Feel-what? (Benefit dr. Feelgood)

Member Name: carly_pussycat

Product:	Benefit dr. Feelgood
Date:	07/08/04 (986 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Does matte the skin for many hours

Disadvantages: Packaging isn't that great, Instructions are vague, Sits on surface of skin

Along with the GHD Indulgence hair mask I just reviewed I also received a BeneFit Dr Feelgood face balm from my boyfriend as an ?extra present? for my 21st birthday. (Well, I say received ? what I mean is received Dr Feelgood Lipscription, went to swap it and subsequently acquired the face balm!)


DR FEELGOOD FACE BALM

The product is packaged in a small cardboard box with a circular window in the front to see the actual product. I don't particularly like the packaging as it has a rather 1920s feel: an old fashioned looking man and a frizzy haired woman cavorting on the front of the circular metal tin. I?ve nothing much against the tin itself: it?s a reasonable size, could be carried in your handbag, and seems secure enough not to come undone of its own accord.

Lift off the metal lid and you?ll find a nice sponge to apply the product with ? it?s looking promising. The sponge is of a good quality and decent thickness. Underneath that is a piece of decorated grease proof paper to avoid constant contact between the sponge and the balm: good plan.

The balm itself doesn?t look particularly inviting ? sort of like when chicken juices solidify (eww!!) However, the smell totally redeems its appearance. As the soft lemony citrus scent wafts up your nostrils you find yourself wanting this to be a great product just so you can experience that smell daily.


USING THE BALM

So, you?ve decided to continue reading my review; I guess that means you want to know exactly what Dr Feelgood?s supposed to do? Join the club.

From the minimal product info on the packaging (why can?t some companies learn to be more specific?) I am informed that it is supposed to ?smooth
away the appearance of fine lines while leaving skin feeling and looking more silky, flawless and matte to the touch.?

When I initially used this balm I thought I?d try it on its own ? as you can wear it alone, under, or over makeup. I patted it on gently and sure enough it mattified my skin nicely ? no oil slicks. I?ve also applied it underneath makeup on my sister and found that it does make a good smooth base for foundation.

When applied, it doesn?t improve the appearance of your skin in the slightest. It improves the texture to the touch because it feels velvety, but this doesn?t improve your skin in the long term as it?s gone as soon as you cleanse your face.

The smell is fantastic when you apply it ? a really soft lemon aroma. It remains for a short while after application and then slowly fades, which is great.

The matte effect lasts all day until I remove it, which also impresses me. However, I have one major complaint: it really doesn?t sink into your skin AT ALL! I scratch my face occasionally over the course of a day and found that when I did whilst wearing this balm I would find bits of it under my fingernails ? not impressive. For a product this expensive I wouldn?t expect it to sit on the surface of my face all day.

Another slightly irritating thing I?ve found about using this balm is that the little tab on the greaseproof paper gets stuck under the lip of the lower metal part once you?ve used a certain amount, which makes it fiddly to remove the paper. Not a major complaint, but not something you want to be dealing with when you?ve dished out a large sum of money.

I also don?t like the fact that when you dab the sponge on your face and back in the pot its potentially putting bacteria from any spots you may have back into the pot to be applied to your face the next time you use it ? I
; prefer serums in sealed pump tubes.

One major advantage is that the balm goes a LONG way because you only pat the surface and dab it on so you use a minimal amount each time.


PRICE AND AVAILABILI TY

£19 from a BeneFit counter, which can be found in larger Boots stores, House of Fraser and a few other major department stores. Alternatively visit their website at www.benefitcosmetics.com


VERDICT

I think a lot of people WANT to like this product because they hear other people raving about it and believe it?s a god send before even owning it (I know I did). If you do decide to buy it, make your own mind up. Personally I think it?s far from perfect and I shall be sticking to Origins ?White Tea Skin Guardian? for a skin smoothing treat before foundation. It?s not bad for its mattifying effect and fantastic aroma but that really is it.

My advice would be: give it a miss!

Oh and BeneFit, can you be more specific with your product info? Vague descriptions aren?t cute and kitsch, they?re just annoying!


 carly_pussycat - dooyoo UK ©

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