Industrial strength concealer! (Benefit Boi-ing)

Member Name: vintage_laurie

Product:	Benefit Boi-ing
Date:	17/09/05 (972 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Effective coverage, blends really well.

Disadvantages: Initially expensive.

I'm really not a make up fan - I barely wear any on a day to day basis and barely any more on a special occasion. However, I'd put benefit boi-ing as a definite 'can't live without' product along with toothpaste and shampoo in my desert island suitcase.

It costs £15 for a 3.0g size which seems small - however, it lasts for ages and is very effective and long lasting, therefore needing a smaller amount per day of usage than most. So while it is expensive to purchase, it's good value in the long run.

It comes in a small, shiny black plastic compact with a mirror in the lid, which is small, but useful in an emergency. It is a solid little compact and protects the concealer (and my handbag!) well. It looks smart enough to whip out in public, but is fairly plain.

The concealer comes in a choice of three shades, which doesn't sound many, but it blends so well that it can match a wide range of skin tones. I use the palest and am a classic very pale, Irish/English complexion.

It has a thick, almost waxy consistency in the compact. I apply it using my finger to help it blend - there's no blending tool supplied. On the skin, it feels smooth and not thick or cloying.

The coverage from this product is fantastic. It hides blemishes and redness really well, and covers under eye bags equally affectively. Like most concealers, it doesn't look as good on dry, flaky skin, but still covers well in under those conditions. For optimum coverage, I use my fingers to blend the colour onto my skin about 15 mins after moisturising. I tend to use a very light dusting of powder to fix it, but I do have quite oily skin. In these conditions, I'd give it 9/10 for coverage

It lasts well on the skin in all but extreme circumstances - in Tokyo at 37 degrees C it did begin to melt on my face a bit, but I'll forgive it for that! I've had really busy days where I've literally been running about my warm office, and while my deoderant hasn't coped, this has. It also copes fine in the rain. It washes off fine with my usual inexpensive cleaner.

Availability (Thanks for reminding me Mrs Canada!) - it's available in Boots - where there are often advantage card offers with multiple purchases of benefit products - and lots of department stores in the UK, and is as widely available in the US. They also have a web presence where you can order online. If you can buy it in the US, it's a much bigger bargain at $18 (which as I type is £9.95)

I'm trying to think of some flaws in the product, but I can't really ... £15 does seem a lot for a concealer until you've owned it a while and realised that in real terms, it's cheaper than a £3 boots one, so I wouldn't count that as a fault. No, i don't think I can come up with one!

Summary: Really effective