New! Benefit GALifornia Blush Here Comes The Sun!

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve purchased anything from Benefit Cosmetics. Oops, I take that back–I have bought mascara: both They’re Real (reviewed here) and Roller Lash. But when Benefit launched their newest boxed blush, GALifornia ($29) I took notice! The design on the box could have been my bedroom wall when I was a tween going up in Southern California. It totally reminds me of the flower power stickers on had on my skateboard and the surfer girl posters in my room. Ah yes, the days of suede fringe vests and floppy hats: I had both.

One thing Benefit has always done exceptionally well is blush. I think I have all of them. GALifornia is a warm golden pink that does indeed, remind me of my younger days on the beach in California. You know, when you’ve spent all day playing in the water, eating a picnic lunch, then come home, shower off the sand and your cheeks are a bright pink? That’s GALifonia, and it’s my jam, man. I’ll take a pinky coral blush any day of the week. Now, take that pinky coral, infuse it with golden pearl bits and you have created the subtle, sunny glow that is GALifornia. And for extra cuteness, this blush smells like vanilla grapefruit, just like the hundreds of grapefruit and orange trees that littered the fields when I was growing up in Orange County, California. The fragrance is subtle like the glow, I don’t even notice it unless I put my face in the box. This will undoubtedly reach cult status among beauty junkies and newbies alike.

The pretty sunburst design is gold overspray and will disappear after you run a brush through it. The sunburst is embossed so you won’t lose that. Don’t be afraid older women, GALifornia is NOT orgasm with chunks of glitter. The blush is pigmented and lasts longer than Kylie and Tyga. Oops sorry, what doesn’t? It lasted a good 8 hours on me. The texture is silky, builds easily and doesn’t cling to dry skin. I think GALifornia will flatter pretty much all skin tones including deep ones.

Benefit’s packaging is always adorable and GALifornia lives up to the kitschy aesthetic. The box is adorned with a cool surfer chick with round John Lennon sunglasses and what we used to call “psychedelic” design. Inside is the traditional flat bristled brush that all Benefit powders come with. I’m not a fan but I will say this one is softer than the older ones, but still, I’ll use one of own. Not to be a negative Nancy but I noticed the reduced size: GALifornia is 5.0 g Net wt. 0.17 oz. whereas my older Benefit blushes, Coralista and Bella Bamba are 8.0 g Net wt. 0.28 oz. for the same $29 price point. Not groovy, Benefit!

Bottom Line: Benefit GALifornia is a welcome addition to any beauty lovers blush stash and a must-have for spring and summer. Over 40 gals you’ll love the subtle glow!