W7 Boxed Powders

If you were to imagine a cheaper version of the ever popular Benefit Boxed Powders, I think these boxes come very close. If you haven't already heard of W7 Cosmetics, it is a very affordable make-up brand I've come across mainly in Savers and Body Care stores, with a wide range of products sometimes resembling that of the Benefit range. After seeing swatches of the Candy Floss blush on a few blogs I knew I had to give it a go, and with my love for boxed powders at an all time high I couldn't really say no when it was available on Amazon for about £3 including P&P. Double Act was the second W7 powder I purchased on a whim  after coming across it in a Savers store and I think I paid about £2.50 which I thought was very reasonable. Through some research I have seen these powders being marked as dupes for Benefit powders (Double Act for Benefit 10 and Candly Floss for Dandelion) although as I don't own either I can't really comment on that.
Swatches L-R: Double Act Bronzer, Double Act Blush, Candy Floss
Firstly, the packaging is very reminiscent of the older Benefit boxed powder packaging with removable lids, although I've found the W7 packaging to be on the flimsier side with glued bases and looser lids. Bearing in mind that you're getting what you pay for so there aren't many complaints there. As with Benefit powders you also receive a small brush but admittedly these were quickly thrown in a drawer as they just weren't up to the standard of my usual blush brush. Now onto the actual powders. While I think these shades are very pretty and wearable for the coming summer months (especially the shimmery golden bronzer shade), the pigmentation wasn't the best and the swatches shown above were only visible after using a very heavy hand and a fair amount of product. As a lover of a more subtle glow on the cheeks, this didn't bother me too much, but for anyone who prefers a more pigmented and obvious blush color these may not be for you!