I was at the Benefit counter the other day picking up my umpteenth pot of Skinny Jeans, and while I was there I figured I may as well put my arms to good use by swatching the entire line of Velvet Eyeshadows.
These came out in the summer of 2009 — a truly great year for makeup — and I think they’re still some of the best things in the Benefit line. They’re silky and pigmented with a gorgeous, subtle sheen (like a very faint shine). And coupled with a good primer, they last all day long on my skin without creasing or fading.
I’m particularly fond of Where There’s Smoke (looks FANTASTIC atop Skinny Jeans), Nice Melons (
this for that wide awake look) and Fancy Pansy (gorgeous! — flashes from pink to purple to blue), but I like just about every shade in the line.
Velvet Eyeshadow swatches from left with the flash: Leggy, Fancy Pansy, Bikini Line, Bo Peep and Rich Beach
Also from left with the flash: Buckle Bunny, Like What You Sea?, Gimme Some Plum and Dandy Brandy
Again from left with the flash: Fawn Over Me, Where There’s Smoke and Nice Melons
Swatches with the flash
Swatches without the flash
What do ya think? Have you tried any of these before?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Greetings from Canada (Toronto to be exact)! 🙂 My flight arrived this afternoon, and I’m checked into the hotel. It’s actually pretty late here, so I’m getting ready for bed. I still can’t shed any light on my mission yet except to say that it’s extremely makeup related. Details to follow…
How was your hump day? What are you up to tonight?
Hi Karen! Thanks for the swatches and recommendations. I hope you are having a lovely time in Canada. I’ve only been there once, but I really enjoyed it.
My Wednesday has been busy (it was filled with meetings and classes), and tomorrow is an early day. However, I am expecting to get my first Birchbox any day now, and I’m hoping to run by Macy’s to take advantage of the gift with purchase promo at Clinique. How’s your day been?
Haha, I want Nice Melons for the name alone! Between Benefit’s creme eyeshadows and the boxed blushes I forget about their other products sometimes. Thanks for the reminder
(and the swatches)! Oh, and I can’t wait to find out why you’re in Canada!
haha Rich Beach! Love it!
Where’s the smoke has my attention. Have fun in Toronto!
Wait, you’re in Toronto? As in, the city I moved to just last year for grad school? Awesome! I hope the weather stays good for you 🙂 it was lovely today!
gimme some plum is gorgeous!
how are you enjoying the t-dot? i used to live near there a decade ago but haven’t been back since i moved to the west coast. enjoy the city for me! 🙂
I’ve always wanted to buy Nice Melons 🙂 Partly because of the name, and partly because it juts looks like such a gorgeous shade! Where’s The Smoke is on my radar too now~
leggy is a must have in my makeup bag!! it’s sooo perfect on the inner corners 🙂
Can’t wait to hear what you’re up to in Toronto Karen! I’ve always wanted to go. 🙂
I have Fawn Over Me, and although it is on the sheer side, it is a beautiful neutral taupe/beige that goes so well with a statement lip.
I really want Where There’s Smoke!
I own Bikini Line and Leggy, and I really like them both! Nice Melons looks really pretty, too. I may have to find it…
That plum looks gorgeous! Thanks for the swatches.
Hi Karen
Wow it’s been ages since I commented. I tried a couple of them at the counter when I was in Germany and I think that next time Leggy and Where there’s smoke will come home with me. Very pretty 🙂
My favourites are Leggy and Bo Peep!
xoxo,
Roxanne
Hi karen!…i love reading your blog and I pair skinny jeans with where’s the smoke?…i love it for a smokey eye thats suitable for the day..and i feel that they make my brown eyes pop
Karen, you are the Delta Force commander of the makeup world. Going undercover, fully camouflaged, crawling on the ground in far-flung places to bring us the latest and greatest. It’s like the president has a dedicated phone line just for your special missions! What in the world are you up to?!? C’mon, tell me, I’m nosy…. 😉
I must try Where There’s Smoke! I have Skinny Jeans too & love it 🙂
PS I think I figured out what you are doing in Toronto b/c Christine is there too & giving updated. At the MAC lab by chance? SUPER JEALOUS!!
The shade Nice Melons has the most awesome name LOL
Buckle bunny 😀 – LMAO this rodeo reference always makes me giggle.
Got nice melons in honor of my own melons, ha! Love the shade, it is super pretty and you’re right about the wide awake look. LOVE Benefit, it is one of my favorite brands!
I really want to try Rich Beach. I think that’s the most impressive of all of those, though I like the quality of the line. Benefit is awesome.
those are pretty . i havent had benefit eyeshadow in forever! 🙂
I love some Benefit Velvet Eyeshadows. I have Leggy and Dandy Brandy and they´re absolutely gorgeous and well pigmented, but the other day I ordered from the Benefit web the Nice Melons eyeshadow and well… it was really dissapointing. It´s really sheer, and I have to pack it a lot on my eyelid to show a little. But with the other two eyeshadows I´m really happy 🙂
I have Shamrock as the lone eyeshadow in my stash. Fancy Pansy looks cute for summer!