From Dull To Darling in Benefit "That Gal" Face Brightening Primer

Benefit......I love the whimsy behind their product designs and this one had me from hello! I know what you are thinking dear readers, "has she gone into primer overdrive?" Hell yeah!

What caught my attention (apart from the packaging) was the fact that this adds a subtle youthful glow to the face when applied and makeup goes on evenly and lasts longer throughout the day. The primer also keeps my make-up in place - so necessary especially in the tropics where it can get really hot and humid.

This pink colored primer is creamy and feels much like a moisturizer. The light-reflecting pigments contained in the primer helps to brighten my face without the disco ball effect. Very appropriate for those who are looking to glow and not shine!

The packaging is also slightly different from what I have seen. It comes in a white plastic tube that has a hexagonal twist cover at the bottom and a mesh top that allows the product through with a twist. This is great because you twist out the amount that you need and no more.The product is not too runny that it spills out so there is little opportunity for creating a mess in the morning when you are in a hurry. The downside to the white packaging is that you are not able to judge the amount left in the tube. Also, it looks more cutesy than luxurious.

I apply the primer with my fingers and find that it is very easy to blend and it is absorbed very quickly. It contains raspberry and chamomile as well as sweet almond and algae extracts to help skin retain natural moisture. This quite explains it’s rather sweet, almost bubble gummy smell!

Please click on the photo to enlarge.

Here is a fun fact for you, dear readers:- Benefit was created in 1976 by twin sisters Jen and Jane Ford.

Benefit and the Three Bobbi B's - Which One Is A Hit And Which One Is A Miss?

This retro looking number is Benefits Cream Eyeshadow/Eyeliner in a funky color called 'Get Figgy'! Below is a swatch of it. It looks rather drab and brown in the pot but once applied it is a slightly frosty mauve.

Don't you just love that quote up there "and on the 7th day make up was created"? Its cuteness in a package and I am well on the road to becoming a hoarder because of all these boxes which I refuse to part with. I mean how can you throw that box away - it's so darn cute!

I love how it is creamy and smooth and glides on like a dream, does not drag on your skin and is not at all streaky. Bonus - it can also be used as a liner! I love when you get two different ways of using a product for the price of one.

Bobbi Brown's cream shadows, on the other hand, have left me cold....let me explain why.

My first taste of cream shadows were courtesy of Bobbi Brown. I purchased this unholy trinity several years back and until this day, they lie in state at the back of my eyeshadow drawer! Have you ever gone shopping on a bad day and come away making purchases that make you go "Hmmmm"?

Here are the three B's and they are called (see swatch from left to right) Glacier (Brrr!); Bellini and Sand Castle.

They do not go on super smoothly and (this is TOTALLY my personal opinion) if I try to blend it in too much, turns out streaky and uneven. Or is it just me?

The only color which I like is Bellini and it is great as a base - other colors layered on it looks gorgeous. Sadly, Glacier was pitched to me as a highlight for the browbone and thats the only thing I can see it as now. I have not experimented with it as a whole lid color - I shudder at the thought of all that 'glacial' whiteness on my brown lids!

The funny thing with Sandcastle is that it mysteriously blends to look exactly like my skin color once applied! How could I have missed this when the SA was applying it? Oh yes, she told me that the 'natural' look was in.....

Bottom line is I would go back to Benefit for more of these cream shadows and give Bobbi Browns cream shadows a miss.