Viva Woman

My face literally beamed with the application of Benefit Cosmetics High Beam.  In fact, it was so illuminating that my face looked really shiny all day long and I’m not too sure I like that very much. 

Little effect on fair skin
According to the product description, I was supposed to get a soft dewy glow with this satiny pink highlighter and to attain a young, radiant and fresh complexion.  Well, the first two times I applied this, I just followed the recommendation by drawing an X on my cheekbones and dab a bit more above my eyebrow and on my chin.  I didn’t see much of a difference to my complexion.  I figured out that it’s because my complexion is too fair.

Not suitable for combination or oily skin
So I decided to put on a bit more to experience what the rest have been raving about and it did indeed give me a glow but it was too much for my combination skin which turned that glow to shine after a few hours.  I looked like an oil sleek with shiny cheeks and forehead!

Contains comedogenic ingredients
In addition, I found that my mineral powder looked kind of streaky after using this.  Not very nice actually. And what was worst was that I discovered a few small zits on those areas I used this product because it contains comedogenic ingredients like isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl lanolate, sesame oil and safflower oil.   (I couldn’t locate the ingredients list before buying this product as Benefit Cosmetics doesn’t seem to put them up on their website. )

So despite the fact that Benefit High Beam was voted the “best luminizing lotion/cream” by In Style magazine and the “best face illuminator” by Women’s Health & Fitness magazine, it’s just not the best for me.  But many ladies at Makeupalley were giving this product the thumbs up so I thought I would give it a try.

Better for dark, dry and dull skin 
My guess is that this product is best for those with darker, drier and duller skin as it does give a healthy glow which can last all day without any need for re-application. 

In the meantime, I don’t know what to do with this product as it can only last six months after opening.  I can’t pass it to someone since I’ve already used the brush on my face.  Maybe I’ll just apply this to brighten up my eye area which doesn’t secrete so much oil. 

Two hearts from me for the cute packaging, pretty color and delivering what it promises even though it isn’t for me.

Benefit High Beam cost US$24 online and S$46 at the Tangs store.

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