The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

Dewy, healthy, smooth radiant skin. Isn't that what dreams are made of? Well, I think I may have just found the way to your dream in the form of a plastic, corkscrew looking topped bottle. Yes, it is another product from Benefit and I have to apologise for the amount I bang on about their products but this, this is on another level.
So here's the back story: for as long as I can remember I've suffered from tight, dry, dull looking skin. No matter what I used nothing seemed to combat it's dryness and every illuminating product I've used just seems to be wasted on my skin. Enter Benefit Moisture Prep Toning Lotion. This little heaven smelling, thick, lotion of dreams has saved my skin. Literally. The idea behind this product is to use it before your moisturiser to help it sink in further and optimize the benefits of that moisturiser.
I have been using this every day for the last three months so it's had a fair test but within the first week I began to notice the difference it made. Dry skin? What even is dry skin I ask? After introducing this into my routine only in the mornings, my skin feels amazing. It's soft, it's smooth, it's not dry, my makeup stays on far longer without the need for touch ups, and well I feel like I actually have a glimpse of radiance to my complexion now. It all sounds too good to be true right? I have a fairly strict skincare routine which I refuse to change without a good need to, but introducing this bottle of heaven into my routine has been the best decision I've made.
Moisture Prep is made with a bunch of ingredients which are supposed to help with the appearance of fine lines and also help clarify and soothe the skin. Being only nineteen I'd like to think I have a fairly line proof skin so I can't make a judgement on whether the product helps with this issue. However, if you have dry, tired looking skin give this a go because I couldn't recommend it highly enough. For £23.50 I feel like I've had my money's worth. I mean, I have used this every single morning for the last three months maybe four, I can't quite remember) and it isn't as if I am running out very fast.

DEAL OF THE WEEK YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS

So many of you will not know but Debenhams are the mother of sales, I don't think there is a time that they are never not in sale, if it isn't a mid season sale, it's the blue cross sale or so much off of coats and boots. Anyway, every year they have a "mega week" where there are deals across the store. For us beauty lovers we can enjoy 10% off of health and beauty for the whole week. Did someone shout hallelujah?
Now, for all you Benefit junkies out there you'll be pleased to know that the smokin' eyes palette has been reduced to half price. Oh yes, you heard me right, the usually £28.50 palette has been reduced to £14.25. Now that, is what I like to call a bargain. Looking at the palette I wouldn't have even considered paying £28.50 for three eye shadows and "add ons" that I probably will never use, but at £14.25 I snapped one up for myself faster than you can believe. The palette itself seems handy for those of you who travel, it has almost everything you would need if you were on the go; sturdy case with a magnet closing, reasonably sized mirror, tweezers, small eyeliner and a brush that all slot in nicely within the palette. Although I wouldn't particularly use the eyeliner, brush and tweezers, it's always nice to have that option. Right?
Now, down to business. As I briefly mentioned the palette comes with three eye shadows: a shimmery pink which can be used on its own for a hint of colour on your lids on lazy days, or as a highlight shade, a shimmery grey/silver and a matte grey which you can see in my badly photographed images above. (Thumbs up for bad photography skills and moody faces.) Now, I am some what of a neutral girl (unless we're talking purple toned eye shadows, dear Lord they are my weakness) through and through and this is way out of my comfort zone but honestly? I love it. The shades blend beautifully together and can be used to create the most simple of looks or the most dramatic and bold looks. 

The only downfall to the palette for me is the two bottom products; brow zings wax and eye bright. Firstly let me just say that brow zings is a Benefit product I have never liked using (did I really just say I didn't like a Benefit product? Shock horror, somebody call an ambulance I think something's wrong!) but if you do and you use the shade light, you're in luck! Secondly, I LOVE eye bright. Having such small eyes means anything I can use in my waterline to make my eyes a little brighter is a must. But I don't like the way it is placed in the palette. I don't understand how I am supposed to use it on my waterline like I usually would when it is in this form. Instead, I've settled using it under my brow as a highlight (not all is lost).
With all this in mind I still think that this is well worth £14.25. So, will you be rushing out to Debenhams this weekend to grab your own smokin' eyes palette?

P.S the Benefit Peek-A-Bright Eyes palette (not one I own so can't personally recommend) is also on half price this week up until Sunday. Happy shopping!

Benefit Majorette: All You Need To Know

 

If you know me it is no secret that I love Benefit Cosmetics, I mean there's a reason that they're the UK's number 1 best selling makeup brand. Their products are wonderful and I'm yet to try one of their products and not fall in love with it. The formulations of their products is wonderful and the packaging is not only quirky but fun to look at 

and buy. Majorette is their newest product which launched on the 30th August and it ticks all the right boxes; the formulation's wonderful and the packaging is quirky and fun. I mean, just look at it, it's designed around a majorette drum. So cute!

My first impression when looking at the product was that it reminded me of the Bourjois cream to powder blushes as they are both shaped like a dome (granted you can't tell on this picture because I've already been using mine and worn down the pretty pattern that was engraved to start with). Majorette is the first of its kind in the Benefit family, aside from Fine One One (I confess I haven't tried it's three tone looking goodness) which is a cream lip and cheek colour, Majorette is a cream to powder blush. The colour is some what of a pale coral/peach and is supposed to be used underneath any blusher to enhance its colour. Honestly? That works pretty well but on it's own it is beautiful!

Now, I am not a big blush lover. I am very much ok with leaving the house with just bronzer and a bit of highlight on the tops of my cheekbones but this pomegranate and peach scented blush (to me it smells like apricot but I could be wrong, my sense of smell isn't a very strong one) has had me reaching for it every morning to add just a spot of colour to the apples of my cheeks. Not only is it incredibly easy to apply -swirl of the finger and circled onto the cheeks- it blends well and is long lasting even on my face which seems to eat up anything makeup wise within an hour.

The creamy formulation means that Majorette can be applied and blended all before it has set to a powder. But dry skinned girls don't be worried, despite this blush setting as a powder it still leaves the skin with a healthy glow and looks semi-dewy. Majorette is available at all Benefit counters (obviously) and online for £23.50. It may seem a little steep for a blusher but like the rest of Benefit's products I can see this lasting a long time and therefore, it is well worth the money.

Will you be picking up your drum of peachy goodness this weekend?