The focus is on berry for fall in the Benefit Cosmetics Fall 2009 Color Collection. They’ve also introduced a new mascara, BADgal Brown, that is to die for.

First, let’s take a look at the color collection. They pulled together three full-finish lipsticks and three velvet eyeshadows that pair up perfectly with the rich hues of autumn.

The Lipsticks

If you haven’t tried Benefit’s full-finish lipsticks ($18), you must give them a whirl. They give a great dose of color with a light, luxuriously silky feel. They also include cards with the most adorable beauty sayings (in photo on right below). I consider them words to live by.

• fame game is a pale, dusty pink with a tiny bit of shimmer. It’s very light and gives me a mod look. It also works when you want a nude look with a touch of pink.
• label lover is a warmer, spicy pink with lots of golden shimmer. This new shade is a great casual, everyday color.
• breakup rumor is a cool berry with a major pop of champagne shimmer mixed in. This gives a very sexy pout that will make the boys take notice. I’m wearing it in the photo above.

The Eyeshadows

Benefit’s velvet eyeshadows ($19) are appropriately named. They go on smooth like velvet so they’re very easy to blend. They also have excellent color payoff. I would love it if Benefit came out with a palette that I could pop the individual shades into so I could easily access all my favorite shades in one compact (hint, hint).

• fawn over me (on left) is a golden taupe that works well from lid to brow.
• I Cannes & I will! (in middle) is a pinky plum berry with a surprising twist: lots of golden shimmer and sparkle. I didn’t think this new shade would look good on me. But I was wrong and now I’m quite smitten with it. I like it all over the lid and even into the crease and along the lower lashline.
• where there’s smoke… (on right) is a smoky gray with a golden champagne shimmer. It’s ideal for creating a smoky eye.

The New Mascara

Benefit has also introduced a fantastic new mascara, BADgal brown ($19). It’s a deep brown that gives a softer look than black. I have very dark lashes so it looks more black-brown on me. I love the formula and the new, smaller brush that makes it really easy to build up and get serious length and volume – so much so that my lashes hit the lenses of my sunglasses. I had no problems with smudging or flaking.

I know many people are enamored with the fat brush that BADgal mascaras are known for (BADgal plum brush shown on left). But the smaller brush (shown on right) allows me to be more precise so I can really get into the lash line and add serious oomph. I have one small gripe though. I would prefer a shorter wand to make it easier to maneuver and allow me to build up my lashes even more. I hope they’ll come out with a black version with this smaller brush, too.

In the Photo

On my eyes, I’m wearing fawn over me from lid to brow, I Cannes & I will! on the inner two-thirds of my eyelid, where there’s smoke… on the outer third of my eyelid, in the crease, and along the lower lashline. I’m also wearing BADgal brown mascara. And I’ve applied BADgal liner waterproof, which is a rich black, all the way across the top lashline, along the outer third of the lower lashline, and in the waterline.

Where to Buy

Everything’s available now from Sephora, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, benefitcosmetics.com, and at Benefit boutiques.

Do Tell

What do you think of the color collection and the new mascara? Do tell.

P.S. Check out the Beauty Resources page for some amazing beauty deals from amazon.com, Benefit Cosmetics, Sephora, and more.