Benefit has been on frickin’ fire this spring, ladies. Their upcoming “360-degree” eye makeup primer, Stay Don’t Stray ($24), works beneath eyeshadows AND concealers to lock both of them in place.
The “360-degree” part applies to where it’s designed to be used — from the eyelid to the under-eye area, and all the way around. Cool, yah?
A couple of notes and first impressions…
- Color: Just one, a neutral medium beige with a hint of yellow. Because it doesn’t have strong peach pink or tones, however, it should work well with a wide range of skin tones. And while it shines in liquid form, it dries on my skin to a matte finish.
- Texture: Thin, like a liquid lotion that feels super light and smooth to the touch. Also, a little really goes a long way.
- Packaging: I was expecting a wand (like Urban Decay’s Potion Primer) but like the so-called “custom airless pump.” That’s Benefit’s phrase for it. I’m not sure what it means, but I do know that it’s touchy. Push down a little too hard, and out comes a ton of product!
The marketing stuff…
- Contains vitamins C&E to fight signs of aging
- Packed with sodium hyaluronate to smooth and hydrate skin
- Made to work with most concealers and eyeshadows
I’m looking forward to testing it with Sugarbomb…
I’m still Sephora-ing
I paid another therapeutic visit to Sephora today, just to look around and play, and spent some time adoring blushes from NARS, an eyeliner from Make Up For Ever and the pictured $58 (OMG!) blush duo from Hourglass Cosmetics.
Thankfully, I fled before any damage was done, LOL!
So howzit going tonight? What are you up to? 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
sarahpuffy says
December 18th, 2009 at 9:47 pmHaha, I got that blush duo as a gift a few years ago. I even list it as a HG product on my blog. Its pretty fantastic. Their extreme sheen gloss is my HG as well.
.-= sarahpuffy’s last blog post… Review: Victoria’s Secret Pro Radiant FX Face Illuminator =-.
Karen says
December 18th, 2009 at 10:37 pmI am really tempted! Which one do you have? I put the Brazilian blush duo on hold! I have two days to decide…
Macy says
April 23rd, 2013 at 7:25 pmcan you use this as a concealer for under eyes ?
Hazel says
December 18th, 2009 at 9:47 pmI can’t wait to try this! I’ll definitely get it when I run out of my UDPP. Probably run out end of next year 😛 and that blush duo… *drools*
It’s a quiet night. I’m just trying to find some new music to listen to
.-= Hazel’s last blog post… =-.
Karen says
December 18th, 2009 at 10:38 pmWow, you rock! I have never made it through an entire bottle of one of those. I get about half way through and get distracted. Do you have the original one or the “Sin” version?
Hope you found some good music to listen to! If you find anything let me know.
Hazel says
December 19th, 2009 at 11:19 amI depotted mine! I have the original one. I got it for Xmas last year! I haven’t found any good music yet, still searching 🙂
.-= Hazel’s last blog post… =-.
amy says
December 18th, 2009 at 10:36 pmohhh I haven’t seen this at Benefit yet. Time to go play at Sephora again!
.-= amy’s last blog post… LAVANILA Laboratories The Healthy Fragrance Mini Roller-Ball 4 Set =-.
Karen says
December 18th, 2009 at 10:39 pmIt’s supposed to be on counters in March! Hopefully Sephora will get it earlier. 🙂
Ashley says
December 18th, 2009 at 11:03 pmOOOH MAH GAWD. I saw the Benefit Stay Don’t Stray Primer on Sephora’s website last weak & I’ve been “ooh-ing” for it since then. I want it sooooo badly but to wait until March? Why meeee 🙁
.-= Ashley’s last blog post… Almost December! =-.
Karen says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:33 amBenefit usually releases stuff on their website first… if I see it up before March I’ll send you a link. 🙂
Vonvon says
December 18th, 2009 at 11:16 pmSo this is the new eye primer that replaces the discontinued FY eyes….. Can’t wait to check this out. But perhaps the pump mechanism isn’t quite user-friendly…
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… Last 2 Days For Vonvon’s Christmas Giveaway! =-.
Karen says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:33 amIt’s okay. I think I need a lil’ practice. 🙂
Catherine says
December 19th, 2009 at 12:50 amOoh, how interesting! Can’t wait to see how this performs!
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… a NOTD & a NOTW – Snowflake Nails & OPI Crimson Carol w/ Sinful UFO =-.
