Benefit boxed blushes have a special place within my heart; as a young pre-teen girl I to dream of one day having a few of my own (get a good look at me now, 10 year old me) and would spend hours deciding which one I would one day purchase - it was Benefit Georgia at the age of 17, which has long been discontinued and a shade someone of my complexion really had no need for. The years have slowly passed by but with each Benefit box blush launch, the pang of nostalgia remains the same and if I am truly honest, I have found like with all things, the brand has got better with age. The newest arrival doesn't disappoint - Benefit GALifornia Blush is as close to boxed sunshine as I have ever stumbled across.
Let's be real, in fact let's be hyper-critical as cute as Benefit GALifornia Blush may be, my heart - and maybe yours did too? - dropped when I saw the cardboard packaging. Yes I appreciate the sunny, surfer-come-psychedelic-almost-60's inspired print that adorns the box, it is pretty without being overly cutesy and alienating anyone over the age of 12 but why, oh why does the brand continually chose the medium of cardboard? I can understand that yes it is both lightweight and reinforced but it does not age well, nor does it ever fully close, leaving it prone to accidental damage. I do love Benefit blushes but this is the one element I do wish they would re-evaluate. I also don't truly understand why this blush is smaller than the other varieties within the range at just 5g when typical and past launches are around 7-9g each? On a more positive note, I weirdly love and hoard, the flat and somewhat fluffy brushes that Benefit include within their boxed blushes, they are wonderful for contouring with - try it and get back to me. I promise it is all but life...okay face changing.
Now we've got that out of the way, I will go record in saying that Benefit GALifornia Blush is one of the most beautiful, suit-all, sunny coral, flushes of colour I have seen in a long while - it's not boring nor outlandish and as such you can tell this will be a staple for many. As you have most likely guessed, California beach gals and guys, and their naturally sunkissed complexions are the muse behind this blush - an easy to wear, natural, illuminating and flattering orange based pink shade that will suit all occasions and most likely complexions.
If you look closely at Benefit GALifornia Blush you may have noticed that not only is the pan of blush embossed with a dazzling Aztec sun design but perhaps the smattering of gold overspray? The good news for those like myself who prefer a matter or satin cheek colour, it is just that - an overspray. This means that after a few uses the shimmer quality will quickly dissipate and you are left with a soft matte blush that is not at all stark nor chalky and surprisingly well pigmented. Despite being what most would deem a firm to the touch blush, Benefit GALifornia is easy to apply (I recommend a fluffy blush), blend out and once said golden shimmer cast has been removed it will not nestle into enlarged pores nor fine lines and overall is fairly long wearing even on oily skin types - around 8 hours, give or take.
The best part about Benefit GALifornia Blush? The fragrance. Now typically I am not a huge fan of scented beauty products especially make-up (I don't really see the need and feel they can be an irritant for sensitised skin) but on this occasion I will make an exception. Despite the official fragrance being listed as a summer ready blend of Vanilla and Grapefruit notes, to my nose it has an altogether tropical and almost coconut scent - almost like sunscreen. I should also stress that the scent is all but a whisper of fragrance and will much like the overspray, this too will slowly evaporate over the course of use.
It's cold, it's stormy outside and Summer seems like a lifetime away, treat yourself to Benefit GALifornia Blush and welcome a little California sunshine into your make-up bag. I can all but guarantee come June, this is all I will be wearing on my cheeks.
You can find Benefit GALifornia Blush £24.50 via Feel Unique (use the code betrue for 10% off) - link.
P.S I am currently running an Instagram giveaway to win your own Benefit GALifornia Blush, search for username @thesundaygirlUK and feel free to enter!
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