saving face with benefit get even

Face powder has never really been on my list of covetable beauty items. Let's face it – powder, while a necessity to cancel out shine and set your makeup, doesn't garner as much beauty fanfare compared to say, the stars of the beauty world such as concealer or mascara. But now that I've tried Get Even by Benefit, I'm changing my tune lovelies. This is one hard-working blot powder, let me tell you: it's formulated to even out redness and discoloration so when you dab it on with the lovely pancake-like sponge (which makes me feel all 60s-era Mad Men ladylike), it gives a bit of coverage, without making you look masky. Basically, it gives that airbrushed look while still looking natural and keeps shine at bay for hours. You can wear it over foundation or on its own on those au naturel days. Get Even has given me a newfound love for the once lowly face powder.

alison raffaele gets a makeover

I was introduced to the cult makeup artist line, Alison Raffaele, about a year ago and was impressed by its high-performing beauty products that boast skin-nourishing ingredients (particularly the tinted moisturizer). And now, the line has gone through a makeover in more ways than one: the products have been been tricked out with slick new berry-red lacquer packaging as well as reformulated to be talc- and paraben-free. So rest assured you're getting the same great products, but now they're better than ever. One of the products I'm loving is the Transparent Finish Powder, a colorless, cornstarch-based super-milled loose powder that nixes shine and delivers a nice matte finish. I've since heard that pro makeup artist Billy B. is a fan of this stuff, and with good reason: the powder is ultra-lightweight, so it doesn't feel heavy or look at all mask-like. And, ladies, a good powder is a must for the warmer months (and really, all year, especially if you're oily-skinned) to set your makeup and keep you looking fresh all day-long. I also love that in a pinch, you can use it as a dry shampoo to sop up that delighful hair grease.