Are you a practitioner in the ancient Art of Concealing? Are your hands considered concealed weapons? If so, you may be interested in Confessions of a Concealaholic, a new concealing kit from Benefit ($38, arriving in February).
The nine-piece kit’s a prime example of something Benefit does well — putting together perfectly packaged, affordable makeup kits that feature all-star products from their permanent line.
It comes with generous mini-versions of Benefit concealers, brighteners and brushes, as well as a primer and how-to booklet.
That Gal: I adore the subtle glow I get when I wear this shimmery pink makeup primer beneath foundation or powder.
That Gal
Erase Paste in No. 2 Medium: A light-coverage, peachy pink concealer to cover and brighten the area under your eyes. NOTE: If your dark circles are more purple than Prince, Erase Paste may not pack enough punch to cover ’em up. You may have to use a second concealer on top.
Erase Paste in No. 2 Medium
Boi-ing Concealer in 01 and 02: Use these two creamy concealers to cover dark circles and disguise pimples and redness. The 01 shade’s a pinkish beige, while 02’s more of a darker peachy pink with faint yellow undertones. Both are a bit too light for me, but they should work nicely if you’re not quite as tanned.
From left to right: Boi-ing in 01, Boi-ing in 02
Lemon Aid: Benefit created this creamy yellow to brighten and prime lids; I love what it does for lighter-skinned babes (makes eyes look wide awake!). If you’re around my shade or darker, however, then you might want to skip it, as it actually turns gray on my lids (I’m guessing due to cool beige undertones in the product). That said, I still like using it to cover lip pigmentation before applying a very pale pink lipstick or gloss.
Lemon-Aid
Eye Bright: Apply this pale pink brightening pencil around tear ducts to illuminate and lighten the area. NOTE: I like, but don’t love, Eye Bright. Again, I think it’s a tad too light for my skin tone. I do have friends, though, with lighter skin who swear by its brightening powers.
Eye Bright
About the kit overall? I’m a fan. It provides a reasonably-priced chance to try some products from the line. Buying full-sized versions of everything in the kit separately would cost $112, which makes $38 look like a total steal.
Benefit’s face products tend to come in a limited range of shades, and I’d love to see them create something similar for girls with darker skin. All in all, I think the kit’s a good deal, which means “Good job, Benefit,” especially if you have light-to-medium skin. 🙂 Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Vanessa H says
January 19th, 2010 at 3:34 pmHi Karen!
It’s pouring rain here in Southern California, and we had tornadoes touching down about 10 miles from my work :-/. I really love sunshine, and miss it after only two days of rain. It’s supposed to stay like this for at least the rest of the week…*sigh*
The concealaholic set looks so pretty! The erase paste is too dark for me (glow in the dark skin, anyone?), but I would love to get it for the That Gal and the Eye Bright. I love sets like these as gifts too, nothing better than giving beauty!
How are you and Tabs holding up in the storms?
.-= Vanessa H’s last blog post… For Shannon =-.
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:11 pmSuper good! The weather’s been crazy up here too. Thunderstorms, hail, the works. I’m already over it, LOL! Gimme back my sunshine.
How was your day?
Kelley says
January 19th, 2010 at 3:40 pmI think this will be a must-have for me. I am very fair with *VERY* dark circles that are hereditary around my eyes. Well-rested or not, I still have that horrible purple darkness.
What do you think of the consistency of the products? Are they as creamy as Bobbi Brown’s creamy concealer or a bit more substantial? I love the coloring of the BB products but her concealers are a bit too fluid for me.
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:10 pmHi Kelley, The Boi-ing concealers are drier and thinner than the BB concealers I’ve tried in the past. They still have enough give that allows you to manipulate them fairly easily, though. Have you tried The Balm’s Time Balm concealer? It’s probably one of the best creamy concealers I’ve ever used!
Kelley says
January 20th, 2010 at 5:28 amI have never tried The Balm but I have seen you recommend it a couple of times so I will have to give it a go. Right now I am stuck on the cle de peau concealer. Have you ever tried that one? The price is a little high but I’ve had mine for a while so it seems to last a long time.
Karen says
January 20th, 2010 at 8:36 amI’ve heard of it but haven’t tried it…how does it handle fine lines? Do you think it’ll cover up SERIOUS dark circles? ‘Cause mine no joke!
Kelley says
January 20th, 2010 at 11:49 amI hear with the SERIOUS – when I was younger a teacher thought I was being abused at home and that I had come to school with black eyes. So not only are they bad, but I am a little sensitive about it. I say try it! I use Clinique all about eyes rich first and that makes a big difference in the application, especially for us early-thirty-somethings.
mill says
January 19th, 2010 at 4:57 pmi LOVE benefits little boxes and the reason i want this product is not because im good at/ i love concealing but because im horrible and unequipped at concealing. so looking forward to it.
