I didn't get much makeup for Christmas this year (nobody ever knows what to get me, in case I've got it, or I hate it!) but my mum took a gamble and picked up the Benefit and Matthew Williamson Collaboration Kit, The Rich Is Back. The risk payed off, I've had my eye on this for ages and I'm so glad I've finally got it!
The kit comprises of four eyeshadows, a mascara, a lipgloss, a blush and a brush. It's got a massive mirror and a little booklet with tips on how best to apply the products. I usually find Benefit packaging to be a little hit and miss, but I love this, I love the peacock feather design, and how it looks like a book!
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the shadows, I like Benefit eyeshadows, but I usually find I have to apply a lot to get a decent colour pay off, the pigmentation isn't always great, but these are. There's a cream highlight colour with a gold shimmer called Disco Dust, perfect for the browbone and inner corner, a gorgeous gold shade with intense golden shimmer called Solid Gold, a deep chocolate brown with gold shimmer called Get Down Brown, and then a beautiful teal blue with silver shimmer called Feel So Teal. The first three shades are colours I would wear on an everyday basis, but I was a little scared of the teal shade. However, I've been taking a little of it on my finger and just patting it into the outer corner of my eyelid, and then running it under my lower lashline on a small angled brush, and I love the effect it gives. It's subtle, but it really makes my hazel eyes pop.
I'd have preffered to have seen Bad Gal Lash mascara in this kit over They're Real, but that wouldn't put me off buying it. I don't mind They're Real, I just don't find it gives my lashes any volume, and makes them look a little spidery. If I was travelling though, I would take the kit and use that mascara instead of packing an extra.
Inferno Lipgloss is a bright red coral with a subtle golden shimmer. It's unlike any other gloss I own in shade and I really like it, it's a shame this is exclusive to the palette or I probably would have picked up a full size. I love Benefit glosses, they aren't sticky and they last a long time on the lips.
Gimme Fever is qute a unique blush shade, a rummage in my drawers (makeup, not knickers) shows I have nothing quite like it. It's kind of a muted, dusky peach with a subtle silver shimmer, but pop this on your cheeks and it looks like you've applied blusher, bronzer and highlighter. Definitely one that makes you look put together without much effort on your part. To be chucked on when you're in a rush. It also comes with a brush, which is the same as the brushes you get with Benefit's Boxed Blushes, only smaller. It's okay, I wouldn't use it when I'm at home, but it's fine for traveling.
Overall, I think this is a great little kit, I'm going to get a lot of use out of it, especially when the weather gets a little warmer! This would make an excellent gift, or treat for yourself!
Have you tried this kit? What do you think of it? What are your favourite Benefit products?
