Best of Benefit - Our Top 5

Between us we probably own near to everything that Benefit sell (we really are useless at a student budget). With all the hype around the new Benefit releases we thought that it would be good to pick our top 5 that we couldn't live without.

First up is "that gal". At £22.50 this is pretty pricey for what it is, but once again we were tempted by a free sample, and once it ran out it just had to go on the Christmas list. This product is used in between moisturising and applying foundation, and acts as a prep for the skin. It is silky, spreads easily and helps give your skin a fresh looking flow. The bottle has a bottom that twists and the primer then appears on the top, and then you apply with your fingers. It is worth the money? Hmm this is debatable, while we absolutely love it, on a student budget it does seem a lot to pay despite it being better than any others we have previously used. 

When you're a student the late nights really do catch up on you, and no amount of RedBull seems to work on the tiredness of your under eyes. Ooh La Lift comes in at £17, and works as an instant eye lift. You simply apply three dots under the eye, smooth it into the skin and the whole area is instantly brightened. It can be used in the morning, and re-applied throughout the day as you get more tired. As far as eye-brightening products go this is definitely the best we have come across (lecturers have no idea we've been partying all night).

This choice was tricky as between us we own both Hervana and Hoopla. At £23 the price is standard for a Benefit bronzer/blusher making the decision between the two even harder. While Hoopla is highly rated in the blogger world Hervana just got the edge with it's mix of colours. Each of the shades compliment each other and give your cheek the perfect blush. 

Finding the right concealer must be one of the hardest parts about buying make up. We can't even begin to count how many we have been through before finding one that is perfect for both coverage, and colour. Benefit Boi ing (£16.50) fits the best of both, providing a decent coverage without looking cakey or as if the skin is obviously concealed. It works well when applied to areas of the face that should be highlighted, removing any unwanted shine or blemishes. 

With the new release of the Benefit Roller Lash we wanted to make sure an old favourite isn't forgotten. Coming in at £19.50 this Mascara is pricey, but we've lost count of how many we have gone through (it's that good). It separates the lashes perfectly, and creates a long lashes that provide a length that creates a false effect. The brush is firm, and easy to apply and the results last all throughout the day. It can also be easily built up depending on the reason for the use, making it a staple in all looks. 

Why We Will Never Leave No7 Foundation

All we ever see is bloggers blogging about Mac, Benefit and heaps of other expensive designer foundations. There's no denying they are probably good, but we can't help feel that with make up you are often just buying the brand. 

No7 is not really a brand that is considered by the blogger world, but we have used the foundation for years, and can't see ourselves leaving it anytime soon. 

The first thing that drew us to No7 was the colour match. There is nothing worse than going into each room, looking in a mirror with a different light, paranoid that the colour of your foundation isn't right.  The colour match completely eliminates this worry, as it gets your complete natural skin tone, and matches you to an exact colour within the No7 range. 

Another major benefit is the selection of ranges that are on offer. We both use foundations from different ranges, as we use it for different reasons and our skin types are not the same. 

First up: Stay Perfect.

Emma uses Stay Perfect in Warm Ivory (£14.50). One of the main problems I had with foundation was making it last throughout the day. By mid-afternoon it would look patchy, and the coverage was beginning to fade away. If ever I was able to find a foundation that would stay all day, I found it to be far too thick and it would often look too much. The Stay Perfect range promises 24 hour coverage, but is lightweight and breathable. It will last all day, whilst barely feeling like I have anything on. It is also so easy to build up, it can be layered well depending on how much coverage you want. 

It comes in a glass bottle, with a pump and the one big criticism is that you never get to use the whole bottle. Once it reaches a certain level the pump no longer works, and taking the lid off only allows you to reach some of the remaining content. 

Kirsti uses the Instant Radiance in Vanilla Rose (£12.50). No7 say this range is best for tired and stressed skin, which perfectly sums up my skin prior to using No7. If I had even just one spot, my face would appear red and angry looking. My skin tended to dry out around my T-Zone and I was constantly switching brands every time I bought a new foundation. I would get through 3/4's of a bottle and suddenly my skin would break out, dry out and whichever foundation it was, just clogged up my skin and it ended up looking like I'd put waaaaay too many layers on. 

I have used this foundation for over 3 years now and it would take a lot for me to look elsewhere. I love how this foundation can be built up, I could put 3 layers on for a night out and it still wouldn't create a fake and over-done look. Sorry to the Mac lovers, but this is exactly what the Mac foundation did to me.

Both foundations are a really good price for a good quality foundation and with Boots handing out No7 vouchers almost every time you purchase anything, it is often that you don't pay full price for a bottle anyway. 

Now we know we haven't had a lot of experience in the foundation department, and we haven't tried a lot of the brands out there but it's important to not feel like you have to jump straight to the £29.99 ones. Make-up is totally individual, just because it works for your best friend does not mean it will be perfect for you.