Benefit – World Famous Neutrals – Sexiest Nudes Ever
I think it’s the first time I am so impressed with an eyeshadow kit, Sexiest and Nudes in the same sentence is a winning combination for me – of course providing they deliver.
Sexy ? yes. Nudes ? I agree : beautiful luminous nudes (no flat nudes here). Do they deliver ? YES.
I will add to that :
- No creasing
- No chalkiness
- Wearable for any occasion
- Suitable for all eyelids
All these qualities in a 30$ palette that will help you create 1001 tutorials…. what else ?
My only regret is the packaging, bulky and too girly but don’t be mistaken by the girly packaging, this is serious stuff.
Official Sephora description :
What it is:
An eyeshadow kit featuring the sexiest nudes ever!What it does:
These dramatic, daring eyeshadows in award-winning creaseless creams and new longwear powder shadows make sexy totally wearable! The universally flattering shades layer beautifully—and the tips and tricks show you how to create looks for daytime and playtime.This set contains:
- 4 x 0.04 oz longwear powder shadows in Milk It! (pearly white), Pause for Applause (soft lilac), Blingo! (brilliant silver), Raincheck? (smoky amethyst)
- 2 x 0.11 oz creaseless cream shadows in Bikini-Tini (oyster pink), Holy Smokes! (smoldering charcoal)
You get 4 powder shadows and 2 small size cream shadows, all have great pigmentation and lasting power but the most important thing for me is that they look flattering on my ageing lids. I have been wearing them for 3 days in a row and every combination was sexy and flattering. I do need to add a black eyeliner and/or a black shadow in order to get more definition on the lash line, this is a mandatory step for me whatever the look or the palette I use.
I didn’t think I would feel the need to review it so I used it before I took these pictures. After having used it for 3 days in a row, I can confirm that I will continue wearing it on daily basis, not every day but certainly very often !
If I find the cream shadows in full size, I will also get them.
The shadows are on the cooler side, the number of tutorials you can create are so huge that you will be blown away.
I have tried a few combinations (you just need a black liquid eyeliner and a black or dark shadow to do them), so far 3 looks I can share :
- The dark cream shadow (Holy smokes) on the mobile lid (up to the crease), with Raincheck on top. Pause for applause on the browbone to blend between the darker application and the eyebrow. On the bottom lash line, again the same dark cream shadow with the Raincheck. A speck of Blingo on the middle of the lid (eyeball). To complete the look, a very thin black liquid eyeliner application very close to the upper lashline very very very slightly winged out. Lasted 15 hours without creasing. It did fade at the end of the day but the fading was even and I it still could look like a fresh application, just sheerer.
- The light cream shadow Bikini-tini all over the eye lid, with Raincheck on the crease, Milk it in the inner corner. Black shadow (or very dark matte purple) on the outer V.
- Milk it on the mobile lid, with Raincheck on the crease and Pause for applause between crease and eyebrow. Then liquid liner very thinly applied on the upper lash line winged out with a black eyeshadow on the outer V and blended very well.
Whatever the application, my eyes pop (dark olive/hazel). I try to start with the eye look then I do the foundation application, flawless skin will help to deliver the sexy finish of the whole look. The result of any of these looks was utterly flattering, I LOVE to pair this palette with the RMK P-11 blush (it will add a nude finish with a complex iridescent dimension and very tiny little sparkles) and also with the extra rich lipstick Cle de peau T5, I cannot tell you enough how beautiful these products look together. You will have some tiny sparkle or shine going on (eyes-lips-face) so just keep that in mind if you want a more matte look but believe me it’s truly sexy and absolutely not over the top, it’s well-balanced and not tacky even on a 40+ year old 
Whoever created this combination and shades was pretty clever and definitely kept “sexy-nude-flattering-easy” in their mind from the beginning till the end.
The packaging
The packaging is bulky 8.3cmx11.2cmx3.1cm, the box has a mirror and two tutorials inside.