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:08 pmYou probably just need a little bit more practice. Do you have good brushes to use? That helps too. 🙂 Soon you’ll be a concealer pro!
Kymberlee says
January 19th, 2010 at 5:00 pmThanks for the review! I think I will totally get this kit when it comes out. I tested the concealer and primer on my hand in Sephora and it seems like it will do the job for me!
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:08 pmYou’re welcome. 🙂 I hope you love the primer; it’s one of my Benefit faves!
Let me know if you end up getting the kit!
Karyn says
January 19th, 2010 at 6:09 pmAUGH. I’m *sick* of makeup companies putting together these cute sets of concealers or highlighters (I’m looking at you YSL) and making them ONE COLOR. These are too light for me and too dark for others! OPTIONS makeup companies, women are more then one color!
Otherwise it is cute though. I’m not gonna lie.
jess says
January 19th, 2010 at 6:22 pmThe erase paste has changed my makeup routine forever, and completely covers my under eye circles. I will buy the kit to test out everything else!
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:06 pmOh cool! I’m glad it works for ya. I love the texture and light shimmer… which color do you use?
Steph B says
January 19th, 2010 at 6:51 pmI’m not a fan of Benefit’s concealers but I really like the primer. I wish they would package the product in a tube like they do in the various kits rather than that weird glue stick container. Glue sticks do not give me a feel beautiful vibe — more like this is what you need to stick yourself together in order to be presentable to the rest of the world! 😉
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:05 pmLOL, I never thought of it that way. For some reason I get a kick out of seeing the primer ooze out of the little grid… but that’s probably because I’m a weirdo, LOL!
Do you wear it under foundation? Or powder?
Steph B says
January 21st, 2010 at 9:47 amMost days I wear a tinted sunscreen. Right now Definity Color Recapture is my go to. Concealer or liquid foundation over any blotchy spots. I’ll dust a little powder to set it — either MAC Prep + Prime or Benefit’s Matterial Girl. This gives me very sheer coverage that still looks like skin and doesn’t feel cakey. I can’t stand to feel heavy layer of makeup on my skin. I find that using a primer really helps the sheer color of the sunscreen last a little longer.
Smiley says
January 19th, 2010 at 7:15 pmI think Benefit’s products do not cater well to darker skin tones. A lot of the stuff is also pink based, but it isn’t as user friendly for us warmer girls!
.-= Smiley’s last blog post… Recent Haul Part 1 =-.
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:04 pmThe line isn’t really know for their wide range of face products… I keep trying ’em with the hope that I’ll find something that will hit it out of the park, but I’m still looking. 🙂 I do love their colors stuff though, especially the blushes, shadows and lip stuff!
Shiny says
January 19th, 2010 at 7:16 pmThis really irks me for some reason… it’s like, ‘we created a whole line of great packaged products but ONLY if you’re fair skinned!’ Burns my NC40 biscuits!
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:01 pmHopefully they’ll expand into more colors in the future. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed!
Steph B says
January 21st, 2010 at 9:50 amIf it makes you feel better I am pretty fair skinned and a lot of these products don’t work for me either. They tend to have strong peach or pink tints and be a little chalky.
Kailey says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:09 pmThis is a need for me. I have awful dark circles + redness on my jawline.
Ahhh I hate being poor.
My mom just lost her job, so I’m really trying to cut all my makeup/clothes spending.
It’s super hard though, going to this uber rich private school where everyone is beyond rich and me having a makeup obsession xD
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:13 pmSorry to hear about your mom losing her job, Kailey. I’m sending you and your family good vibes… you never know, maybe the universe will send her an even better gig!
Stephie says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:29 pmAlas. What a neat-O concealing kit! I am however most likely far too tan for this. [And I am not even THAT tan] Super neat concept though. It’d be pretty cool is MAC came out with something similar to this for their next holiday collection. A mix of their diff concealers and primers in a wider variety of colors. MAC studio finish concealer, what, what!!
.-= Stephie’s last blog post… It’s a New Year =-.
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:59 pmThat would be so fab… I’d definitely throw down for a MAC kit like this!
Connie says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:33 pmthat’s a very cute kit! it’s too bad that I don’t like boi-ing. very much too drying for my skin 🙁
.-= Connie’s last blog post… Look + Picture Tutorial: Two Down, Two More to Go! =-.
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 9:00 pmIt seems to be one of those things you either love or hate, ya know? I have a friend who swears by the stuff…
Rae says
January 19th, 2010 at 8:46 pmConfessions looks great! Thanks for the swatches and review, Karen 🙂 If the Erase Paste is #2, though, I’m going to have to skip it *sigh* Even #1 was a little too dark for my skin, if I remember correctly!
.-= Rae’s last blog post… The acne solution — or just another imposter? =-.
