Benefit Beauty Haul!

Hey everyone!

Recently I've been mega busy with work, so I haven't been able to write as much as I want to. However, I am determined to keep updating as regularly as possible, so ta-daa!

I've been a little shopping crazy recently, especially when it comes to make-up! I've been experimenting like crazy with my make-up and different routines recently, so I'm excited to bring it all about in posts for you all :)

So, recently I've discovered the brand 'Benefit'. I'd spoken to people about it before but never actually used it myself. I'm not joking when I tell you my choice of make-up brands is severely limited (or rather, was). Now I'm thankful to get the chance to experiment with all sorts of brands!

Not too long ago I was wandering around boots with a bit of time to spare, and even less money to burn. So naturally I started browsing the makeup counters, drooling over the Chanel and Dior counters. I was even going to allow myself to buy the Dior fluid stick I'd been craving, but after waiting ten minutes at the counter with snobby looks from the assistant who knew I was there and never bothered to see if I needed help, I walked off in a huff. Seriously, is there any need for anyone to behave like that?

Anyway, I wandered over to Benefit where the assistant there was so lovely and helpful, she instantly had me interested in the brand. I was initially just looking for another brown eyeliner (yeah, you can see I went a little overboard), but when she offered me a makeover and to show me how to use new products, lets just say I was sold and brought it all. I think I may need shopping therapy...

Benefit 'It's Potent!' Eye Cream

£25.50

'It's Potent! Eye cream for brighter, younger looking eyes. It's Potent! Eye cream fades dark circles and helps smooth fine lines.'

The first thing she introduced me to was the 'It's Potent' eye cream. Needless to say, I've never applied a cream specifically to my eyes before. To be honest with you, I sometimes forget to apply cream to my face, let alone to my eyes! But as the eyes are one of the first places to show signs of ageing, I knew I should probably start taking better care of them. 

Applying this product immediately made my eyes feel more alert. The extracts included in the cream help soothe and hydrate the skin, creating a nice cooling feeling under the eyes. 

Needless to say, I was hooked! My eyes had never felt so hydrated, and the dark circles I had grown so used to had dimmed considerably!

Benefit 'Erase Paste' in '#1 Fair'

£20.50

'This concentrated cream formula flawlessly helps to conceal and brighten dark circles, discoloration and imperfections.'

Next up is the 'Erase Paste' in Fair, thanks to my ridiculously pale complexion! In all honesty, once the Benefit assistant had applied It's Potent! and Erase Paste to my eyes and showed me my reflection, I was amazed. All traces of the dark circles under my eyes were gone! I had never seen my eyes looking so healthy.

Normally I can never go out without my eyes completely done (eyeshadow, eyeliner, basically the works). But with just this combination, I can honestly say I'd be happy setting foot outside without all my make-up on. It just goes to show how it helps to have the circles covered, and makes me feel more confident!

Benefit 'Stay Don't Stray' Concealer/Eyeshadow Primer in 'Light/Medium'

£20.50

"Tell your makeup to stay, don't stray. Works 360 degrees around the eye to make concealers and eyeshadows stay put. Concealers don't crease, eyeshadows stay vibrant and true."

Yet again, I'll raise my hand and admit I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to primers. For my eyes I normally just whacked on some concealer to try and maintain my eyeshadow throughout the day (it never really worked), and never got enough coverage to cover the darkness under my eyes. With this product, I'm happy to state that even hours after my makeover, the makeup on my eyelids was still perfect. This product is now my standard 'can't-live-without' item!

Benefit 'World Famour Neutrals' Eyeshadow Kit

£23.50

'These rich, illuminating eyeshadows in award winning creaseless creams and new longwear powder shadows make going glam beyond easy.'

In regards to eyeshadows, I never really venture outside of neutral colours, even on nights out (I just tend to wear more eyeliner and sometimes false eyelashes). However I was in need of some new shades! Thankfully I was shown some new tips and tricks, which I can't wait to put to test :)

Benefit 'BADgal Liner' Waterproof in Espresso

£15.50

'Our slimline BADgal liner waterproof eye pencils stay put, rain or shine.'

With eyeliners, I've always stuck to the standard black, but I've started to grow sick of having such a heavy eye all the time. I just wanted a nice calm look for a less stressful day and I figured a brown liner was a good start without looking drastically different.

Benefit 'They're Real!' Mascara

£19.50

'They're Real! lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts and separates. Our jet black, long-wearing formula won't smudge or dry out. A specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had!'

I don't know if it's just me, but I never found a mascara that really worked for me. They all seemed to have the same effect...that is until I was introduced to 'They're Real!'. Honestly my eyelashes had never looked so full and flattering. I was also introduced to a tip I'd never come across before: Position the wand horizontally and wiggle from side to side, base to tip, to achieve maximum volume, length and lift. Who knew?! :)

Benefit 'Gimme Brow' Brow-Volumising Fibre Gel in 'Light/Medium'

£17.50

'Brush-on fiber gel adheres to skin and hairs for fuller-looking brows...NOW!'

Yet again, I have to admit I'm a chicken when it comes to doing my eyebrows. I'm too scared of attempting to do something, and looking like a clown in return! When I confessed this the assistant immediately calmed my worries with this product. Its different to a pencil as the fibres attach to the hairs already in the brows and fill them in, giving a much fuller and natural look.

Benefit Total Moisture' Facial Cream & 'Hello Flawless' Oxygen Wow Foundation in Ivory ('I'm pure 4 sure') and Ivory ('Believe in me') Samples

Full sizes: £28.50 & £26.50

'Say goodbye to dry skin and hello to 'total moisture'.'

'Our new oil-free brightening liquid foundation builds from light to medium coverage for a natural complexion you can believe in. It's you...just more luminous and healthy looking.'

With my purchases I also got given a few samples of some of Benefit's bestsellers! I'm so excited to try them, and soon I'm planning on going back to be shown different foundations etc and stuff for the skin! I'll keep you all updated :)

Models Own 5 Piece Brush Set

£10.00

Finally is just a small addition to the Benefit haul. I was in dire need of some new make-up brushes and had always wanted to try the Models Own brand, so I figured I'd combine the two and test the makeup brushes! Have you ever tried Models Own?

So there it all is! I may have gone a little overboard, but I seriously loved the way my makeup looked (and for once, looking healthy!). What's your favourite Benefit product? Any recommendations?

❤