Benefit Honey Snap Out of It Scrub

For me, all things almond are awesome: snacking on almonds, slathering on almond-scented lotion and don't even get me started on Marzipan--yummmm.

Benefit Honey Snap Out of It Scrub is an almond-scented cleanser/scrub/mask that has a clay texture with tiny granules.

This product is marketed for morning use, and it definitely seems best suited for times when only a mild cleansing is desired. It doesn't lather but it does gently exfoliate. Afterwards, skin feels smooth but it does leave a strange feeling behind, like the clay hasn't completely rinsed off.

It doubles as a mask, which is pretty nifty. Although it doesn't deep clean skin, it does leave skin smooth, tight and soothed.

While this product might be worth checking out for almond affectionados, it seems like more of a novelty item than serious skincare.

Benefit Miss Popularity

Now I don't know if illuminated skin will make you popular, but it sure does punch up a look. But despite the fact that I'll forever be dedicated to the power of illuminating powders, Benefit Miss Popularity precision highlighter wasn't on my running list of must-have products...

...until I did a swatch test on my hand at Sephora. Once the lights hit the golden white shimmer, the dazzle was out of control. This little baby was coming home with me.

This highlighter can be used anywhere on the face, but I mainly use it to highlight the inner corners of my eyes. This no-fail trick makes eyes look wide and bright. It does require a little blending after it's dotted on, but a pat of the pinky is all it takes.

Miss Popularity travels well too--even though it's a loose powder, the wand and well packaging keeps it from spilling everywhere. The built-in applicator is super convenient too, and now there's no excuse for not having luminous skin, even on the go.

Benefit Silky Finish Lipstick

In the formative stages of my life, when I was busy learning the alphabet and how to tie my shoes, I discovered lipstick. It soon became the gateway into my unwaivering love for all things cosmetic. To this day, there is still nothing like cracking open a fresh tube of lipstick, inhaling deeply and pressing that perfect, unadulterated bullet to my lips for the first sweep.

Benefit Silky Finish Lipstick in Sugar Cookie is the latest addition to my hundred-strong lipstick collection, and boy, is it a beauty. The golden-peachy shimmer shade shows up as a glowing nude. There's a healthy dose of shimmer, which manages not to look juvenile, but it is ever so slightly grainy-feeling. Otherwise, the texture is light, sheer and slippery. Although sheer lipsticks don't stay put as well as thicker formulas, there is something so casually sexy about sheer lipstick that makes it worth while. It somehow makes the mystique of that girl who just gives off a natural aura of sex appeal attainable--you know, the kind who isn't trying to be sexy, but she just is.

Benefit says this lipstick is buildable, but beyond a couple coats it starts to look unflattering (in this shade). Keep it sheer and try pairing this up with your favorite nude lip liner for a fuller pout.

Benefit Some Kind-A-Gorgeous

At the same time I purchased Dr. Feelgood, I also scooped up Benefit’s Some Kind-A-Gorgeous. It’s an oil-free, sheer, cream-to-powder foundation. The big deal about this product is that it’s only available in one shade-- a “one size fits all” foundation of sorts. Initially I was concerned that the sheer formula wasn’t going to cut it, but it did, and how! I was amazed by how healthy and pretty my skin looked. Even though the formula allowed my skin to glow through, it still managed to cover the pesky imperfections on my face. Also to my amazement, the foundation glided onto my skin almost invisibly. The shade was just right. The staying-power is also pretty good.

My only complaint is that I can’t apply it under my eyes because the creaminess causes my mascara to smear, even when I powder under my eyes. Instead, I just apply a touch of matte liquid foundation under my eyes and the problem is solved. (I rarely ever use concealer unless there is some sort of major catastrophe going on).

This product comes with a sponge, but I use a foundation brush. I find that sponges absorb too much product. In addition to wasting product, sponges trap bacteria, unlike brushes that can be cleaned regularly! I also prepped my face with Dr. Feelgood first, which no doubt helped my foundation look flawless.

Benefit Dr. Feelgood

For a long time, I steered clear of Benefit’s Dr. Feelgood, an enriched balm that promises to smooth the complexion. I was a bit wary of slathering a waxy-looking balm all over my face. But Benefit products have never let me down and my quest for a primer to camouflage my pores and tame my oily skin prompted me to role the dice on Dr. Feelgood. I’ve been using the balm for a few weeks, and I’m hooked! The pores I’d been cursing since puberty? Invisible under a touch of makeup. My makeup still looks ready for a close-up hours later AND it hasn’t caused any breakouts! It glides on silky and light, instantly imparting a matte effect. I would especially recommend this product for those that prefer to use a cream-to-powder foundation, since these formulas tend to accentuate texturized skin.

With this balm, you’ll be lookin’ (and feelin’) oh so good!