RUSH HOUR -Instant Makeover for lips and cheeks - BENEFIT
£16.50

- What the promo says - "A 10 second makeover...it's a fresh and lively touch up for lips and cheeks...in a silky smooth sunberry shade...it's peppy on all complexions!" This is all that is written on the leaflet inside the box but there are more useful details (full of exclamation marks and very 'American') to be found on Benefit's website as follows: "THE instant makeover for lips & cheeks. It's low maintenance, oil-free & non-comedogenic makeup for the gal on the go. This sunberry color cream is your shade! Apply to cheeks, dot on lips-vroom, vroom...you're ready to go!
Tips and tricks: The twist-up slim-line design makes application mess-free and fast! Starting at the apple of your cheeks, apply rush hour using whisker-like strokes. Blend evenly with fingertips. Then dot on lips and you're gorgeous in a flash!"

- Why I bought this product - I have always felt that the cosmetics industry is a bit of a rip-off, making us buy this product for one part of our body and that product for another. Whilst I am aware that things like nail varnish can only have one use (!) I felt that powders and creams for eyes, face and lips could be used more imaginatively to save having to buy so many products. So, when I saw that Benefit were combining something for cheeks and lips I thought, "Hooray! At last someone is producing a dual purpose product."

- Packaging - I love Benefit's packaging. It is colourful and bright and often quite 'retro'. The 'Rush Hour' box has a glamorous gloved hand sporting a ring over the glove... holding the steering wheel of a car. Inside there is a slim gold lipstick style container in gold with black geometric patterns. Easy to keep in your handbag.

- Application - Just a few dots needed on the cheeks, blended in with the fingers...for a glowing effect. A quick dash over the lips and you are ready. Just the sort of thing you can do quickly in your rear view mirror when the traffic lights are red.

- Appearance/ Texture - Goes on well and is pleasant to apply. Lips are nice and glossy on initial application.

- Scent - Not aware of one.

-Short term / Long term effects - Appearance is good after initial application. The colour is good for my cheeks although, being blonde, I do find the lipstick colour a little dark for me. Application lasts well ...all morning at least. ...although being a fan of Lancôme's 'Rouge Absolu' I do not feel that this lipstick has such a good hydrating effect. I find my lips are feeling a little dry by the end of the morning. The colour lasts well...and when it does fade, it seems to cling to the outer edges of your lips which gives the effect of a lip-liner.

- Longevity - This is a product that I would have used much more in my 'former life' when I was dashing around going to conferences and meetings as a Headmistress. I think it is a brilliant idea to have something to touch up your make-up after a long journey when you are looking and feeling a little tired. My present life-style is not so 'rushed' and I have every opportunity to go and replenish make-up throughout the day whenever I want...so I cannot give a good idea of how long this product would last if kept in a handbag and used regularly but I think the general idea is a good one. Well done, Benefit.

- Value for Money - Product does what it says and is not too expensive compared to other quality lipsticks on the market. When you bear in mind that it is a blusher as well....! Good value.

- Suppliers - Sephora, Boots, House of Fraser
http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/

GIVENCHY'S PRISMISSIME - 9 COLOUR POWDER COMPACT
RRP: £29.89

- What the promo says -
"A nine colour face and eye powder giving you a sensual and radiant complexion. There are two textures: one will unify the complexion and give you a matte finish whilst the glow texture highlights specific areas for a radiant, healthy shine.
Fine and light. Soft and easy to apply. Clings well to the skin : does not crumble or « polish »."

Available in two limited edition shades : maharani pink and maharani apricot.

- Why I bought this product -

...because I was sitting on a plane and trying to pass the time (and forget the fact that I was thousands of feet up in the sky in a heavy metal machine) and this is what I fancied from the 'duty free' booklet! I have never been a 'face powder' person and thought it was about time I tried to be like a 40s/50s filmstar. The combination of colours looked innovative and different to a normal face powder and I liked the concept of blending them to create a natural look.

- Packaging -

Hooray! Just for once, a beauty product comes in a box the size of what is actually inside! When the air hostess presented it to me, I thought, "Blimey, that's small!" but it was better than being given large box only to discover the product inside was that much smaller.

The compact itself is exactly that...COMPACT...and ideal for putting in your handbag..even a small one for going out in the evening. The container itself is a thing of beauty...the whole of the lid being taken up with the signature 'Givenchy' prism design in colourful, sparkly lettering on a black surround. The compact feels solid and chunky and is both practical and pretty. Inside the case is a two-tier system where you lift up the shelf containing the colours to reveal a wide, soft brush for application. There is a mirror in the lid. So much crammed into a small space and all very nifty!

- Application -

As easy as pie...and I love Givenchy's instructions. They dispense with unnecessary words and just have three small diagrams on the lid of the cardboard box. 1) How to open the tier system and reveal the brush, 2) Circular motion of brush across all the colours, 3) Application in wide sweeps to forehead and cheeks.

- Appearance -

I loved the colours and the sparkly effect when I opened the box. Once applied, the colours blend very well to give a light and natural dusting on the face that is evenly distributed with the brush. Subtle. The 'disco' side of me wished it sparkled on my face as much as in the box.

-Scent -

Love the smell...which is hard to describe but very pleasant and makes it a treat to put on.

-Longevity -

Lasts well during the day...but so much fun to put on that you will want to re-apply.

-Value for money -

Have only just started using this so am not sure how long it will last me. Watch this space and I will up-date.

- Suppliers -

http://www.parfumsgivenchy.com/ online shopping

Debenhams

Sephora

Harrods