0 Benefit Bella Bamba Blush

Being a blush addict, this was on my wishlist for quite a long time ever since it was launched, but I didn't get around to buying it till recently. 

Packagin

The depth of the blush is slightly shallower than previous Benefit's blushers (which is a plus point as the other packagin are just a tad too bulky to bring out. And the cover is now a lift open lid instead of a cover like previously. I like like the multi dimensional shiny color on the packagin. Minus 1 pt...as packagin could be even less bulky. And what's with all this different weight of all the benefit blushers???? Some are 12g, some are 10g and some are 11g and Bella bamba is 8g. Can't they just standardize all the sizes??

Color & Texture

I would describe this as a coral pink blush. So if u like coral blushers, you would probably like this. And it's definitely more pigmented than Coralista. Suitable for all skintones. Do not that there is slight shimmers in this blush though, but they are not very obvious when applied.

Lasting power

More lasting on the face than the other Benefit's powder blushers that I own. 

Would not repurchase, as I have way too many blushers...but I do like this blusher though

0 Liquid illuminators - Benefit High Beam and MAC strobe cream

Both of these illuminators have pink undertones that are very similar to each other when swatched on the hand.

The main differences between these 2 liquid illuminators:

1. Benefit high beam is definitely thicker in texture than MAC strobe cream and gives higher shine and you only need VERY VERY little on this to enhance the cheekbone and t zone area)

2. MAC strobe cream can be used as a brightening make up base before make up (but use sparingly, Otherwise instead of glowy, you will look greasy) and has some hydrating properties that help to moisturise the skin

I do not have MAC strobe liquid, so I cannot compare the strobe cream to the strobe liquid though

How I like to use...

What I like to do for MAC strobe cream is that sometimes i do squeeze out a little from the tube and mix it with my liquid foundations, so that my liquid foundation will give a subtle illuminating effect. Of course, you can use it seperately before the foundation. But I find that this is less effective then adding on to my liquid foundation.

As for Benefit high beam, as it doesn't come in a squeeze tube like MAC strobe cream and also cos it is much more metallic than strobe cream, I don't mix it with my liquid foundation. I only selectively use it on my cheek bone area. I use the applicator to dab a feel dots on my cheek area and then blend it out using my fingers in dabbing motion.

Would suggest / recommend that the liquid illuminators be used after LF and just before powder

One thing to note that if u wanna highlight your cheek bones after powder, then do not use the liquid illuminators, because if not done well, it will make your base make up patchy. For such purpose, I would prefer the MAC cream color base such as pearl over powder make up for highlighting. 

Benefit high beam applicator

From left to right: Benefit high beam, MAC strobe cream

If your skin is very oily, I would not recommend liquid illuminators for highlighting. But if u still wan a dewy look, then you can try cream highlighters instead, but as I always like to say, Less is more. So use it moderately.

0 Benefit blushers

I hardly buy Benefit products. but being a blush whore, I had to buy some of their blushers to try out

 Click for enlarged picture. I do kind of like the packaging especially for coralista and Throbb. They look kind of funky and yet feminine. But I hate the bulkyness of it. Takes up lots of space in my make up pouch. Plus, cardboard packing isn't really value for money considering how much I pay for them. I would expect for the price I pay, the quality of the package would be better. Oh well....

Click for enlarged pic

Georgia: This is basically a WASTE OF MONEY. I am a MAC NC20, and despite how many times and how hard i swipe it on my cheeks, it DOES NOT APPEAR. I would say this would act more like a finishing powder rather than a blush. If u are any darker than me, Don't buy this, cause if it doesn't appear on me, it probably won't appear on u as well. Save your money for other things.

Dandelion: It's a pretty light blush, but it still can be build up to give a nice natural pinky flush on my face. Recommended only for fair to medium skin tones. I had to swipe about 3 or 4 times for this to appear on face.

Coralista: As its name suggest, this is a coral blush with a slight satiny frosty finish to it. It's definitely more pigmented than it's counterparts Georga and Dandelion and can be used by all skintones. 

Throbb: A very very cool shade of pink. It kinda looks unnatural on my skin which has lotsa yellow undertones. I would imagine that this would work better for people with pink based undertone skins.