Birch Box: December 2011, Benefit POREfessional

$29 by itself, but Sephora sells it in value sets that you may want to look at.

So if you're not aware, I got this in my December Birch Box. If you watched my open box video, you'll know that I'm not typically a face primer person because I have dry skin anyway, so my makeup doesn't usually have a problem staying on my face. I've tried this primer since then, and I can tell you a little bit about it from a dry-skinned person's point of view.

It is definitely smoothing, as most primers are. It's a bit thicker than some other primers I've tried before (like the Smashbox Photo Finish) and I have to say, it has a weird smell. I almost want to say it's grape scented, but my nose could be all out of whack; still, it has a smell to it that. Its thickness made it slightly more difficult than the Smashbox primer to apply but that's not saying much because it still applied well (Smashbox's primer is just really light and easy, and has even been awarded so it's almost unfair to compare). I wouldn't purchase the full size because a) I really have no need and b) the smell bothers me a little. And like I've been saying, the Smashbox Photo Finish is just nicer. I've also been meaning to try the Veil Hourglass primer, mainly for the SPF. 

Also I almost forgot to add... this is intended for people with more obvious pores, I guess, and I have pretty small pores so I can't say how that works out. Birch Box definitely missed the mark for this month. 

Have you gotten the chance to try this? 

Covergirl needs more coverage...

From left to right: Extreme Green, Beige Blaze, Forever Pink, Brown Bling

So I was in CVS the other day and I came across a huge display that screamed NEW!! (seriously). Standing upright were six new Covergirl eye products. I only got four shades because the other two were blue and platinum, though honestly, swatched they don't look that different from each other...

From left to right: Extreme Green, Beige Blaze, Forever Pink, Brown Bling

I wish I could tell you what the prices of these were, but I threw out the receipt thinking that I'd hit the jackpot (it was a buy one, get one half off sale on all CG makeup that day). What I can tell you though is that I won't ever understand why this got four out of 5 stars on Covergirl.com .

Swatched, this looks so pretty doesn't it? Especially the Brown Bling on the far right. Now, this product says it's a long lasting eyeshadow and primer in one. As an eyeshadow, the product sucks! It's so streaky on the eyes, even if it doesn't look that way on the hand. It doesn't last long at all--by the end of the hour it's only shimmer--and takes so long to dry. I tried using it as a primer and it didn't work... I guess it was a hint when the primer creases, the shadow would crease along with it.

I would rather spend an extra couple dollars for my UDPP.

So I thought it would be great for the girl on the go, but I was wrong. Wish I could return this!

Edit: After this blog post, I wiped it off clean with a paper towel. Sigh. Good news is that you don't need a strong makeup remover, right?