Benefit Cosmetics Sugarbomb Review, Photos, Swatches
Monday, December 14th, 2009
Get Glowy Cheeks for the Holidays with Benefit
Benefit Cosmetics Sugarbomb ($28.00 for 0.42 oz.) is the newest powder addition to Benefit’s line-up. It joins cult favorites like CORALista and Hoola, and Benefit describes it as a “sugar rush flush” for the face.
The powder comes with four triangles of color, which Benefit describes as “rose, shimmering pink, soft plum, and peach.” The powder is designed to be used all at once, rather than one triangle at a time. I’d completely agree with that notion, particularly because the space is just not big enough to really grab one shade over another that well.
When swirled together, the outcome is a beautiful peachy-pink shade with a very, very subtle golden sheen. This is half blush, half highlighter, because it’s not ultra pigmented and on my skin tone (which you could describe as “medium”), while it shows up, it looks very soft. It’s certainly not invisible (which would make it more like a highlighter), but it’s not vibrant. This is good and bad, depending on your usage — but it’s a good thing to me.
It actually reminded me of a peachier version of CORALista, but they are different, since CORALista is much more pigmented and pinker. On my skin, it gives me just enough color and really gives me that “glow.” That super sought after glowy cheek look? That’s what this is in a cute lil’ box.
Both the texture and the results reminded me quite a bit of my beloved Dior Skin Shimmers (particularly Pop Diamond). The shade itself is a reminiscent of NARS’ Orgasm, but it’s less orange (on me) and the shimmer more refined. But here’s something fun: Benefit is way, way cheaper than both. Benefit’s Powders are HUGE–a whopping 0.42 oz.–compared to the average blush that weighs in at a mere 0.20 oz. NARS’ blushes are $156/oz., MAC’s are $88/oz., and Dior’s are $150/oz., but Benefit is $67/oz.
It’s packaged exactly like other Benefit powders, which is in a cute little cardboard box. If you don’t dig Benefit’s packaging, this is probably not going to do it for you either. It’s typical Benefit–and I say that as a good thing–and even though I do prefer sturdier packaging, this will hold up quite well, even if you do keep in your purse. Of course, if you toss it in your bag, the outside will get dinged up a bit, but in the end, it should still survive with the product intact, which is the more important part.
Bottom Line: This is a beautiful get-glowy-cheeks product if you’re light to medium-dark. If you have a deeper or darker skin tone, I think this will end up being more of a highlighter–if that’s what you’re looking for, it’s worth considering, but I don’t think the color will show much very well. I fell in love with this product at first swatch (and I had a hunch it’d be mine kind of color just from looking at it, too) – it’s everything I love: soft, subtle shimmer (think Dior Skin Shimmers, mmm!) that gives me glowy, naturally flushed cheeks. This is something I could wear everyday, with or without other makeup. Benefit, I’m totally impressed by this!
P.S. I also want to give props to Benefit’s website for showing incredibly color accurate photos of Sugarbomb, too. You don’t always see such accuracy in official product imagery, so it’s really a nice touch.
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- Product: 30/30
- Value: 10/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
Recommendation: If you love glowy cheeks, check out Benefit’s Sugarbomb!
Availability: Benefit Cosmetics, Sephora
See more photos and swatches…
Benefit Sugarbomb Blush
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Hey Christine! Out of all the Benefit blushes, which do you think is the best for fall, for a lighter complexion? ( I have Dandelion) :)
Dallas is more fall-ish - most of their blushes seem less fall, more summer!
i read ur review for bellaba,ba and sugarbomb, which do u think is better? thanks
For highlighting, Sugarbomb; for blush, Bella Bamba.
What a great review! I've been wanting this blush for a very long time, but wasn't sure if it would complement my skintone. The colour and sheen is just too appealing to resist though. I was just curious about your MAC shade though...
NC25/30
Would you buy this or coralista? I'm quite torn on which one to buy!
CORALista is more pigmented - this is subtler.
I finally caved and got dandelion a few weeks ago (up until then, id only used Mac blushes), but I think I have to give this baby a try. I'm NC15ish (115 in mufe HD), so I hope its not too much! Looks a little scary in the pan.
i love it where can i buy that in philippines?? thanks
Check Benefit's website for locations/distributors!
I am curious how would you compare it to MAC's Hang Loose mineral blush ? Are the colors similar ?
Sugarbomb is a lot smoother, and it seems to have a yellow base.
it works brilliantly for pale and medium complexions..me n a friend bought a box each n r both very happy with the burst of colour,perfect for summer..
Pretty! Is this in any way comparable to MAC's springsheen blush? xx
Much pinker!
great, thorough review, as always! first time commenting -- i love the shade of this blush, but did you find that the brush bristles kept falling out nonstop? the bristles are all over my face! or maybe i got a defective brush?
Thanks, Dee! I actually don't use the included brush at all!
