Swatches: Benefit Fakeup Hydrating Crease-Control Concealer + Coupon Code 2013

I recently placed a Sephora order and received a free sample of the Benefit Fakeup Hydrating Crease-Control Concealer in all 3 shades. For reference, I'm a MAC NC30/35 all over my face, but prefer to use a concealer that's a shade lighter than my skintone because it brightens up my under eye area. I currently mix my MAC Pro Longwear concealer in shades NW20 and NW25 to get a perfect shade for underneath my eyes. I find that the Benefit Fakeup concealer in Medium works perfectly with my skintone. It's not too dark or too light and still brightens up my under eye area. The consistency is thick, but not as thick as the MAC one and it does not feel heavy at all. When I use my Royal & Langnickel BX-45 brush in a tapping motion, it applies the product smoothly and blends effortlessly. Also, the Benefit concealer is so much more moisturizing and doesn't leave a cakey finish. I have very dark circles and I'm glad to report that it covered them up very well. I just bought the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder (review coming up soon) and used it to set the Benefit concealer. It faded within 4 hours, but I'm not sure if it's due to the formula of the concealer or the setting powder that I used. Whenever I use my MAC concealer, I set it with my MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder and it lasts all day.

By the way, Benefit is offering free shipping + a FULL-SIZE Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner in your choice of color when you spend $60. Enter coupon code NOCREASE at checkout. Offer expires April 30, 2013 at 11:59pm Pacific. 

Have you tried the Benefit Fakeup Concealer, yet?

*This post contains affiliate links. Like I mentioned above, the Benefit concealer was a free sample that Sephora provided when I placed an online order with them, using my own funds.

Swatches: DHC Kakonjuka Collection + DHC Olive Body Butter

The DHC Kakonjuka Collection is formulated with 6 Asian botanicals (Maitake Mushroom, Platycara Strobilacea, Licorice Leaf, Great Burnet, Purslane, Reishi Mushroom), that are suppose to hydrate and promote collagen for plumper, more youthful looking skin. All 3 products are free of added colorants and fragrance. Also, they have a natural brownish tint to them due to the botanicals, but they all blend out to a clear finish and do not change the color of your skin.

DHC Kakonjuka Lotion

• available in one size, 3.3oz ($32)
• prepares your skin for your moisturizer

A product that prepares the skin for a moisturizer is generally known as a lotion in Asia. In the US, it is generally known as a toner. The consistency of the Kakonjuka Lotion is thicker than most toners, but thinner than most serums. It was difficult to apply with a cotton pad because the cotton pad absorbed most of the product and would not transfer the product onto my skin. (I used Swisspers Cotton Squares.) The opening of the bottle looks big, but it actually only pours out 1 drop of product at a time. (Refer to the swatch picture below.) I have to shake the bottle a few times to get enough product into my palm and then I rub it onto my face. It turns very watery as I'm blending it, but it leaves a very hydrating and smooth feeling on my skin. When I applied it on the back of my hand and placed my nose very close to the product, it smelled earthy. However, I can't detect any scent when I'm applying it on my face, which is a major plus.

I wish the product came in a spray bottle because it'll be quicker to apply and it'll save more product. I ended up pouring the entire bottle into an empty spray bottle that I bought from Target. I love using it to spritz my face after I cleanse and after I apply my makeup in the morning because it makes my skin feel so refreshed and it removes any powderiness or cakiness from my face without disrupting my foundation.

Ingredients: water/aqua/eau, dipropylene glycol, glycerin, propanediol, pentylene glycol, butylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, glycosyl trehalose, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, arginine, grifola frondosa fruiting body extract, maltodextrin, xanthan gum, aureobasidium pullulans ferment, hydrolyzed platycarya strobilacea fruit extract, hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, polyquaternium-51, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) leaf extract, sodium hyaluronate, ziyu glycoside, portulaca oleracea extract, olea europaea (olive) leaf extract, ganoderma lucidum (mushroom) stem extract, ethylhexyl glycerin

DHC Kakonjuka Essence

• available in one size, 1oz ($32)
• concentrated, wrinkle-fighting treatment

The consistency of the Kakonjuka Essence is thicker than most serums, but thinner than a cream moisturizer. I use it in the morning after I apply the Lotion and that combination is moisturizing enough to prepare for my foundation application. It thins out easily as I'm blending it and it feels very lightweight. Although it makes my skin feel very hydrated, it never leaves a greasy finish. Also, I love that it comes with a pump! It dispenses the right amount of product and it's very sanitary.

