Sunday, December 16, 2012

Naturally Imperfect

I didn't intend to open up Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow SPF 25 Brightening Makeup until I'd finished either my Make Up Forever HD foundation or NARS Sheer Glow, but I really needed one thing from it that the other two didn't have: sun protection. I've started to trial some Antipodes products I purchased last week, including the Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream which doesn't have any SPF. I didn't want to wear another layer of sunscreen over the natural goodness of the cream, so out came the Benefit from its box.









I chose the shade "Cheers to Me" Champagne, as I dismissed the shade down (Petal) as too light. Champagne is a bit darker than NARS Sheer Glow in Fiji and Make Up For Ever HD in #118, but I find it to be a close enough match for my skin tone. Importantly, it doesn't oxidise on my skin as the day goes on.

Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow has a liquid, almost watery texture which requires a bit more effort to blend properly. One pump generally dispenses enough product to cover the whole face. I tried it initially with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush, followed by the Real Techniques Stippling Brush, but wasn't overly enthused with how either of them worked. I found the Sigma F82 Round Top Kabuki gave the best result. It applied the foundation with minimal streaking and a skin-like finish.

Coverage is on the light side and noticeably less than my NARS or MUFE. For something described as "brightening makeup", I actually don't find that it leaves the skin particularly glowy or highlighted. NARS Sheer Glow performs much better in that respect. Bizarrely, the Benefit on my skin looks like an initially dewy foundation which has been powdered down. It takes a few minutes to settle into and even out on the skin after it's first applied. After reading reviews, I was bracing myself for my skin to become hideously greasy during the day, but I'm genuinely and pleasantly surprised I didn't experience any of that.

I'm thinking of reserving my NARS Sheer Glow for special occasions, or when I want my skin to be particularly glowy and perfected. I've been reaching for my Make Up For Ever less and less, only because my skin has been inexplicably dry lately (my nose especially) despite attempts to use oils and creams and serums more conscientiously, and the MUFE really doesn't take well to anything but near perfect skin. Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow is a good choice for a truly natural looking, light coverage foundation with sun protection and unexpectedly decent oil control. While I'd love if it were slightly more luminous in finish, higher coverage and longer lasting (i.e. properties of beloved NARS Sheer Glow), it's well-suited for more low key, everyday makeup for when you still want a bit of coverage, but don't want to look overdone.

40 comments:

  1. I actually didn't like this when I tried it, it really oxidized on me. But I'm glad it works for you. And I'm surprised you managed to leave it alone for so long, I'm impressed!

    xoxo

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  2. Haha I would've opened it the day I bought it! I love at it has oil controlling properties! Wish it was easily available in Pakistan!

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  3. I really want to try out this foundation! Great review dear! :))

    XO,
    http://rosychicc.blogspot.com/

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  4. I have the mini version of this foundation and it makes my skin looking greasy even right after the application.. I tried to set it with powder but it started to look cake :/ I usually like Benefit products, but looks like this one isn't made to match my skin condition T.T
    I am glad that it works for you though! ;)

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  5. I wanted to try this foundation but even the lightest shade is too dark for me so I gave up on it

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  6. i am glad to hear you found a new foundation that works for you on a different level.
    i am impressed to see this foundation manages to stay very natural with the high SPF numbers.
    i'd still recommend separate use of the sunscreen since you have put a lot (surprisingly a lot) to get adequate protection from makeup products. ;)

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    1. I never thought of that, it's probably not doing much at all since I only put 1-1.5 pumps of the stuff. Really should stick with a separate layer of sunscreen in the mornings! :p

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  7. You look great in this! I've never even thought to look at it (Benefit's not really a brand I think of when I think foundation) but it looks great on you. :)
    S xx

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  8. I love how light this was, but it was to yellow for me

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  9. I tried this and it was just a little bit too light for me so I just started mixing a little with moisturizer and wore it on my days of :) thanks for sharing this was a great review!

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  10. I tried this and it was just a little bit too light for me so I just started mixing a little with moisturizer and wore it on my days of :) thanks for sharing this was a great review!

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  11. I tried this and it was just a little bit too light for me so I just started mixing a little with moisturizer and wore it on my days of :) thanks for sharing this was a great review!

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  12. I´ve always been curious about this foundation, now I´ll have to try it! :)

    %UKsNb

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  13. I think the packaging looks so cute!
    Thanks for the review :)

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  14. I definitely feel the same about Hello Flawless! It's a great go-to for everyday effortless makeup. Glad you liked it!

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  15. I adore the packaging but when I have tested it in the past, I can't say that I was really bowled over by the texture!

