review: benefit they're real! magnet mascara

When it comes to mascara...Benefit is one of the best. Over the years, I have tried many different mascaras. (Take a peek at some of those reviews here.) Some were excellent and some were total disasters. One of my all-time favourites is the Benefit They're Real! mascara. I love how dramatic it is. I love all of the volume and length it creates. And of course, I love the unique wand design. It is a definite standout! Recently, Benefit released another version of the They're Real! mascara. The Benefit They're Real! Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara comes with an awful lot of product claims and some unusual design details. Ready to take a closer look? Find out how this high-end mascara performs? Here is a full review of the latest release. 

review: benefit the rich is back!

Who doesn't love Benefit? I swear, the more products that I try from them, the more I fall in love! I am always so impressed with the quality of their makeup. I've tried a lot of face stuff by Benefit - primers, highlights and that sort of thing. (I'm also obsessed with the They're Real! mascara. It's just so good!) But I just can't resist little sets like this. Plus, it was on sale at Sephora for $28 - crazy!

So, I picked up Benefit's The Rich is Back set. Ready to find out my thoughts and check out some swatches? Here goes!

The set included 4 shimmery eyeshadows, one mini They're Real! mascara, the Inferno lipgloss, and one powder blush (along with a blush brush). That's a lot of products for such a great price! Now for my review.

The Shadows:

I have to say, I was super impressed by the eyeshadows. I've never tried any shadows from Benefit before, but I'm glad that I did! The texture is super soft and each of the shadows are really pigmented. They go on easily and last really well. So impressed! The colours are gorgeous as well. There is an emerald green, shimmery white, brown, and gold shade. They are definitely my kind of colours.

Here are the swatches:

The Mascara:

I've raved about They're Real! in the past. Mostly, because it's amazing. It creates gorgeous, full looking lashes with tons of length. It lasts so well too - in fact, it doesn't budge at all. I'm also a big fan of the rubber bristled wand. It is the perfect mascara! It's always handy to have an extra one around.

The Lipgloss:

When it comes to lipglosses, I'm always kind of hesitant. This is because generally, I'm not a huge fan. I hate glosses that feel sticky - which a lot of them do. My favourites are NARS - they are perfectly pigmented and not sticky. I was super excited to find out that the same can be said for Benefit's Inferno! It is a gorgeous deep red shade that doesn't feel sticky. It's the perfect pop of glamorous colour.

The Blush: 

I am a blush addict. To say the least! So, I always love trying out different shades. I was hesitant at first, to be honest. In the pan, this blush looks a little too neutral for me - but it actually packs a lot of punch! It has a gorgeous rich colour and a silky texture. I was definitely pleased with this blush colour.

Here are swatches of the lipgloss and blush:

If you couldn't tell - I love this set from Benefit. I find myself reaching for it an awful lot - and I have a feeling I'll be taking this one away when I travel. It's compact, sturdy, and has a lot of versatility...what more do you need?

Since I've been so into this set lately, I decided to take a picture of one of the makeup looks I created with it! I love that subtle pop of colour the emerald gives. Gorgeous! Here is my finished look:

Do you have this set? What are your favourite Benefit products?

xo Shannon

high end mascara face off (laura mercier vs benefit)

My favourite mascara is no secret. In fact, I've been pretty vocal about my obsession for Cover Girl's The Super Sizer mascara, both here and on my YouTube channel. The reason is simple: it works. That drugstore product adds tons of length, volume, and drama to the lashes. Since it is a holy grail product for me, I rarely think to try other mascaras on the market. I simply don't need to. That being said, during a Sephora VIB event a while back, two mascara samples were included in the goodie bag. One was from Laura Mercier and the other from Benefit. Find out how they perform and which one is worth the splurge...

does it work?? 24-hr brow setter from benefit

Back in the fall, there were all sorts of products from the Back to School Beauty Bundle highlighted. The set included fourteen different items, including makeup, perfume, and skin care. Some products have already been reviewed on the creation of beauty is art. and some reviews are still outstanding. It is time to focus on another sample from the set....the 24-Hr Brow Setter from Benefit. There is something very nostalgic to me about Benefit. During my earliest years as a makeup enthusiast, it was the Benefit section of Sephora that thrilled me most. I loved the cheek tints, the themed sets, and the blushes. Over the years, the brand seems to be a little less innovative and colourful, but there are still some fantastic staple products. These days, Benefit is mostly known for their mascaras and eyebrow products (my personal favourite brow product from the brand is the Goof Proof Brow Pencil). Ready to find out how this clear brow gel performs? Keep reading for all of the details.

benefit: porefessional deep retreat pore-cleaning clay mask (review)

