IF you are a fan of Benefit Cosmetics because of the brand’s cute packaging and witty names but have never tried a single product, their kits are a good way to do so. They are less expensive than the full-size products in that you get so many items and you can actually take them out of the boxes for traveling.
The kits usually contain smaller sizes of the products plus the packaging is always adorable and witty. When you enter a Benefit boutique, these kits will immediately catch your eye.
I know that you’re supposed to throw away makeup after some time but I’m still using the Groovy Kind-a Love palette from two Christmases ago because of the eyeshadows. I also love the Dandelion/Gimme Fever combination blush. The other contents of the kit like Porefessional and Benetint are long gone but I still love the shadows (neutrals) and blush.
My current favorite is Operation Pore-Proof, which has four products to give you a matte complexion. The kit includes the iconic Porefessional, Agent Zero Shine Powder, License to Blot and Dr. Feelgood. It also gives a sneak preview of Shy Beam, a matte highlighter that Benefit will launch next year. I already have all of the products except Dr. Feelgood and Shy Beam, so this kit was something I really looked forward to unboxing it. At P1,900, Operation Pore-Proof is a good buy.
Do The Hoola, meanwhile, has Hoola Bronzing Powder, Hoola Ultra Plus Lip Gloss, Bene Balm and Dew The Hoola, a liquid bronzer that Benefit will also release next year.
I also love Benefit’s holiday kits. For the third year in a row, the brand is using tins for its holiday collections. These tins combine form and function because once you’re done with the products, one can use the containers as storage for little things like hair ties, makeup brushes and even deluxe makeup samples.
Like most beauty brands, Benefit comes up with a holiday collection every year. Yes, they’re mostly kits.
For Holiday 2015 the best seller is expected to be Real Cheeky Blushing Beauty Kit (just like last year’s Cheeky Sweet Spot), which includes Rockateur, Hoola, Dandelion, Coralista and Sugarbomb. For P1,900, you also get They’re Real Mascara and Push-Up Liner. That’s not a bad deal at all.
I also have my eye on Party To The Peepers!, which includes Creaseless Color Wash in Peach Party, Honey Talks and Go Taupeless and They’re Real Mascara. The Creaseless Color Washes are limited edition and this is what makes this kit a must-have.
Of course, Benefit is releasing an Advent Calendar, called Party Poppers, with 12 of its best-selling products. What makes this year’s edition of the calendar a great gift is that it’s like a musical box that plays music when you open it.
It’s been a good year for the brand. It launched They’re Real Mascara and Push-Up Liner in color. Another release was Puff-Off, an under eye gel meant to address puffiness.
Benefit also released Roller Lash, which has Hook ‘n’ Roll brush grabs to separate, lift and curl lashes.
Last week the brand launched Air Patrol, a BB cream eyelid primer with SPF 20 and EnviroDefend complex which “help guard your delicate eyelids against environmental stress.” It claims to color correct, lock on eye shadow and hydrate. The applicator is called Cushion Calm tip, which was inspired by gel foam mattresses and pillows.
“This year it was about ingenious applicators. The new products addressed specific beauty concerns with applicators that do the job. Air Patrol’s Cushion Calm tip, for example, is even softer than your pinky finger so it’s gentle on your eyelid,” says Donna Shaw, brand manager at Benefit Cosmetics Philippines.
Here’s more good news for fans of Benefit: there will be a new branch opening in one of Metro Manila’s most popular malls in October.
• E-mail the author at luckydinna@gmail.com.
Image credits: Dinna Chan Vasquez