The Balm has arrived on AlWears shores!
I'll admit....I've always been a Benefit gal. Since it arrived in Brown Thomas back in the day, I was obsessed with Benetint and wouldn't leave the house without it. In fact, I think I went a tad over board with it and looking back on old photos, I looked a tad Bosco-esque with bright red cheeks and lips. But of course....I thought I looked the bomb! Anyhoo, my love for Benefit slip slided a bit when every few months I was shelling out a whopping €36 for the little nail-varnish type bottle that gave me that flushed look, like I just went for a brisk walk, no matter how hung-over or tired I was! So, I stalked the web for alternative cheek and lip tints and I found it on my favourite beauty site,www.cultbeauty.co.uk - The Balm had entered my life! Now, to be honest, the brand is the image of Benefit - its quirky retro packaging and sassy names, like Mary Lou Highlighter. Cuteness! But the prices are cheap as chips! And here comes the stats....Its one of the best selling brands in Sephora in the U S of A (Whats Sephora? Oh, only THE BEST makeup store IN.THE.WORLD!) and its a makeup artists favourite on the likes of Sex in The City 2 and Gossip Girl. I've been buying some of The Balm goodies on line for ages as I couldn't find them anywhere in Cork, but now......Oh sweet jaysis, now....it has arrived in AWear stores....yes my friends...I kid you not.
1. Stainiac in Prom Queen: Tints are my number one choice for a bit of flush. This has a gel-like consistency with a lip-gloss applicator. Straight away it comes up trumps over my old trusted Benetint. With Benetint, you run the risk of knocking the bottle over, the red stain soaking into you carpet and all over your fresh clothes, plus its like a race against time when trying to blend it in. If you don't do it fast enough, you're left with streaky cheeks. With Stainiac, you can easily apply the littlest amount with simple precision and it gives you a chance to rub it in. It lasts all day and gives the prettiest glow. I use the Prom Queen shade which is a bit berry-ish on application but drys a pretty pink. Best of all, its €11.50 - YES, €11.50. Check that out BENETINT!!
2. Balm Shelter: Now, its hard to drag me away from my MAC face & body and I haven't ventured into the tinted moisturiser relm since my Laura Mercier one ran out a few months back - that's expensive stuff folks, its fabulous, but christ, it wounds the purse big time. But, I may have found its cheaper alternative. Lads, this tinted moisturiser is the business. The first time I used this I squeezed out a bit too much but slathered it over my skin anyway for a proper sconce. But to my surprise, every drop of it melted into my skin beautifully and gave me a gorgeous glow. The coverage isn't the best if you want to hide a multitude of pores and spots, but it really is lovely if you want a break from foundation. An added bonus is the SPF 18. And the price? €19. Bargain. Have a look below at the picture I took - it might be a bit dark on the skin at first but trust me, it blends in and leaves zilch foundation lines. My friendo tried it over the weekend, she's paler than me and it was gorgeous on her, so fret not pale folk!
3. Read My Lips in Classified: Awh lads, I'm in love. Its hard to find the perfect nude lipstick that you can carry out in your clutch on a night out but equally carry it in your day bag and use it throughout the day without looking too over-done. But I'm hiding something here.....and I hate to bring Benefit into this again, but I found my perfect nude around a year ago in the shape of Benefits Skinny Dip, but The Balms Classified lippy is like its third hotter cousin - they're very alike, except Skinny Dip is a bit more on the rosey side, depending on what light you catch it in. I love the texture of Skinny Dip, its glossy and lusty but Classified is my new fav! The colour is perfect. Just perfect. It tastes a bit like peppermint, has a subtle nudy glow and just the right amount of a glossy sheen to it. It doesn't last very long but who cares when you've fallen this much in love! How much...ah sure, only €12.50! Ive taken pics of both the Skinny Dip and the Classified lippies below...
4. Shady Lady in Not Tonight Jamie: Firstly, how frickin' quirky is the name of this shadow? The texture of this beaut is close to a high end, luxury brand - creamy smooth, highly pigmented and it lasts for the day. The colour is versatile too, coppery, brownish with a purple tinge. You could definitely wear this during the day and layer it for a more vampy look at night. I took a pic of it on below, but I'll warn you now, I'm no makeup artist so theres no magnificent eye art going on here, but you can get a feel for it. What's the damage Dawn? €11.50.
So...will you be indulging in a bit of Balm????
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