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| Photo courtesy of Sephora.com |
I have tried most of the products here some time or another. I mainly bought it to have a smaller version to carry with me when I travel or do my make up on the go.
--At a Glance--
This kit contains the Stay Don't Stray Primer, Some Kind of Gorgeous Foundation, the uber-famous Benetint, the Porefessional, They're Real! Mascara, and the Girl Meets Pearl Liquid Luminizer for $32 USD at Sephora.com in a cute, reusable box.
--The Breakdown--
- Stay Don't Stray Primer can be used to help eyeshadows and concealer stay in place. This dual purpose primer comes in two shades: Light/Medium and Medium/Deep. You get 0.08 oz ($6.30 USD) in this kit. Normally retails for $26 for 10ml/0.33oz ($78.79 USD for 1oz).
- Some Kind of Gorgeous Foundation in Medium is a cream to powder foundation that evens out skin tone while offering lightweight coverage. The foundation retails for $30USD for 9.5 g/0.34 oz ($88.24 USD for 1oz). The one in this kit contains 0.12 oz ($10.59 USD). This foundation comes in 3 colors: Light, Medium, and Deep.
- Benetint is one of Benfit's best-selling products and was one of the first lip and cheek stains on the market. Benefit has now expanded its range of colors but the iconic cherry red of Benetint is still widely popular. Typically retailing for $30 USD for 12.5 ml/0.40 US fl. oz ($75 USD for 1 oz). Rumor has it that Benetint was originally created to tint exotic dancers' nipples but hey, whatever works! This multi-purpose stain can be used by everyday girls for a long lasting lip and cheek stain. This kit comes with a 0.13 oz bottle ($9.75 USD).
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| Top picture is bare lips (and no Some Kind of Gorgeous foundation). Bottom picture is one coat (and with SKG foundation). |
- The Porefessional Pro Balm helps to minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines for a more seamless foundation look. It is oil-free and is suitable for all skin tones. Helping foundation last throughout the day, you can reapply throughout the day as those pesky pores make their appearance. This primer will set you back $31 USD for 22.0 mL / 0.75 US fl. oz. ($41.33 USD for 1 oz). The one in the kit contains 0.25 oz ($10.33 USD).
- They're Real! Mascara does it all: lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates. To get the best results, position the wand horizontally, wiggle brush from side to side, base to tip. Switch it vertically and stroke upward to separate. Layer as many coats as desire. This mascara will cost you $23USD for 8.5 g Net wt. 0.3 oz. ($76.67 USD for 1 oz). The deluxe size contains 0.1 oz ($7.67 USD).
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| Left eye (to you) is without mascara, Right eye (to you) is with mascara for the top and middle picture--notice the major difference?? The bottom picture is with mascara on both eyes. |
- Girl Meets Pearl Luminizer is a golden-pink luminizer with light-reflecting particles to give your face a soft, dewy glow. Normally packaged in a twist up tube, it costs $30USD for 12.0 mL / 0.4 US fl oz. ($75 USD for 1 oz). The one in the kit contains 0.25 oz ($18.75 USD).
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| Photo courtesy of Benefit.com |
The total value of this kit is $63.39 USD.
--The Good--
I mainly got this kit because I wanted Benetint. Losing it during one of my trips home, I didn't want to spend $30USD on such a huge bottle (might go bad before I use it all up). The small size is convenient for travelling and contains a lot of product. My lips are quite pale and dead looking when I wake up in the morning so I like to perk up my complexion with this stain. It can be used on lips and cheeks but the idea of putting this on my lips and then on my foundationed cheeks doesn't sound too sanitary. I don't have a problem with blush not showing or lasting so I've never tested this as a cheek stain. As a lip stain, it lasts me about 6 hours before showing some wear. It lasts through eating but can look a bit patchy, though it isn't that noticeable. I love wearing this for every day or as a stain before my lipstick. The rose scent is also really pleasant. It can be a bit tricky to get even; I use one brush stroke for my bottom lip but two strokes for my top lip.
The POREfessional has got my be my favorite primer! It glides on smoothly and makes my foundation apply so smoothly. My face looks flawless with this primer. Even on days I don't wear makeup, I like to add a bit of this to my face for some smoothness, making my skin look ten times better without any base makeup. It has a slicone-y, powdery feel that smells slightly citrus to me. I even bought the full size, which I rarely ever do. I wish it was cheaper but it's definitely worth its weight in (makeup) gold.
