Benefit Air Patrol Review & Swatches

The new Benefit Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer ($29) takes to the skies for Fall 2015 with a formula that preps, primes, and protects lids (Yes, it has SPF!). Benefit Air Patrol was formulated as an eyeshadow primer yes but they also created this formula as a hydrating complex that protects the delicate skin around your eyes with an SPF 20.

Let’s take a look!

Benefit Air Patrol comes housed in a chubby 0.13 oz click pen with an attached cushion tip that Benefit markets as being “softer than your pinkie”. As you can see the packaging has whimsical touches that Benefit is known for like a winged cap and colorful font and lettering!

Benefit calls this a “BB Cream’ for your eyes that has a broad-spectrum SPF 20 and a EnviroDefend complex which is known to help protect your eyelids against sun, smoke and pollutants. But that’s not all it does! This also preps lids with a soft light lemon beige shade which brightens your lids up and helps extend the wear of your shadows so they don’t crease, fade, or smear away.

I’ll be the first one to say I was skeptical about this formula at first. I’ll also be the first to say I disliked the runny consistency. It’s creamy yet it is thin and quite runny. I was a little put off by this but as I blended out I started to enjoy the lighter texture. It sets to soft, satiny finish and plays nicely with both powder and cream eyeshadows on top. Their claim that the cushion tip is softer than your pinkie is totally true. The applicator is made from a soft, squishy plastic which feels quite lovely and gentle on lids. I still needed a finger to blend but the applicator is quite nice for dotting onto my lids and spreading the primer out should I like!

First click I got a little worried that this would have a glow-y or shimmery finish as the shade looks slightly glowy. But once blended I was every so grateful that it contains absolutely no shimmer or glow. The color is a light lemony beige that brightens up eyes quite nicely so if you’d like to use it all by itself to give your eyes a little perk that’s completely fine! Plus let’s not forget you also get the benefit of the SPF that’s built into the formula. I wouldn’t say it would take the place of my beloved Benefit Lemom Aid as it runs a little sheerer. It does however, do an excellent job prepping eyes and giving them a nice smooth, even tone. The shade looks very natural on my lids and does offer excellent color correction and the tiny visible veins in my lids are concealed, and my overall eye look is brighter and more awake.

Benefit Air Patrol Swatches

I’ve worn Air Patrol with both cream eyeshadows and powder ones. Both times it was a fairly hot, humid day and on both occasions it did well keeping my shadow from creasing and keeping color from fading for a solid 10 hours of wear.

Benefit Air Patrol has a lot going for it. Used alone, used in combination with eyeshadow, used to protect lids, Benefit Air Patrol does it all. I do so love an eyeshadow primer that I can use on its own or with my favorite eyeshadows and this indeed is a little multitasker!

Benefit Air Patrol launches September 1st and will be available on counters and at your favorite stores like Sephora, Sephora.com, Ulta, Ulta.com, or online at benefitcosmetics.com.