August 26, 2008

Benefit Powderflage Review

You have to be excited about this review right?

As discussed in my earlier article Benefit has introduced a brand new product called Powderflage and guess what? It happens to be brilliant.

Ok, although Benefit Powderflage gets a big hooray from me there is one minor rant that I should get to first.

The fan brush.

I was quite excited about the fan brush that came with the kit. It was very cool that Benefit was including a brush for application with Powderflage and I was both thankful and happy to have something to use with this. Although, I was worried that a fan brush wouldn’t be so great for application, I still felt like it was rather a nice item to include. I’ve always used my 190SE to apply this type of powder. The 190 fits snug under my eye and picks up just the right amount of powder for this delicate area. But hey, I was willing to try out a fan brush to apply the powder! Why not! The Muse is all about adventurous new makeup techniques!

Umm…

The fan brush…..

Can you say mini? Can you say very, very, very small….wow…..

I was a bit disappointed at the minuscule size of the brush. What in the world was I supposed to do with this?!

The brush is ridiculously tiny.

Well….

Aside from my minor rant about the brush I will proceed to turn that frown upside in a second when I tell you about how the brush actually works even though it’s size is ridiculously tiny!

Now Benefit went ahead and brought back the wonderful packaging from days of old. This excites the Muse and makes her very happy. The Muse remembers when Benefit used to sport this style of packaging for most of it’s cosmetics. I remember when Benetint and Glamazon came in a cardboard tube like this. I also happen to remember when Mr. Frosty and other eye pencils by Benefit came in cardboard tubes as well! Am I dating myself or do you guys remember that too? I love that Benefit is returning to it’s roots and I hope in the future they’ll continue to re-introduce this great packaging.

Anyway enough gushing about the packaging eh? You want the review dontcha?

So Powderflage what’s it for? Who can use it? What’s it do? Etc…etc…

Powderflage makes some big promises. It promises to banish dark circles and brighten up your eye area it also promises to erase fine lines. Does it? Yes, but with a trick.

This super fine powder is weightless and near transparent. Although it sports a slight shimmer and a shade of pink have no fear as the formula is pretty much colorless. Now I’ve tried a similar product from Laura Mercier which I reviewed in the past, I wasn’t too thrilled with the Laura Mercier version for a few reasons one of which was the fact that it settled into fine lines. To add insult to injury the product was also very white and not so transparent as it claimed so each time I applied my under eyes were left looking quite ghastly and ghostly.

Now Benefit Powderflage gets it all right. The powder’s formula is a good deal lighter in comparison to Laura Mercier so it doesn’t settle into my fine lines plus the fact that it’s so light it breezes across my under eyes brightening them up without leaving behind a layer of product that not only ages me but also makes me look quite white and pale around the eye area. Yes, it does indeed erase fine lines and gives an airbrushed, flawless finish to my eyes. Loves it! And yes it does indeed brighten the eye area up making it appear not only flawless but awake and refreshed.

Does it work at covering dark circles?

No. I personally don’t believe you can use this on it’s own to cover heavy dark circles however if you’re younger or need lighter coverage than yes absolutely you can get away with using this as your concealer.

Personally I need extra coverage so I conceal my eyes using my normal concealer and I proceed to follow up with Benefit Powderflage for a bit of extra coverage, extra brightening, and it also happens to work a treat at setting and holding my concealer in place all day long.

Now as I said I was quite devastated by the tiny little fan brush but turns out it makes the absolute perfect item for “flagging” on Powderflage!

The powder is so very fine that you’ll need something tiny to pick it up and in comes Benefit’s small little fan brush that helps apply Powderflage like a dream. The fan brush picks up just enough product to smooth under your eyes while fitting the contour of the eye beautifully well. It’s size is ideal for getting just the amount of powder where you need it without ever leaving behind a heavy layer that will settle into fine lines. A few strokes and your eyes will look beautifully awake and ready for the world. In the end I’m happy that Benefit thought to include such a great little brush for application so you see it’s not bad at all but quite helpful!

Do I love Benefit Powderflage? YES! I adore it. It’s fabulous! We have another winner from Benefit here.

Wakes up my tired eyes, sets my concealer beautifully well, erases fine little lines in an instant, and of course makes me look flawless and gorgeous!

This one you have to try out! Well worth your time in the Muse’s opinion!

I’m slapping a big Muse Approval on it!

Get it!

I’ll be mad if you don’t 😉

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder Review

Benefit Posietint Review

Benefit B Spot Review

Benefit Erase Paste Review

28 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Autumn Masquerade

    Hi Muse,

    Benefit is coming out with some good products lately. I liked Throb and Powderflage sounds pretty good too. I wonder how it would work with the CdP concealer. Hm…now I am curious. Maybe I’ll be going to Sephora this weekend.