Karen says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:32 amHi Catherine,
Yah! Me too. Will start testing it today. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
TUPRNUT says
December 19th, 2009 at 6:53 amI heard a rumor they were redoing their eye primer… looks intersting. The pump may break the deal for me – I hate wasting product… may just have to wait until it comes out and play with the pump in store to see how tricky it is. I’m using Too Faced primer right now and like it, but notice that it can make it difficult to blend my shadows well… will have to hurry up and use it up over the next few months.
Happy Saturday, Karen!
Karen says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:32 amHi Tuprnut,
Happy Saturday to you too! What are you up to today?
Regarding the Benefit primer’s pump, you’ll probably be fine… I think I have itchy trigger finger and just tend to press down to hard on pumps, LOL!
Oh — and ya know what? I noticed that after I had my Too Faced Primer for about a year, it started to act a little funny. How long have you had yours?
TUPRNUT says
December 19th, 2009 at 8:10 amI’ve had mine since August – the stuff never runs out!!! That’s a good point, though.
We’re hanging at home… we’re finally getting snow, so it’s nice to have an excuse to stay in and enjoy family time!
Karen says
December 19th, 2009 at 9:40 amYeah, I know! They need to make small trial versions and sell ’em for $10 (like what they do with the Korres primer). I think as it dries out it gets progressively wonkier. 🙁
Sounds like fun. 🙂 Are you guys all set for the holidays? We still aren’t done with our Christmas shopping, sigh.
TUPRNUT says
December 19th, 2009 at 9:46 amYeah, we’re all ready! I have a few things yet to wrap (my least favorite part of Christmas)…
Have fun with the last bit of Christmas shopping!!!
s says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:01 amHi Karen! I am new to your blog, and I just wanted to say that I love it. It is definitely my favourite place on the net to spend time on nowdays. You are so positive, and so fun to read!
Karen says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:29 amHi s,
It’s very nice to meet you! Glad you enjoy reading the blog and I hope I get to know you better in the comments. 🙂
Toni says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:05 amThe Benefit primer looks interesting! I love my Urban Decay Primer Potion, but I’m not fond of the packaging. I might have to look at this when I run out of the Urban Decay. The Hourglass blushes look really pretty! I am going to test out the Hourglass lip gloss when I go to Sephora to buy the Lorac eye liner. I remember someone recommended it as a non-sticky lip gloss.
I fell asleep in a chair with my laptop on and hubby had to wake me up so I could go to bed! We’re putting up the Christmas tree today and we’re excited to have some fun! This is the first year my son has really understood anything about the holidays (he has autism), so it’s really cute to see him get excited about Santa coming and all the decorations!
Have a fabulous day! I’ll be going to ULTA (with my 20% off my entire purchase coupon) and Sephora later today!
.-= Toni’s last blog post… 2nd Menu Monday =-.
Karen says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:29 amSounds like a very fun weekend. I hope your son will get a kick out hanging ornaments (that was always my favorite part when I was a kid). 🙂
Today I have to do some last-minute things before we leave for our trip on Monday! The crunch is officially on.
Have fun at Ulta and Sephora… lemme know what you end up getting!
Toni says
December 19th, 2009 at 9:51 amKaren, I hope you have a very safe trip and have a great time! Good luck with getting everything done! Take care and have fun!
.-= Toni’s last blog post… 2nd Menu Monday =-.
Nina says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:18 amIm interested in the primer but not a fan of pump packaging — I get so frustrated when it stops pumping but I know that there is still product inside.
Friday evening was good – had dinner and did groceries. I got a box of Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake at Costco. Omnomnomnom!!!
Gotta wait till Christmas to nom it tho!
Have a good weekend, Karen ….
Karen says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:27 amHi Nina,
I here you. I have that issue with my Clinique Even Better Serum. I always end up turning it upside down, opening it up and scraping the last bits of it out with a q-tip!
I LOVE Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes. What flavor did you get? The original?
You have a good weekend too!
Nina says
December 19th, 2009 at 5:41 pmI do that to my Even Better serum thingy too!!!
The cheesecake has 4 flavors (divided into 4 quadrants) — Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, French Vanilla Bean and Raspberry.
That cheesecake will be mine come Christmas eve — all mine hahahaha!!! 😀
gio says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:32 amThis sounds interesting! I’m not too fond of the applicator as I don’t like wasting products but I still can’t wait to try this.
.-= gio’s last blog post… Know Your Ingredients: Polyacrylamide =-.
Karen says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:35 amHey Gio,
I gotta say that I’m glad they didn’t put it in a jar. The pump is travel friendly too.
