BPerfect Mineral Power + Primer (Banana Powder DUPE) ft. Ben Nye | BEAUTY

Hello!

"allow you to create a finish that looks less cakey"

If you've been in the beauty loop for a while (Read: New Maybelline Lip Colors) , you'd know of the oh-so-famous Ben Nye Banana Powder that has taken our world by storm (link here). By that, I mean it has been given good review after good review, yet the only thing that may stop one from buying that thing? It's not the easiest thing to get a hold of, especially if you do not live in the states! There are many knock off's out there, and being Kim K's staple, it obviously has high demand! Yet, when I was told BPerfect have released a dupe of said Banana Powder, I was more than excited to give it a shot and compare.

"BPerfect is a much more available product"

The first thing I noticed was the difference in the powder itself. Not only is the Ben Nye powder a slightly warmer tone, which of course you can choose from a variety on the BPerfect site, but the texture of the powers are different. The Ben Nye Banana Powder is a lot thinner, and has been milled to a finer finish whereas the BPerfect is a lot thicker.

As shown in the picture above, it would take more to fully blend in the BPerfect powder than the Ben Nye. Having said that, both do blend in quite well, though the Ben Nye would be more likely to fit a variety of skin tones. I do think that if you were to use the powder as a setting powder, the Ben Nye would allow you to create a finish that looks less cakey. Though I'm sure you can achieve a similar look with the BPerfect, you would have to be more careful, due to the thicker mill of the powder.

"well let's say they've really nailed it"

Either way, I do think they're quite similar, but for me, the Ben Nye wins the fight, but just by a slight amount. The BPerfect is a much more available product (link here), if you are looking for a dupe. Though, if you are going to buy one and are willing to invest, I'd go with the Ben Nye.

BPerfect also have a primer. This primer that I speak off, well let's say they've really nailed it. 

"makes the colour a lot more vibrant, and it looks smoother"

Not only is the packaging beautiful, which I'm a sucker for, but the product itself is great! It's a clear colour so will suit everyone. The primer also blends very well, creating a smooth/velvety layer for you to apply your makeup onto. You only need a tiny bit, which will go a long way.

Just in case you're not entirely sold by my brief description above, look at the images. It's the same eyeshadow colour on top of a part of my hand with the primer, and again on a part without the primer. The primer area makes the colour a lot more vibrant, and it looks smoother. Not only that, it is easier to apply without any unwanted creases forming. If nothing else, I will be using this for my eye makeup/concealer area! 

Overall, an upcoming brand that has a few great products that you need to check out. If you're only going to buy one thing from their range, I'd go with the primer!
Check out their other range here.

Tell me, do you use a 'Banana Powder', and is primer a staple for you? 

***

Autumn/Winter 2013 Makeup Trends

Hello!

Firstly, I want to say Hello Fall! Today marks the first day of fall, hence why I decided to write this for today! Many people think that Fall/Autumn starts on the 1st of September but it's actually towards the end of September - huh? Who woulda known? haha!

Okay, so I was going through many articles on Fashion Week, and 2014 summer/spring trends that I thought I'd just take one step back and put together a Fall-Autumn (whatever you want to call it) and Winter 2013 Makeup trends - talk about living in the moment, hey?!

So there were some that really stood out to me:

Focus on the EYES

The eyes are the 'centre-piece' of this makeup look - this would be perfect for a night out, also blue compliments many eye shades, so it is definitely something you can try out. Also note the nude-ish lips and cheek colour - and how they're very much the same shade. That's also trendy.

Liquid-Lined Liner

Liquid liner was seen in a variety of places, Alexander Wang had a very simple thin lined look as well as nude everything - very minimalistic - and on the contrary was this Dolce & Gabbana thicker flicked feminine line. As well as this, notice the blood red, almost vampy lips - also very popular.

Lashes Ahoy!
Okay the 'Ahoy!' was very summery and out-of-season of me, I apologise! ;)

 

This image captures the trend of bold brows as well as the full lashes. Not only that, also see the same nude lips and cheek colour effect as earlier (this time by Emilio Pucci). 

This image features the full lashes, thick, flicked liner and blood red lips - a very classic look, presented in this image by Dolce & Gabbana, that never gets old and is again on trend this year. Check out my Review for my FAVOURITE mascara here. 

Smoked Out

Finally, the dark eyeshadow from the first image is matched in another classic: the Smoky Eye. Paired with nude lips and cheeks, this is another great evening look, easily pulled off and something that will forever be in style. 

Okay, so that's it, fellow glam-ista's! 

Let me know you're looking forward to/enjoying this season! 

& Check out this post for fall fashion! 

images from: here

Get Glowy For Summer - Highlighters

Hello!
Summer comes around and so does the tanned skin and glow - whether it be artificial or real is a different story!
Around summer time the 'oily look' is something that is avoided with matte powder but a dewy, fresh glow is there instead. I recently found that so many cosmetic companies are introducing new highlighters, especially liquid - guys, they are in FULL BLAST right now!
Here are some of the ones that I have recently found:

1. MAC Lustre Drops

This is described as a 'bronzer that applies like liquid sun' - so yes, it is summer in a bottle! This is available in 2 shades: 'Sun Rush' which is a yellow toned highlight and 'Pink Rebel' which is suited for those with pink undertones. This reminds me very much of the 'Sun Beam' and 'High Beam' from Benefit Cosmetics which has been selling for a long time. The MAC Lustre Drops are limited edition and sell for £18 for 18ml, in comparison to the Benefit which sells for £19.50 for 15ml, so the price for the Lustre Drops are lower!

Lustre Drops are water-based though, and would not be waterproof for the days in the pool (then again, who REALLY wears a full face of makeup at the pool?!). 

2. Benefit Watts Up

ANOTHER product from Benefit! Benefit actually have a range of highlighters: Sun Beam, High Beam, Watt's Up, Girl Meets Pearl, Moon Beam, Erase Paste (Concealer and highlighter)... AND they have a mini-kit called 'finding mr. bright' which features High Beam, Posie Tint, Erase Paste and Girl Meets Pearl! So Benefit are really milking this whole highlight product, and to be quite honest, it is selling well! Good for them! These products are great and Watt's Up in particular is a champagne shade which can be placed on top of cheek bones, on the brow bone and anywhere where you think you want a nice glow and shimmer - a highlight to be quite precise! This product provides a luminous sheen to accentuate areas where the sun naturally hits anyway, giving a more chiselled and glow-y look at £24.50.

3. ELF Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter

Lastly, I went ahead and found a cheaper alternative to the liquid highlighters, this one is by ELF and is meant to be used under the eye, however can obviously be used elsewhere. This sells for a mere £3.75 and includes a concealer! 

Liquid highlighters (and all the ones mentioned above) can be applied on top of, or without, makeup! So, if you do want to have a no-makeup makeup look, this could be the only product you need to give yourself a longed-for glow! Who says you don't wake up looking like that? (Nobody needs to know - it'll be our secret!)

xoxo,

BerryBloomXO

Picture 1 from HERE

Picture 2 from HERE

Picture 3 from HERE