Benefits Cosmetics is a brand I’ve tried, used, and trusted for many years. They offer a diverse assortment of beauty items and makeup with moderate price points, and I generally use their cosmetics because they live up to claims and are devoid of any irritating ingredients that breaks out the skin and causes redness.
I find often makeup, as well as skincare, can trigger breakouts and irritation, and try to study the ingredients in the former, and their formulations, as I would a skincare treatment product.
While the price point is not always ideal for a budget, Benefits products offer matte bronzers with no shine or added shimmer, and tend to help achieve a dewy and natural aesthetic. While I’ve tried out many products from the brand before, I wanted to test out their bestsellers set, as it offered a good value and discount to retail price, and seemed to offer some great variety, and a way to test out products I hadn’t previously tried. It also makes a great gifting option, as the formulations of products tends to be quite gentle and free of any irritating agents, parabens, or sulfates, making it suitable for all skin types and sensitivities. The aesthetic design of the products are sleek and cheeky, with different graphics and catchy names. The set also includes a plush pink makeup bag with gold plated letters featuring the brand name, which is durable, portable, and (depending on your personal aesthetic), quite cute as well.
Ultimately, I ended up really enjoying features of every product included and would definitely recommend this as a gifting option or for those looking to try out the brand for the first time. It comes with makeup products as well as a primer that helps minimize the appearance of large pores, and the products all lasted much longer than I had anticipated. It’s also great for those who travel, or are seeking portable options that can be easily tossed in a gym bag or purse on your way to work.
Review: Benefit Cosmetics Sweeten Up Buttercup Set
The bestsellers kit features a 0.3 oz “Badgal Bang” Volumizing Mascara, a 0.1 oz “Gimme Brow” Volumizing Eyebrow Gel, a 0.14 oz “Hoola” Matte Bronzer Mini, a 0.75 oz “POREfessional” Face Primer, and a Makeup bag. I really enjoyed the primer and bronzer, and used the brow gel successfully (but don’t typically use any brow products), and the mascara was certainly decent, however I would not be likely to purchase a full size version of this item, as I have previously tried out other products in the category that offered the same (or improved) results with use at lower price points. Mascara also doesn’t tend to be irritating, so it’s not a product I typically feel justified splurging on, as there are suitable drugstore brands as well that come at a fraction of the cost and still offer the same aesthetic. I also felt that the product was more lengthening than thickening, which did not personally bother me, however it was marketed as a volumizing mascara.
For the review, we will break down the products included and some main features and benefits for use, than provide overview on the entire item, including some positives and negatives. The included items, in no particular order, and not including the bag itself:
Benefit “BadGal Bang!” Volumizing Mascara
This was decent and I had no specific complaints about the product, but I would not be likely to repurchase the mascara. I felt it improved length, but did not provide a general volumizing aesthetic, as claimed. Others may find different or varying results, as this seems to be a bestseller for the brand, and quite popular, with great reviews and fans who adore the product. To a certain degree this a matter of personal preference, and my bias my be in having tried so many other products for comparison. While I’ve personally found products at lower price points that offer the same benefits to use and would not be likely to purchase this individually, the mascara definitely has a cult-following, and may work differently for you.
Benefit “Gimme Brow” Volumizing Eyebrow Gel
My eyebrow routine is extremely casual, in fact, other than tweezing, I don’t even typically have a routine or purchase any makeup products for the brows. I generally don’t understand how to use these products, and never noticed them making much of a difference. But because it was included in the set, I was certainly pleased to try out something new that I had trepidation about, and results were actually great. It was very easy to use and apply, and definitely created a fuller and more even look. It definitely created a general openness, in terms of my personal likelihood in dabbling with other brow products. While I don’t have a tremendous frame of comparison, I would recommend it to those seeking a fuller and more even brow aesthetic, and if you’re new to the category, this product makes the process of getting started simple with an item that’s easy to use.
Benefit “Hoola” Matte Bronzer
This was definitely my favorite product in the set, and I felt it provided a very natural and dewy aesthetic, with a matte finish free of any sparkle. I generally dislike products with added sparkle, and particularly for a bronzer, it can be challenging to find a matte finish that still offers a natural appearance. I used this on my forehead and cheekbones, and finished with a soft blush on the tops of the cheeks and a nude lip, for a really natural “sun-kissed” finish, and definitely received compliments throughout the day. Other bronzers I have tried have either appeared unnatural or somehow produced a shiny or sparkly type finish, and it’s often difficult to find a perfect color match as well. For the purposes of the review, I have a fair complexion with subtle pink undertones, but I do feel this bronzer would work for varying skin complexions, and at first I anticipated it would be a bit too dark, but it was just right. I would feel comfortable wearing this product during any season, and feel it offers quite a bit of versatility. It could be used with a red lip and more dramatic look, or on a lighter makeup day for a natural look.
