Benefit Fakeup Crease Control Hydrating Concealer | Review and Swatches

On a recent trip to Brisbane in January, a good friend and I hit the shops at Carindale for a little retail therapy. We treated ourselves to a brow wax and tint at the Benefit Brow Bar in Myer ( highly recommend!!) After you have your brows done, you head over to the other side of the counter and have some finishing touches done to your makeup, and have the opportunity to try other products that may interest you. I was keen to try the Benefit Fakeup under eye concealer, and the very lovely MUA recommended my shade and applied it for me...I was hooked.

Benefit Fakeup Hydrating Concealer in Medium 02

As you can see from the photos above, the core of pigment is surrounded by a hydrating solid, gel like moisturiser. I apply it straight from the bullet to my under eye area, concentrating it where I need the most colour correcting. To blend it in, I pat it with my fingertip. Easy.

I am so glad the MUA recommended the shade Medium 02 for me. I have discovered that using a concealer that matches my skin tone directly under my eyes is the most flattering for me ( at my age! ).

If I choose to do some highlighting, I will place it further down near my orbital bone, and away from the bluish tones that I have in my inner corners and under eye. For me personally, using a very light concealer directly under my eyes only serves to make the discolouration, and any puffiness seem more prominent, and it looks unnatural.

In my experience Benefit Fakeup is not a full coverage concealer. But it doesn't need to be. The added hydration makes it creamy but not greasy, and it manages to soften and blur the look of fine lines around your eyes. In short, it gives me medium coverage, whilst making my under eye area just look fresher and more youthful.

I was told to set it with powder by the makeup artist, that it was designed to be set because it is so hydrating. I have experimented with some different powders in my collection, ranging from translucent loose setting powders, mineral powders, and powders like Maybelline Superstay that offer decent coverage as well as setting properties. My only advice would be to use a very light hand with your powder, but any of these work well for me. I have also used it without powder, with impressive results.

Benefit Fakeup is the most "creaseless" concealer I have tried. For me, it does live up to its' claim of "...hiding dark circles and diffuses fine lines for a silky smooth ultra-natural look."

I reach for it every day...every day!!

I paid $35.00 AU and purchased from the Benefit counter in Myer. 

It is also available to purchase online here

Have you tried Fakeup? Do you have a favourite under eye concealer?

Do leave a comment below!! I love reading them!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

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Rimmel London - Brixton Brown Eyeshadow Palette

I picked this little palette up a few months ago as part of an ASOS order. I have not yet seen these in store, and after hearing some great reviews from our UK beauty sisters, it was one that was begging to go into my shopping cart. 

A little lighter on the wallet, this Rimmel London 5 pan eyeshadow palette in the shade Brixton Brown was $13.84 AU. Always a little easier to justify purchases when they are reasonably priced!! ( tell me I'm not alone on this one! )

A predominantly neutral offering,with a pop of colour in the centre... and just quietly the highlight shade is just stunning!

The Beauty Vine Ramble

These are not the softest, creamiest shadows in the world, however they do have quite good pigmentation, and blend nicely. The lighter matte shade, second from the right in the photos above, feels quite dry and doesn't swatch particularly well. However, once on the lid it actually performs really nicely as an 'all over the lid' shade, and also gives the crease a nice subtle definition. 

The metallic highilight shade is beautiful pale cream with a gold reflect, very pigmented and looks beautiful patted on the centre of the lid or as an inner corner highlight. 

The copper/red toned shade in the centre was a little disappointing...it swatches nicely, but seemed to blend away to more of a subtle wash on your eyes. I will experiment a little more with this one and report back. A cream shadow base would likely amp up the colour payoff nicely. 

These warm red tones are also popular for warming up the crease, though I have yet to try that with this shade.

The two dark matte shades on the left are quite smooth to touch and blend well. They both function nicely to add depth and definition to your eye look. 

Overall, it's a very nice, inexpensive little palette. I feel that it offers a good variety of shades and finishes, allowing you to go as natural or as smokey as you desire. 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Blessings, 

Lou xo

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On My Nails Today - Sally Hansen Triple Shine 'Great White'

Looking for a slightly more wearable white for your nails? It can be a little daunting trying to pull off the opaque white nail. As bright, clean and fresh as it looks, it can also sometimes look a little stark. 

If you are in the market for a softer, perhaps more 'grown up' white mani, then you might like Sally Hansen Triple Shine in the shade Great White. 

A beautiful sheer white with gorgeous micro shimmers which are not only visible once on the nail, but also serve to give the shade a lovely glow and dimension. Not frosty. Just flattering. 

I have done three coats of Great White in these photos, swatched in natural light. The nail line is still clearly visible after 3 coats, but I think it adds a nice little bit of softness.