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 9:00 pmSho’ nuff, lady! 🙂 Have a great week!
amy says
January 19th, 2010 at 9:22 pmCute set, I always liked Benefit’s mini sets because I can try quite a few things in their line. This set has some nice things in it but I already have their That Gal and concealer so I won’t be picking this up.
.-= amy’s last blog post… Lorac Double Booked Limited Edition Full Face Collection Product Pictures =-.
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 10:04 pmMe too. They’re so great at putting together makeup kits!
Shivotra says
January 19th, 2010 at 9:30 pmI have deliberately stayed away from Benefit when it comes to foundation/concealer and I think it will be this way for a while. If Benefit really wants to reach out to different ethnicities, they must add on darker colors. Its not fun when you get all excited for a product and the sales girl turns you away to MAC saying sorry we don’t have your color..I had that experience at Elizabeth Arden and needless to say, they have turned me away for life.
.-= Shivotra’s last blog post… How to: Twinkle’s smudged eyeliner at Stardust Awards =-.
Karen says
January 19th, 2010 at 10:03 pmI think they’re getting better about offering a range of shades — back in the day they’d roll out one version of a product and that was that! Hopefully they’ll do more for the women o’ color!
diane says
January 20th, 2010 at 1:14 amThis kit looks great!
.-= diane’s last blog post… Animal print make up! =-.
Karen says
January 20th, 2010 at 8:32 amSuper cute, right?
Marina says
January 20th, 2010 at 1:42 amHi Karen
Your blog is the best when it comes to Benefit. I don’t remember if you remember but I asked you several questions about this brand before and I got some products( including Celebutante) and I LOVE everything that I got. So thank you for all the posts. Now I want to get this set, too 🙂
.-= Marina’s last blog post… I LOVE it: Wildflower Collection by Barielle. Spring 2010 =-.
Karen says
January 20th, 2010 at 8:34 amHey Marina, I’m so happy to hear that you love your Benefit items! 🙂 What’s your favorite out of the bunch?
Marina says
January 29th, 2010 at 2:41 amI’ve just noticed this comment! High Beam , Dallas and Benetint!
.-= Marina’s last blog post… News From Illamasqua & Urban Decay =-.
sara says
January 20th, 2010 at 8:31 amthis kit looks great! i was pretty enthusiastic about the ‘realness of concealness’ kit, but this one looks like its :the one:.. (for my medium skin) lemon aid is awesome for under eyes- in moderation. boi-ing in my opinion is far superior to erase paste in terms of texture, color match, and natural looking coverage.
Lizzie says
January 20th, 2010 at 9:16 amWow, this looks like everything I need. I too have hereditary dark circles and bags… Hopefully this will help! Can’t wait until it’s released in Canada.
Vanessa says
January 20th, 2010 at 12:49 pmNine? I only counted six products with two brushes.
Karen says
January 20th, 2010 at 12:52 pmI’m also including the booklet, which has step-by-step instructions of how to use the products.
Molly says
January 20th, 2010 at 3:32 pmYeah the erase paste doesn’t really cover my bad dark circles. they’re more purple which won’t conceal as good 🙁
do you know any good concealers that would hide my bad purple dark circles?
but its great for blemishes and scars!
Suri says
January 20th, 2010 at 5:38 pmSooo excited for this! I bought the Celebutante holiday kit and I love it, really great stuff. I have plenty of stuff on my face that needs to be concealed so I can’t wait to get my hands on it! lol
Mashael says
January 20th, 2010 at 9:52 pmThanks for the review Karen.. I was about to buy a concealer but when I got your review, I think i will wait for this product to come out here in my country.. It seems pretty good for me.. I like the look of the kit very much.. Its awesome <3
Trude says
January 21st, 2010 at 1:53 pmI would totally covet this if it weren’t for the fact that half the shades in it are too dark for me! Of course, I’m usually palest of the pale when it comes to concealer/foundation (i.e. Clinique and Estee Lauder don’t have colors light enough for me!), so I guess I can’t complain too much. 😉
.-= Trude’s last blog post… Squeaky Balls =-.
Steffi says
January 23rd, 2010 at 2:07 amHey Karen,
this looks awesome!
Do you know, if the products are Fullsize? Or how much product you’ll get from each thing?
Thank you for the great review!
CeciliaC. says
February 11th, 2010 at 10:27 pmIm wondering the same thing!
I bought urban decays hall of fame thinking it was alot bigger and all the products were teeeensy tiny lil thangs haha.
whats the size of the benefits concealerholic karen??? btw I LOVEYA GIRL…
annie says
February 13th, 2011 at 7:08 amKaren, I am looking for a concealer that provide enough coverage for scars after chickenpox 🙁 I tried everything BB,La Mer, Chanel, etc but none works as either they don’t provide enough coverage or way too dried & end up looking patchy…appreciate if u can recommend something for me 🙁 I normally use ivory for my skintone. Thank u very much. Ps:I love yr blog very much.its really useful <3