For reference, the Benefit eyeshadow pans here are 1.2g, Mac pans are 1.5g.
The product
To give you a better idea of the cream shades and texture, I tried to find similar ones in my collection :
I think we can clearly see that the two Benefit that came with this palette look more wearable than either the Mufe, the Mac or the Benefit Skinny Jeans. Bikini-tini will add a lot of luminosity without feeling metallic or too fake. Here I have swatched it a bit heavily but if you wear it more lightly it will melt on the skin leaving just a lot of luminosity behind and tiny micro sparkles that are not over the top at all.
The Holy smokes! is also absolutely wearable, I can either apply it sheered out or build it, both techniques will deliver an even application.
Bikini-tini and Holy Smokes are the most flattering from the ones swatched here. Without flash :
With flash :
The powder shadows are not flat, neither chalky, they have a satin finish. Blingo is more metallic but you do need something to add more drama from time to time 
but don’t be scared, if you sheer it out, it’s really wearable and doesn’t feel gritty at all.
The combinations can go from beautiful to heavenly gorgeous. If you apply Milk it on top of the dark cream shadow you enter taupe heaven, if you apply Raincheck on top of the light cream shadow you are back in a taupe heaven again, two different gorgeous taupe shades ! as soon as you start mixing the cream with the powder shadows you get amazing new shades.
Without flash :
Pause for applause is the less pigmented of the 4 but to me it’s a perfect blending shade.
With flash :
I am not saying these shades will suit every one of you because I don’t know that, but I can guarantee you that if they work for you, there is a big chance you will seriously-truly love them.
Sweet Make Up Temptations
Looks gorgeous!
I can understand how the palette might be used almost daily.
Given my fair cool coloring, hazel eyes …..some puffiness from meds..plus slightly smaller eye I want to open up and give brighter, lift look..think this might be good “fit”?
Thanks for writing about it….so many nudes out there, it is getting harder to select.
This appears to give great options with just a few very complimentary shades
January 25, 2013 at 12:06 pm
I think it should be perfect if you love brighter and lifting shades, it really works magic with me.
but yes I will definitely add some black shadow or black liner for more definition.
I love nudes but I prefer nudes with a twist, this has a lot of twist to me
January 25, 2013 at 12:18 pm
OMG! I am going to run and get this today! I love their cream eyeshadows but have never tried their shadows. Thank you for the review.
~Sandra
January 25, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Hi Sandra
Please try it and let me know if you love it (I hope you do 
)
January 25, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Did you see that Estee Lauder is gonna launch cream eye shadows in March? There are a few nice colors that you should like!!!
January 25, 2013 at 2:46 pm
Yes I know, I hope I will see them here ! I have a few and I love them !
January 25, 2013 at 2:48 pm
I am so glad you were able to get your hands on these
what a lovely delivery service you have!
I am going to try and get my hands on these today .
January 25, 2013 at 4:24 pm
yes he was very proud he got the right one
he told me that the SA in the USA were extremely nice with him 
could I please ?? <3
Stacy, actually, I need your help
January 25, 2013 at 4:26 pm
Of course!!!!
January 27, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Great review!
January 26, 2013 at 3:45 am
thanks <3
January 26, 2013 at 8:21 am
Just to let you know that when I read this post I was thinking ….meh, Benefit!
I haven’t really loved anything from them for years now. I think it’s often the packaging which turns me off though. Anyway, fortunately I decided to check them out. I should know by now…….If Sonia says they’re good then they’re definitely worth looking at
The end of the story is, that I now have all three! I just could NOT decide.
Thanks for helping me get rid of my salary before the new month has even started
January 31, 2013 at 3:22 pm
hahaha
you are welcome !!
but do you like them ?
I just got one because I wasn’t sure about the others..
January 31, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Love them!! I like the shade combinations in all three sets. I also love the small little pots of the cream shadows & the fact that one can remove the shadow pans from the packaging with no probelm & pop them into a Z or UNI palette.
