Swatches + Comparisons: Benefit Cheekathon vs Tarte Tarteist Blush Palette

Benefit Cheekathon Blush & Bronzer Palette ($58, Limited Edition) 

Packaging: It comes with 4 full-size blushes, including Dandelion (0.25oz), Rockateur (0.17oz), Dallas (0.32oz) and Coralista (0.28oz), a full-size Hoola matte bronzer (0.28oz), a brush made of natural bristles and a sizable mirror. Each shade retails $29, which makes the value of the palette to be $145!

I never bought Benefit's individual blushes because I find the cardboard packaging to be too bulky. The palette is actually not as thick and is a huge space saver compared to buying the blushes/bronzer individually. (It measures 7 inches x 0.85 inches x 5 inches.) It may not be as travel-friendly as the Tarte Tarteist palette, but I would still take this with me on trips, especially if I'm going to be out of town for more than a week and want to create various looks. I just love that all the shades are conveniently laid out in one palette. 

The insert is removable and pops out easily. So, you can use the box for storing little trinkets when you finish the palette. You can also depot the pans and pop them into an empty Z Palette. 

The brush reminds me of the NARS Ita (review), except the Benefit one is a little bit wider and denser. It works really well for contouring because it's narrow enough to fit nicely on the hollows of the cheeks and fluffy enough to blend out any harsh lines with ease. For blush application, I prefer a domed-shaped brush, such as the Sonia Kashuk #29 (review) because it covers the entire cheek area more evenly and lightly. I also love that the pans are wide enough to fit any type of brush easily.  

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Review + Swatches: Mists, Masks and Moisturizers

These are some of the skincare products that I'm enjoying right now and that are in rotation. I find that if I keep using the same product over and over again, my skin gets used to it and the product ends up being less potent and less effective. Also, I get bored using the same thing all the time. Change is good!

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Review + Swatches: Sigma Synthetic Eye Brushes for Cream Products

Sigma's synthetic eye brushes stand out from their competition because they come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. You're bound to find one that's perfect for you. The ones mentioned in this post are all made of synthetic material and animal cruelty-free. I love using them to work with cream eyeshadows and concealer because they glide product onto the skin smoothly and evenly.

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Swatches: Benefit Fakeup Hydrating Crease-Control Concealer + Coupon Code 2013

I recently placed a Sephora order and received a free sample of the Benefit Fakeup Hydrating Crease-Control Concealer in all 3 shades. For reference, I'm a MAC NC30/35 all over my face, but prefer to use a concealer that's a shade lighter than my skintone because it brightens up my under eye area. I currently mix my MAC Pro Longwear concealer in shades NW20 and NW25 to get a perfect shade for underneath my eyes. I find that the Benefit Fakeup concealer in Medium works perfectly with my skintone. It's not too dark or too light and still brightens up my under eye area. The consistency is thick, but not as thick as the MAC one and it does not feel heavy at all. When I use my Royal & Langnickel BX-45 brush in a tapping motion, it applies the product smoothly and blends effortlessly. Also, the Benefit concealer is so much more moisturizing and doesn't leave a cakey finish. I have very dark circles and I'm glad to report that it covered them up very well. I just bought the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder (review coming up soon) and used it to set the Benefit concealer. It faded within 4 hours, but I'm not sure if it's due to the formula of the concealer or the setting powder that I used. Whenever I use my MAC concealer, I set it with my MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder and it lasts all day.

By the way, Benefit is offering free shipping + a FULL-SIZE Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner in your choice of color when you spend $60. Enter coupon code NOCREASE at checkout. Offer expires April 30, 2013 at 11:59pm Pacific. 

Have you tried the Benefit Fakeup Concealer, yet?

*This post contains affiliate links. Like I mentioned above, the Benefit concealer was a free sample that Sephora provided when I placed an online order with them, using my own funds.

Benefit Cosmetics Coupon Code 2013: FREE Full-Size Get Even Pressed Powder ($30 value)

Benefit Cosmetics is offering a FREE full-size Get Even pressed powder* 

in your shade of choice with any $90 order. 

Enter coupon code GETEVEN1 at checkout to redeem shade light.

