1. Beam me up
I have tried all the "beam" products from Benefit and I have to say shy beam is by far my favourite. I first discovered it as a luxury sample size from a beauty box (I think it was Birchbox but I can't be sure!). I then purchased the full sized product as I liked it so much but I am still working through the sample!
What is it?
This is a nude-pink, matte highlighter puts the softest, most natural-looking spotlight on you. The shimmer-less formula lets the radiant you shine through!
Why I like it
This is a liquid highlighter so it is a lot easier to work with than a creme formula and it is also matte with no glitter or shimmer in it so you don't look like a robot when caught in the spotlight.
How I use mine
Highlighters are versatile, in the days of contour and strobing, highlight products are the important stage of creating a false light on your own face. I tend to dot mine over the brow bone (low) above the eyebrows and a fan shape in between the eyebrows then a dab under the brow to pick up the arch and all this gets the smudge treatment with a mini beauty blender. The product does sink in to the skin perfectly then I set it with powder doing an under eye "bake" and a final spritz of make up setting spray.
You can also use a dot on the cupids bow above the lips to create a better lip line and a stripe down the middle of the nose to create a slimmer nose if you are bothered.
My thoughts
This is a very natural looking highlighter and it doesn't get cakey when used over the top of other products or underneath powders. It is a great shade without being too white or pale. I like the brush better on the smaller sample as it is a chunky short style than the full sized product which is long and thin and bendy and more like a nail polish brush. I do prefer the packaging on the full size though as it is a really pretty studded rose gold in the style of the rest of the Dandelion range of products.
How much?
A 10ml bottle is £19.50 and will last a very long time. It's around the size of a round nail polish bottle so does not take up a lot of room if you want to take it in your make up bag away.
Final word
The product is long lasting and versatile, it's one of my favourite items I use right now and it works well with other brands of make up too. I like this better than a cream highlighter and have tried out quite a few. The fact that this is non shimmery is also flattering on older skin.
Brows got bigger in the beauty world over the last year or so and whilst they are slimming down a little in 2017, a good brow product is a beauty essential if you want the complete look. I have tried a few products and settled on a brow powder and this goof proof pencil from Benefit to get my perfect brow look.
Choosing a shade...
I think it's important to go with a colour that suits your skin tone and hair colour. Mine is a dark blond gradient so I can get away with a darker brow now than when i had white blonde hair. A bold brow looked awful with my pale hair and complexion but now it is OK. You can choose from six shades in the goof proof range from 01 light to 06 deep. I am not sure any shades will suit red heads but I guess you go brown dark if you want defined and go taupe lighter if you want a more natural look.
What is it?
This pencil is described as a super easy brow filling and shaping pencil. It comes in the most unique packaging with a diamond cut lid which is great for grasping and difficult to lose. It clicks on to the pencil quite easily and comes off with a light tug. The pencil is plastic inside and a twist up rather than sharpen variety.
Looks different to other pencils...
The shape of the pencil is oblong rather than round and you don't need to sharpen the end as it twists out of the lid, You can also twist the product down and away when not in use so it does not chip off on the lid. I like this.
In use, what is it like?
The product itself is quite a soft and pliable pencil and is easy to apply in soft strokes so you can fill in any blanks and get a natural look. I like using this and don't find it too harsh and because it is soft it is blendable too if you feel it has gone on too strongly (I just rub it with a cotton bud if that happens). I do find this product super easy to use, you can't really go wrong and hardly any product is used in each application so it's going to last a long while.
How much and where can you buy this?
Benefit is sold widely online and in many department stores and Boots shops. It might be worth a visit if you are interested to work out which is the best shade for you.
Get your purse ready!
It costs £18.50 for a full sized pencil at House of Fraser with the choice of six shades. I got mine in the shade medium in a beauty box as deluxe sized sample which is a little shorter than the full sized but has lasted for a long time anyway (long enough to get me hooked on this this product anyway!). For a bit more spending, you can buy a set which includes the goof proof brow pencil and two other products £28.50 on asos.com. I'd be tempted to add the £10 to the single pencil cost to try out the other items. You can buy these sets in deep, light and medium.
My feelings on this product
As I said, I have tried pencils, powders, creams, pomades and even gel mascara wand products for brows and struggled to like anything a lot but this pencil I really do love as it is easy to use and fast to achieve a natural look plus I like the chiselled packaging as it feels quite special. I don't mind the price as the set lasts a long time and i can also use it along with my favourite brow powders. I like to use a highlighter (non shimmer also by Benefit) around the brow to perfect the look and blend in the skin properly before setting all over with a powder and setting spray. It doesn't budge or smudge until I am ready to remove it at the end of the day with a proper eye make up remover.
Final word
All I can really say is go and try this at the counter for free and see if you like it. The ladies are usually very helpful and will demonstrate how to use it if you are unsure. I think this is one of my favourite items in my make up bag right now!
It excites me that there are 2017 brands and products I have not tried yet but will surely discover and fall in love with!
3. Here's the random piece...
I got these glasses in time for the party season, so had to have a try out at home. A few observations namely they are oversized and fall off my face and I have a big head so no good for kids really.
I must admit that I wondered how I would manage wearing them in the dark and yes you can see the lights and it does obstruct your vision a lot. I tripped up wearing them in my house so who knows how I'd cope in a club with them!
The kids loved how they were voice activated and enjoyed playing with them. There is a plastic tab in there that you pull out to start the batteries. You can switch them on and off after the batteries are connected. The glasses light up with red, green and blue LED lights and the battery can be replaced with a small screwdriver, so once you have these they are for life (ha ha).
I like the colours and think these are fun party glasses but best worn on the head rather than over the eyes! They are silly, klunky oversized and a bit odd but something different if you're going to a party. Not a bad price either. Buy them here at Amazon (short and silly video also on my review!). https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2T98MKYEQL3TV/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
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