The Comparison: Benefit Moon Beam and High Beam Dupes

Like a lot of people, I'm a big fan of Benefit's make-up. However, more often than not I'm put off by the price of it. It isn't that I don't think it's worth it, I just don't always have £15-£25 to dish out on one item, no matter how much I like it. I've had Benefit's Highbeam and Benefit's Moonbeam for years now, probably far longer than you're supposed to hang onto a make-up item. They still seem good to use and have't gone funky but I am nearing the end of their use as I'm almost out of both of them (which seemed impossible to me for so long as there is so much product in a bottle given how little you need to use). So, with the thought of repurchasing them in mind I set out looking for dupes and I stumbled across a very similar looking pair of products from MeMeMe. This is my first foray into MeMeMe products, I've never tried anything of theirs before so I can't make any broad statements about the brand. I do, however, think that at £5.50 they're a lot more affordable than Benefit. I wanted to see just how similar the product (it's colour, consistency and longevity) was to Benefit's offerings so I've done swatches below and I will be comparing MeMeMe's Sunbeam with Benefit's Moonbeam and MeMeMe's Moonbeam with Benefit's Highbeam.

Benefit Moonbeam vs. MeMeMe Sunbeam

Colour

Despite looking almost identical in the bottle, Benefit's Moonbeam is a lot more apricot in colour than MeMeMe's Sunbeam which is a yellow-toned gold colour- this is most apparent when you blend each product out. The iridescence of Benefit's Moonbeam is a lot more subtle than MeMeMe's Sunbeam, namely because Benefit's Moonbeam is sheerer due to it's more liquid formula.

Consistency 

Benefit's Moonbeam is thinner, more watery and easier to blend than MeMeMe Sunbeam. However, because MeMeMe's Sunbeam is more like a gel than a liquid it gives you longer before it dries making it easier to use overall (especially if you aren't used to using this sort of product).

Longevity

It was honestly comparable, almost the same. Although I think Benefit's Moonbeam wore a bit better than MeMeMe's Sunbeam.

Overall

 I prefer the look of Benefit's Moonbeam because it looks more subtle (better for daytime) and the colour is incredibly flattering on my pale skin. However, MeMeMe's Sunbeam is still very wearable and pretty although I think it is more obvious that I'm 'made up' when I wear it and I think it better compliments a bronzed face than a more natural, daytime, make-up look. These two products are not exact dupes specifically because of the colour difference.

Benefit Highbeam vs. MeMeMe Moonbeam

Colour

Benefit's Highbeam and MeMeMe's Moonbeam are very alike in terms of their colour, however, MeMeMe's Moonbeam is more of a baby pink shade whilst Benefit's Highbeam has an edge of apricot to it that keeps it from being so pink. Benefit's Highbeam is a lot more iridescent than MeMeMe's Moonbeam and is therefore less subtle when worn which, depending on what you're looking for, could be a good or bad thing. (You can always use less of Benefit's Highbeam than MeMeMe's Moonbeam for a similar effect, or you can blend it out more than I have done).

Consistency

Benefit's Highbeam has a thicker consistency than MeMeMe's Moonbeam which is very thin and liquid-y. The thickness of Benefit's Highbeam makes it easier to blend and makes it hard to apply it patchily, which is a critique that I have of MeMeMe's Moonbeam.

Longevity

Benefit's Highbeam wore better throughout the day, however, MeMeMe's Moonbeam was still passable but clearly did not wear as well.

Overall

In this case of these two products, although they definitely dupes as their colour match is pretty close I definitely prefer Benefit's Highbeam. However, the colour and effect of MeMeMe's Moonbeam is good enough, it is just a question of me preferring the texture of Benefit's Highbeam which I found easier to apply.

 I know that when I had been internet shopping I would have found a post like this handy to read so I hope you found my comparisons helpful! Let me know what you think of either product if you've tried it or if you know of any other dupes.

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Indulgent Skincare: Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

Origins is a brand I've always wanted to try, even more so once I started blogging. Origins' products are hailed here, there and everywhere as Holy Grail items not so much to be used but rather to be treasured, adored and indulged in. Having psyched myself up to refuse to give into product hype (I blame that disastrous Rimmel Apocalips purchase that left me particularly critical of online over-excitement) I'd avoided Origins for fear of wasting my money.

Nevertheless, the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask lurked in the back of mind, it's presence fueled by the great promise of clearer skin and, more importantly to me, fewer blackheads. So when my best friend, the lovely Tom, (how he earned this adjective will soon become apparent) offered to buy me a gift of my choosing, for no reason other than that he is a lovely person, I asked if the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask would be too much to ask for. The tale was thus concluded with a shake of his head followed by the request that I tell him exactly how and where to find it and then, only a few hours later, to my utter glee and bewilderment it was placed in my hands.

And oh how thankful I am. After a very agreeable experience with another clay mask (read about that one here) I was expecting good things but I have to admit that this Origins mask went over and beyond what I had hoped for it. The rumours are true, Origins is a wonderful brand. It now occurs to me that all the pledges  that I'd read towards their products were almost certainly honest and now I feel obligated to add my own two cents. The Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Masks just sucks out all the nastiness lurking in your pores and the difference it makes to your skin after use is drastic, visible even. I love it! Now, don't get me wrong, it doesn't vaporize visible pores or cause all your blackheads to evaporate but it does improve the appearance of my pores and significantly reduce the size of my blackheads. Incorporated this into my weekly routine has made so much difference and I can tell that this tube is going to last months, most likely half a year. 

