September 5, 2018

How I Like to Use Benefit Hoola and Why I’m Glad It’s on Sale

I was compensated by a brand or company but all thoughts and opinions are my own and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

I have rather fond memories of Benefit Hoola Bronzer because like Benetint it was my introduction into the world of Benefit Cosmetics. If you really want to go way back with me maybe you remember Aruba in a Tuba but that would show our age wouldn’t it? No, but seriously, one of my first intros to Benefit was, in fact, Benetint and Hoola both of which made a guess starting appearance on my face for years. You know me as someone who HATES bronzer with a passion but I actually have a fondness for Hoola simply because it works so well with cheek stains like Benetint. In the Winter, when my skin is looking rather pale and lackluster I dab a little Benetint on my cheeks and dust on a tiny bit of Hoola and I’m instantly looking like I hit the beach. I can’t really wear Hoola solely by itself but it’s a bronzer I like to combine with other items to add warmth to my face when I need it. It also works pretty darn great as an eyeshadow too.

Yes, an eyeshadow. I’m wearing it on my eyes below. It’s just one of those solid shades of medium matte brown that looks great on my eyes (and on my face).

But back to days of old…

Now, be honest with me for a second, hasn’t the appeal of Benefit’s powders always been the cute box packaging? I think that was what drew me in when I made my first Hoola purchase near 15 years ago (cough ahem or longer). I’ve always been a packaging junkie, it’s really what sells makeup to me. Benefit hasn’t updated the Box o’ Powder packaging in over 18 years and to this date, I still find it cute as well. I also find it easy to use thanks to the square brush it comes with. The brush fits right into the well of powder perfectly and sweeps up just the right amount of bronzer I can dust on and go!

Here’s how I use Benefit Hoola:

  • Apply cheek stain, sweep on Hoola for an instant glow!
  • Apply a dusting of Hoola and blush on top to add warmth and color to your face!
  • Apply Hoola as an eyeshadow!
  • Go ahead and contour with Hoola!
  • Dust it on and dust a sparkly highlighter on top for a sparkly glow
  • Wear Hoola all by itself!

I’m wearing it above on my cheeks with a bit of sparkly highlighter on top as well as on my eyes!

Never tried it? Now is a good time as any to do so as Benefit Hoola is on sale at Ulta.com today only during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Sale for 50% off ($14) in the original or new Lite version! Or if you’re like me and use it often maybe it’s time for a restock! I’m glad it’s on sale as I nearly hit pan on the one I currently have that was purchased last Summer! Time for a refill!

Tell me how you Hoola! I’d love to hear your thoughts on Benefit Hoola and how you use it!

Where to buy

Ulta

I was compensated by a brand or company but all thoughts and opinions are my own and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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

  • kjh

    Always loved the benefit box products, esp the original shades they discontinued, like Georgia. (Depotted. Cute as they are, too much wasted space.) But Hoola gives me the same prob that most foundations do: far too yellow, clashy, and swamp creature. Laguna is the same problem. If I have a Hoola mini (must, somewhere) i’m trying it for eyes or crease. Thanks for a good tip.

    • Isabella Muse

      bella bamba too! ;-D try it with a bushier, floppier brush! It tends to go really muddy on me if I use a densely bristled brush! I go with a powder brush for application and get a nice warmth but not the muddiness! ;-D absolutely works great on eyes! Reminds me of UD beware one of my fav eyesahdows!

      • kjh

        IK, R? Never really found a dupe. Found cousins, but no dupes. IDK why they d/c some total classics. The direction with the daughters seems to be a brow emphasis. Way back in the day, you got stickers, which you could mail in to SF and get free l/s of your choice. And I had my face done by Jane at Bendel’s. She had zero understanding of my color preferences and went with something very safe/neutral that was totally nor me. Nor did my mum like it. Boy, am I old. Everything I mentioned is gone.

  • Lisa

    I love Hoola lite more, it does not have icky parabens (the original Hoola does) and I can’t overdo it (the heavy hand) so yea it is my fave bronzer!

    • Isabella Muse

      lite is equally lovely ;-D I was quite excited when they launched lite because it was sheerer and more natural for me compared to the original ;-D

  • Janessa

    I got a new Hoola when Macys did their sale on the box blushes not long ago, and am finally going to pick up a Lite today. I can get pretty fair in the colder months so why not give it a try for half off?

    • Isabella Muse

      I missed the darn sale at Macy’s! I posted that sale and missed it! Irony! ;-D lol! LMK whatcha think of lite! that works as an eyeshadow to btw!

      • Janessa

        Regular Hoola is a go-to for no-makeup days. It’s the perfect shade to just give you the right amount of definition!

  • JY

    I got this in one of my monthly makeup bags (ipsy? Sephora?) and I wasn’t a fan of it as a bronzer (I prefer Tarte’s) but I hadn’t thought to try it as an eyeshadow! Thanks!