look in the mirror and say to yourself, Holy crap I have naturally red lips. It’s as easy as that. The great thing about Benetint is that it’s also a cheek stain. It gives a subtle pinkish hue to your cheeks that perfectly compliment your Kool-Aidesque lips. The Benefit website also says it’s “kiss-proof” so your bf won’t even know you’re tricking him when you pucker up. Ooooh, I love it.