Ingredients: water/aqua/eau, dipropylene glycol, glycerin, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, propanediol, ethylhexyl palmitate, pentylene glycol, dimethicone, glycosyl trehalose, glyceryl stearate, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, butylene glycol, bisabolol, behenyl alcohol, polysorbate 80, PEG-75 stearate, phenoxyethanol, carbomer, arginine, grifola frondosa fruiting body extract, maltodextrin, hydrolyzed platycarya strobilacea fruit extract, hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, tocopherol, polyquaternium-51, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, glyccyrrhiza glabra (licorice) leaf extract, ziyu glycoside, portulaca olearacea extract, olea europaea (olive) leaf extract, ganoderma lucidum (mushroom) stem extract

(Photo taken from a previous post. I'm lazy trying to save space in my online photo album. ^_^)

DHC Kakonjuka Cream

• available in one size, 1.4oz ($32)
• intensive moisturizer that fights fine lines & wrinkles

I've already mentioned about the Kakonjuka Cream in a previous post and my opinion still hasn't changed. The only thing that did change is the amount of product that is left in the jar. I am more than half way done!

I sometimes get dry patches and flaky skin after I cleanse my face at night. So, I mainly use the Cream as my night time moisturizer after I apply the Essence. I just love how easily it spreads onto my skin. Also, it leaves my skin feeling very soft and hydrated and my dry patches & flaky spots are no where to be seen the next morning. (If you are only looking for a hydrating effect, then the Cream will suffice. I also want an "anti-aging" effect, so I use the Cream with the Essence, which is a more potent and concentrated, wrinkle-fighting treatment.)

Ingredients: water/aqua/eau, dimethicone, ethylhexyl palmitate, propanediol, behenyl alcohol, beeswax, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, glycerin, cylcopentasiloxane, glyceryl stearate, pentylene glycol, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, octyldodecyl myristate, PEG-75 stearate, polysorbate 60, butylene glycol, bisabolol, glycosyl trehalose, phenoxyethanol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, grifola frondosa fruiting body extract, maltodextrin, hydrolyzed platycarya strobilacea fruit extract, hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, tocopherol, polyquaternium-51, arginine, sodium hyaluronate, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) leaf extract, ziyu glycoside, portulaca oleracea extract, olea europaea (olive) leaf extract, ganoderma lucidum (mushroom) stem extract

DHC Olive Body Butter

• available in one size, 3.5oz ($19) on July 1, 2013
• super-hydrating moisturizer for the body 
• contains emollient cocoa butter, shea butter, conditioning olive oil and avocado oil

The consistency of the Olive Body Butter is thick, but it melts into the skin like actual butter and feels very lightweight. I've tried other body butters like the Korres one and it is very moisturizing, but it takes a little bit of effort to blend well into the skin. The DHC one spreads onto the skin effortlessly and immediately sinks into the skin, leaving a hydrating, grease-less and non-sticky finish. A little bit goes a long way!

It has a nice scent to it, but I can't pin-point exactly what it is. It's not flowery or citrus-y, but it reminds me of Asian fruits, the ones that smell fragrant and sweet, but not citrus-y.

As for the packaging, I find that it has a vintage look to it. I wish the color was more fun and brighter or more classy looking. The Kakonjuka Collection has a much cuter and elegant look to it. I just love how the pink and brown pair so well with each other.

Note: The DHC Kakonjuka Collection can be purchased individually or you can save $17 and purchase it in a set for $79.00. The DHC Olive Body Butter will be available on their online store on July 1, 2013.

Have you tried the Kakonjuka Collection, yet?

*This post contains affiliate links and the products mentioned were provided by DHC for consideration. This does not affect my opinion about the products. I don't do paid or guaranteed reviews. My reviews are based on my own honest opinion.