We've already talked about products that can somehow lessen the oil that makes it to the surface of your face, right, but they aren't going to stop your skin from producing oil. That's just a fact of life. No matter how effective your skincare is it'll only be a matter of hours before your face shines up. Accept it and move on...to makeup!

It's SOP to have blotting paper, powder, and a brush in your bag wherever you go. This trio is the best way to remove shine without ruining the stuff you have on underneath. However, what if there's a way to streamline and simplify the shine-busting? Do away with the blotting paper, and combine the brush and powder in one product?

And thus the Benefit POREfessional Agent Zero Shine (P1,600) powder was born. This is a talc-based powder that promises to blur pores and smoothen your complexion while mattifying your skin. It is super silky and finely-milled, containing mineral ingredients that are highly oil absorbent.

Single shade, simplified. There is only one shade available - a peachy one that provides translucent coverage. It should match all skin tones without leaving a white cast. This will melt on your skin quickly enough, giving it a flawless matte finish.

Since Benefit is opening today, I thought I'd direct the spotlight to one of my favorite products from the brand: the Benefit Brow Zings (P1,600). I was quite loyal to my old routine (pencil + powder) but after coming across Brow Zings, well, it was love at first try!

Before, I usually did my eyebrows a shade lighter, a bit blonder. But as some readers said in my light vs dark brows post, darker eyebrows frame my round face better and somehow matches my personality. That's why I've lately taken to wearing darker brows with the help of Brow Zings. 

What I love about the product 

• The colors look dark in the pan but they never give me scary, harsh-looking eyebrows. I'd say the effect looks quite natural. The wax + powder is pigmented but just enough to shape and shade, not draw on the eyebrows.
• The wax keeps my eyebrow hair in place. It thickens the hair and shades the skin underneath so it looks like I have lush-looking eyebrows. The powder sets the wax wonderfully and helps fill in the gaps. They work wonderfully together!