Benefit “POREfessional” Face Primer
This was definitely my second favorite included product, and while I don’t typically purchase primers, they do work and always help the overall aesthetic after finishing application. I definitely noticed a decrease in the appearance of pore size, and haven’t previously encountered any other primer that works to treat pores, so it offers a great benefit and factor of differentiation in that regard. The product feels great on the skin and hydrating, and it did not irritate my skin at all, cause any redness, or cause any breakouts (even with very sensitive skin). It’s definitely a product I’d recommend and consider purchasing in its full size.
Benefit Cosmetics Sweeten Up Buttercup Set Positives & Negatives
While I enjoyed the majority of the products included in the set and think it makes a great gifting option and way to test out different bestselling products, I did think the mascara was somewhat average and likely would not consider purchasing a full sized item as I’ve tested products with lower price points with better results. However, I was pleased to discover the products lasted much longer than anticipated, and most provided great benefits to use. The bronzer offers a natural aesthetic and I would definitely consider purchasing a full sized version, as it also lasts for quite some time even with continual daily use.
Pros
- All products are travel friendly, convenient, and portable, and suitable for carry-on travel
- The set is great for sensitive skin and varying skin types/textures
- Makes a great gifting option if the recipient likes makeup, and can be exchanged with a gift receipt if needed
- Out of all of the products included, none broke out my skin, or caused any redness, irritation, or allergy
- The bronzer in the set is excellent, lasts for quite some time even with continual daily use, and provides a very natural aesthetic with a matte finish (no sparkle)
- The primer included is great and adds both a dewy finish to makeup application as well as a reduction in the appearance of pore size
- The makeup bag included is portable, functional and has a really nice design, and it really adds value to the set as a whole
- While I hadn’t previously used brow gel, I did notice fuller brows that were even, so it certainly lived up to initial claims
- Cruelty-free company: Company does not test on any animals to formulate products, and does not use any animal product in manufacturing processes, with the exclusion of beeswax which is used in the mascara formulation
- Product longevity: all of the products lasted much longer than anticipated even with continual daily use, particularly the mascara and primer (I was able to get a couple of months of use, even when using the products daily)
- Conservative application is all that is required with use (i.e. the primer requires a pea sized amount of product), which helps the products last longer
- The set option offers variety and ways to test out products you may be uncertain about, or purchase several items at once at a lower cost
- Products are not formulated using any sulfates or parabens, or harsh irritating chemical additives
Cons
- Due to the nature of the product, if you don’t like one item you can’t individually return it or switch it out for a different product
- While the mascara was certainly decent, I prefer other brands and have found more effective products at a lower price point, however this is a matter of personal preference to a certain degree
- Price: while the set offers great value and is definitely a savings compared to retail cost, it’s still fairly pricey for a starter kit, however the addition of the makeup bag which is sturdy and sleek in design adds value, as you can use it continually
Benefit Cosmetics Money-Back Guarantee
Benefits Cosmetics has a strong return and exchange policy that honors full refunds upon dissatisfaction or allergy, this policy favors the customer, both new and preexisting, including if the item was given as a gift (which is fine for exchange even if opened). If you are dissatisfied with the use of the products, or if they do not work for you, or you experience any product allergy or reaction to the formulations, you may elect to return the entire set. In this case, you will receive a full refund equal to the entire purchase price of the item. You may also wish to exchange the product for an equal and full refund- or opt for a single product you prefer.
One must bear in mind that you will need to return the entire set, as individual items within the kit are not available for return. I was happy to discover all of the cosmetics, and the primer, in this set were suitable for my sensitive skin, as I’ve had different kits in the past with one or two items I could not use, and would usually not return the entire set if I liked most of the items.
Benefit Cosmetics Sweeten Up Buttercup Set: Worth It?
I really enjoyed all of the included products in the set and felt, other than the mascara, they exceeded initial claims regarding usage and benefits to use. None of the products were irritating to the skin, and all seemed to be formulated using high quality ingredients that were suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. This makes a great gift option if the recipient enjoys cosmetics, and is a great way to try out some of the brands bestselling products.
While the Benefit set offers value in comparison to retail cost, it is still a bit pricey, the caveat being the products actually do offer longevity, and lasted much longer than anticipated. The addition of a highly functional makeup bag with an attractive design aesthetic adds value as well, and I was definitely in need of a new bag (and many do not run cheap). I would certainly recommend the set to anyone seeking a makeup/cosmetics gift option for a friend, or anyone new to the brand interested in trying it out. Even if you are a customer already, it’s also fun to try out new options, and products you may not normally dabble in.
Out of all the products, the bronzer definitely tops my list, and is the best quality bronzer I’ve ever tried, so that definitely makes the replenish list.
Recommended!
