Product Review: BENEFIT Cosmetics
- Jack (in the blog) Delahunty-Jones
- Feb 13, 2018
- 6 min read
Okay, I have already said that I use makeup and one of the reasons I do is due to the fact I have wide open pores! When I look in the mirror at my bare face, all I can see, are what I can only describe as craters! Craters as deep and as wide as the Grand Canyon or perhaps something you would find on the face of the moon – but on my face…
Okay – I do have a tendency to be slightly dramatic, but I don’t think I am the only one that can be dramatic or has an issue/complex with large pores, especially when it comes to the face, I mean it’s right there for all to see! It’s not like baggy clobber can be used to cover up; well it could but that would be, well, it would be a “look” so, where was I? Oh yes… my face – my large open pores! they have always been something that I am conscious of although my family and friends will be the first to say “oh don’t be silly” and "you can hardly see them" or "who cares" but I care, to me it matters. I don’t wear make-up for others; it’s more of a personal/ self-confidence thing.
For years I have searched high and low for something that will rid me of these things, I’ve tried creams and lotions and even looked into a chemical face peel (that a whole other story and yet to be ruled out as an option) Then one day, not sure exactly when or how, more than likely a blog or magazine. I discovered a range from Benefit Cosmetics. Founded in San Francisco, California (one of my FAVE places in the WORLD) selling at over 2,000 counters in more than 30 countries! Benefit is a subsidiary of LVMH (that the parent company of Louis Vuitton – fancy).
What is this product range I hear you ask well, its name: The POREfessional Collection!!! (I do love a pun!)
Over the past few years this collection has been steadily growing and now consists of the following:
The POREfessional: face primer
Quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. The translucent formula contains a vitamin E derivative known to protect skin from free radicals.
The POREfessional: Pearl Primer
power of the POREfessional…PLUS brightening! This soft-radiance face primer instantly minimises the look of pores, locks on makeup and helps skin look bright, boosted and awake. It’s the same oil-free, lightweight, silky smooth texture as the original the POREfessional: Pore Primer PLUS a hint of soft pearly pink. Pores and dullness don’t stand a chance!
The POREfessional: matte rescue gel
Matte rescue instantly minimizes pore appearance. The lightweight, water-based gel overpowers shine and absorbs excess surface oil, leaving a natural-looking matte finish. Skin feels smooth and refreshed. Contains diamond powder known for its soft-focus pore-blurring effect..
The POREfessional: instant wipeout masks
This superhero-strength, dual-sided face mask cleans out AND smooths out the look of pores around your nose, forehead and chin. 3…2…1…WIPEOUT! The specially textured fabric woven from cottony fibers helps exfoliate & remove pore impurities. Contains mushroom extract known to clarify pores.
The POREfessional: license to blot
This instant oil-blotting stick with tiny invisible blotting spheres mattifies shine for up to six hours after application.* The specially designed triangular tip targets shiny zones: the sides of your nose, forehead and chin. Oil has finally met its matte!
The POREfessional: agent zero shine
shine-control powder joins you in your top-secret mission for smoother-than-smooth skin. Pores and shine don't stand a chance! Just twist, tap & sweep to look fresh-faced, without a trace!
and now...for my review, may i introduce you to (drum-roll) - sorry I just cant help but be dramatic.....
The POREfessional: pore minimising makeup
now, according to Benefit –
Pore minimising makeup covers imperfections without settling into pores or clogging them. The weightless, long-wear formula instantly mattifies and controls excess surface oil for 8 hours, and contains mushroom extract known to reduce the appearance of pores.
I must say they are not telling fibs… well maybe the 8 hours is on a good day.
As a self proclaimed raconteur, I'd like to start at the very beginning- I hear it's a very good place to start... How did I find this little gem of a product? Well, I was on my lunch break one day and I needed a new POREfessional: face primer or matte rescue gel as I have been using these for YEARS and I can honestly say they have never let me down, in fact, my wedding day photos would not have been the same without them. I made my way to the shops (Boots) when a lovely, albeit heavily made-up gal approaches me and offers her assistance, I told her that I just needed my usual, it was then she suggests The POREfessional: pore minimising makeup – She told me it was light/ sheer –yet – had a build-able coverage. After a little chat she said that out of the 5 shades, I would be a 3. This was a little surprising, as I’m blue-eyed with fair hair and very light complexion, but who am I to disagree the lovely lass, after my “consultation” I was handed a tiny version of the real thing to try – so I did.
The first thing I realised – read the instructions.
“shake well before applying 2 drops to the sponge”
One or two little drops can go a long way – even more so when you use the handy little sponge/blender thing that comes attached... I don’t know what it is that requires it to be shaken but what I do know is that it’s almost a completely different product if you don’t shake well.
NOTE – the sponge on the sample is not any way as good as the one you get with the full size product.
So, I used the sample product for a couple of days and I wasn’t sure on the shade at first, but as long as it is used the way it is intended to be used (as per instructions) only a couple of drops on the sponge AND BLENDED WELL - it’s all good… too much and I become a cheeto or wotsit use too little and –well it’s too little! You need to get it just right…now I’m starting to sound like Goldie locks with that porridge, by the way, I do not condone breaking into a bears home and stealing their food – come to think of it how did a wild animal get a mortgage – its hard enough for humans … that’s not the point – I’m reviewing make-up…
So… the packaging – it’s a little "girlie" – but Benefit’s key market are girls. Having said that its not too bad and the product is neat and tidy, as for the little sponge, its own little compartment at the bottom of the bottle – the sponge itself, the website says it’s a “pore-blurring” sponge – I’m pretty sure the makeup is the thing “blurring” either way, it’s a good sponge.
Note: the sponge is not so easy to clean, but it is possible.
The texture of the product… as they say on their website: “smooth, buildable coverage” and that it is! It’s a very thin liquid and as I’ve said before (and I’ll say it again) always remember to give it a good shake! - with the lid on – as my husband and our now not-so-white –walls will agree.
The POREfessional: pore minimising makeup is available in 5 “POREfect” shades (more puns -love it) – I guess for a new product 5 shades is okay and with it being buildable It’s not so bad, I think I am more of a 2.5 shade but as they only have 1,2,3,4 and 5 I go for a 3.
Overall – for an everyday, quick fix, this product is amazing. For added matte finish I would suggest dusting with the The POREfessional: agent zero shine a matte powder that also acts a setting powder.
One drawback – this product can be chalky and must be blended to the as much as possible, otherwise its awful! Used in the right way and with a little practice...
I give this product 4/5.
Comments