Very happy with these
January 31, 2013 at 3:56 pm
I am not a fan of the packaging (bulky and girly) but I have always liked their eyeshadows, now I think they are releasing these new shadows in their permanent line ..
One of my fav combinations is the Laura Mercier cocoa velour and a brown-chocolate Benefit shadow (I dont’ remember the name) but you always remember the first look that blew your mind and that one did ! I actually replicated it from the Pixiwoo video where she creates the Eva Mendez look : HOT HOT HOT
January 31, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Yipp, I read that yesterday. I think all these shadows will be in the permanent collection, which is a comforting thought because if you find that you love & use one of the shades more than the others then you won’t have to re-purchase the entire set just for the one shadow. I must check out that Eva Mendez look then
I have the LM cocoa velour & use it far too seldom.
January 31, 2013 at 4:25 pm
that the Pixiwoo video I was talking about, similar to that , but I was placing a bronze benefit shadow on top of the lid and it made my olive eye pop … I think this might have been the video that started my big love for youtube tutorials and makeup.
January 31, 2013 at 6:36 pm
P.S….have you seen the new Diorshow Mono shadows yet? I swatched through all of them
VERY nice indeed! Tweed & Spencer ended up coming home with me. Not for all over the lids, but for an interesting pop of color.
January 31, 2013 at 4:29 pm
I saw them online, saw the swatches but I wasn’t impressed by the pigmentation, maybe the pics weren’t showing the real intensity…
I hope they will be released soon here.
Right now I am having a look at the new collections like the new Lancome in love blushes. I am selecting a few items but there are too many things that I want !!
January 31, 2013 at 4:36 pm
They can be used wet & dry. The two which I have are gorgeous applied wet & they depot without any stress whatsoever. I already have my first two in a UNI palette & there’s plenty of space for more
They stick really firmly to the base of the UNI palette too, which isn’t the case with all shadow pans, so happy about that too.
I don#t know what it is about Lancome that doesn’t turn me on. I do have a few items form them but I just don’t reach for them often. Perhaps it’s the packaging??
Looking forward to hearing about the blushes
February 1, 2013 at 9:19 am
I just made a big USA haul
but I will wait for the Lancome blushes to be released here. I have asked and they should get them.
Right now I wanted to add a few more Tarte, Burberry and the new Kat Von D, did you try them already ?
I have been naughty this week but I have hauled just items that I was really really wanting, no guilty feelings
oh by the way I got the Dior Mono Gris montaigne
February 2, 2013 at 9:02 pm
Have you seen the Lancome kohl in love pencils yet ? I got chocolate affair and Jade crush, if you are looking for a texture like the extraordinary Armani, these Lancome are stunning… very very creamy (to apply thinly I do it with a brush), long-lasting, they also serve as a base, I will probably post about them but if you have the possibility to swatch them, go ahead… I will wear the jade underneath an eyeshadow to tone down the bright color though…
I saw the lancome in love blushes, I picked up one but the packaging is too girly and in my opinion fragile, I am not liking the idea of keeping it in my beauty bag because it will get dirty and damaged very quickly. Not that impressed.
February 6, 2013 at 9:25 am
Do these Lancome Kohl in love pencils has the same texture as Lancome Le Crayon Kohl? I have one in Jazzy Taupe and it is very smooth. If they are about the same quality then I would love to check them out.
February 6, 2013 at 10:30 am
oh I think I have that Jazzy Taupe that I got in their recent holiday collection, I love the texture and the color but on me it’s kind of sparkly/shimmery if I remember correctly… so I’ll have to double check if it’s the one you are mentioning.
