Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow

From LoveToKnow Makeup

If you're in the market for eye makeup that does more than just last for a couple of hours, you may find it in Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow. I certainly did! This versatile product is touted as a dual shadow and liner, and it's quite efficient in playing up the eyes and creating a head-turning look.

Go sheer or dramatic with this versatile shadow.

About Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow

Packaged in a small glass jar, Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow is a dual eye shadow and liner with a creamy, almost whipped consistency. Benefit suggests that it can be used to line, shade and contour the eyes. It's worth a shot to try and see if all of these ideas will work for you, but I found the most success in using it as a basic allover lid color and as an eye shadow base.

Applying the Shadow

Since it's so creamy, this shadow is extremely easy to blend. Such creamy products are usually quite easy to apply with the fingers, and that's great if you're on the go and just want to touch up your makeup quickly. A swipe across each lid would easily add a flash of color to the lids.

If you've got the time, though, it's definitely worth applying it with the appropriate tools. I prefer to use a flat shadow brush, such as Benefit's own The Talent Brush. Its shape makes the color adhere perfectly to the entire lid and makes layering other colors over the cream a breeze. The beauty of the cream formula is that it's silky but also a teeny bit tacky (yet amazingly lightweight at the same time). It's just the right consistency to act as an enforcer for powder shadows to stay put!

Color Selection

With nearly 15 colors available at any given moment (including limited edition shades that are sold seasonally), there is something for everyone in the Benefit Creaseless Cream collection. The formula builds easily, so even the darkest colors are perfect to wear in a sheer manner. If you're after more drama, pile on the color for a more intense effect!

I had the pleasure of trying the following shades:

Honey Bunny: Described as a "terracotta nude," this color is probably the most neutral of the entire collection. As such, it acts as the perfect base shade and will brighten up the eye area, neutralize dark lids and perk up your look without effort.

Pre Nup: Described as a "rose metal," this limited edition shade may scare some people off at first. It looks dark and vibrant in the jar, but when applied looks much more natural. Of course, it's easy to build up and can take on a very striking shade of pink if applied with a heavy hand. If you have heavy lids or tired eyes, skip this color – it will just make you look sleepier.

Skinny Jeans: Described as a "pretty pewter," this one really lives up to its name. Skinny jeans have a somewhat edgy vibe about them, and while this shadow can't decide if it's pewter, olive, charcoal or dark taupe, it's definitely edgy. The fact that its finish is such a brilliant mix of shades speaks to the shadow's perfection. This is a great choice for a night out.

R.S.V.P.: Another neutral, this "sparkling champagne" color is perked up with a strong dose of shimmer. Though possibly not appropriate to wear to the office, it can be toned down by layering another shadow on top, which will help diminish the sparkly appearance. Otherwise, it's just right for adding a flash to your lids without going over the top.

Creaseless…or Not?

Forget the colors – the really important thing is whether or not it actually lives up to its name. I was happy to discover that this is one of the few cream shadows that actually is creaseless. The color lasted for hours each time, and I earned greater color payoff when I really layered the dark shades on. The lighter shades seem to wear best as bases and don't appear to last as long on their own. Even individuals with oily eyelids may be able to wear this.