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  16. This sounds like a great everyday wear foundation! But I don't think I would be able to fork out that much money for this foundation (I'm guessing it would be a tad steep just like other Benefit products) when I can achieve the same look or even better for just $10 with my Garnier BB Cream! Haha thanks for the review :D

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  17. Hello Benefit Flawless looks really interesting :)

    www.look-scout.de

    Find me on bloglovin: http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4172347 :)

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  18. I love this foundation! I love how its breathable and light :)

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  19. It looks beautiful on you, but you have great skin anyway! Sounds like a good everyday foundation. xx

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  20. Seems like something thats more natural on the finishing. It looks glowy on your cheek, I like it but I'd definitely powder on top because of how oily my skin can get throughout the day! I don't think I'll be getting this unless there are every some samples!

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  21. It looks so natural,lovely.
    I wonder if you would like to follow each other.
    I would also like to invite you to join my Christmas Giveaway
    http://glossylala.blogspot.gr/2012/12/christmas-giveaway-open-internationally.html

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  22. I've started preferring medium coverage foundations but I'm glad I read you reviewed this because I was interested in knowing how it performs. Seems good for people who have naturally flawless skin and need less covering up.

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  23. I had a Benefit benebabe try this on me in store once but I wasn't sold on the effect. I think you just have to dive in and take a risk with foundations, blog reviews are the way to go because until you get home and have a play, you don't know what you're dealing with.

    I can't wait to hear what you think of the Antipodes Vanilla Pod, I'm using the Avocado Pear night cream and wow it is lovely. My skin is a happy camper :)

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  24. i've been wanting to get that from Benefit! it has all the things i want in a face product, i feel so unsettled not having it in my hands. hehe, i need it asap since it's getting hotter here now. i love the flawless results too! or maybe it's just your skin :P thanks for the review hun, can't wait to get it! xx

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  25. I don't think its good to completely rely on the SPF that's in foundations because in reality, you need to apply A LOT to get sun protection. I doubt applying a thin layer or even two thin layers of foundation is enough to protect your skin. But at least it's better than none.

    I use Shiseido's sunscreen and I agree that when I use it, it eliminates the holy goodness of my moisturizer :( Ah, first world problems LOL

    You have really great skin, btw!

    nyuu | lolitium.net

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    1. I never thought much about that until it was pointed out by you and Lena above in this post - and it definitely makes sense! I think I'll try applying a proper sunscreen underneath my foundation to be safer, though I'm stuck in an office all day so I don't really get that much sun in the day anyway :p

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  26. I love the subtle and natural effect of our product. It is so subtle and lidno could use daily. Definitely write it down on my list of possible use. And I think I could use it daily. Thanks for showing this great product.

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  27. I heard entirely different reviews saying that this was full coverage : / Maybe they used a lot more product, who knows. Their Hello Flawless powder has SPF in it and it's amazing, I mean, I don't have other high products to compare it to, but still I used it for a long time as my everyday foundation and had zero issues with it. It is full coverage but doesn't just sit on top of the skin and it doesn't melt and get all oily at the end of the day. The only downside? The price tag, it is so damn expensive. If my budget of these days allowed me, I'd pick it back up again without thinking it twice.
    xx

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    1. *high end (typing with one hand is really hard! LOL)

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  28. Your skin look so flawless whit this foundation, thaks for showing it <3

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  29. I always really enjoy your reviews, they're so indepth :) I'm impressed that you managed to resist opening the pretty packaging for so long! haha :)

    Aimée X
    dress-it-up-6.blogspot.co.uk

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  30. I had heard about this it foundation, and covers quite natural :)

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  31. thanks for sharing =) I think i'll probably skip this as I prefer a high coverage foundation as I have a lot of "stuff" to conceal. Great review by the way =)

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  32. The packaging for this foundation is just too adorable and I want it just because it is cute- it looks clean and fresh too. And I guess we all need a sheer to light coverage foundation for everyday use! I normally like to use a SPF30+ sunscreen underneath my BB cream or foundations for extra sun protection instead of relying solely on the inbuilt (damn can't think of the right word!) SPF :P

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  33. I was wondering if NARS sheer glow or this foundation even, would work for oily teenager skin! It'd be great if I could, since I've heard such nice things about these foundations!

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  34. This is such a great review! I'm now totally interested in getting NARS sheer glow since you've said so many positive things about it! xD

    www.closetvoyage.com

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  35. I think I am going to pick this foundation up since it has good oil controlling properties. I think it will be a great day time foundation with its lighter texture and spf.

    Liz
    chewylove.blogspot.com

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  36. Great product review! Seems great! My skin is really dry too. Maybe try the Cetaphil moisturizer? That's what I use, it has SPF, and it's been miraculous.

    chochalistas.blogspot.com

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