Accessorize your Makeup, More than Just "Bad Gal Lashes"

Alright, so through some awesome connections my class was able to meet with some higher-ups from the Benefit Cosmetics line and test out / play around with all of their products.
Now you might not recognise their name, but I'm sure you've seen their products around. The most common/ recognised of them being their mascara, "Bad Gal Lashes". Initially I hadn't thought much about this line, they seemed pretty generic, colours that didn't especially stand out, and products you could get elsewhere (concealer, blush, foundation, mascara, etc).
Not knowing much about them (other than their mascara that I had purchased a couple times over the past few years), I was pretty impressed with what they had to say.

Basically, their main focus is not really their makeup per say, but more to make makeup simpler and not so threatening for the average person. Another aspect that I love (love, LOVED) was the idea of creating accessories for the makeup you already have to improve it!

Some of my favourites from the line were: 

POREfessional Pore Minimizer

Okay, okay, okay, so this is for sure my number one favourite and a must buy for my makeup kit. This stuff is FANTASTIC for your skin, makes it look SO soft and smooth, and let me just say as soon as I get this I am using it one my mom because it takes out fine lines completely (without looking caked at ALL). This stuff feels amazing, and you can see in the picture that the texture looks really different from anything else out there. It only comes in the one colour, but can be used on any skin tone because it isn't really pigmented on the skin. Another plus is that it's oil free, so no need to worry about breaking out or irritation. Grrreat stuff, this product is lovely, priced at about $38 CND (lil steep, but will last forever because you only need a tiny amount). Again, if you're like me, you may be thinking "I don't need a pore minimizer, it isn't really a concern of mine" but the added property of smoothing and filling in skin converted me. You can wear it both under and over your regular makeup, to make it last longer and look smoother.

Benetint and PosietintLip and Cheek Stain

Originally created as a nipple stain for burlesque dancers, this product can be used a multitude of different ways! For the lips it can go under a gloss in any intensity you desire, be used to enhance a lip stick or to tint one, or on it's own as a lip stain. For cheeks, you can wear it just as a basic blush, or under a blush from any brand to intensifier or tint the colour. It's nice because this way you can switch up a look quite easily, just by using one product. Also, allowing you to change the colour of something like a lipstick or blush that's totally washing you out, means you'll actually get use out of makeup you may otherwise get rid of (so good). The two colours this comes in are pink ('Posietint') and red ('Benetint'), and again both show up well on any skin tone. Generally the price is around $38 CND for a bottle that should last you a couple years. As well, the 'Bentint' comes in a lip balm with spf 15 and in a little gloss tube for your purse with a creamier formula for on the go.

Some Kind-a Gorgeous Foundation

Alright, so this is less of an accessory and more full-on makeup but it's still so good! The unique part about this foundation is that it's infused with silicon. If you have oily skin (like me) you no longer have to worry about that evil evil shine breaking though your makeup about an hour after you put it on. As well, dry skin no longer has to worry about drying out, and for those hot and humid summers, the moisture won't ruin your flawless face. Silicon has the unique property where it doesn't let moisture in or out (well the majority of it anyway), ergo say bye bye to blotting papers and having to re-apply moisturizer or powder to your face. This foundation is brilliant in the way that all you have to do is apply moisturizer, and then foundation and you're good to go, shine free. I love that this product is great for any kind of skin at any age. On the down side though, currently it only comes in three colours, light, medium and dark, with a colour expansion coming this year. So I would advise you try before you buy to make sure the colour you choose works. One more thing, this can also be used in combination with other foundations to maximize lasting time, just be sure you're other product is oil free (don't want to lock excess oil into your face or else it's hello breakouts).

Brow Zings Brow kit

Instead of going out and buying all the different brow tools the market has, wouldn't one little kit with everything you need be so much easier? Well tah-dah, here it is. Similar to the MAC kit, but so much more useful, Benefit brings you "Brow Zings". On the left we have the tinted brow wax, and on the right the coloured filler powder (also included is a pair on mini tweezers, and two mini brushes to help with the application). The kit comes with a little booklet that gives you little tips and tricks for the 'perfect' brows, while still supplying you with everything needed to get them. I was surprised to find this out, but Benefit is all over the eyebrow scene, to the point of having launched their own chain of "Brow Bars" (essentially eyebrow salons where you can go and get waxed pain free, and receive a complimentary makeup application afterwords). This product generally goes for $42 CDN and can last you up to three years.

Bad Gal Lash Mascara

Well not too much to say here, this is probably the most recognised of the Benefit line. An excellent mascara that comes in a variety of shades (blue, brown, black, plum), and even now can be found in a waterproof formula. I liked it when I had it, though perhaps it wouldn't be the best for someone with sparser, shorter lashes (seeing as it is a very fluffy brush). Though normally selling for up to $30 CDN, I've been able to find it for as low as $8 at Winners, $10 at Sephora (on sale, reg $19), and $19 at Shoppers Drugmart.

Overall, I just wanted to let you guys know about this company because I really hadn't thought much about them before, and have now come to know that some of the things I've really been looking for were here. It can get really easy to decide you love one makeup company because you constantly hear a lot about them, but just remember that experimentation is key. It's good to know a bit about everything versus everything about one.