I still wouldn't call it cheap but at £20* it is affordable and for at least 24 applications (which is what I imagine it contains) it works out to be cheaper than buying individual one-use face masks. If you were hesitant like I was, if you didn't believe the hype, then my advice to you is to bite the bullet and find a way for one of their products to enter your life. You don't need to try this face mask but if you've been hunting for something that really helps with congested skin then I'd definitely recommend it as it's the best clay mask I've tried so far!

Have you tried Origins' Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask? Do you have a favourite face mask?

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Guest Post: My Top Five Tinted Lip Balms

Tinted lip balms are some of my favourite products to use day to day and I always have at least one (often more like three or four) kicking around in my handbag. Sheer washes of colour and soft lips- who can say no? Not me anyway. So, since I've amassed quite a collection, I thought I'd write a post on my top picks and single out five of my favourites. The lovely Rachel over at Twenty Something Beauty is featuring this post on her blog and I'd love for you to go and give it a read, especially if you're looking for swatches and reviews of some products that I haven't featured on my blog yet.



Hope you like it! And let me know what your favourite tinted balm is, I'm always looking for more to try.



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Discovering Solivia Soaps: Not Just Your Typical Soaps

It isn't a secret that I love solid soap. Solid soap is fun and more often than not it's an environmentally friendly choice as it saves on packaging and, thus, saves on waste. When I got a chance to try out some new soaps, and particularly exciting soaps at that, I happily took it. Solivia Soaps is a wonderful small soap making company located in East London which sell handmade soaps which aren't tested on animals and which are free free from harmful and polluting chemicals. None of their soaps contain artificial colours or fragrances, which I certainly appreciate, as will anyone with sensitive skin. The main ingredient in Solivia Soaps is Olive Oil, a fantastic anti-oxidant, and the soaps I've tried out also include a whole host of other wonderful ingredients, such as shea butter, coconut oil and essential oils. They came to me beautifully wrapped in the post striking the perfect balance between retaining a high quality aesthetic (making them perfect for gifts) whilst not using a wasteful amount of packaging.  I know that not everyone is as big a fan of solid soap as I am but I think that Solivia Soaps are really excellent quality and I'm going to briefly review each of the four soaps I was sent explaining exactly where their merits lie.

Patchouli Lavendar, Lemon, Grapefruit Soap and Sweet Orange and Cinnamon Soap - £3.70* each

I'm going to talk about these two soaps together because I think that they're very similar in quality. Both of these soaps are perfect for washing your hands or your body, they both foam up when wet but not overly so, and they make me feel thoroughly clean after use without being too drying. Neither has a very strong scent when dry but their scent is slightly more noticeable when they're in use. Although I'm a fan of scented products I like that these soaps aren't overly fragrant, their subtle scents are pleasant and with something I'm going to use throughout the day I'd rather it not interfere with my perfume. Overall, I think these are both excellent soaps (they'd make a wonderful gift) and I'd definitely recommend them.

Sunshine Solid Shampoo Bar - £3.70*
I have a bit of a love hate relationship with this shampoo bar. On the one hand it does an absolutely fantastic job of cleaning my hair, once used my hair is clean for days. I have a pretty oily scalp so this is unusual for me but when I use the Sunshine Solid Shampoo Bar I can easily get away with not washing my hair for three days- a practically unheard of phenomenon in my household. However, and this is the drawback, I did find it drying when I used it regularly so as much as I fell in love with the effects of the Sunshine Solid Shampoo Bar I can't use it everyday and I don't think many people could without drying out their hair. Although, I do think that this is an uber budget weekly hair treatment (and a good quality one too as the ingredients are fabulous, it's full of a variety of nourishing oils) that you could reserve use of for one night a week. This is how I am using it and will continue to use it, as a semi-regular deep cleanse for my hair when I've gone a little OTT with product use. 

Super Moisturising Face Soap - £3.70*

I had a similar issue with the Super Moisturising Face Soap that I did with the Sunshine Solid Shampoo Bar. I found that the Face Soap, which was wonderfully novel to use, was very good at it's job but perhaps a little too good. It left my face feeling almost too clean with that peculiarly difficult to describe feeling of being  completely 'squeaky clean'. It didn't dry my face out but then I haven't used it every day and definitely not twice every day. But when I have reached for it I have noticed that it did a very good job of improving the look of my blemishes. I really think that this is mis-advertised because I don't think that is is moisturising in the slightest, but if you have the odd day when you feel as though your skin isn't looking it's best or is really oily at the end of a very hot day then I think this would be something lovely to have on-hand. I have a feeling that as my skin gets oilier I might appreciate it more but at the moment it isn't for me. Nevertheless, it is still full of high quality ingredients (olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil and macadamia nut oil) and is something that will definitely suit other skin types. 

Of the bunch I'd recommend the Sunshine Solid Shampoo Bar and the Sweet Orange And Cinnamon Soap but if you check out the Solivia Soap's website you'll find a whole array of other choices, one which is piquing my interest is a coffee and shea mix! All in all, I've been highly impressed by the quality of Solivia's Soaps as well as the lovely presentation of them. Now I'm back in London I'm keen to head over to one of their stockists in London but all of their soaps are available online here, currently all for the price of £3.70*.

Are you a fan of solid soaps? Would you give a shampoo bar a try?

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