Hits & Misses from Benefit, Chanel, Guerlain, MAC and Tom Ford

As I don't get round to reviewing all the makeup I buy, I'd thought I'd do a round up of some of the good and not so good items I have. I've had these for a while now so my photos will be of used products unfortunately (shudders....)

Lets start on a positive note, first up we have MAC pro long wear blush in Stay be me (£20). It has a lightweight feel and smooth texture, it doesn't break me out or go on patchy like a lot of MAC blushers. Best of all is the colour, which is great for those of us with pale skin, as its a sheer peach with a very faint sheen.

I am also enjoying the shadows from Benefits latest re-vamp, Nude Swings (£15.50) is a sheer shimmery golden peach. Though its quite sheer, its nice for a brightening effect on the lid and has a smooth texture.
Both products swatched below, Mac on the Left.


I find the Chanel Rouge Coco's have a discrepancy in feel, with some much dryer than others. I'd say Gardenia (£24) is one of the less drying.

Its a medium rosy pink with a subtle golden shimmer. Though I would have preferred a more matte finish, I find this a great shade to give a polished, professional look and it also lasts extremely well.

and here is what didn't work for me.......

I had intended to pick up one of the new shades from the recent Chanel collection Revelation, but unwittingly picked up a re-promoted shade called Amour #166 (£21). I'm not a fan of a thick, sticky formula like Chanel's Levres Scintillantes but do like the good pigment and wear time so tend to pick one up now and again. The colour is a peachy pink with sparkle. Unfortunately it goes on very sheer, furthermore I do not get the longer wear I would expect from this formula at all and I am very quickly left with just silver sparkle on my lips.
Next onto Guerlain Rouge Automatique Lipstick (£24.50) in #601 Romance (from the Spring 2013 collection). Though I have nothing against the formula which feels smooth with an average wear and offers good coverage, I was expecting a natural pinky nude. It applies as a very cool toned, somewhat milky pink with too high a frost finish.
Swatched below L-R: Gardenia, Romance, Amour


Finally we have Tom Ford Bordeaux Lust nail polish (£26)
The colour is a beautiful rich deep red wine with an average wear time.


My issue with this is the application as it goes on really patchy, no matter how many coats I use, I can still see unevenness.

I have heard that the seasonal releases since last fall have been a different formula so I might well try the nude or brown shade from this years fall collection but won't pick up any more from the regular line up.

So there you have it, congratulations and a golden star to you if you have read to the end :)

I bought all these items myself.