Every now and then, a face mask is a must. It is a nice way to pamper myself and focus on some much needed self care. Since I had a sample of the POREfessional Deep Retreat Pore-Cleaning Clay Mask from Benefit sitting around, it made sense to incorporate it into a recent relaxing evening. (For the record, that relaxing evening included pizza, season two of The Ultimatum: Queer Love, and sweatpants.) Ready to find out how this clay mask performs? Keep reading for a skin care review.

high end sample review (elizabeth arden, benefit and more)

Few things excite me the way that beauty samples do. There is something so fun about being able to test and try different things....for free! It is a wonderful way to determine what is worth purchasing in future and what should be skipped. These samples have been sitting around for a little while and I am finally putting them to the test. There are loads of high end samples from Elizabeth Arden, Benefit, and more. It is time to take a closer look at each product and find out whether it is worth looking into a full-sized version. Here are mini reviews of some high end samples....

stain-off: benefit vs the balm

Not all stains are created equally. Yes, the reality is that some are better than others. In general, I love the idea of cheek and lip stains. Why? It's always nice to have makeup that has a little staying power! When you've got a long day ahead of you, the last thing you want to is worry about touching up your face.

Over the last little while, I've tried out a couple of new cheek and lip stains. One is bene-tint by Benefit and the other is stainiac by The Balm. I already own a ton of products from Benefit and they have quickly become one of my favourite makeup brands. On the other hand, I've heard amazing things about The Balm - but their products aren't easily found in my country. So, this was my first time trying anything from them.

Since these two products are pretty similar, I thought it was time to do a stain-off. Which product will be victorious? Let's find out!

As you can see, both of these products have similar claims. It's all about subtle colour that lasts all day and all night. However, The Balm also claims to dry slower, giving you time to work with the product before it sets - super handy! While both stains are similar in terms of texture and staying power, there are a few key differences: the colour and the application. In terms of colour, The Balm is more of a ruby shade while Benefit offers a soft, feminine pink. As for the application, it's a sponge tip for The Balm and a brush for Benefit.

Here is a swatch to compare the two shades side by side:

And the winner is.........The Balm's stainiac! As much as I adore Benefit (and the brush applicator), this lip and cheek stain just came out on top. The colour was a little bolder, richer, easier to work with, and had just as much staying power. Plus, it a lot more affordable. Now, let's see this bad boy in action. Here is my most recent makeup look using stainiac:

Have you tried either of these stains? Which do you prefer?

xo Shannon

beauty is an ecstasy; it is as simple as hunger.

Here it is - part two of my recent shopping haul!

I went into Sephora with a few things on my wish list. I ended up purchasing Urban Decay's Naked Palette, Benefit's They're Real! mini-mascara, and Tarte's blush and bronzer set. I also was recently given a set of Sephora Nail Bling Nail Stickers that I haven't had a chance to try yet.

life is an opportunity. benefit from it.

Benefit has quickly become one of my favourite brands. Over the last couple of years, I have tried out an awful lot of their products. And there is a good reason for that. They continuously deliver on quality products that exceed expectations. Which is why I was so excited to try out a few of their newer products. A little while back, I picked up a set that included the Pose Tint, Pose Balm, the Bene Tint and the Lolli Balm. I already owned the full size Lolli Tint, so I actually made a swap with my mom! I just couldn't resist adding these Benefit products to my makeup collection. Especially after hearing some rave reviews about them.

Where to begin? Let's start with the balms. I personally love lip products that are moisturizing but have a nice wash of colour. They are easy to wear and tend to fade really naturally. That makes them perfect for a comfy night in or a casual date night. As you can tell from the packaging, the Pose Balm is a pretty pink shade and the Lolli Tint is a light purple shade. How do they hold up? These products are just as moisturizing as I had heard.

In terms of the texture, it reminds me a lot of the Nivea lip balm. The difference is that it gives you a beautiful colour as well. I absolutely love these. For a bolder shade, I like to layer the tint on my lips and apply the balm over top. I just love the way these look. Especially the Pose Balm. I find myself reaching for this one an awful lot. It is super feminine and easy to wear. You can take a closer look at the balms below:

Next up are the tints. I have used a few of them in the past, like the Lolli Tint and the Bene Tint. Because of the set, I was able to add a mini version of the Bene Tint as well as the Pose Tint. The first was a beautiful ruby kind of colour while the latter was a pretty pinkish coral shade. As I mentioned earlier, I absolutely fell in love with the Pose Balm....and the tint was no different. I absolutely love the colour! It is just beautiful.