Enter coupon code GETEVEN2 at checkout to redeem shade medium.

Enter coupon code GETEVEN3 at checkout to redeem shade deep.

Offer expires 1/31/2013 at 11:59pm PST. 

Combinable with standard shipping promotions. 

Free US shipping automatically applies to orders of $50 or more.

Free International shipping automatically applies to orders of $125 or more.

Benefit Cosmetics is also offering 2 FREE deluxe sizes of
It's Potent! Eye Cream + BadGal Lash Mascara* with any $60 order. 

Enter EYECANDYAFF at checkout. 

Offer expires 1/31/2013 at 11:59pm PST. 

Combinable with standard shipping promotions. 

Free US shipping automatically applies to orders of $50 or more.

Free International shipping automatically applies to orders of $125 or more.

*affiliate link

Benefit Flash Sale 2012: Exclusive Complexion, Lip and Cheek Kits

Benefit Cosmetics is offering an exclusive access to 6 new complexion, lip & cheek kits, which includes their top selling products. The kits are only available on their online store* until July 20 at 9am PST.

*affiliate link

Benefit Coupon Code 2012: FREE Porefessional Primer + Marvel SpyGal Comic Book

Benefit is offering a free deluxe size POREfessional Primer and Marvel SpyGal Comic Book* with any order. The primer (review) contains 7.5ml/0.25oz and is valued at $10. You can also get free shipping with any $50 order or more. Offer expires June 30, 2012 at 11:59pm PST. Enter SPYGALME at checkout. 

*affiliate link

Benefit Coupon Code 2012: FREE Cha Cha Tint + Facial Cream, Eyeshadow or Eyeliner

To celebrate the launch of the Rare Beauty Snow White & the Huntsman Makeup Kit*, Benefit is offering free shipping plus your choice of a free Velvet Eyeshadow in Tickled Mink* with any $60 order, using code TICKLED at checkout or a free Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow Liner in Strut* with any $60 order, using code STRUTUP at checkout. Offer expires May 22, 2012 at 11:59pm PST. 

You can also get a free deluxe sample of the Cha Cha Tint* and Total Moisture Facial Cream* with any $45 order! Enter CHACHACHA at checkout. Offer expires May 31, 2012.

* affiliate link

Review + Comparison: Benefit The Porefessional Primer + Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer

I bought both the Benefit Porefessional Primer and the Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer, during Sephora's 15% off sale. I'm glad I bought both because they actually do what they claim to do!

Benefit The Porefessional Primer

• silicone based
• oil-free
• slight fragrance
• feels silky & lightweight
• becomes translucent when blended
• covers up pores really well
• does not lengthen the wear of makeup
• contains 0.75oz of product
• retails $29

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Titanium Dioxide (ci 77891), Cyclohexasiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance (parfum), Mica, Iron Oxides (ci 77492), Limonene, Iron Oxides (ci 77491), Iron Oxides (ci 77499), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bht.

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer

• silicone based
• contains camellia oil, vitamins A + C, mulberry extract, and retinol 
• no fragrance
• feels silky & lightweight
• becomes translucent when blended
• covers up pores really well
• does not lengthen the wear of makeup
• contains 1oz of product
• retails $30

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crossploymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cyclodextrin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Retinol, Diacetyl Boldine, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Polysorbate 80, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hedra Helix (Ivy) Extract, BHT, Cycloheptasiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Bioflavonoids, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Allantoin, Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Chromium Oxide Green

Both the Benefit Porefessional Primer and Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer have a silky texture to them that makes foundation go on smoother. They are silicone based; therefore, the product does not absorb into the skin. Instead, it sits on top of the skin, creating a barrier between the foundation and skin.

There is a slight fragrance to the Benefit primer, but it quickly dissipates with a minute of application. As for the Too Faced primer, I did not detect any fragrance at all.

When swatched, they both look slightly tinted. The Benefit primer is more yellow toned, while the Too Faced one is more neutral. However, they both look the same and colorless when blended into the skin. They also look sparkly under direct sunlight, but the sparkles are unnoticeable under foundation and under natural or indoor lighting.

