Benefit cosmetics - any good? And help me pick!

[CityWallandaTrampoline]

I would like to refresh my make up bag - I don’t wear loads but what I have is pretty old - and have been tempted to do a “build your own kit” at Benefit here

Is it any good? I remember having some Dr Feelgood balm and Hoola many years ago and quite liking them but have tended to pick up No 7/whatever’s on offer in Boots in recent years! Would also appreciate some help picking from the various categories. I’m early 40s, pale skin, dark hair and eyes.

From the “face” categories: any recommendations for a choice from Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation, ditto powder, or one of the Porefessional primers (pearl or normal)? Disclaimer: I don’t like heavy foundation, my usual is fairly translucent and I can’t see myself using primers if I then have to have another layer of proper foundation over the top. I do usually use a tiny bit of powder on top.

Cheeks: dandelion or hoola? That really!

Eyes: which mascara - they’re real or rollerlash?

Free mini gift: narrowed it down to mini hoola (if I don’t pick it above) or posietint. Wouldn’t know what to do with highlighter or eyebrow pencil

I’m pretty clueless, as you can see, so any advice would be appreciated

Gold rush blush is beautiful. Hoolah normal is fine on me and im.pretty pale.

Mascara - definitely Bad Gal Bang. Hideous name but excellent mascara.

Another vote for the Benbalm. I buy this one

The original Porefessional is excellent.

I also agree with Buster that Posietint is good - my mini one seems to be lasting forever!

Does anybody use Shybeam?

Hula and the blushes are nice and the brow products are the best I’ve tried. I’ve tried 3 of their mascaras and they aren’t worth the money imo, I prefer my L’Oréal/Rimmel ones.

Benefit products I always rebuy are
• Roller Lash
• Posie Tint
• Gimme Brow
• Porefessional
• Dandelion Shy Beam
• They're Real

did you know that Benefit products are tested on animals?

I think they used to be non tested but since selling in China , they are not considered cruelty free

There's a brand called W7 which is very similar , non tested and withdraws their products from sale if the testing is compulsary there .

Lauren - Please tell me more about Shybeam - where/how do you use it?

I love their blushers and They’re Real mascara can’t be beaten imo although it can be hard to wash off

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I like Shybeam because it subtly highlights so not in your face & over shiny like some highlighters are.
I put about 4 to 5 dabs at the top of my hairline, a thin stripe down my nose, a dot in my Cupid's Bow & 3 dots on the top of my cheekbone (starting from parallel to the pupil of my eye them upwards & outwards)
Then I blend. I do this after foundation & before Hoola which I use as a bronzer/contour.

Thanks, Lauren. I've never used highlighter before. I'll go into a store and get them to try it on me.

GlitterPixie Nivea double effect eye makeup remover is brilliant for removing They’re Real

I love the porefessional. It's great for filling in the huge pores in my nose. Nothing else does the business like this product.

They're Real mascara looks great but it's a bugger to get off.