In my opinion the texture of these new kohls in love is even better but very creamy so if you want a precise application it might be difficult straight from the pencil. The brown color is a brown (kind of glossy but a plain brown) = easy to wear but a bit too “normal”, the Jade is an amazing color but not that easy to wear. They also have a dark blue (but I already have too many dark blues). The texture is really truly excellent and they seem to last forever. I will confirm that to you soon but they do deserve our full attention ! now I wish that these new Lancome pencils will be release in their current line and in fun-WEARABLE colors, like plums, complex browns, etc… PLIZZZZZZZZ
February 6, 2013 at 10:43 am
Yes, Jazzy Taupe is sparkly hence I have to be careful on the eyeshadow colors I am pairing it with. I have to check the new ones out since the texture is better but it is not often we get these Lancome cosmetics here. Gotta check that out.
Btw, which brush do you apply these with? I must try that since I too would prefer a more precise application.
I don’t think I would have a chance with Jade Crush though it is a beautiful color.
February 6, 2013 at 11:14 am
Sonia, did you get the Absolute Power lippie from the MAC strength collection?
I think this color is divine. It leaves such a pretty stain. Similar to Ruby Woo if you have that one?
February 6, 2013 at 11:51 am
NO ways on the bright Jade crush!! but I will check out Chocolate Affairs
The packaging is a big problem for me with Lancome. It really just looks outdated & fuddy duddy in comparison to the other high end companies. And then this cheap looking blush packaging -meh! Not impressed:(
February 6, 2013 at 11:13 am
Agree with you there! The Jazzy Taupe’s packaging is too plain ugly!
February 6, 2013 at 11:21 am
It’s like they haven’t decided who their target group is. Their entire collection is so disjointed. I think they desperately need a general markeing overhaul.
February 6, 2013 at 11:45 am
You like your greys:)
I can NOT wear grey on my eyes. It makes me soooo tired looking. Such a shame:(
I got the two new Burberry blushes and have some Tarte blushes which are great stuff, but Kat von D hasn’t really appealed to me yet. Mind you, she didn’t have blushes till yet either, so perhaps I’ll be getting interested soon
Looking forward to your opinion on them.
Happy weekend
February 2, 2013 at 9:40 pm
I DO
I love complex greys, Mac’s Vex is my fav so far… we’ll see how it compares to the Dior tomorrow 
for french speaking people this is such a stupid name … omg… (o.O)
I’ll let you know soon ! did you get the Tarte Achiote ? (I mean… really???? what a name
happy weekend too
February 2, 2013 at 9:53 pm
I know that Achiote refers to the red paste used a lot in the Mexican cuisine & I just read that the Native Americans used the Achiote plant to make lip & body paint, but……..
What does it mean in French?? Now I’m really inquisitive!!
I don’t have the Tarte Achiote. Waiting for swatches:)
February 2, 2013 at 10:20 pm
well in french it’s more the pronunciation that is a bit embarrassing because the writing is a bit different, a tarte could be a not very bright girl and chiotte is a toilet, all together it just sounds a bit silly… also it could mean a tart made of toilets, either way… not a sexy name in french
February 2, 2013 at 11:57 pm
February 3, 2013 at 8:50 am
I have Tarte Achiote! In fact, I need to go find it because I completely forgot that I did have it until a friend reminded me the other day….
February 3, 2013 at 5:41 am
If you find it please let me know what you think of it
February 3, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Wow, I forgot to reply this! I did find Achiote but I haven’t been wearing it. Mostly because I’ve only been wearing TF Ravish, RMK Mix (thank you thank you thank you, I am loving this now that my tan has faded!) and Becca Bolero. This last one I dug up just recently – I had it in my stash for a few months but completely forgot about it. In the process of looking for Achiote, I found Bolero and suddenly I’m slow dancing with bronzey-blushy cheeks!
February 21, 2013 at 10:34 pm
Hahahahaha!!!!!achiot!!!!!!;)))))))))))I want this blush even more.;))lol
February 21, 2013 at 3:24 pm
I suppose you speak french ???
February 21, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Unfortunatly,no(just russian)
but I read your comments=D
February 24, 2013 at 10:42 pm