Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter

Within the Benefit Operation Pore Proof Kit (out on the 27th of June) there is a new product, an all matte liquid highlighter - Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter. At the moment Benefit Shy Beam is exclusive to the kit with no word on when it will become a stand alone product - hopefully sooner rather than later!

Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter
Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter

So for now Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter is not for individual sale and is only available in a dinky 4ml size as part of the  Benefit Operation Pore Proof Kit, it is however more than enough to get a feel for the product. Much like all of Benefit's liquid cheek products, Benefit Shy Beam come presented within a cute bottle and features an inbuilt brush for application. Shy Beam features pink and white candy stripes, very pretty and one that will be hard to pass up on when available as a full sized product. To use,  much like Benefit Sun Beam et al you simply dot on and blend out using either your finger or choose brush. As this is matte, your best bet is to use the heat of your fingertips for ease of blending.

Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter

As you can see Benefit Shy Beam is a milky peach come nude shade with a strong yellow undertone. When first applied and in my opinion best suited to light complexions - I'm not particularly tanned at the moment and find it to be a little stark. The idea behind Shy Beam is that not everyone wants a glitter or shimmer based highlighter be it due to aversion and/or enlarged pores and fine line, yet most would like to add a little extra dimension to their face. Oddly once blended into the skin Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter is really subtle and ideal not only for complementing a natural contour look but also for use on the brow bone. The end effect, which was beyond tricky to capture on camera is a subtle but effective. If you are a fan of a heavier contour and highlight with less blending this could also be used - think Kim Kardashian. If like myself you like to slim your nose down somewhat with a matte highlighter this makes the job so much easier - as it is a dream to blend. Unlike the other Benefit liquid products this does not have a tendency to stain, nor set super quickly so you have a little more wiggle room to blend and apply.

Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter
Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter

The consistency of Benefit Shy Beam is more akin to a cream than a liquid - thick yet comfortable to wear. It could be argued that the same effect Shy Beam offers could be achieved with any matte light powder or eyeshadow - yes but this is far less prone to appearing cakey or heavy, not to mention more convenient in terms of application.

Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter

I've only really began getting to grips with Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter but can say that on the two occasions I have applied it (today and yesterday), it has wore well with my oily skin - around six hours now and counting. Benefit is often seen as a super young, trendy brand but many of us forget just how innovative the products are; Shy Beam Matte Highlighter will be the product that wins over a whole new legion of Benebabes - you just watch and see!

Benefit Shy Beam Matte Highlighter will launch on June the 27th, as part of Benefit Operation Pore Proof Kit £28.50.

This post contains a press sample.