It instantly adds a pop of wearable colour to the cheeks and lips. It is just beautiful. The tints are nicely pigmented, don't dry too quickly, and are long lasting. They are by far my favourite lip and cheek stains. You can take a closer look at the tints I tried out below:

Overall, I am very happy with these products. The colours are absolutely beautiful, easy to use, and have great longevity. I find myself reaching for these often simply because I know they will compliment any makeup look I put together. For me, the Pose Tint and Balm were the standout products. The colour is just too gorgeous for words! Once again, Benefit has wowed me. Since I am currently having a total love affair with the Pose Tint, I created a makeup look using it on my cheeks and lips. Take a look and let me know what you think:

Are you a fan of Benefit? Which products are your favourites?

xo Shannon

a man's face is his autobiography. a woman's face is her work of fiction.

 

It was an instant kind of love. A love so pure, I wasn't sure how I managed before it came along. Simply put, Benefit's POREfessional is one of the best beauty products out there! 

My sister recommended Benefit's POREfessional to me after she fell in love with a sample she tried. Upon her glowing review, I decided to give it a go as well.

does it work?? clarins water lip stain in red water

I used to love a good lip stain. There was a period of time where the Benefit Bene-Tint was my everything. I used it all the time and purchased all sorts of different colours. The stains worked on the lips and the cheeks....and I loved having a makeup product that I knew would stay put. To this day, I enjoy a good lip stain, because it means I don't have to worry about product moving or transferring. It is a low maintenance kind of product and that can be really appealing. That being said, I haven't purchased a tint from Benefit in many years now. There is no reason exactly. I suppose as lots and lots of other products were added to my collection, it just sort of slipped my mind to do a repurchase. (Though now that I am thinking about it...I absolutely just browsed the Benefit website to see what colours were available. Oops!) A little while back, I received a sample of the Clarins Water Lip Stain. I can't quite remember where this sample came from, but nonetheless, it has been waiting for me to put to good use. Finally, I have been able to test out the Water Lip Stain for myself and see how it compares to previous tints that I have tried. Ready to find out if it works? If it is similar or better than the Bene-Tint? Keep reading...

keys soulcare (truly becoming multi-benefit peptide serum)

It is always nice when loved ones pass beauty items my way. Several people I know have beauty box subscriptions. When there are products inside that they aren't interested in or think that I might like...they tend to gift them to me to use and review. It was a few months back that the Keys Soulcare Firm Belief Smoothing Peptide Cream was reviewed here on the creation of beauty is art. I loved the product but not the price. So, it was a real thrill to have the opportunity to put another item from the brand to the test. Keep reading for a review of the Truly Becoming Multi-Benefit Peptide Serum from Keys Soulcare.

four mini mascara reviews (mascara discovery collection)

Mascara is the ultimate finishing touch. It can add a little extra drama to the lashes, with lots of length and volume. However, not all mascaras are created equally. Some are bold and others are lackluster. Over the last little while, I have been putting some mini versions of popular mascaras to the test as part of the Mascara Discovery Collection. (If you missed that show and tell post, be sure to check it out here.) The set came with eight different mascaras and a voucher for one full sized version. I have been putting them all to the test in order to make my final decision, which will be revealed in a future post. For now, here are the first four mascara reviews, which includes products from Benefit, Yves Saint Laurent, Lancome, and Too Faced.

benefit brow pencil (precisely, my brow pencil)

Talk about an unusual product name! Benefit has an awful lot of eyebrow-related products to choose from. (Including the Goof Proof Brow Pencil, which has become one of my all-time favourites.) One that is new to me is the Precisely, My Brow Pencil. While the name is a bit lengthy and slightly unusual...it was certainly exciting to test and try this brow pencil. Want to find out how it performs? If the claims are accurate? Here is everything you need to know about this high end brow product.

first impressions: burt's bees all aflutter multi-benefit mascara

Another day another Burt's Bees review. This is the last one. At least for a while. Since my history with the brand has been less than stellar (with every single product I've tried from Burt's Bees being underwhelming at best) chances are low that I will go out of my way to purchase something else. That being said...it is time to do a first impressions review of one last item. It is the Burt's Bees All Aflutter Multi-Benefit Mascara. Say that ten times fast! Though the name is a bit of a mouthful, it comes with some pretty impressive claims. Would it live up to them? Could it be that finally a Burt's Bees product would impress? It is time to take a closer look at the mascara and find out if it is worth adding to your drugstore shopping cart.

high end beauty samples (mini reviews)

