Benefit Cosmetics has long held a special place in many makeup bags, celebrated for its kitsch packaging, playful product names, and award-winning formulas. The brand's approach to beauty is consistently fun and accessible, offering a roster of cult favorites that include the shimmer-free Hoola bronzer, the iconic They're Real! mascara, the Precisely, My Brow Pencil, and the beloved POREfessional primer. Some of Benefit's most cherished products even have roots tracing back to the Seventies, such as the original lip tint created for exotic dancers.
This review delves into several Benefit makeup kits, offering insights from personal experiences and customer feedback. We'll explore the details of specific holiday kits, examine a curated makeup set, and touch upon broader customer service experiences and product performance.
Benefit Holiday Kits: Festive Gifting and All-Year Appeal
Benefit's holiday kits are highly anticipated and known for selling out quickly. The packaging of these kits is often praised for its versatility, extending their appeal beyond the holiday season and making them perfect for gifting at any time of the year. This is particularly appreciated by those with birthdays in December, who may feel that holiday gifts are sometimes combined with birthday presents.
All the kits reviewed are presented in pretty, keepsake metal tins, featuring some of Benefit's best-selling products. These kits are ideal for a wide range of recipients, including sisters, cousins, hostesses, mothers, best friends, or even the makeup-curious individual in your life. The classic and flattering color palettes included ensure broad appeal.
Life of the Party, Full Face Kit
This limited edition kit, exclusively available at Shoppers Drug Mart for $43, is highlighted as a favorite for providing a nearly complete makeup look in one box. It's particularly convenient for travel or touch-ups at events. While it doesn't include foundation and concealer, which are often personal choices, it contains a curated selection of essentials:
- The POREfessional (mini, 7.5mL)
- They’re Real! Mascara (mini)
- Dandelion/Rockateur (split pan)
- Longwear Powder Shadow in Taupe It Off, Nude Swings & Call My Buff
- Benetint (mini, 4 mL)
- A mini face powder brush
- A double-ended sponge applicator
Real Cheeky Party, Blush Kit
Priced at $54 and limited edition, exclusively at Sephora, this blush kit is described as perfect for achieving a natural, glowy, no-makeup look. It's noted as being suitable for year-round use, containing a comprehensive selection of highlighters, contour shades, pinks, and corals:
- They’re Real! Mascara (mini)
- They’re Real! Push-Up Liner (mini)
- Dandelion Brightening Face Powder (pale-pink, pressed highlighting powder)
- Sugarbomb Face Powder (a blend of rose, shimmering pink, soft plum, and peach shades)
- Hoola Bronzer (an ultimate contour shade)
- CORALista Face Powder (coral pink sheen)
- Rockateur Cheek Powder (rose gold)
- Watt’s Up! (champagne highlighter)
Pret-A-Party, Makeup Kit
This limited edition kit, also exclusive to Sephora and priced at $64, features four items, including full-sized versions of the iconic Benetint and They're Real! Mascara. The review emphasizes the effectiveness of The POREfessional for filling pores and priming the skin, making it a recommended product for blog shoots or events.
Parisian Pin-up Chic & Effortless Makeup Kit Review
Another Benefit Cosmetics makeup kit reviewed is the Parisian Pin-up Chic & Effortless Makeup Kit, purchased with Sephora gift vouchers and accumulated points. This kit, costing S$56, comes in a small, attractive rose gold pouch suitable for makeup touch-ups.
The kit promises "full-volume lashes and brows, a supermodel glow and golden nectar cheeks." It contains:
- A mini 2.5g Gold Rush blush
- 1g of Ka-Brow! in shade 3
- A 3g Badgal Bang! mascara
- 4ml of High Beam
The Gold Rush blush is described as a warm golden coral that is flattering, especially with a tan, and provides a glowing finish. The Ka-Brow! in Shade 3 is singled out as the favorite item in the set, praised for its natural appearance and convenient integrated brush. High Beam, a liquid satin pink highlighter, is noted for its lightweight formula but is best applied on well-conditioned skin as it can accentuate imperfections. Badgal Bang! mascara is considered decent but not exceptionally impactful.
This set is recommended for individuals who travel frequently, as many items are travel-sized, or for those new to makeup, making it a lovely gift option. The reviewer expressed intent to purchase more sets as Christmas gifts for younger cousins.
Benefit Cosmetics: Bestsellers and Product Performance
Benefit's influence in the beauty industry is undeniable, with many users' first introduction to makeup being through its products. The brand is recognized for its extensive range, from pore primers and brow products to its famous mascaras and blushes. Some products, like the lip tint, have a long history, originating in the Seventies.
In an effort to determine which formulas are most worthwhile, a full face of Benefit cosmetics was tested, including new primers and setting powders alongside classic items like the Badgal mascara and liquid eyeliner. The testing focused on ease of application, staying power, appearance, feel on the skin, and how well the products integrated into an everyday routine.
The POREfessional primer is consistently praised for its ability to fill in large pores and provide excellent priming for makeup application, making it a staple for photo shoots or events.
Customer Reviews and Service Experiences
While Benefit's products are often lauded, customer service experiences can vary significantly. Several reviews highlight issues with refunds, product quality, and responsiveness.
Customer Service and Refund Issues
- One customer reported a significant delay in receiving a refund for a returned concealer, with the process extending well beyond the promised timeframe. The customer also noted the concealer was being discontinued and that the wrong shade was sent without clear notification.
- Another reviewer experienced difficulties with online orders, receiving old, dried-out mascara and mismatched concealer. Attempts to contact Benefit for assistance were met with long delays.
- A customer reported a severe eye allergy caused by a mascara, indicating a potential issue with product formulation or quality control.
- There are multiple accounts of extended waits for refunds, with some customers needing to dispute transactions after weeks of no resolution.
- One customer described a frustrating experience attempting to apply a discount code after an order was placed, encountering persistent disconnections and an inability to resolve the issue, leading to a decision to cease direct ordering from the brand.
Product Quality Concerns
- A customer received a Terra Blush that crumbled within a week of purchase, with the company offering no assistance due to the lack of a receipt.
- Some users have found recent product formulations to be disappointing. The new foundation is described as greasy, making pores more noticeable and offering poor coverage. Eyeliner has been reported as difficult to apply and short-lasting, while mascara has been called clumpy.
- A long-time user of They're Real! mascara found a recent purchase in Dublin airport to be awful, with an ineffective wand and a product that irritated their eyes.
Positive Feedback and Product Highlights
- Despite some negative experiences, positive feedback exists. The Mighty Fine brow pen is praised by a redhead for its accurate auburn/red shade and long-lasting, natural-looking results.
- The Cookie highlighter is mentioned as a must-have product that performs exceptionally well.
- The Precisely, My Brow Pencil remains a staple for many, valued for its ability to create natural-looking brows.
Some reviews also touch upon internal company culture, with a former employee describing a toxic environment, feelings of being overworked and underappreciated, and concerns about management's focus and treatment of employees based on race.