New makeup needed - talk to me about Benefit please

[henrythecat]

I'm starting from (sort of) scratch with my makeup bag. I've got a foundation (L'Oreal Infallible), blusher and powder (both No7) that I'm happy with so am in the market for new eye and lip makeup - eye shadows, eye liner, something for brows, mascara, lip stain and gloss. I like the look of a lot of the tutorials on the Benefit website, especially for eyes. Would you recommend? Products worth the money? Any alternatives? TIA

I only like the Benefit creaseless cream shadows as far as their eye products go. I think Too Faced are reasonably similar, they have some palettes with little tutorials in them, I have the Naked Eye one and like it but it is kinda sheer (which is the point and why I bought it) which have given it some negative reviews.

I like MAC for eyeshadows, and you can find a billion tutorials for them. On youtube. Really go for whatever you can afford that you like the look of and google for swatches and reviews - some expensive products aren't worth the money, while other cheaper brands are bargains.

I only like the Benefit creaseless cream shadows as far as their eye products go. I think Too Faced are reasonably similar, they have some palettes with little tutorials in them, I have the Naked Eye one and like it but it is kinda sheer (which is the point and why I bought it) which have given it some negative reviews.

I like MAC for eyeshadows, and you can find a billion tutorials for them. On youtube. Really go for whatever you can afford that you like the look of and google for swatches and reviews - some expensive products aren't worth the money, while other cheaper brands are bargains.

Oh and take a look at Sleek palettes and Urban Decay too - UD are fantastic!

Oh and take a look at Sleek palettes and Urban Decay too - UD are fantastic!

I really like benefit but as my name suggests I'm very pale. My experience has been that pale people love it and dark people don't think it shows enough. I love big beautiful eyes and big smokey eyes.

I love my Urban Decay Naked palette for eyes: mix of browns & frets, sparkly and matte. Good selection for starting afresh. Love Chanel eyeshadows too, but do find they lack staying power.

I have a great Benefit eyebrow thing - Benefit Brow Zings Brow Shaping Kit..

Its lasted for over a year and I have very fine dark eyebrows that need to be practically coloured in every day..

Whitershadeofpale I'm super pale, so Benefit should work. Thank you Amara lostlady and globex for your recommendations, with def check out the creaseless shadows and eyebrow kit and have a look at Urban Decay too :)

Any recommendations for mascara?

Lancome Hypnose. Have tried them all;?this is good

That should just be "it is good"

Lancome Hypnose and YSL faux cils.

Pretty cheap but I love Maybelline gel liner. Is easy to apply with brush provided & totally stays put all day & all evening!

Also love maybelline 'The Falsies volum' express waterproof' (rubbish name though).

I have rather short lashes & it is fab. I tried several expensive mascaras & found the to be pants.

I've tried a lot of benefit stuff over the years - sometimes their packaging really bugs me, but most of the actual products are ok.
There's no reason why you can't substitute other brands and still take advantage of the tutorials, of course

Sorry but I think benefit is crap make-up aimed at daft teenagers-who are seduced by the retro packaging. If you are willing to spend that much then look at brands like estee lauder or lancome.

Benefit is shite. Style over substance, gimmicky, low quality rubbish!

Daffo Lancome for mascara. I use Definicils, which is supposed to be more natural looking than Hypnose. I totally rate it and will never go back to a different brand.

re Benefit - I think the products are v expensive for what they are but I do like Dandelion.

Lancome for mascara, its the best there is.

Benefit is crap imo - its made for young teenage girls and is all about the packaging.

MAC eyeshadows are great, as it Bobbi Brown cream shadow

I disagree that benefit is crap and for teenagers. I am a big fan of them, and have a few of their products. They have a new mascara out at the end of the month called they're real which looks good.

The erase paste is the best concealer I have tried, and I am a fan of the hoola bronzer, as well as many other of their products.

Btw I am v pale skinned and def not a teenager at 44.

They do free makeovers too with no obligation to buy.

Thank you for all the advice everyone - much appreciated :)

I tried Lancome Hypnose a few years ago after picking it up in duty free and is definitely the best mascara I've ever used but could never quite bring myself to spend that much on a mascara again. If the general consensus is that it can't be bettered then might splash out on it this time.

lou33 have you tried benetint? or posietint? I need a new lip stain as bourjois have kindly discontinued my favourite . Any good?

Also - any recommendations for some sort or illuminator or highlighter, current foundation gives great coverage without looking done but want a slightly more 'luminous' look if that makes sense and doesn't sound too wanky

I use benetint and dd2 is better suited to posietint. Posie is more pink, bene is more red. Wrt your foundation, you rebel lite is good for pale skin and a bit glowy, but not a full foundation. I have often mixed some high beam with a foundation to create a nice effect as well.

I like high beam too- use sparingly tho!

Yes you don't need much.

Thank you - I think I might get some High Beam and mix a little into foundation as you've suggested - I don't want to change my foundation as finally found a good shade with adequate coverage that doesn't make me look orange or like an extra from Twilight.

Wrt to the benetint, if you just use a very small amount on lips does it come up as a berry pink rather than red? I like to have red and pink lip stains and wondering if I can get away with just buying the benetint rather than both.

Sorry to keep badgering with questions, you've been really helpful :)