Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder

I own just about every Benefit Blush that has ever been launched - the obsession began long before I was a beauty blogger and kicked off with a Benefit Georgia palette which was easily 8 years ago. Gah I just Googled said palette and instantly reminded myself of how much I loved that palette. Anyway one blush that has never really appealed to me was Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder, that was until a friend urged me to test her's out and I was converted. Bye bye Boots Advantage Points that I had saved up in the last few months...

Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder
Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder
Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder

Like most of Benefit's boxed face powders and blushes Hervana comes presented within a reinforced cardboard box. The newer Benefit powder boxes feature a hinge style lid rather than the old lift off completely boxes which does prevent damage and if you are anything like me recalling where you last misplaced said lid. Inside there is a mirror and an angled brush, don't disregard this angled brush it is the perfect size and shape for chiselling out cheek bones. Benefit really should launch a larger size of this brush as it would sell like hot cakes. The box is pretty enough with an angelic/heaven inspired print (Hervana is a play on Nirvana) but like most of Benefit's packaging it will begin to look a little worn with continued use. Other than that I have no complaints, it is well sized, travels well and contains all you will need to apply on the go.

Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder
Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder
Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder

The majority of Benefit boxed powders do feature a fragrance and Hervana is no different it has been delicately scented with berries and rose (to match the shades of the powder segments) - in my opinion rose is the more prevalent note. I have used Benefit blushes for as long as I can remember and can honestly say the scent does not irritate sensitive skin. So yes a quick glimpse at Benefit Hervana and you can see it features an almost kaleidoscope print which features four separate shades: Lucky Star - palest pink (to brighten and illuminate), Berry Delight - a cool toned deep berry pink, Heavenly Rise - a dusky and again cool toned rose and lastly Divine Peach - a light neutral coral hue. In all honesty the segments of colour are far too small to be used individually as blushes but you could use them as stand alone eyeshadow shades. Combined the four shades produce a light but surprisingly bright candy pink tone that is oddly flattering. Forget the face powder claim this is 100% a blush!

Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder
Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder

As someone with less than perfect skin (enlarged pores prominently on my cheeks) I do tend to gravitate towards matte blushes as they are much more flattering than their shimmer based counterparts. Luckily Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder is both brightening and matte - it gives a healthy glow to the cheeks as well as a light pink flush of colour. Normally I would say this type of shade is best suited to light-medium complexions but this is not chalky in the slightest and looks great on tanned complexions too! This is one of those blushes that is fairly sheer and not the most pigmented out there (perfect for beginners and those with pale skin tones as it really is hard to go wrong or over apply) and yet it can be layered on for a more intense colour pay off without looking ashen or caked on. If like myself you like brightening blushes this is one to look out for - on my oily skin with a primer it wears typically for around 8 hours which isn't half bad!

Benefit Hervana Heavenly Face Powder currently reduced to £21.15 (save 10%) via Debenhams - link

This post contains a press sample.