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Swatches of the Benefit Velvet Eyeshadows and the Summer of 2009

April 13th, 2011 by Karen 24 Comments

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 (love 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.

benefit velvet eyeshadow swatches
Velvet Eyeshadow swatches from left with the flash: Leggy, Fancy Pansy, Bikini Line, Bo Peep and Rich Beach

benefit velvet eyeshadow swatches
Also from left with the flash: Buckle Bunny, Like What You Sea?, Gimme Some Plum and Dandy Brandy

benefit velvet eyeshadow swatches
Again from left with the flash: Fawn Over Me, Where There’s Smoke and Nice Melons

benefit velvet eyeshadow swatches with the flash
Swatches with the flash

benefit velvet eyeshadow swatches all without
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?

Swatches of the Benefit Velvet Eyeshadows and the Summer of 2009 / Originally published April 13th, 2011

There are 24 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup Keywords: benefit

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Comments

  1. Terri says

    April 13th, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    Hi 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?

    Reply
  2. Jessi (Lacquered, Painted, Polished) says

    April 13th, 2011 at 8:31 pm

    Haha, 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

    Reply
  3. Paula Rose says

    April 13th, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    haha Rich Beach! Love it!

    Reply
  4. Vijaya says

    April 13th, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Where’s the smoke has my attention. Have fun in Toronto!
    Vijaya recently posted … MAC Quite Cute Mineralize Blush- Miss Behave

    Reply
  5. kypris says

    April 13th, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    Wait, 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!

    Reply
  6. dani@callitbeauty says

    April 13th, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    gimme 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

    Reply
  7. Makeup Morsels says

    April 13th, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    I’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

    Reply
  8. katie says

    April 13th, 2011 at 10:06 pm

    leggy is a must have in my makeup bag!! it’s sooo perfect on the inner corners 🙂

    Reply
  9. Lucie says

    April 13th, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    Can’t wait to hear what you’re up to in Toronto Karen! I’ve always wanted to go. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Jen W says

    April 13th, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    I 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

    Reply
  11. Instant Karma (formerly L) says

    April 13th, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    I own Bikini Line and Leggy, and I really like them both! Nice Melons looks really pretty, too. I may have to find it…

    Reply
  12. gio says

    April 13th, 2011 at 10:55 pm

    That plum looks gorgeous! Thanks for the swatches.
    gio recently posted … QOTW- What 3 Beauty Items Would You Bring With You On A Desert Island

    Reply
  13. Karen B says

    April 13th, 2011 at 11:50 pm

    Hi 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

    Reply
  14. Roxanne says

    April 14th, 2011 at 1:00 am

    My favourites are Leggy and Bo Peep!

    xoxo,
    Roxanne
    Roxanne recently posted … Review- Fairy Drops Platinum Mascara

    Reply
  15. Karen says

    April 14th, 2011 at 1:55 am

    Hi 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

    Reply
  16. Adria says

    April 14th, 2011 at 6:50 am

    Karen, 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…. 😉

    Reply
  17. Christy says

    April 14th, 2011 at 7:56 am

    I 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!!

    Reply
  18. Laurina says

    April 14th, 2011 at 10:01 am

    The shade Nice Melons has the most awesome name LOL

    Reply
  19. Alka says

    April 14th, 2011 at 10:33 am

    Buckle bunny 😀 – LMAO this rodeo reference always makes me giggle.

    Reply
  20. Bridgette says

    April 14th, 2011 at 11:00 am

    Got 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!

    Reply
  21. Trisha says

    April 14th, 2011 at 11:52 am

    I 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

    Reply
  22. Nina says

    April 14th, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    those are pretty . i havent had benefit eyeshadow in forever! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Jenny says

    April 14th, 2011 at 12:39 pm

    I 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 🙂

    Reply
  24. Daya says

    April 15th, 2011 at 11:38 am

    I have Shamrock as the lone eyeshadow in my stash. Fancy Pansy looks cute for summer!

    Reply

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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