Most importantly, they both perform the same and make my pores virtually disappear when applied by hand. They work like magic! Moreover, they do not ball up, crumble or flake when worn under foundation. However, I do not recommend wearing either of the primers over foundation because it will move the foundation. Also, neither of them prolong the wear of foundation. It is important to note that most of the other primers that I've tried, including CoverFX Clearprep FX Matte, Philosophy The Present Clear Makeup, NARS Pro-Prime Oil-Free, Smashbox Photo Finish regular + light version, Laura Mercier Oil-Free and Lancome La Base Pro Perfecting primer have not lengthened the wear of my foundation either. 

As for packaging, the opening of the Too Faced primer may look huge compared to the opening of the Benefit primer. However, it is actually very easy to control the amount of product that squeezes out of the tube. I can get it to squeeze out 1/4 of a pea size with no problem! 

Both primers are lightweight and are great for travel, but since the Benefit primer contains less product, it is more slimmer and more travel friendly. Also, the amount of product in both primers will last a very long time, considering that a little goes a long way. Moreover, I only use it on problem areas, such as the small crevices around my nose, where there are visible pores.

 Left: Benefit The Porefessional Primer (heavy swatch, smeared, blended)

Right: Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer (heavy swatch, smeared, blended)

Bottom Line: You can't go wrong with either of these primers. Both the Benefit Porefessional Primer and Too Faced Primer provide the perfect canvas for foundation to glide onto the skin effortlessly. These two are staples and should be in everyone's makeup kit because they leave the skin looking poreless and flawless. What it comes down to is price and your personal preference in packaging.

Note: The Benefit Porefessional Primer and Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer can be purchased at Benefit's online store and Too Faced's online store, respectively. They're also available at Sephora and Ulta.

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Which primer have you tried and
what did you pick up from Sephora's 15% off sale?

Benefit Coupon Code 2012: Free Deluxe POREfessional Primer ($10 value)

Benefit is offering a free deluxe sample of the POREfessional primer (7.5ml)* with any $35 order plus free shipping on orders over $50. Enter coupon code PROBALM at checkout. Offer expires March 19, 2012. 

According to Benefit, the primer:

• quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin
• can be applied alone, under or over makeup
• is translucent and oil-free  
• helps makeup stay put
• contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals

*affiliate link

Benefit Coupon Code 2012: FREE Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation with ANY Order

Receive your choice of Benefit's new Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation sample* with ANY order. Just enter the specific code at checkout:

• Ivory – HFIVORY
• Petal – HFPETAL
• Champagne – HFCHAMPS
• Honey – HFHONEY
• Beige – HFBEIGE
• Toasted Beige – HFTOASTED
• Amber – HFAMBER
• Hazelnut – HFHAZEL
• Nutmeg...Gotta Know Me – HFNUTMEG

Offer valid through March 31, 2012, while supplies last. Free standard shipping is automatically applied to all US orders over $50. 

*affiliate link

Benefit Coupon Code 2012: FREE Finding Mr.Bright Kit ($36 Value)

Benefit is offering a free Finding Mr.Bright Kit* plus 2 free samples with a $45 purchase or more. Spend $5 extra to receive free shipping. Offer expires March 9, 2012. Enter coupon code LAUGHTER at checkout.

Kit includes:

• Erase Paste in 02 (medium) Brightening Camouflage 3.2 g
• Girl Meets Pearl Golden-Pink Liquid Pearl 0.25 oz.
• Posietint Poppy-Pink Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain 0.13 oz.
• High Beam Luminescent Complexion Enhancer 0.08 oz.

*affiliate link

Benefit Coupon Code 2012: FREE Makeup Bag

Get a free WOW makeup bag with any $65 order* plus free shipping and 2 free samples. Enter coupon code WOWZABAG at checkout. Offer expires February 21, 2012. The makeup bag retails for $28. It has a double zipper and a side strap. It measures 10.25" x 5" x 5".

*affiliate link

Benefit Coupon Code 2012: FREE Makeup Bag

Get a FREE Benefit snap sack bag* with any $35 order. Enter OHSNAP at checkout. 

Offer valid 1/24/12 to 1/30/12.

*affiliate link