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So yes, I have a small obsession with Benefit Cosmetics Makeup.

I firstly discovered Benefit about two years ago when my auntie was showing me her new makeup set. However it was not the makeup that took my eye at first, it was the beautifully created packaging, I’d never seen something so cleverly and perfectly done. The sassy chic pin up girls that decorated the front of the packaging gave this glamorous and sophisticated edge to the brand alongside a fun and ‘feel-good’ feel. Being 17 I very rarely wore makeup and preferred the natural look I already had. One day I sneakily tried some of my Mother’s ‘Some Kind-a Gorgeous’… I fell in love with the makeup as it felt so natural and light on my skin; unlike other makeup I had wore before. The foundation was so velvety on my skin I couldn’t get enough. So… I also had a quick try of ‘Dr. Feel good’. The lemony smell was beautiful and felt so fresh on my skin. This alone would wake me up in the morning.

When I started looking into the brand more and its values I loved the way that all their products are very natural based and therefore give you a natural enhanced look. (I hate the drag queen look most girls my age seem to have these days). For my 18th Birthday I asked for some Benefit makeup, however because I didn’t know exactly what product I wanted my Mom took me to have a bene-makeover before my leavers prom – you can guess how excited I was! I now loved the makeup even more! The entire experience was amazing as the Benefit Makeup artist showed me the best ways to apply my makeup and what colours and styles suited my skin. From here I made a list of all my favourite products that she showed me and asked very kindly for these for my birthday. Ever since I have been slowly collecting Benefit makeup and every Christmas or Birthday there is undoubtedly something Benefit on my list.

So here is a little personal review of some of the items I have and love:

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‘They’re Real’ is definitely my favourite Benefit and many people ask me is it actually as good as everyone raves about. My answer can not get any simpler that YES, just get it! The slightly expensive price tag is worth every penny! The mascara lasts for ages too! I wear this product most days however personally I feel that If you give your lashes a good clean before hand you get 10 times better results. Yes, your eyelashes do look like falsies but still with that natural feel which is amazing. The mascara separates your lashes beautifully to get this spread out non clunky look and by lengthening the outer eyelashes you can gain a 60’s twiggy look. My top tip with this mascara is don’t over do it, only dip the brush once for each eye and only give the lashes a couple of strokes over or else you will struggle to get it off. Trust me it looks better with less!

The Porefessional is anyones beauty bag must have, I even have on in my purse. Its beautifully soft and velvety on your skin and you don’t need much either so this product lasts ages, so the £24.50 stretches a long way. This primer is far the best I’ve recently tried and keeps all your makeup locked into place so well! It does what it says on the tin. Can’t fault it.

Drawing my eye brows on never interested me at all as whenever I had seen it done it looked so fake and obvious. Yuck. However when I had a benefit makeover one day the Benefit Rep convinced me to try it, I gave in and I have never looked back, I don’t think I can even leave the house without it anymore. It is so natural and you can build up the colour as much as you want, so this product can move from day time office to night out in the clubs in a quick touch up. The wax and powder together allows you to change the shades from dark and light depending on your wants, which I feel is great as I like to have a darker inner brow which fades to lighter on the ends. Only thing wrong with this little kit is that I feel the tweezers are too small for anyones hands to get a good plucking on, however for the odd stray hair they can be useful! The angled and straight brush also adds another element to this kit as you can really shape your brows how you want. Tip, get advice on what colour to go for and how your eyebrow shape should form.

This concealer is incredible, it lasts so long and covers up any blemishes you may have. Its soft enough to put on and I personally just use my finger as I find the product doesn’t come off a brush as easily. Tip, buy it, you won’t regret it.

This foundation is my favourite ever – and I have tried a lot of foundations over the years. The ‘play stick’ gives you a very creamy, velvety finish unlike a liquid foundation which leaves you looking shiny. This glides on so easily and you only need a few dabs and your completely covered. Personally I love this foundation however many people prefer liquid, however thats all personal choice. This foundation gives an overall very natural coverage and blends beautifully into your skin tone.

Coralista is my all time favourite cheek colour, its warm and gives you an amazing glow as though you have just come off the beach. Add this colour to the top of your cheekbones and work downwards, however don’t over do it otherwise you’ll look sunburnt. Again, this product can work from natural day to night as you build the colour up to your liking. A small dust can give you an instantly fresh glowing look whilst highlighting your cheeks, whereas a harsher line gives you a ‘ready to party’ look.

Overall I have many other benefit products and some day I may review them all however these are the few I use everyday and are my all time favourites I can’t leave the house with. All of them give your face an uplift whilst keeping your natural beauty.

So this weekend I travelled home as it was my sister’s birthday, bless her growing up way too fast! Whilst I was home I decided to use the locations I know to be perfect for this current university project; the barn at a family friends farm. Ive photographed here before for an album cover however this time I enjoyed exploring the barns on my own, discovering different areas than I had previously. The details of the rusted metals of the decaying cars and tractors left presented a great time zone and nostalgic feeling. Memories and atmosphere fill this barn as the light strays in through the broken glass windows casting shadows and highlighting the dust and dirt in the air. I was so excited to get my camera out and start shoots, I think I even got a little carried away! Here are some of my study shots.

There were areas where old car seats had been left alongside wet, muddy and mouldy cardboard, glass bottles and old overalls and sheets. This reminded me of a homeless persons sittings or overnight area to stay. The light straying through on top of the details of rust and fabrics was perfect for shooting with and therefor I think that I will revisit this area to shoot my finals.

Laura Jayne PHOTOGRAPHER

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