Benefits makeover was not as good as I expected. Although the staff were energetic and friendly I felt a lack of hygiene and professionalism. The make-up artist did not give any kind of skin care consultation; neither did she remove any of the models make-up before starting the makeover. The makeover lasted around half an hour. The make-up artist did explain what she was doing using a mirror to show the model how to apply the make-up. What I did like about Benefit is that they provide catalogues with products and prices in them.
The make-up looked good although the model said it felt too thick perhaps this was because her old make-up was just built on. There was not much of a difference between the day and night looks either. Unfortunately we were not able to take photos in the store and so I had to use my Blackberry which may explain why they are not very clear.
The hygiene was not up to scratch, first the brushes contained remnants of old make-up meaning that they had not been cleaned thoroughly. The make-up was applied straight from pots when it should be put on to a tissue or pallet and then transferred on to the clients face. These are major problems as they can cause cross contamination in other words they can carry germs and diseases such as ring worm or conjunctivitis from one person to another. Another complaint although this may seem petty is that a wooden stick was used to apply lipstick and lip gloss; this feels rough and uncomfortable for the client, which is not good customer care.
When we first arrived at Benefit in House of Frasier in Oxford Street we were greeted politely by our make-up artist Lola. We were given stools to sit on and the girls were welcoming and friendly. Lola had been working for Benefit for a year and two months. She was not make-up trained but got the job by auditioning and was in house trained by Benefit.
Make up application (natural look):
Lola started by applying 'Some Kind of Gorgeous' foundation which comes in one colour suiting everyone, she applied it with a foundation brush, starting from the middle of the face.
Next she started on the eyes using a 'Big Beautiful' eye pallet which comes with three colours. She applied the middle colour all over the eyelid from eyelashes up to the brow line using a blending brush. Using the lighter colour in the pallet she highlighted the brow bone, and then she applied the darkest colour to the outer corner and blended it in to the socket line.
For the cheeks and lips Lola used a 'Posy Tint'. She applied the liquid to the apples of the cheeks using her finger rubbing it until it looked natural. Next she applied the same tint to the lips using a cotton bud.
Finally she applied the 'Bad Girl Mascara' using a clean wand to the eyelashes.
Make-up application (night wear)
Lola started transforming the look by applying 'Hello Flawless' face powder all over the models face with a big brush, including under the chin to avoid lines and shade difference between the neck and face.
Next she applies sparkly eye shadow 'Lustre Duster' under the eyebrow to highlight the eyebrow bone. To give the model a darker shade she applied 'Rose Gold Bronzer' all over the models face and neck. For the cheeks Lola applied Sugar Bomb to the apples.
She finished by applying 'Bad Girl Plump Mascara' to the tips of the eyelashes and adding a new product 'Brow zings' to the eyebrows to define them. Finally she applied 'Kiss You Love Your Look Gloss' with a stick to the client’s lips.
Products:
Some Kind of Gorgeous £21.50
Big Beautiful Eyes £23.50
Posy Tint £23.50
Bad girl Mascara £15.50
Hello Flawless shade Champaign £24.50
Lustre Duster shade Snow Bunny £13.50
Rose Gold Bronzer £23.50
Sugar Bomb £23.50
Bad Girl Plump Mascara £15.50
Brow zings £22.50
Kiss You Love You Look Gloss £14.00