    I picked up the cream eye trio and loose eyeshadow from Smashbox Wicked Lovely. Unfortunately the other colors looked a little too brown for me. Certain browns wash me out.

    My post on the black MAC lipglass will go up on Thurs. =D I hope you like.

    Chantecaille is expensive enough that I’ve skipped some items and collections. If it’s not colors I am going to wear, I don’t buy. The prices didn’t use to be so insane.

    He he…the Sephora catalog was funny with all its mistakes. I think the Pretty Boy and following holiday catalog were the last ones I was really excited about. You’d think Sephora could take a more interesting spin on Goth.

    I didn’t realize there were sea otter vids on YouTube. I must run over there shortly. They are too adorable!

    River otters are cautious but as long as you don’t act threatening they’ll carry on. They are curious and like to show off. Plus they like the fish in the harbor and aren’t above trying to beg from the fishermen (and women) on the pier.

    Well, the marketing reports in Japan refer to $0 net gain, meaning the market can’t expand, but there’s still a lot of $ to be made. None of the three are going to give up billions of yen. They just can’t gain marketshare in Japan without one of the other companies losing. So Kose might gain in prestige, but Kanebo will gain in drugstore, so it nets to $0. If that makes more sense.

    Have you tried Givenchy’s eye roller depuffing eye gel? It’s supposed to be really good for getting rid of puffiness. I saw something similar from Garnier that’s a lot less $.

    I figure it’s only a matter of time before some fine lines set in, but that’s OK. Aging isn’t bad as long as it’s graceful.

    I do think Robert Pattinson will make a good Edward. He has that look. Plus his hair is kind of that bronze color anyway…I won’t say anything more about the Twilight saga so I don’t ruin the surprise for you.

    Yes, we can share custody if it comes down to it with the Lancome set. Hopefully though we won’t have to worry about that. =D

    Armani is a lot more expensive. Except I’ve pretty much stopped buying non red lipsticks so it keeps my possible selections pretty slim so it keeps the $ in control. ;D

    I can’t stand when my hair gets in lipgloss. When my hair is long, it always gets in it. Hence why I dislike tacky lipglosses. But you are right about the lasting power.

    I know, I grimace when I think of the price of things today compared to as a child. Some things are cheaper and some are more. iTunes is a definite improvement over CDs.

    I am with you on wanting my own books. I like to reread books and I also get paranoid about germs. Eek. Silly I know.

    If you like zombies, I think you’ll like the Abhorsen books. It’s scarier than the Resident Evil type zombies.

    Did you ever read the Historian? It’s an interesting take on the Dracula story.

    Nordies will probably be the 1st US website to carry that new meteorites thing. No worries on the White Pearls. I still have them. I can’t bear to swap or sell them to just anyone. It’s kind of sad. The new meteorites as seen in the J-mags looks like the Winter Radiance ones.

    I have to agree CPs from Korea are the way to go if you have a friend to CP for you. Shipping adds so much! But I remind myself it’s for an excellent cause and considering the Ebay markup on Etude House, it’s still cheaper. I’ll email a photo when I get the basket together.

    The fun thing about makeup is there is something for everyone. I prefer elegant over kawaii, though I like kawaii too. Hence the preference for Chantecaille, Armani, SUQQU, and Lunasol.

    Thank goodness it’s a short week this week. I’m taking Friday off on vaca and Monday is a holiday. *squee!* I save most of my vacation for the winter holidays. There’s just something nice about having so many days off at once.

    I hope my Sephora order gets delivered before Labor Day. It’ll be interesting to compare notes on the HD primers. If I like the blue, I’ll have to consider the yellow.

    I did see the Clean Summer set you got from HSN. It’s on my to buy list. Sounds wonderful! HSN has really improved over the last few years.

    I hope you have a good day!

    Hugs!

  • Beauty Addict

    Hi Izzy, I was passing by a departmental store yesterday and was browsing through Benefit. Posietint is out and the colour is much more wearable than Benetint!

    However, it’s a little pricier here. Posietint is retailing at SGD $61. I haven’t seen this. I think it’ll take some time for this to enter here.

    gracie

  • Haru

    Hey Izzy,

    Great review! I’ll definitely check this out when it launches in Singapore 🙂

    Any sign of the package I sent you yet? It’s beena month. Do let me know if it hasn’t arrived and I can ask my post office to try and trace it.

    take care!
    iris

  • Sher

    ah! I love you for doing this!! I was going to try out LM’s brightening powder but since you havent had a good experience THIS one seems to be a better choice for me. esp since powder has a tendency to settle in my lines and im only 23! :S

  • Chaosophia

    Finally! 😀 And thanks, of course!

    It sounds interesting enough for me to try out, so I guess I’ll give it a go. 🙂

  • Nell

    Interesting!
    I would have thought you�d like it as much as you do, now I�ll have to consider it, grrr..

