I was at the Benefit counter the other day picking up my umpteenth pot of Skinny Jeans, and while I was there I figured I may as well put my arms to good use by swatching the entire line of Velvet Eyeshadows.
These came out in the summer of 2009 — a truly great year for makeup — and I think they’re still some of the best things in the Benefit line. They’re silky and pigmented with a gorgeous, subtle sheen (like a very faint shine). And coupled with a good primer, they last all day long on my skin without creasing or fading.
I’m particularly fond of Where There’s Smoke (looks FANTASTIC atop Skinny Jeans), Nice Melons (
this for that wide awake look) and Fancy Pansy (gorgeous! — flashes from pink to purple to blue), but I like just about every shade in the line.
Velvet Eyeshadow swatches from left with the flash: Leggy, Fancy Pansy, Bikini Line, Bo Peep and Rich Beach
Also from left with the flash: Buckle Bunny, Like What You Sea?, Gimme Some Plum and Dandy Brandy
Again from left with the flash: Fawn Over Me, Where There’s Smoke and Nice Melons
Swatches with the flash
Swatches without the flash
What do ya think? Have you tried any of these before?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Greetings from Canada (Toronto to be exact)! 🙂 My flight arrived this afternoon, and I’m checked into the hotel. It’s actually pretty late here, so I’m getting ready for bed. I still can’t shed any light on my mission yet except to say that it’s extremely makeup related. Details to follow…
How was your hump day? What are you up to tonight?
Terri says
April 13th, 2011 at 8:21 pmHi Karen! Thanks for the swatches and recommendations. I hope you are having a lovely time in Canada. I’ve only been there once, but I really enjoyed it.
My Wednesday has been busy (it was filled with meetings and classes), and tomorrow is an early day. However, I am expecting to get my first Birchbox any day now, and I’m hoping to run by Macy’s to take advantage of the gift with purchase promo at Clinique. How’s your day been?
Jessi (Lacquered, Painted, Polished) says
April 13th, 2011 at 8:31 pmHaha, I want Nice Melons for the name alone! Between Benefit’s creme eyeshadows and the boxed blushes I forget about their other products sometimes. Thanks for the reminder
(and the swatches)! Oh, and I can’t wait to find out why you’re in Canada!
Jessi (Lacquered, Painted, Polished) recently posted … Rimmel GlamEyes Trio Eyeshadow in Lagoon- The London Look is Not My Cup of Tea
Paula Rose says
April 13th, 2011 at 8:37 pmhaha Rich Beach! Love it!
Vijaya says
April 13th, 2011 at 8:39 pmWhere’s the smoke has my attention. Have fun in Toronto!
Vijaya recently posted … MAC Quite Cute Mineralize Blush- Miss Behave
kypris says
April 13th, 2011 at 8:51 pmWait, you’re in Toronto? As in, the city I moved to just last year for grad school? Awesome! I hope the weather stays good for you 🙂 it was lovely today!
dani@callitbeauty says
April 13th, 2011 at 9:00 pmgimme some plum is gorgeous!
how are you enjoying the t-dot? i used to live near there a decade ago but haven’t been back since i moved to the west coast. enjoy the city for me! 🙂
dani@callitbeauty recently posted … Collection Spotlight- Jason Wu – Spring 2011
Makeup Morsels says
April 13th, 2011 at 9:43 pmI’ve always wanted to buy Nice Melons 🙂 Partly because of the name, and partly because it juts looks like such a gorgeous shade! Where’s The Smoke is on my radar too now~
Makeup Morsels recently posted … The Wednesday Wigeon No18
katie says
April 13th, 2011 at 10:06 pmleggy is a must have in my makeup bag!! it’s sooo perfect on the inner corners 🙂
Lucie says
April 13th, 2011 at 10:12 pmCan’t wait to hear what you’re up to in Toronto Karen! I’ve always wanted to go. 🙂
Jen W says
April 13th, 2011 at 10:16 pmI have Fawn Over Me, and although it is on the sheer side, it is a beautiful neutral taupe/beige that goes so well with a statement lip.
I really want Where There’s Smoke!
Jen W recently posted … The Awesomeness that is Illamasqua Ignite- Review and Swatches
Instant Karma (formerly L) says
April 13th, 2011 at 10:45 pmI own Bikini Line and Leggy, and I really like them both! Nice Melons looks really pretty, too. I may have to find it…
gio says
April 13th, 2011 at 10:55 pmThat plum looks gorgeous! Thanks for the swatches.
gio recently posted … QOTW- What 3 Beauty Items Would You Bring With You On A Desert Island
Karen B says
April 13th, 2011 at 11:50 pmHi Karen
Wow it’s been ages since I commented. I tried a couple of them at the counter when I was in Germany and I think that next time Leggy and Where there’s smoke will come home with me. Very pretty 🙂
Karen B recently posted … Simple Truth on Tuesday
Roxanne says
April 14th, 2011 at 1:00 amMy favourites are Leggy and Bo Peep!
xoxo,
Roxanne
Roxanne recently posted … Review- Fairy Drops Platinum Mascara
Karen says
April 14th, 2011 at 1:55 amHi karen!…i love reading your blog and I pair skinny jeans with where’s the smoke?…i love it for a smokey eye thats suitable for the day..and i feel that they make my brown eyes pop
Adria says
April 14th, 2011 at 6:50 amKaren, you are the Delta Force commander of the makeup world. Going undercover, fully camouflaged, crawling on the ground in far-flung places to bring us the latest and greatest. It’s like the president has a dedicated phone line just for your special missions! What in the world are you up to?!? C’mon, tell me, I’m nosy…. 😉
Christy says
April 14th, 2011 at 7:56 amI must try Where There’s Smoke! I have Skinny Jeans too & love it 🙂
PS I think I figured out what you are doing in Toronto b/c Christine is there too & giving updated. At the MAC lab by chance? SUPER JEALOUS!!
Laurina says
April 14th, 2011 at 10:01 amThe shade Nice Melons has the most awesome name LOL
Alka says
April 14th, 2011 at 10:33 amBuckle bunny 😀 – LMAO this rodeo reference always makes me giggle.
Bridgette says
April 14th, 2011 at 11:00 amGot nice melons in honor of my own melons, ha! Love the shade, it is super pretty and you’re right about the wide awake look. LOVE Benefit, it is one of my favorite brands!
Trisha says
April 14th, 2011 at 11:52 amI really want to try Rich Beach. I think that’s the most impressive of all of those, though I like the quality of the line. Benefit is awesome.
Trisha recently posted … Earthly Elements Hawaiian Ginger Normal to Oily Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner Review
Nina says
April 14th, 2011 at 12:03 pmthose are pretty . i havent had benefit eyeshadow in forever! 🙂
Jenny says
April 14th, 2011 at 12:39 pmI love some Benefit Velvet Eyeshadows. I have Leggy and Dandy Brandy and they´re absolutely gorgeous and well pigmented, but the other day I ordered from the Benefit web the Nice Melons eyeshadow and well… it was really dissapointing. It´s really sheer, and I have to pack it a lot on my eyelid to show a little. But with the other two eyeshadows I´m really happy 🙂
Daya says
April 15th, 2011 at 11:38 amI have Shamrock as the lone eyeshadow in my stash. Fancy Pansy looks cute for summer!