Benefit F&F Sale

Another one of my favorite makeup brands is having their Friends & Family Sale! 

Save 20% on Benefit Cosmetics with code LOVEYALL

at BenefitCosmetics.com

Unfortunately it does not include the holiday products. But you can get Free standard shipping automatically on orders over $50 in the US (orders over $125 internationally). 

I figured I'd write another recommendation post similar to my Urban Decay post last week in case you're looking for something to get for yourself or a gift for someone else. :)

They're Real Mascara

Regular Price: $22.00

Sale Price: $17.60 

If you love a great lengthening mascara, They're Real is the mascara you've been looking for. I usually stick to drugstore mascaras but this mascara is one high-end mascara I will likely be repurchasing. Full Review here. Want to know what the differences between They're Real & Bad Gal Lash? Click here for my comparison post.

Sugarbomb Blush

Regular Price: $28

Sale Price: $22.40

Never thought that these four colors blended together would create such a pretty blush. This blush is great for everyday. The pinky-peach color gives your cheeks a soft, natural flush of color. Full review here.

Bella Bamba Blush

Regular Price: $28.00

Sale Price: $22.40

Described as a 3D brightening powder to brighten, sculpt & define. Bella Bamba is a pretty pink color with great pigmentation. It can be built up in intensity or blended out for a softer, pretty pink glow. (Tip: A little goes a long way!) Full review/swatches here. 

Hello Flawless!

Regular price: $34.00

Sale Price: $27.20

This product is great if you don't like liquid foundation but still want coverage. This powder foundation is silky too! You can use this product in a few ways. For a sheer finish, I apply the powder with a brush. If you want a lot of coverage, I use the sponge that is included. I recommend using your own face/powder brush as the little brush that is included is scratchy and sheds like crazy. However, I did purchase this product awhile ago so maybe the brush has improved since then?

Code Expires: 11/14/11 at 11:59 pm PST.

More Details from Benefit:

Get 20% off any order, enter LOVEYALL at checkout. Offer valid only at benefitcosmetics.com. Excludes holiday products and expires 11/14/11 at 11:59pm PST. Combinable with standard shipping offers only. FREE standard shipping is automatically applied on all US orders over $50 and international orders over $125. No codes necessary. Excludes order shipping to China.

What's your favorite Benefit product? Are you going to pick up anything during the F&F sale?

Benefit Sugarbomb

When I originally saw this blush in Ulta, I couldn't imagine these four colors (peach, soft plum, pink, and rose) mixing together and creating a pretty blush. However, Sugarbomb is the type of blush you can wear everyday, anywhere. It is a peachy-pink color and it gives your cheeks a pretty, subtle, natural flush of color. 

 This is my third box o' powder (I also own Hoola bronzer and Bella Bamba, review here) from Benefit and I have to say I've become quite fond of each one of them.  

The only downside to this particular blush is the packaging. It has a removable lid which could easily come off in your purse, makeup bag, etc. However, the Box O' Powders pictured on the Benefit website do have flip-tops and mirrors, so I must have purchased an older version (darn!) from Ulta.  

In case you were wondering, Sugarbomb does come with a (semi-decent) brush. However, I prefer using a blush brush. Also, I just wanted to mention that this blush warns to avoid the eye area.

♥

I have my eye (cheeks?) on Benefit's Dandelion next.

So have you tried Benefit's Box O' Powders? Have a favorite?

Where to Buy: Benefit, Ulta, Sephora

Cost: $28 for .42 oz

Benefit BadGal vs. They're Real

So if you already have Benefit's BadGal mascara you may be wondering if you need or should switch to their new mascara, They're Real. It comes down to what you want your mascara to do. Benefit's BadGal has always given me a soft, natural lash look. As a volumizing mascara, it never really gave my lashes dramatic length like They're Real will. Check out my full review of They're Real here.