  • YM

    thank you for another great review. i really wish benefit would stop the tacky packaging, but i suppose that is the line’s image.

    yin

  • Askmewhats

    the fan looks so small! I thought it was huge at the first few close up shots!

    Well..it looks great on skin though, though i don’t believe it really gives heavy coverage! I have never seen this as I would take a look at it with its cute packaging!

  • KristyQ

    Hi Muse!

    Thanks so much for reviewing this…I was hoping it would get a rave from you because it looks promising for fair-skinned ladies. Digging the pink-tone!

  • the Muse

    morning bets!

    Agreed. Products have been awesome lately! They have hit and misses but I tell you when it’s a hit it’s AWESOME!

    If you’re doing a thin layer of the CnP it should be good!

    I got the trip as well and I’m eager to try it. Sorry to hear it got washed out for you! Hopefully the same doesn’t happen to me 😛

    Browns make my dark circles more prominent but I continue to wear ’em b/c I think they look rather flattering on my buggy eyes.

    Yay! Can’t wait to see!

    The thing with Chantecaille is if I get roped in I can see myself indulging far too much! Plus I can rarely so no to colors because most work for me 😛 yak!

    Pretty Boy was one of my favs as well and I did enjoy the Holiday Catalog although disappointed with how much they rehash older items.

    I agree! I’d have love to have them play into the goth feel of it. That would be rather awesome..

    Oh my gosh TONS and TONS I hope you checked 🙂 Sea outters are simply too cute!

    Awwww that sounds too cute! LOL I love it. Will they let you touch ’em? Or are they snippy?

    Interesting marketing reports in the Japanese market. It’s near impossible to gain any revenue with so many companies around plus the competition between counter and drugstore is pretty much on equal ground. Honestly can we claim the same within the US or Europe for that matter? Granted Europe has some good ds selection however nothing compared to the Asian market!

    NOT YET! AHH I want it! I tried the Garnier and it didn’t work so great 😛 hohum! Still testing but I trust Givenchy would make a much better version so I’m all over it!

    Lord It’s not being graceful here. The puffies must STOP damnit!

    I concur. Robert..is it Patterson or Pattinson…oopsy will make a brilliant Edward. Hair color, grin, etc..!

    Someone has said they can’t picture KS as Bella in Breaking Dawn but I’m unsure what that reference is to as of yet but we shall see. One question am I in for a disappointment?

    Did you hear she’ll be doing Edward’s side of the story in a later novel? I look forward too this. I read Darcy Diary by Amanda Grange which tells Darcy’s side of the story and thought it was delightfully good to hear inside his head. Having a peek inside Edward’s head will be just as thrilling in particular when he first meets Bella and his reaction to her. I’m also very curious how this scene will translate to film! So much tension! Makes you shiver! I’m such a geek!

    LOL Hopefully not. My toes are crossed for the Lancome set. Also I got the BG GWP and it’s stunning. The bag is HUGE! Definitely call over maybe they have more..!

    I think the price of Armani doesn’t bug me so much as the lack of design of the packaging. You know how much I adore the element of cutes to my packaging. However, I recently tried two items and I’m extremely pleased. You must must must MUST try the face fabric..it’s to die for and decently priced at $45!

    HG material!

    This is one reason I tug my hair back..hair in the gloss is not cool lol!

    We aren’t so old that we should be bitching about prices but I agree. I seriously have to have $100-$300 in my pocket when I go anywhere for an evening out. Like last night for instance, break down:
    Window Shopping
    Dinner
    Movie
    Dessert
    $239 USD umm hello? How the hell did that happen. And I go out most every night for dinner when the weather is warmer with friends and such. I seriously look forward to a wet snowy winter so I can save some $ lol!

    I think most of this stems also from the fact I was busy being a homebody for over a year when I was with my BF. Not that we have broken up I’m out alot more and I literally forgot how costly it is to be out and about so much! It’s dreadfully expensive!

    No you’re not the only one. I fear germs too..yak….rather have my own book. I’m have an RCA E-book that I convert various ebooks too however I’m going to invest in a Kindred shortly as I think it’ll be slightly cheaper in the long run as I am well used to walking into borders, barnes and noble, etc..and dishing out $150-$200 in books every week and a half. I read very quickly which makes it even pricer. If I read slow it would be much easier on my purse however the good news is the weather is so warm that I am not tucked into bed early reading so that definately saves me cash.
    I’m really anal too about how I manage my money and I keep $ seperate for how I’ll be spending it. So you’ll notice me creating an account for books, food, house upkeep, etc…weird am I lol!

    OOO scarier than RE is good by me 🙂 I’m all over this!
    I have indeed read the Historian and enjoyed it! Did you by chance, off topic, read Johnathan Strange? So awesome! Adult take on HP!

