Shout-out to my fellow Californians!
You know, it’s weird. I always see California portrayed in movies and videos like it’s a perpetually sunny place with palm trees and beaches and everyone’s got a tan and walks around all the time in a bikini top and sunglasses like it’s Bay Watch.
For the record, it’s not always like that. Right now, golden rays of sunshine are not falling upon my cheeks, skin and hair. I’m actually looking out my window, and it’s gloomy, overcast and cold. But haaay! — that’s alright, because when I wear Benefit’s new GALifornia blush, I feel like I’m in the fantasy California. ??⛱️
It’s nuanced
GALifornia, a new $29 boxed Benefit blush coming this April, is a wonderfully warm golden pink, and when I opened the 0.17-oz. pan for the first time and saw the sunny design, which is, sadly, an overspray, I thought of a bronzer from Guerlain a few years back that had a similar design.
GALifornia is gloriously nuanced in a way I don’t expect to see from Benefit. It reminds me of something from Guerlain or Hourglass.
Different for Benefit
It’s infused with subtle golden pearl particles that so much more subdued than the shimmer in Coralista, Sugarbomb and Bella Bamba, all of which I like, but over the past few years, I haven’t been wearing them as much as I used to. My skin’s changed, and my pores are a little bigger than they were in my 30s.
The shimmer that Benefit usually sprinkles on their blush highlighters is…maybe a bit more sparkly than I’d like. I’d say that GALifornia’s fine pearl is closest to the pearl in Sugarbomb, but warmer and finer.
GALifornia’s pearl is more my speed now. At first, you may not even think there’s any there, but it is. And I love it!
I don’t usually send my girlfriends who are 30 and up to Benefit for blush, but I can happily recommend GALifornia if you’re…let’s just say, not 18 anymore. LOL!
It’s like the Energizer bunny (keeps going, and going, and going, and going…)
The wear time is great too. I popped it on my cheeks at the crack of dawn today, and eight hours later it still looks fresh and beautiful.
I did two layers using a regular old blush brush, so you don’t need any finagling or special tools. The blush does come with one of those silly square shaped brushes that Benefit always includes with their boxed blushes, but I’d probably only use it in a dire blush emergency, LOL!
Give it a sniff
Oh, and FYI for the gals out there who are sensitive to scents, GALifornia — *takes a deep breath* — smells like Caress body soap to me (I like it!). I don’t smell it when I’m applying or when it’s on my face, but I pick it up if I hold the box up to my nose.
The final verdict
So much yes! GALifornia is a great blush (but isn’t too “blushy”) no matter your age. If Connor were a teenager, girl, we would totally share this blush.
Latest TJ’s addiction
Found a new favorite salad at Trader Joe’s! It’s the Mexicali Salad With Chili Lime Chicken, and it’s SO good. It’s also only 380 calories, and that’s with the entire tub of tasty jalapeño Caesar dressing.
Most of the time I only use about a quarter or maybe half of the dressing because it’s so rich, and I like to add half a sliced avocado.
Ooh! One of these days I’m gonna add some lime or lemon shrimp.
Secret shopper tip: don’t just grab the salad sitting right at the front of the display, because the ones in front are usually good for only a couple days and have been in the store a while (no shame!).
Seriously, I tear those displays up! I don’t even care! 🙂 I want the freshest one.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
This looks beautiful! I’ve never been drawn to their blushes before, but this one looks so lovely on your cheeks!
Thanks, Savannah. This one is a winner. When you go to swatch, give Dallas a quite swipe too. It’s an oldie but goodie. 🙂
Happy Friday! What are you up to this weekend?
Wow, 60 miles south of you it was sunny and almost 70 degrees today. It rained overnight, but by mid-morning it was clear.
This blush is pretty. I’ve never used a Benefit blush before. I’ve always been intrigued by them but never took that last step of actually purchasing one. Think I need to go look at this one and give it a sniff because I’m not sure what Caress smells like.
It might smell totally different to you; I have a wacky nose, LOL!
Right now it’s raining in Marin County. If it moves down your way… STAY DRY, NORA KITTY!
It’s really pretty! I know it’s been available in France for a little while, I don’t know why Benefit is launching it so much later in the US!
Yes, it’s gorgeous! Perfect for your sunny San Diego days!
Wait, I thought it never rains in Southern California. Isn’t that how the song goes? Oh, never mind, the blush makes up for that. How does it compare to NARS Orgasm? They seem similar in color.
Did you ever find out how they compare?
Me? No, so far no one had an answer.
Ooh that blush looks amazing on you! You have a lit-from-withinness (that’s a real term, right?)
Every time you post a food thing from Trader Joe’s it makes me want to immediately move to America just for the access to TJ’s lol.
Thanks, Janet! Funny that you should mention that about Trader Joe’s. If I ever moved to a city without one I’d FREAK OUT. I have three within a decent driving distance!
Lol, you and me both, sister.
I am really excited about all the upcoming Benefit new releases. This blush looks beautiful! Can you believe I don’t own a single Benefit blush? I am also looking forward to the release of Hoola Light Bronzer!
P.S.
That salad looks delicious!
Hi Agata,
There’s quite a few that would suit you, I think. Sugarbomb, Dandelion, Hervana. You could probably wear Coralista, too.
Benefit blushes are some of my favorites, this one looks absolutely gorgeous! It looks beautiful on you x
Love TJ’s salads!
That blush is Gorgeous! I hate having to wait until April. I was ready to pop over to the store to get it as soon as I saw it. It looks so lovely on you and since we have a similar skin tone I just know that I am going to love it. Thanks for the awesome review.
I have had a couple of Benefit blushes that I loved and haven’t bought a Benefit product in years… This looks really nice and while I cannot stand *any* shimmer in a blush, this definitely looks tolerable. Gonna swatch it in person!
Damn that salad looks amazing!!! I’m so hungry right now. GALifornia looks beauts! I am definitely going to pick that up. I love Dallas and can wear that as a bronzer or a blush, and GALifornia definitely piqued my interest the moment I saw it. It looks gorgeous on you, girl! And yes, being from Atlanta and having never even visited California, I can attest that it does have a sunny-warm-tan skin-happy-laid-back vibe whenever you see a movie or tv show set there! I feel in love with the movieland version of California as a child when I saw E.T.! I wanted to bicycle through the hilly neighborhood and feed Reece’s Pieces to sweet extra terrestrials! 😀
Oh wow that blush is gorgeous. Might be a bit too pink for my pale skin though 😀