The brand Benefit Cosmetics is notorious (in a good way of course) for two things: chic, smoking hot looks and beautiful eyebrows. Raising eyebrows since 1976, I know my eyebrows can be left to them on any day with zero qualms whatsoever. Under the pro hands of one of their local brow experts, Angela, I had my brows done at the Benefit Brow Bar the third time (the first time was in Singapore 5 years ago) two weeks ago.

Their tools of trade. Benefit Cosmetics use Depileve wax for their waxing services. The Pearl Rosin Wax is used for the face since since it’s made for sensitive skin. It is made with natural pine rosin, blended with Mica and Magnolia Oil.

Here are my “before” brows. Messy but bearable. LOL

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Whether you have packed your bags for your ultimate summer destination or stuck at work all season long, Benefit Cosmetics just shipped in the juiciest summer must-haves for all of us!

cabana glama x sun beam

cabana glama
your desTANnation makeup kit

This vacation-ready makeup kit has everything you need for a gorgeous glow all year long. It’s the ultimate brightening & bronzing collection!

Kit includes:

• hoola bronzing powder
• some kind-a gorgeous medium the foundation faker for medium complexions
• posietint poppy-pink tinted lip & cheek stain
• eyeshadow palette: peach fuzz, bronze buzz and cocoa pizzazz
• double-ended sponge applicator
• mini cheek brush
• step-by-step lesson with tips & tricks

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I found the best duo and I’m excited to share it with you!

Benefit Cosmetics’ Lemon Aid wouldn’t be an industry must have for nothing. It screams YELLOW but it does wonders on all skin tones. Applied thinly, it instantly perks up my eyelids in seconds. They best part about it? It also doubles as an eye shadow primer. It might not be the best for those with extremely oily lids but it’s okay for someone like me whose lids grease up in 4-5 hours (ewww).

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If you follow me on Twitter, you’d know I had absolutely nothing to wear a week before our corporate Christmas ball. Call it absurd but I had everything but the dress. I grew up in a household where one’s wardrobe’s built around the accessories and the makeup. So yes, as usual, I crammed for the dress the last minute. Here’s what made up my look:

1 peso coin vs. earrings for scale

Are these earring absolutely jaw-dropping gorgeous or what?!? These ain’t mine (I wish!) but my aunt’s who’s a jeweler (email me for quotes!). These dangling earrings can be converted to hoop earrings and the section that dangles (the centre stone’s 1ct each) can be used as pendants. I paired it with a tennis bracelet that’s made up of 20 something ct diamonds. I would’ve worn this 1.1 ct ring but it would be too much already (but it’s hella beautiful!).

Gents — if you’re proposing…let’s talk!

A week before the ball, I was still haunting for the perfect tools to get the “perfect look”. By “perfect look” I mean just my usual look but extra photogenic (you’ll never know where those photos’ll show up!). LOL I hauled the last minute and pooled these new toys to the ultimate test:

NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Golden Beige x Sleek Makeup Blush in Suede
both available from Digital Traincase

Can I say that I’m absolutely hooked on these two pans? This HD powder foundation from NYX’s super makinis. I love applying it with my Charm Flat Top brush then mist into place using Evian. Sleek Makeup Blush in Suede contours my face to perfection. You’ll see later why I love this!

I used my new toys from Benefit Cosmetics to set my brows and give my tan a “boost” from within.

Brows A-Go-Go‘s great for those who want to either keep things simple or don’t have time to do full on eye makeup. Though not pictured, it comes with a pair of tweezers and eye shadow/brow brush. The two eyebrow powders work great in achieving one’s perfect shade of brown while the wax sets everything in place. The light powders do an amazing job brightening the brow bone in a jiffy.

Cha Cha Tint on the other hand’s my kind of cheek tint — not red (I have enough redness already!), not pink, yet makes my golden skin tone blush. It doesn’t have shimmers but it makes me “glow from within”.

Ben Nye LiquiSet is something new to my boudoir. It’s a water-based mixing medium meant to be used with Ben Nye’s MagiCake Aqua Paints, Liquid Paints, Lumiere Colors, Color Cake, and Cake Eyeliner to get that smudge proof finish. Instead of mixing it with my eye shadows as I applied it, I used an extra fluffy synthetic blending brush to lightly dab the solution on my finished eye makeup. The result was amazing. My eye makeup didn’t crease, flake, fade, nor streaked on me. I love this sealant! Get yours from The Style Quarter stat!

Last but not the least, I pulled the trigger — marshmallow pink lips aka. Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color SPF 12 in Bikini Pink (this reminds me of MAC Overtime). It’s a semi-opaque colour I’ve been using a lot lately. I love the hue to bits though I wish it lasted longer on me! :(

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photo via Benefit Cosmetics Philippines

Insider tip: make a shopping list! Trust me — it’s SO easy to go overboard with the gorgeous goodies they have! See you on the 15th! :)

What happened yesterday at the B-Spot aka. the Benefit Cosmetics Philippines office. :)

My kind of boudoir! I’m lemming for everything! Price points ain’t so bad too (same as HK, cheaper than SG). :)

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Benefit Cosmetics Philippines is opening in three weeks (December 15, Greenbelt 5)! :) I can’t wait to stock up on my Benefit faves such as Posietint, High Beam, Dandelion, Sugar Bomb, and CORALista and try on 10 and Bella Bamba (blush hoarding much?). I was browsing the brand’s webbie when I saw LOTS of adorable gift sets. These gift sets will be locally available (EDIT 11/28 — price updated):

Deck the halls with belles of beauty! This trio of top-sellers, featuring the POREfessional, some kind-a gorgeous medium deluxe mini and benetint, gives you a flawless complexion and fabulous flush—the perfect start to any fete-tastic look.

full size benetint, 12.5 ml 0.40 US fl. oz., full size POREfessional, deluxe mini some kind-a gorgeous, 1.8 g Net wt. 0.06 oz

Php 3100

The gift that’s on everyone’s lips! This set of six glitzy mini glosses finishes any look with show-off shine. This special collection of ultra shines drenches lips in juicy color that never feels sticky. Give it as one gorgeous gift or divide them up into multiple petite presents.

This set contains ultra shines in the following shades: so frisk me (gilded berry), nudie-tude (goldspun twist), spiked punch (juicy coral), life on the A list (bubblegum pink), foxy lady (diamond rose), kiss you (clear fuchsia). 6 x 3.0 mL / 6 x 0.1 US fl oz.

Php 2100

A life-of-the-party makeup kit will have you glamming it up from AM to PM with chic new shades and celebrated bestsellers. This full set of gorgeous essentials makes an exceptionally swank gift. Follow the step-by-step lesson inside for a fab-u-lous flush, glamorous glow, alluring eyes, a flirty wink, and irresistible lips.

This kit contains: girl meets pearl deluxe mini liquid pearl for face, glamming face powder with powder brush, ultra shines lip shine in life on the A list (bubble gum pink), a little bit BADgal lash mascara, eyeshadow palette, double-ended sponge applicator

Php 1500

It’s the most flawless gift of all…this kit will give ‘em everything they’re wishing for: a burst of watermelon-pink on the cheeks, ultra-glossy lips, fluttery lashes, and a radiant complexion. The top-sellers tucked inside this brilliant box give the most festive flush. Whoever wears them will be shining brightly all season long! Skip the wrapping paper…this gift box looks plenty festive on its own. Plus, the front label slides out so you can personalize it with a photo!

Php 2100

I’m eyeing on the last two kits but the gloss pack’s also calling me! EEEEP! Do you see anything above haunting you too? Spill! :)