Review: Benefit Primpcess

Yes my Benefit haul from the US has arrived. And the first thing I did was crack this baby open, it contained so many goodies I've been lemming. Their eyeshadows, Bo-ing concealer, Eye Bright, Creaseless Cream Shadow (how was I to know a warehouse sale would crop up?) and Bad Gal Lash mascara. And so far, I really love this adorable box! Read on for reviews.

Entire Kit
I have to admit I really love the kooky packaging, and how sturdy it is despite being made of cardboard. The mirror is nice and big too, and everything is securely packed. Nothing rattles around.

All the products go really well together, and the "beauty lesson" is fun and gives you ideas - even if you ultimately realise that the eyeshadow application technique really doesn't work on Asian eyes. *sighs*

The only thing missing from this kit, is an eyeliner. Technically you can use the brown shadow as a liner - but let's face it. I'm not blonde with big blue eyes. Brown liner does nothing for me.

Overall, this kit is totally worth the US$34 (RM123) plus shipping (and a free Miss Popularity I might add) I paid. I'm not so sure if it's worth the RM169 they're attempting to selll it for in the stores here though. -_-

Creaseless Cream Shadow in R.S.V.P
First up, this wee jar of cream shadow is SO CUTE. It's a miniature version of a full-sized cream shadow glass pot. Sure it's a bit of a hassle getting it out of the case, but I forgive it everything once the adorable itty bitty thing is in my palm. And for all that it's tiny I think it does have a nice amount of product in it - especially considering how little you need to use.

The shade is a lovely shimmery pale pink that makes a great base/highlighter shade. It's also supposed to function as an eye primer, which I believe it does - although perhaps not as die-hard hang-in-there as Mac's Paint Pot. It does however apply much more smoothly (and feather-light!) and sets faster than the Paint Pot.

Bo-ing Concealer in Shade 02
This concealer has totally blown me away. The teeniest bit covers like no tomorrow, blends in totally and looks like skin. I'm completely in love and will probably get a full-sized one! It also lasts, doesn't fade or budge all day. Plus 02 is my shade perfectly.

I use it on blemishes, undereyes, over dark spots and it works amazingly well. I rather thought it was all hype but I'm so glad this kit gave me a chance to try it out. LOVE!

Eye Bright
I like the idea of this pink cream. You're supposed to blend it in on the inner corner of your eyes, and from the outer corner to the end of your eyebrow - but I'm not convinced it actually does anything. It's supposed to make you more wide-awake. Perhaps if I test it post hangover I may be more impressed. Or maybe pink is just not quite the shade needed to perk up my eyeballs.

Eyeshadows
Although these shadows are very soft, and have excellent colour payoff I'll admit to being a bit disappointed with the colours they chose. The matte cream shade is well... bleh, the pink shimmery "contour" shade is lovely, but the brown is so cool it can look grey if you're not careful. And yet isn't quite dark enough to make my eyes really pop.

I think these three colours work best if you're fairer, and very cool toned. As it is I find myself reaching for a warmer cream highlighter to dust over and warm the look up abit. Or using the brown with great caution, and only with a cool-toned blush and lipstick.

Having said that I'd be very happy taking this set along for a trip as the shadows do create a very polished and subtle day-look.

Brushes
The brushes are surprisingly good! The concealer brush really is too tiny to do more than swipe the concealer on for you to pat out with your fingers, but it is the perfect size for applying eyebright. The fluff shadow brush is a great size, not too small at all, and the mini "talent" brush, although small, applies RSVP easily enough. It's so refreshing to find a kit with brushes you want to KEEP.

Conclusion
The only thing I haven't tried in the set is the Bad Gal Mascara because I have other mascaras and don't want to crack this open until I'm ready to use it up in 3 months. I may also save it for a trip.

Overall, if you're looking for a nice pressie, or just want to treat yourself this Christmas you can't go far wrong with this kit. It really does have the best of Benefit's eye products and will let you try out 5 products before you decide if you want to invest full-size. But please, buy it from the US if you can. The markup here is unacceptable!

Benefit deal: Free Miss Popularity Highlighter voucher!

