Benefit b.right Radiant Skincare 6 Piece Intro Kit

I bought this set last summer as part of a promotion when I bought some make up, and after using everything all up I put the packaging aside and forgot about them until now.

The mini/travel set is ideal to be able to sample Benefit's Radiant Skincare line for a fraction of the price of the full size items. This kit lasted me just over two weeks with everyday use.

1) Foamingly Clean Facial Wash 8.9g - This has a really nice smell and lathers up softly. Cleanses the skin and removes make up. Full size 127.g for £17.50
2) Moisturize Moisture Prep Toning Lotion 8.9ml - Apply to a cotton pad after cleansing, claims to purify and smooth the skin to reduce fine lines. Full size 177.4ml for £23.50
3) Refined Finish Facial Polish 8.9g - Brightens the complexion by gently exfoliating to help minimise pores and reveal the skin's natural radiance. Full size 127.5g for £18.50
4) It's Potent Eye Cream 3g - Helps to fade dark circles and fade fine lines. Full size 14.2g for £24.50
5) Triple Performing Moisturising Facial Emulsion 8.9ml - Hydrates, protects and comforts the skin with SPF 15. Full size 50.3ml for £20.50
6) Total Moisture Facial Cream 8.9g - Tri-radiance complex to help develop the skin's reserves of water and reinforce the skin's moisture barrier to reveal a fresh complexion. Full size 48.2g for £27.50.

As I said, I used these over two weeks to give them a fair trial. I have to say, although I really liked the products and they left my skin feeling soft, I didn't notice a dramatic difference. Perhaps I needed to use them for longer but usually I know if a new product is working well after about four days.
To buy the full size products individually is extremely expensive at a total cost of a whopping £132. £27.50 for the moisturiser is something I'm not prepared to pay whether I liked it or not.
I'm not disappointed as I used up all of the products but I'm glad I didn't waste my money on the complete range at full price. On the Feel Unique website the 6 piece set has 80 5 star reviews, so I'm either missing something here or they're just being too kind to Benefit! I would give 3 stars as my skin was soft and I liked the packaging, but that's about it.

Rachel xx

(This was originally posted as a guest blog post @taylorscollectionn)

Benefit Coralista Blusher

This summer has seen me go a bit bonkers over blusher. I've normally been a bit of a mascara whore (oh I say!) but I've started to 'invest' in building a bigger blusher collection. One of my most recent purchases is Coralista by Benefit (£23.50, Boots).
This is a lovely coral and pink colour with gold shimmer, that makes your cheeks have a beautiful glow. The powder applies easily and is quite pigmented. It looks great on its own, but also on the cheekbones over the top of another blusher, especially a pink based one.

It comes with a decent brush, but I haven't used as I prefer to apply with my MAC 116 blush brush. There is a lot of packaging which I think it not needed. Not great for travelling or keeping in your handbag, but this aside I just can't get enough of it.

Rachel xx

Benefit Big Easy Multi Balancing Complexion Perfector

The Big Easy by Benefit is their newest launch. Claiming to be 'bigger than bb' but not a bb cream, it's actually a moisture balancing and oil control complexion perfecter. It gives a light to medium coverage that applies in a thick liquid and dries to a powder finish. It has an SPF 35 which is quite high compared to other brands.
It's available in six shades that blend with your natural skin tone.

It applies nicely but I do find it a little greasy at first until it dries to the powder finish. I do use a primer underneath still. I wouldn't say that it completely controls oil but it does do a good job, but I still need to apply my Bare Minerals Ready Touch Up Veil to 'set' it in place. I was colour matched to the shade 02 light.

As always, the packaging is cute, girly and eye catching. The display stand at the Benefit counter is centred around the circus.

Priced at a hefty £27.50 for 35ml at Debenhams I'm giving it a go and wearing it daily and so far I'm pleased with it. I'll have to see how it fares over the coming (hopefully) warming months to see if it lives up to the moisture balancing/oil control claims, but for now it's proving to be ok. Not wow, or amazing, but ok - for now. It does seem to make my skin appear smoother though.

Have you tried it or tempted to get it? Let me know, I love reading your comments.

Rachel xx

Make Up Meltdown Saviours

At last! The summer has officially arrived here in the UK.  Woop Woop!

For us Brits, this is a huge deal as many of our summer months (late June to early September) are usually rainy, gloomy, cold and not that great.

But with all this heat comes shiny skin for some people.

Are you someone who hates make up that just slides off the face within a few hours of application? I am, so with a heat wave at present, with highs of 28C, I want to share with you my make up meltdown saviours….

These products above are a must have for those of you who have oily/shiny skin and want their make up to last mostly all day.

I begin with Benefit The Porefessional as this is fabulous for hiding pores and fine lines. It mattes the skin with a silky balm that really leaves your face feeling smoothly soft. It blends translucent and is oil free, yay! It can be applied under or over makeup, but I find it works best for me under.

I next use my year round product which is Urban Decay De-Slick Make Up Setting Spray. I spray this onto my face before and after applying my usual foundation/BB Cream and blusher to keep it looking freshly applied and also to keep oil at bay. For a full description click here.

Lastly, if needed, I highly recommend Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder. This can be applied for touch ups and states to control shine for up to five hours. It is available in 7 shades.

These products have worked for me and I have found that I haven't needed to reapply until around late afternoon if applied at 7am.

Let me know of any products you have tried to keep oil and shine away.

Share your make up meltdown saviours!

Rachel xx