♥BadGal Lash                                                          

Nylon Brush

Volume Mascara

Matte Finish

Available in 4 colors (black, brown, plum, blue) & a waterproof formula

Longer, fatter brush

Longer handle

♥They're Real

Plastic-like Brush

Lengthening Mascara

Glossy Finish

Available only in Jet-Black

Brush has Combo Short/Long Bristles

 Brush Comparison
Top: BadGal Lash
Bottom: They're Real

BadGal has a longer brush handle

Where to Buy: www.BenefitCosmetics.com, Sephora, Ulta

Cost: They're Real $22; BadGal $19. Both 8.5 g net wt 0.3 oz.

Review: Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara

I've never really been into "high-end mascaras." I usually stick to drugstore mascaras which in my opinion achieves comparable (in most cases) results for half the price. However, BadGal Lash came in a Benefit set I received last Christmas and when I finally got around to trying it, it changed my mind about high-end mascaras.


Because of my Benefit BadGal Lash love, I've been excited about the "They're Real" mascara launch since I first heard about it weeks ago. A mascara that claims dramatic length and volume, base-to-tip curl, visible lift, and long-wearing results? Yes, please!


This mascara is definitely an amazing lengthening mascara. I wouldn't say it gives you extreme length like some false lashes do, however, it looks like a realistic (They're Real!) version. Although, this also depends on how long your lashes are to begin with.  I did notice volume and curl, however, it wasn't as dramatic. To get curl & separate, Benefits suggests turning the mascara vertically and stroking upwards.


I found that with two coats of this black mascara, my lashes started to clump. However, I always use just one coat of any mascara because I don't like how the mascara looks with two coats. So what might be considered clumpy to me, may not be to you.

One Coat of They're Real Mascara
UD Primer Potion in Eden
Amazing Cosmetics Concealer in Fair

They're Real has a "plastic-like" wand with a combination of short and long bristles. 

The tip of the mascara wand has bristles as well. I found the tip of the wand great to get into the hard-to-reach outer corner of my lashes and my bottom lashes.

(Left) BadGal Lash Brush vs. They're Real Brush (Right)

And just in case you were wondering... Here is quick pic brush comparison between BadGal and They're Real. A detailed comparison post to come soon! here.

Where to Buy: www.BenefitCosmetics.com, Sephora, Ulta
Cost: $22
Cheaper (Lengthening) Alternative: Loreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara

Review: Benefit Bella Bamba

I've had this blush for quite a while now but never got around to reviewing it. Bella Bamba is described as a "3D brightening pink face powder." It claims to brighten, sculpt & define.

Bella Bamba is a pretty pink color with great pigmentation. It can be built up in intensity or blended out for a softer, pretty pink glow. (Tip: A little goes a long way!)

In the box, Bella Bamba appears to be somewhat of a coral pink. At first glance, it even appears to be quite similar to NARS Orgasm blush. However, when taken out of the box and swatched, Bella Bamba is actually a watermelon (medium) pink with a subtle golden sheen versus a coral pink. Orgasm also has a more intense golden sheen over Bella Bamba.

For the most part, I'm in love with Benefit's packaging (so fun!). However, their previous box o' powder lids (except Dandelion) were removable and could easily came off in your purse, makeup bag, etc. So I was happy when Bella Bamba was introduced with a new lid. The lid flips open and has a magnet that seems to do a good job of keeping the box top shut. Bella Bamba also includes a convenient mirror for touch-ups.

The brush that comes with Bella Bamba is soft and overall pretty decent for a brush that is included with a product. It is quite an improvement over previous brushes that have been included in other Benefit products like Benefit's Hoola and the Hello! Flawless powder in terms of usability.

Brushes from Right to Left:
Bella Bamba, Hoola, & Hello! Flawless Powder

The only potential downside I see to this blush is the scent. Bella Bamba has a sweet watermelon scent to it, which may bother some. Personally, it has grown on me.

Cost: $28 for 8.0 Net wt. 0.28 oz.
Where to buy: Benefitcosmetics.com, Sephora, & Ulta