Hey Christine! It's been 3 months since since you posted this review so you probably won't even see this, but I completely agree with everything you said! This product is simply gorgeous! I was in Sephora in my JCPenney, which has a very limited selection, and I pulled out my list of "must-haves" and remembered about this little beauty. I rushed to the Benefit counter and saw just one left! I swatched it and fell in LOVE. It is a beautiful beautiful product! After I got home, I was admiring it a bit and realized it has this pleasant sugar-y scent, lovely! Is all I have to say. BTW, I also agree with you about the NARS Orgasm blush, I wasn't too impressed with the product either (I too am an NC25). I actually purchased it last November duing the Sephora friends and family sale, it came as a Orgasm/Laguna duo. I thought it was OK, but definitely did not live up to all the hype surrounding it. Question though, are you planning on reviewing the new Orgasm Illuminator?
I'm so glad you're enjoying it, Christina! :) I'm not, mostly because it's gotten some pretty subpar reviews and I have no desire to waste my money on it, LOL.
Definitely, I understand. I will just have to check it out for myself when I get a chance! Lol. Thank you for replying btw, I know you're insanely busy, so I appreciate it! Hope your weekend is going well!
I was just curious. On Benefit’s blushes is there any indication how old or when they are made? I certain number or anything? Thanks!
Not that I know of!
Thanks! I have another question if that's ok. I got Dallas blush and it had less powder in it but says it's the same amount does this happen? Also it doesn't have a sweet smell like sugarbomb, is sugarbomb the only one with a sent? Sorry I just don't know too much about Benefit Cosmetics yet.
Hey Rayanna, It should be my weight, so even if it "looks" less it should be the same weight. Each of the powders have a different scent :)
Thank you so much! :)
This almost seem the like The Body Shop's Matte and Shimmer Cheek Color Pallete 01. (http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/blush/prod958865) What do you think?
It's really hard to tell - would have to swatch/see it in person!
Hmmm not usually a fan of Benefit, but definitely going to have to take a peek at this!!! Seems like it has quite a bit less `sheen` to it than Pop Diamond?
A bit less I suppose, not too much less though...
Hey Christine, Corals are horrible on me... is Hoola the "pinkier" shade of these? I notice you wear your Benefit Sugar Bomb in almost all your looks so it must be worth getting;) Why do you like these better than MSF's and other similar products? Thanks!
I believe Dallas is the pinkier Benefit powder! MSFs break me out, actually, but I often find that they're very sheer and/or too frosty!
Christine, I just wanted to say thank-you for reviewing this and recommending it. I just got it yesterday and its insanely beautiful! I think its my Holy Grail of blushes! Totally agree with the color similar to NARS Orgasm and the shimmer is beautiful. Its definitely going to be with me on my wedding day coming up!
Ohh, yay! I am so glad you are loving it so much, Sally! It's a HG for me, too!
Thanks I just bought this blush, I am looking forward to wearing it tomorrow. Yippie Ki Yay.
Hope you love it Lis!
I saw this today at Sephora and I swatched on my hand and its beautiful!!!! I'm not into Benefit's blushes, I had Dandelion and Georgia and ended up returning it, but this is really pretty, I will buy this one for sure. -)
Yay!! You will love it, Marcela!
I went ahead and bought this after I read your review Christine adn Imust say you were right on! I absolutely loved this and I have light skin (NC 20). It lookes so natural and glowing! Thank you for the review :)
I'm so glad you're enjoying it, Ebru!! :D
This is really pretty, I'm going to have to add it to my never ending wish list!
It is amazingggg!
I just picked this up after trying it at Macy's. I'm really pleased with the way it looks on me - quite lovely. I find it difficult to find blush so thank you for your review! Actually, thank you for all of your reviews!
YAY! I'm so glad you're lovin' it, Kate B! It's one of my new favorites.
I've been wanting to get into the Benefit line and was thinking of starting with their box blush powders... I'm NW15 in MAC with light brown freckles (usually fad to disappear with MSF in medium). I'm also not super impressed with NARS orgasm - so orange on me. I like Dolce Vita better... but Benefit.. hmm... so lovely... Do you think this would show up on my skin? Any other colours I should look into?
I definitely think this will show up on your skin, Cherie! It shows up decently on me (just enough for me to love it as an everyday, perfect-for-errands kind of shade). A lot of people LOVE Dallas, but I find it a little too dark for me. CORALista is great if you love coral shades.
Awesome :) Thanks so much. I will have to pick one up in the New Year :)
No problem, Cherie!!
Hey Christine! This looks gorgeous. I love a subtle shimmer, and Benefit's unique packaging. It's so easy to bring these along when you're traveling! BUT, I meant to ask, do you think it's still worth getting, if I've already got Benefit's Coralista?
Thanks, Ceriene! :) Do you really need it if you have Coralista? Well... no. But if you really like Coralista and would like something subtler... I think you'd like it :) I do think it's still worth getting if you already have it - but just not if you're on a tight budget, I suppose! They're definitely different enough to own both!
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