What are your thoughts on the white mani? Do you rock the opaque look, or prefer something a little more subtle? I would love to hear from you, please feel free to leave a comment below!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings, 

Lou xo

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Dr LeWinn's 4 Fusion Cleansing Oil | Review

If you have ever thought about trying an oil cleanser, or are looking for an affordable alternative to some of the offerings from high end or luxury brands, then look no further than Dr LeWinn's 4 Fusion Cleansing Oil. 

I started experimenting with oil and balm cleansers around eight months ago, and haven't looked back. As I have mentioned in previous skincare posts, I have oily/combo, acne prone, dehydrated skin. I use my oil or balm cleansers as a part of my evening skincare routine. I am not currently using face wipes, cleansing waters or a separate eye makeup remover. My oil or balm cleanser and a soft, fluffy face washer is all I need. 

Whilst loving the transformative process of applying my makeup, there is something to be said for embracing and enjoying the evening ritual of cleansing. 

As the name suggests, Dr LeWinn's 4 Fusion Cleansing Oil contains four lovely "good for skin" oils, as well as some other well known oils and ingredients as the base for their formula. 

I decided to do a little more of my own research into some of the ingredients, and thought I would share it with you. I hope you might find it useful!

Glycine Soya or soybean oil is the first ingredient listed. It is high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant which also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent for the skin. Glycine Soya is often used in skincare preparations to specifically prevent damage to collagen and elastin fibers, and it is ideal for emulsifying ( mixing with water ) to allow it to be easy washed/rinsed away. 

Rosehip Oil is very high in fatty acids which aid in skin cell regeneration and repair. This is why you often hear that Rosehip oil is recommended for assisting in healing and reducing scarring and hyper pigmentation. 

It is also high in antioxidants to protect the skin, and to promote the formation of collagen. 

Tamanu Oil is a healing and anti-inflammatory nut oil, which also assists in regenerating the skin, and promoting the formation of new tissue. It moisturisers, and nourishes the skin. 

Argan Oil protects, moisturises and reduces redness and irritation. Also high in vitamin E, omegas, and has antibacterial properties. 

Baobab Oil is extracted from the fruit seed of the baobab tree. Used by African societies for centuries, it is high in Omegas 3, 6 and 9, and is exceptionally moisturising, emollient and soothing, without clogging pores. 

Calendula Flower Extract has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, stimulates collagen and promotes healing. 

Lemon Myrtle Oil is antiseptic, antiviral, emotionally uplifting, refreshing and calming. 

Benzoyl Alcohol I assume is included in the ingredients to function as a preservative. I tend to avoid the types of alcohols that are known to be potentially drying or irritating to the skin, and this is one of them. However, in my humble opinion, any drying effect that may possibly occur would be balanced and corrected by the nourishing oils. Also of note, this is a cleanser, and is only on the skin for a couple of minutes at most, so in short, the inclusion of alcohol in this cleanser has not been an issue for me. 

How Does The Vine Use it? 

My preference with cleansing balms and oils is to apply to a dry face. I use 2 pumps and massage it in, all over my face for about a minute, and then remove with a clean washcloth soaked in nice warm water. I then rinse the washcloth, and go over my face again, making sure to remove all of the cleanser. I use a fresh clean face washer every day.  Some thicker balm cleansers can be a little more difficult to emulsify, however if that is your preference than this one will emulsify very easily and beautifully, allowing you to rinse away the oil grime and makeup of the day. 

The directions do specify to avoid direct contact with your eyes. However, I massage the oil over my eyes to remove my eye makeup. It does a brilliant job, and I have experienced no irritation or stinging at all. I do be careful to close my eyes, not sure I want it IN my eyeballs!!

In the evenings I double cleanse, and it will depend on my mood or how my skin is behaving as to which cleanser I choose. If I am feeling particularly dehydrated, I will double cleanse with the oil. If not, I will typically use Alpha-H Triple Action cleansing gel, a gentle non foaming cleanser which I adore. 

Dr LeWinn's 4 Fusion Cleansing oil smells lovely to me. You can definitely notice the fresh scent of the lemon myrtle, though I don't find it overpowering. I am also aware of the scent of the base oils, which have a natural, earthy smell in my opinion. 

Dr LeWinn's 4 Fusion Cleansing Oil is currently 20% off at Priceline Pharmacy nationally, so you can take home a lovely cleansing oil for just under $24.00. It's Rrp is $29.99. 

Have you tried any Dr LeWinn's products? 

Are you a fan of cleansing with oils?

Leave me a comment below, I would love to hear from you! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Blessings, 

Lou xo 

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