Benefit I Think I Love You Full-Finish Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “bronze rose.” It’s an apt description; it’s a sultry plummy rose with a metallic-like frost to it. The color coverage is nearly opaque. Clarins Blackberry is a creamier version–it doesn’t have the frosted finish. MAC Snazzy is redder and has fuchsia shimmer. MAC One of a Kind is a little brighter, less muted.
It delivers the medium to full color coverage the lipstick is supposed to, and it does so with a really smooth, melt-on-your-lips kind of color. It applies evenly, and it doesn’t take a lot of product to get the really opaque look. The texture is creamy enough to allow the slanted tip to glide across the lips with ease, but it isn’t thick or heavy, so it doesn’t slide around and get onto teeth. There’s no discernible taste or scent, which may be a plus for some. It is moisturizing, too, which is good, because I was able to get five hours of wear out of this shade during testing.
Kind of like a sleeper hit--Benefit's Full-Finish Lipstick has excellent color payoff, comfortable wear, and moisturizes. This is such a great shade for fall/winter, because it's darker, plummier, but it isn't vampy, so it's wearable with many different looks.
Product
10/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
10/10
Longevity
9/10
Application
4/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
Benefit Saucy Full-Finish Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “sparkling tangerine.” This is a lovely brightened coral-orange with peach and copper shimmer. It delivers mostly opaque color coverage. CoverGirl Rapture is similar in the base color, though a bit more orange. MAC Drive Me Wild is like a much deeper, redder version, but it has the same coppery shimmer. Milani Cora Bora Bora is frostier but the colors are similar–just no gold shimmer in this one. Dior Coral is in the same vein but with subtler shimmer. It’s a bit pinker but reminded me of Guerlain Gems.
Benefit’s Full-Finish Lipsticks are supposed to deliver medium to full coverage with a smooth finish. They’re really creamy and have a nice glide. For a lipstick with as much slip as this one, I was surprised that it wore so well–it lasts a solid four hours and almost makes it to five. I didn’t detect any scent or taste either! I also liked how moisturizing this one; it’s quite hydrating and wears comfortably for hours without leaving lips feeling parched.
Kind of like a sleeper hit--Benefit's Full-Finish Lipstick has excellent color payoff, comfortable wear, and moisturizes. Perhaps not the most wintry color available, but maybe keep it on the radar for spring and summer.
Product
10/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
10/10
Longevity
9/10
Application
4/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
Benefit Fancy Pansy Eyeshadow ($18.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as an “orchid silk.” It’s a cool-toned, pink-lavender with a pale, iridescent lilac shimmer-sheen. At first glance, it seems like it might be like shades such as MAC Stars ‘n Rockets, but it’s much, much lighter with less of a duochrome; it’s more like the iridescence of those types of shades without the strong fuchsia base. Inglot #346 is a matte version of this shade. Milani Royalty is the closest dupe I found.
It has a silky smooth texture, and the powder is finely-milled. It’s not powdery but so soft that it makes blending a breeze. The powder feels dense and buttery, so it delivers good color payoff without having to pack it on. Compared to other shades in the range, this one is just a tiny bit under-pigmented but that’s being nit picky. Velvet Eyeshadows wear well, too, without fading during the day and no fall out occurs. Another nice thing about the range is that they’re twice the size of most eyeshadows. Fancy Pansy pairs well with darker purples, whether blue or red-based, along with navy blues.
Benefit's Velvet Eyeshadows seem underrated or under-appreciated, because I think it's a really solid range, but I don't feel like I see people raving about these! They're double the size of typical eyeshadows with good color payoff and an amazing texture.
Product
10/10
Pigmentation
9.5/10
Texture
10/10
Longevity
10/10
Application
5/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
Now available for 12/5 only through Benefit(get a free mini Total Moisture w/code HERVANA),Sephora, ULTA, and Bloomingdale’s. I know Benefit & Sephora both have it available to buy already!
You can read my review and see photos/swatches here.
Benefit Dandy Brandy Eyeshadow ($18.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a “copper spice.” It’s a gorgeous shade of bronze-shimmered medium brown with copper-red undertones. The hue reminded me of Make Up For Ever #15 when it is sheered out (when it’s opaque, it’s much too bronze and deep). Bare Escentuals The Truth is also quite similar, perhaps a bit redder. Shades like MAC Make Your Mark and MAC Buckwheat are noticeably darker.
Brandy Dandy has strong warm undertones, but paired with cool grays, taupes, or blues, could work on cooler complexions. Dandy Brandy pairs well with Fawn Over Me or Bikini Line for a quick and easy look of light/dark contrast with a lot of underlying warmth. It’s a good staple shade for those who love warm browns, but it’s certainly a shade that many brands have, so check your stash first for similarities.
Benefit recommends sweeping it on over bare lids for sheer color and layered over their cream eyeshadow for richer color. The super soft texture of the finely-milled powder makes it effortless to blend to a soft wash, but it doesn’t require building to get opaque color (see the swatch!) either. The Velvet Eyeshadows have a dense quality to them, and combined with their softness, makes them feel buttery and almost creamy (but they’re powder, I promise!). I’ve been a fan of Benefit’s eyeshadows for years now, and for those seeking softer shades overall, I recommend checking out the range. As a bonus, each eyeshadow is double the size of your average eyeshadow!
There are only things to love and like about this product--I have no complaints! I could not think of any criticism for the formula; the only thing I could point out is that it may not be the most original shade, so whether it's a must-have merely depends on what you already own!
Product
10/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
10/10
Longevity
10/10
Application
5/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
While earning her degree at university, Amanda traveled around the world to a plethora of countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. She currently lives on New York City’s Upper East Side where is pursuing a graduate degree and working in education. Amanda has studied the histories of beauty around the world and is herself, an avid admirer and practitioner of the beauty techniques she studies.
To track her travels, thoughts, and techniques follow her at www.aklectique.com. As a world traveler (and with more travel plans on the horizon), she’ll be offering a unique perspective of the amazing local brands and products she’s discovered and still discovering.
Traveling Must-Haves by a World Traveler
I’d like to share with you what I take with me whenever I go traveling. From the High-Atlas Berber villages in Morocco, to the Pyramids in Cairo, to Red Sea just off the coast of Saudi Arabia, to Diocletian’s palace in Croatia, and through Nottingham’s rainy days, these products have proven their metaphorical “valor” for their resilient consistency and inherent capacity to work well across varying climate conditions.
I’ve found that my MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Power ($23.00) works for me in all whether conditions. Whether it be the 125 degree weather in Egypt or -30s in New Hampshire, this product provides the same consistent coverage and staying power across temperatures. I’d find that my bronzer and highlighter (listed below) are best suited for all temperatures below 85 degrees. If the temperature is higher, I risk looking shiny all day long. Finally Benefit’s One Hot Minute ($30.00) adds the perfect amount of matte color to my face to prevent me from looking washed-out in any climate.
Now, the eyes are almost a free-for-all. I tend to keep in neutral when I am traveling so as to not stand out as a foreigner too much. (Below is a more detailed list of eye products that I’ve found to last underwater in Jamaica and Croatia, as well as after a long day of work.) To the complete the visage, my must-have lip product is my Burt’s Bees Sun Protect Lip Balm ($3.99). This lip balm neutralizes the color of my lips and allows me to then apply pigmented lip product that is appropriate for the given situation. More often than not, I find myself using MAC Snob ($14.50) or Revlon’s Nude Attitude ($7.99).
Just remember: When traveling, less is more!
Check out Amanda’s list of must-have products for travel! Continue reading →