Glosslizard says
December 19th, 2009 at 7:56 amI need that! A concealer primer that hydrates (not to mention the antioxidants)? Sign me right up! 😀
Morgan says
December 19th, 2009 at 8:01 amGood for you for getting out of there on time! That primer looks so perfect…I’m having a hard time finding a concealer that will even out my skin tone under my eyes. I have very very pale skin under my eyes…and the rest of my face is darker so it’s a challenge.
Tiffany says
December 19th, 2009 at 8:45 amI saw this on Sephora’s website and was curious about it! I actually like pumps – that way the air doesn’t dry it out like if it were in a pot. And the UDPP packaging is ridiculous – it wastes like half the product.
Somehow, last night I got sucked into a deadliest catch marathon with my husband. LOL, quite the happenin’ friday night 🙂
Rosie says
December 19th, 2009 at 10:37 amI’m on my 4th tube of urban decay primer potion. (dont like the Sin though) i love the new slanted wand that really lets you get every bit of product. it also keeps the concealer in place on undereyes and even on pimples.
I’m curious what MUFE eyeliner did you buy? I love the waterproof pencils.
Just sitting here in NJ waiting for the snow. Not hitting my area yet
tracy says
December 19th, 2009 at 12:01 pmFunny that you mention the TFSI starting to act funny after a while… I’ve been using it since about July and I just noticed, over the past two weeks or so, that it suddenly completely stopped working. I’ve been doing little experiments. Not using eye cream, using a little powder, etc. and nothing really seems to change things, it just doesn’t work. Too bad the Benefit primer isn’t available yet. I guess I’ll try the UDPP.
Anyway, I’ve been reading your blog for a while now (but have never commented) LOVE IT!
Madeleine says
December 19th, 2009 at 12:01 pmI’m finding that with UD potion primer, it’s actually making my lids a little ‘crepey’ in texture…How does benefit’s lay on the skin?
.-= Madeleine’s last blog post… Fabulous Find Friday =-.
Marce says
December 19th, 2009 at 3:41 pmHolly Molly, U$S58 for a blush? Good makeup lord! At that price, I’d expect it to clear up my skin and make chicken snitzels, yum 😀
Primer looks interesting, though I love TFSI for a shadow base. Am in love with it ever since the first time – this sure is an everlasting love!
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air? =-.
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
December 19th, 2009 at 4:37 pmI totally agree about Benefit Karen! I used to think their products were just gimmick but all the new things they came out with in 2009 really impressed me. I will def give this a try. thanks for the review.
Diana K. says
December 20th, 2009 at 12:41 pmI was wondering what happened to the FYEye primer that Benefit made. It was nowhere to be found and now I know why! I cant wait to try it and that blush duo looks beautiful! 🙂
Nicole says
December 20th, 2009 at 4:26 pmI’m interested in trying this. I love products that can be used for multiple things. I’ve been looking for an eyeshadow primer for a while now. Thanks for this post Ms. Karen! 🙂
HC says
December 24th, 2009 at 2:33 pmI’m allergic to UDPP 🙁 I’m sad. I might try this, but I just got Bare Escentual’s prime time primer at Sephora! $16 for 0.05 fl oz. HELLA EXPENSIVE! But it’s all natural, so I’m ok w/ it. My eyes don’t water up or dry out so I’m goooooooood (for now).
happybadfish says
February 25th, 2010 at 8:03 amSoooo dissapointed in the pump on this! I get so much coming out, and it is hard to control. I am easily wasting 3 uses each time I use it. Boooo!
Bananna says
May 18th, 2010 at 5:15 ami got the BeneFit primer last week.
here are my thoughts:
– nice texture and consistency
– if you just tap on the pump slightly a few times the amounth dispensed is just perfect, just be careful not to pump all the way as you’ll get more product than you need.
– i put it on one day on its own, wearling an eye liner and to my surprise the primer on its own creased after a few hours… i made sure i closed my eyes for 3-5 mins after applying it. so i’m not too happy about that. moreover, even after i blended it back in, it did the same thing a few hours later. (i’ve noticed the same results with eye shadow on top of it)
other than that, its my first primer and i have nothing to compare it against.
i had a make up artist use LemonAid on me (also by BeneFit) but i didnt pay attention to how well the make up stayed after some time. when it came time to choose at the store, i went for this one because it seemed more neutral, as opposed to the strong color and thick texture of LemonAid.
in my thoughts, if you have oily lids, you can probably find a better product.
i would give this product 4/10 or 1.5/5 based on the price and the end result.
i dont think its worth more then 5-8 bucks.