They're Real! Mascara is quite nice. It definitely lengthens and volumizes my lashes. If I'm not careful, my lashes can clump together but the little ball at the tip does a good job of separating my lashes and getting the inner and outer corners of my lashes.The wand isn't so large that I get smudges on my lids or something but I do have to be a bit careful not to blink right away as it can transfer to my lower lids if it isn't completely dry. It doesn't really hold a curl that well. It also claims to be smudge resistant but for me, that isn't true at all. Neither is it waterproof, which is a shame because it would be a pretty decent mascara for my watery and oily eyes. Nevertheless, it's a great layering mascara; when used after a waterproof mascara (Covergirl's Clump Crusher, for example), it doesn't smudge or run yet gives me the same benefits as when used alone.
I used to not like the Stay Don't Stray Primer at first. When I got it as a sample packet from some online order, I had applied way too much as it creased like crazy on me. Putting it on my under eyes was a disaster too as I felt like it dried out my undereyes and emphasized any fine lines I had. Going a bit lighter this time, it really does help my eyeshadows look more vibrant and last longer than without a primer. I'm not sure if it's anything to write home about but the packaging is quite cute. I have a full size one that comes in a pump but I think they switched it to a doe foot applicator now. If you don't suffer from severe circles, this alone can cover up minor circles.
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| Before (left) and after (right) using only the products in the kit |
--The Meh--
I gave away the Girl Meets Pearl luminizer because I'm not a huge fan of highlighters and luminizers. Having oily combination skin makes me wary of any dewy glow producing product so I cannot give any opinion on this highlighter.
I haven't tried the Some Kind of Gorgeous foundation on my skin. When I got it in February, my skin was quite light and this was too dark. With the weather warming up, I'm hoping to soak up some rays and hopefully be dark enough to try out this foundation in full. The formula sounds quite interesting as I haven't tried any cream to powder foundations before. Let's hope it doesn't break me out!
*Edit 05/09/2014* As you can see from the above pictures, it doesn't have good coverage. I'd say light to medium coverage. My huge a$$ pimple is still visible and so are some of my darker post-acne hyperpigmentation marks. I tried to build up the coverage but I couldn't get full coverage. The texture is silicone-like, not like a traditional cream foundation, and slid on easily without much need for blending. I think this would be better for light spot concealing of sorts or touch ups. It looks quite natural, perfect for everyday, without needing to be powdered. I've had it on for 2 hours and so far, no oiliness (did use POREfessional underneath though). This will definitely be seeing a lot of action this upcoming summer as I don't like to wear a full face of foundation in the hot and humid weather.
*Edit 05/09/2014* As you can see from the above pictures, it doesn't have good coverage. I'd say light to medium coverage. My huge a$$ pimple is still visible and so are some of my darker post-acne hyperpigmentation marks. I tried to build up the coverage but I couldn't get full coverage. The texture is silicone-like, not like a traditional cream foundation, and slid on easily without much need for blending. I think this would be better for light spot concealing of sorts or touch ups. It looks quite natural, perfect for everyday, without needing to be powdered. I've had it on for 2 hours and so far, no oiliness (did use POREfessional underneath though). This will definitely be seeing a lot of action this upcoming summer as I don't like to wear a full face of foundation in the hot and humid weather.
--Bottom Line--
I would definitely recommend this kit, especially if you're new to Benefit. This kit contains everything you need to prep yourself for a big event, or just for everyday. The only con would be the limited foundation color choices but if it's too dark, you could use it as a contour. You're paying $32USD + shipping and taxes but you're getting $63.39USD worth of products AND a cute storage box with a mirror. I have a lot of these little kits and use them to store my jewellery and mini brushes. The boxes are quite sturdy and I like using them to store delicate and small things when I travel. The dimensions are 6 in by 4.5 in by 1 in (15.24 cm by 10.16 cm by 2.54 cm).
So that's it for this post! It's almost 3 AM and I have a big project due on Wednesday. I'll be back soon with some hair posts; until then, stay dry and warm! ♥
XOXO,
MWAH ♥
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Disclosure Statement: All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. I am not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned above and was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. Links are not affiliate links and are provided for the readers' convenience. I cannot guarantee that the product(s) will work for you. I do not approve or endorse the products or information available on these sites. Proceed at your own risk.
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