Benefit Masterclass
Dear Diary

Benefit Masterclass

Last week I was invited along to the brand new Benefit Boutique in Debenhams in Norwich to experience one of their Masterclasses. I went along with Glamourologist, Missy Vintage and Fabulous Miss K to try out the new Hevana product and their skincare range.

The boutique is currently unique to Norwich Debenhams, but is being rolled out across the country at Benefit stands in department stores, it’s about time we got something first! It’s basically like a mini Benefit shop within a department store with treatment rooms and a a special area for running masterclasses.

The classes are a brilliant chance to play around with Benefit products before you buy. I love Benefit, but they are pricey, which makes investing in something new a bit more of a risk if you don’t like it. The cost of the class is £50, which is redeemable against purchases made on the day. You get to play with so many products it’s really worth it for the opportunity to properly try before you buy.

There are mini cup cakes, which I’m fairly sure used to be fairy cakes, when did the cup cake take over? and we each get our own little work station with a mirror, little book of post it notes and an organza bag of sweeties to take home (or eat immediately if you’re me)

Rather terrifyingly the classes start with a run through of the Benefit skin care range. This means removing all your make up, in front of people. This does not make me happy. The products are nice enough though, and I quite like the moisturisers and they come in lovely blue packaging.

We then, thankfully, start putting it back on again! We’re talked through each product we use, given individual advice on which shades to use and the class is flexible enough to adapt to the styles of those of us in the room. In our case they adapted from a smoky eye and nude lip look to give us a chance to play with some of their red lipsticks and eyeliners.

Benefit are very particular about their brows, so we’re given quite detailed instructions on finding the perfect place for your brows to start and finish before enhancing them using a pencil, or my favourite product of the day, Brow-Zing.

My favourite products of the day were the Hevana, which was brilliantly versatile as we used it as blusher and eyeshadow, the Watt’s Up highlighter and the Brow-Zing brow definer. I also quite liked the Magic Ink liquid liner. I was less taken with the They’re Real mascara. Missy Vintage loved it, and it is amazingly lengthening and thickening, but on me it was a little too thick and clumpy, and the Playstick foundation didn’t give me a matte enogh finish, while those with dry skin loved it. Doing this in a group really bought home how not all products are suitable for everyone and it really is trial and error to find the perfect one for you.

I’m about to share a terrifying picture now as I go in for a before and after *gulp*. I don’t think I shall make a habit of being make up free in public, at least not without a sneaky brow and lash tint!

There is a certain amount of sales pitch that goes on when the products are described, but there was no pressure to buy and the focus really was on just playing with the products If you’re interested in the Benefit Masterclasses then you can pop into the Debenhams store in Norwich to book yourself a place on the next one. The rest of the boutique is worth checking out as well. If you’re not in Norwich then I’m afraid you’ll have to wait till the boutiques are rolled out in department stores nationwide, or visit a Benefit boutique.

13 Comments

  • Eliza February 15, 2012

    You look lovely in that black top/dress (couldn’t see enough of your outfit to be sure). It seems to have a sweetheart neckline, at least in the top picture, which really suits you.

    • Gemma February 16, 2012

      Thank you! It’s a black Karen Millen Cardigan from a Charity Shop and grey and black Heyday trousers.

  • Mrs Sock February 15, 2012

    I love brow- zing & it lasts forever!
    I get my brows waxed by benefit too as I love the shape. I hope they roll it out up here!

    And yes. FAIRY CAKES.

  • LandGirl1980 February 15, 2012

    Oooooooh – liking the brows! Might have to give this a whirl.

  • Straight Talking Mama February 15, 2012

    I LOVE brow zings but don’t have any right now, nothing compares to it for perfection! I must get some again soon thanks for the reminder.

    Oh and btw you look lovely without make up too!

  • perdita February 15, 2012

    Argh- I was soo on board (there’s a Benefit shop in Ealing) right up until I realised they take ALL your make up off. You see the one in Ealing is ALL WINDOWS. And whereas you look pretty and natural and fresh without makeup, I look like a cross between a hamster and a gremlin unless entirely covered from head to toe in foundation and glitter eyeliner (TRUE FACT) and would be arrested for scaring old ladies through the windows. I’ll wait until it hits a local Debenhams I think…

    • Gemma February 16, 2012

      They did this in a little secret hideaway room! Maybe there’s one in the store?

  • Abi Gray February 15, 2012

    I love this idea. I don’t think I’d do it if the £50 wasn’t redeemable against products but as it is I definitely think it’s worth it. Might get it as a birthday present this year. xx

  • Sarah February 15, 2012

    Where did you get that shirt/dress? I love the neckline! Adorable.

    • Gemma February 16, 2012

      It’s a cardigan, it’s Karen Millen, but I bought it from a charity shop. I do love the neckline, I wear it with little diamante collar clips sometimes.

  • mrs pastry February 16, 2012

    thanks for this, we have a small beneift counter in Bury st Edmunds, debenhams, but i will now be booking in for my next trip to norwich, if i can dispose of hubby and kids for an hour or so !!! iona x

  • Lori Smith February 17, 2012

    Sounds great! I shall wait patiently until this comes to London 🙂

  • Shona February 17, 2012

    Oh man, you guys get all the good stuff

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