Testing new product samples can be a lot of fun. But it can also be educational. What better way to find out whether a new beauty item is worth the splurge? If it performs well? If it checks off all the boxes? Luckily, a handful of makeup and skin care samples made their way into my life recently. Those high end beauty samples included: Benefit's Goof Proof Brow Pencil, Shea Moisture's Soothing Body Lotion, and Glam Glow's Supermud Clearing Treatment. Over the last little while, I have been putting these items to the test. Want to find out how they performed? If any of them have been added to my future purchase list? Here are a few mini reviews dedicated to these high end makeup and skin care samples.

shoppers drug mart sample haul + movies and mocktails event

Samples have a way of making people smile. Of bringing forth feelings of excitement. Or at least that seemed to be the case at a recent movies and mocktails event I attended. (Sound familiar? I also attended the event last year and documented the experience here on the creation of beauty is art. In case you missed that post - or want a refresher - my first movies and mocktails post can be found here.) In addition to a decked out candy table, lots of fruity mocktails, tables with beauty representatives, photo opportunities, and of course, a girly movie...each attendee also received a goodie bag of samples. Some of those samples were food items and a few were more practical items, like tissues and glasses wipes. However, easily the most exciting things were related to skin care, makeup, and beauty. Ready to see what was inside this fabulous sample bag? Here are some of the standouts.

when in doubt, go shopping.

The Christmas shopping season has begun! Even though I've started my shopping, I still have so so much left to get done. Every year, I try to get my Christmas shopping finished early. Why? There is always lots going on at home...and I'd much rather be on the couch watching Christmas movies than out at a mall.

Since I'm trying to get my shopping done as early as possible, my mom and I spent a few hours at our local shopping mall recently. I ended up crossing a few things off my list (as well as picking up a birthday gift for my sister). Unfortunately, I still have a bunch of people to buy for. So, I guess I'll be braving the malls again in the future!

Now onto the rest of this post. I thought I would show you what I wore out Christmas shopping! Here is my outfit of the day:

Sweater: Forever 21, Pants: Material Girls, Purse: Joe Fresh

Products Used: Benefit's the Rich is Back palette, Benefit They're Real! mascara, Rimmel Clean Finish foundation and concealer, Joe Fresh blush, and NARS lipstick in Roman Holiday.

There you have it. That's my comfy (but cute!) shopping look.

Have you started your Christmas shopping? What do you think of this look?

xo Shannon

and if you stay positive, you have a shot at a silver lining.

The confetti has fallen but I am still in a holiday state of mind. The end of the holiday season is always a tough one. Suddenly, you are forced back into the regular day to day routine. There are bills to pay, responsibilities to think about, and to-do lists to tackle. That is why I have been keeping the seasonal spirit alive with my makeup routine. I have been doing this by adding in a little glitz and glam!

Recently, I decided to create a makeup look around a newer item in my collection. It is the Wet n' Wild Color Icon Glitter Single in Spiked. As you can see from the picture above, this is essentially a silver glitter eyeshadow. When I bought it, I assumed that it would be a powder product. However, this has a creamy, almost wet consistency. At first I wasn't sure how it would work in terms of application - but it did a great job of putting the colour and shimmer right where I wanted it.

To go with this shimmery silver shadow? I used a burgundy shadow on the lid, a hint of black in the crease, some liquid liner, my favourite mascara, a pale pink blush, and a nude gloss on the lips to finish it all off. This was my way of bringing a little warmth to winter makeup. Are you ready to see my holiday inspired makeup look? Here it is....

Products Used: 

Flower Beauty foundation, Rimmel 3-in-1 bronzer, Wet n' Wild Glittery Eyeshadow, Makeup Forever Diamond Shadow, Hard Candy Walk The Liner liquid liner, Benefit They're Real! mascara, Benefit Pose Tint lip and cheek stain, NARS lipgloss in Turkish Delight. 

Whether the holiday season is in full swing or things are over and done with....makeup is a great way to have fun and get creative. This silvery shadow inspired me to do something different and wave goodbye to Christmas and New Years. 

Are you sad that the holidays are over? What do you think of this makeup look?

xo Shannon

tis the season to give: different ways to donate this year

Most holiday movies have similar themes: caring, sharing, and giving to others. In the words of Kris Kringle from the Miracle on 34th Street movie, "I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives." The month of December is meant to be about kindness, giving to others, and softening our hearts. It is about seeing beyond our own circumstances. Yes, it is about traditions and beautiful memories with loved ones, but it is about more than that, too. In recent years, it seems the "selfish and hateful tendencies" have become more apparent in society. There is more cruelty, more harm, more destruction, and less hope. The selfish and hateful seem to be prioritized over the selfless and loving. While I don't have a cure for this shifting attitude, it highlights the need to give this holiday season. To focus on putting good into a world that so often falls short. Here are some suggestions and ideas to consider this month.