    Fantastic maybe we can still arrange a buy/swap 🙂 I’d love those. Looking forward to the nordies one!

    I haven’t seen any of the new meteorites yet but I admit I have sad little pile of mags to be read lol!

    According to Kathi she’s nabbed some seriously awesome steals on gmarket but I really haven’t seen that 🙁 As I said shadows that normally cost $3-$4 were $10 each for me yak!

    I look forward to seeing it. Can anyone bid? What’s the cause if I might ask? I’d be happy to donate to it if you like!

    Interesting very interesting as I prefer kawaii over elegance. I don’t see myself in the elegant light hence the love of kawaii!

    amen! I’m going on a mini holiday myself the labor day weekend. We are closing at 1 friday 🙂 and off Monday w00t! Celebrate good times come on!

    Feels like a kid when you can take a rather long week off for holidays hehe!

    I’m looking forward to what you think of the HD primers 🙂 I’ve reviewing mine either today or tomorrow and will add the other colors when I get them.

    I’m probably not suppose to say but hint hint that Clean is doing something else really soon that’s interesting 🙂

    HSN has seriously up’ed it since QVC sells higher end HSN finally caught on 🙂 I’m partial to free shipping on items from their Sephora collection!

    Big Hugs Betsy!
    Always great talking to you!

  • the Muse

    hey gracie!

    Yay! Glad you’re enjoying Posietint 🙂 I agree it’s much more friendly than Benetint. Soft and pink!

    Eep the price is considerably higher hmfff!

    This will prob be available for you middle or end of Sept are my bets 🙂

  • the Muse

    morning iris!!!!!

    Can’t wait to hear what you think! 🙂 Want me to decant a small sample for you!?

    I have the orange slippy in my hand and I’m off to pick it up today MWAH!

    Thanks honey! Big Hugs!

  • the Muse

    hello sher!

    aw thanks! I have the same problem love! It settles way into my lines yak 🙁 LM does a good job brightening but it also has a tendency to make me look ghostly 😛

    I hope you’ll stop back soon and say how you like this 🙂

    Hugs!

  • the Muse

    hello Chaosophia!

    hehe you’re most welcome 🙂 Definitely worth taking a look out my dear 🙂 Do stop back and tell us whatcha think when you try it!

  • the Muse

    hello there yin.

    You’re most welcome, it’s my pleasure. Aw I kinda dig the tacky packaging hehe 🙂

    It’s part of the appeal for me 😉

  • the Muse

    hello nicki!

    ME TOO! LOL! it’s teeny tiny!

    Not heavy but just right coverage 🙂 If you have lighter circles it’s perfection!

  • the Muse

    hello KristyQ!

    You’re welcome, my pleasure! Indeed if you’re fair this is going to be a great one for you!!!!! 🙂 I look forward to hearing back from you when you try it out 🙂

    I love this one!

  • MLeru

    Muse!

    I came across your website looking for the benefit powderflage. I think I will read your reviews before buying ANY makeup product again. After your great review of the powederflage I went out and got some along with some Benefit Erase Paste (which I love). After using the powderflage for a day I honestly feel like there’s a lot of hype for the lack of results I’m seeing. I wonder if just a regular powder (like the Hello Flawless) would provide the same effect, minus the shimmer. I don’t have fine lines or wrinkles, just a red uneven skin tone and dark circles which the erase paste takes care of!

    Thank you for all your fabulous reviews!

    • the Muse

      hello mleru! omg thank you! You’re comment made my day 😀

      Ahhh problem is you sound too young to enjoy the results hun 😀 If you have tiny lines and puff this is a god sent but sadly if you don’t have alot going on in that direction it prob won’t help 😀 This is ideal to conceal aging eye problems 😀 See I can’t use power under my eyes as I’m VERY dry and it ages me and this is a lighter texture which provides good conceal results 😀

      You’re most welcome dear girl and thank YOU for the lovely comment!

      Lookin’ forward to speaking to you again very soon!

  • MLeru

    Well I certainly have no business trying to cover tiny lines and puffiness, but when I do I’m sure I’ll come back to the powderflage because of your great review. In the meantime I’m going to give Hello Flawless a try. Thank you for being a makeup goddess! I’m so glad I found your site!

    • the Muse

      awww my pleasure mleru I truly appreciate your great comments 😀

      Naa I’d avoid it if you don’t have these problems hun! I has the ability to conceal darkness but NOT a whole lot, I leave that to good concealer 😀 Hello Flawless is fab! I really like it 😀 I have some swatches, before/after review around here 😀

      Hugs!

  • Stephanie

    Muse,

    I use this all the time and totally swear by it, but i have recently been told that it is being discontinued in the UK. Im ashamed to admit me but i did breakdown and cry a little in Boots, and shouted at the woman a little. You wonder why they discontinue it when so many people love it!!

    Steph
    xxx

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