Hey girls, I have to share with you this amazing deal over at Beaut.ie that prompted me to go bazookas and spend more on Benefit than I can afford. Eek!

The voucher code at this glorious Irish beauty site will get you a free Miss Popularity, shimmering white highligher worth US$24 if you spend US$50 or more at Benefit. Simply go here, and follow the instructions! This deal is valid until Oct 30.

So what did I buy? Read on to find out.

Benetint

My success with Posietint has left me with a lemming for the original Benetint that no amount of dupes could satisfy. There are somedays when you just don't feel pink, y'know?

And of course there's the jusfitication that a bottle lasts "forever".

So when I saw this amazing offer, all my defenses came crashing down and I caved and bout it. At US$28 though it is about RM40 cheaper than the local price of RM139!

Primpcess
So to qualify for the offer, I HAD (they made me!) to spend US$50 and over, and so needed to find US$22 to spend. But the only product I really wanted enough to pay full price for was Boi-ing concealer, and that was US$18.. not enough! Justine Case had ceased to tempt me as I'm buying a full-sized Benetint... oh it was hard!

And then I spotted this brand spanking new kit! It not only had Boi-ing concealer in shade 02 which I wanted to try, it also had the creaseless cream shadow/liner in a neutral shade I was meaning to check out as an eye primer, three shadows that look remarkably like their Big Beautiful Eyes kit which I have been secretly lemming (mostly because of the name), eye bright instant eye brightner which, had it been cheaper I would have snapped up long ago, and a BADgal mascara another item I've been lemming but can't bring myself to buy at full price. AND it has two brushes which reviews have praised, and instructions (I loooove instruction pamphlets. It's a weakness). All that for US$34 just seemed like too good a deal to pass up.

So I bought it. YES I did... and now I'm counting my pennies wondering if I should give up food altogether. *sighs*

Monday's beauty bit: My mini glamour-to-go kit + Laneige offer to Malacca shoppers

Working long hours means if you want to run out and have fun, you don't have time to run home and glam up. So instead I've taken to carrying around a tiny pouch filled with mini goodies that can be used to create an everyday look or to build up a day look into one for a night on the town. Also, in case you haven't noticed, I adore putting kits together and this one's been tried and tested!

The kit contains:

One cute satin pouch - small and compact yet roomy from Daiso (where else?). 

A rollerball vial of Annick Goutal's Petite Cherie - my absolutely favourite perfume of the moment. Feminine, fresh, pretty and crisp. 

Everyday Minerals mini kabuki - soft & dense it's great for everything from blush to powder foundation and more compact than any retractable brush I've seen. (Discontinued I'm afraid but Loving Minerals has a substitute!)

Bobbi Brown blush in Nectar - If you're only going to bring one blush around, I'd say this is it. It's not shimmery nor completely matte and it straddles the line between peach and pink which means it can go either way. Brush on lightly for a natural no-blush flush or build it up into a rosy cheeked look. Your choice. It's also very compact, sturdy but with no extra packaging making it perfect for on-the-go beauty. 

Bobbi Brown eyeshadow split pan shimmerwash in Champagne Shimmer and Espresso - I think this is discontinued and that's such a shame as these are probably bobbi's two most versatile shades ever. I got it in a beauty swap with the girls (thanks!) and am constantly amazed how many looks I get get out of it. Espresso, a matte incredibly pigmented eyeshadow, can be dusted on (VERY) lightly for a , built up into deep intensity, used as an eyeliner or to fill in brows. Champagne blends espresso out well and can be used as a face highlighter. 

Benefit mini brush - Most brushes you get from kits are rubbish but this mini dual-ended brush from Benefit's Primpcess really isn't bad. While not good enough to be an everyday brush, the mini fluff brush works very well in a pinch to blend and layer eyeshadows while the mini talent brush acts as a great little eyeliner brush. 

Silk Naturals Vegan Lipstick in Crimson - SN's dupe of MAC's Russian Red this little beauty (pardon it's battered appearance) is the right size for the kit and swipes on easily for instant glamour. Plus the mini tube means precise application without a lip brush or a lip liner. Can be patted on for a more natural stain too.