Benefit Cosmetics: Brand Review and 10 of the Best Products

Hoola Bronzer

Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer $32.00

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If you haven’t already seen this bronzer in a friend’s makeup bag, know that it’s Benefit’s most popular product—and for good reason. Just one swipe of this smooth, bronzy powder, and your skin will appear instantly sunkissed like you just got back from a tropical vacation.

The product was launched more than 20 years ago and remains a staple for the brand. Hoola’s formula was unique at the time for offering a shimmer-free neutral matte bronzer for a natural-looking glow. “We spent quite a lot of time to find a perfect blend of white, brown, red, purple, and yellow pigments that give you the most believable, natural bronze that wasn’t too orange or ashy (something consumers complained about at the time),” say the Danielsons.

Gimme Brow Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel

Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel $24.00

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Just one swipe of this tinted gel will transform your brows, which is why it’s one of Benefit’s bestselling products (and a favorite of mine). It leaves brows looking fuller and thicker, with color and hold that lasts all day. Read our review here.

Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara $27.00

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If there was a guide for creating a mascara, this one would be the prototype. Inspired by hair rollers, this mascara grabs, separates, lifts, and curls each individual lash. The brand uses a formula that conditions the lashes and that lasts for 12 hours. Available in two shades—original ink black and brown—it’s everything you could ever want in a mascara and more. For best application, the brand recommends gently wiggling the wand from the base of your lashes to the tip.

Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer

Benefit Cosmetics Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer $24.00

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If you want to conceal dark circles and blemishes, a hardworking concealer is a helpful addition to your beauty repertoire. Without feeling heavy on the skin, this full-coverage concealer doesn’t cake, crack, or settle into fine lines (a common problem among concealers). Formulated with algae-derived ingredients and specially coated pigments, it’ll smooth skin and leave a natural finish—sans creasing or flakiness.

The Porefessional Pore Minimizing Primer

Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Pore Minimizing Primer $32.00

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Say goodbye to pores and fine lines, thanks to this magical primer. Silky and lightweight, the balm-feeling formula quickly evaporates, leaving you with smoother-than-smooth skin. Containing vitamin E derivatives, it also protects skin from free radicals (pollution in the air that can cause premature aging). Customers have attested in more than 7,500 reviews that the primer makes skin look like it’s Photoshopped when it’s worn. Wear it alone, under, or over makeup on freshly moisturized skin.

Benetint

Benefit Cosmetics Benetint $30.00

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Originally created as a nipple stain for an exotic dancer, this lip, cheek, and eye tint can last through practically anything—it is truly smudge-, kiss-, and waterproof. The rose-tinted stain delivers a subtle, sheer hint of color without being too overpowering. According to the brand, this classic product is loved by celebrities, makeup artists, and consumers all around the world.

24-HR Brow Setter Clear Eyebrow Gel

Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Eyebrow Gel $24.00

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A personal favorite of many (myself included), this invisible gel holds brows in place all day—and, if you prefer, into the night too. Built with a dual-sided wand, it coats hairs from root to tip to securely lock your brow makeup and hairs into place. The best part? Unlike other clear brow gels, the formula is completely flake-free, quick to dry, and easy to apply.

Precisely, My Brow Pencil Waterproof Eyebrow Definer

Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil Waterproof Eyebrow Definer $24.00

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While this may look like an ordinary brow pencil, it’s something entirely unique. Since it’s created with an ultra-fine tip, drawing natural-looking, hair-like strokes is an uncomplicated process. Rich and waterproof, it’ll seamlessly fill in over-tweezed or sparse areas while holding in place for up to 12 hours without smudging whatsoever. Seriously, just a few light pencil strokes will completely transform brows. Plus, it's available in 12 versatile shades, so finding your perfect match is simple.

They're Real! Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara $27.00

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According to Byrdie associate editor Olivia Hancock, this magnetic mascara lives up to its hype by adding tons of length and volume. Using a magnetically charged core, the formula pulls lashes out and up for an extremely powerful lift with each usage. “As someone whose natural lashes seemingly disappear on camera, this mascara is now my new go-to,” Hancock said in her review. The brand also claims that it’ll fan out, separate, and define lashes for up to 36 hours of wear.

Cookie Highlighter

Benefit Cosmetics Cookie Highlighter $32.00

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This golden-pearl highlighter gives a gorgeous glow with just one swipe. Made with a silky-fine formula, it adds a subtle shimmer without stealing the show. Plus, the compact comes with a built-in mirror and a custom rounded brush for seamless application on the go or at home.