Benefit Cosmetics Boutique & Brow Bar

After thinking about it for close to a year, I finally went here for brow and lash tinting. I’m a medium brunette, but have always had very pale lashes and eyebrows– not a good look with my darker hair! Filling in my brows (which don’t grow evenly) is such a time suck and I was finally fed up. I tried to book an appt. over the phone but was disconnected halfway through, so I booked online with Cheena (after seeing her positive reviews here) for a Saturday afternoon. The customer service seemed a bit off, hence only 4 stars, but the results from the tinting are JUST what I wanted! I don’t need mascara, and only need to fill in the patchy parts of my brows. I love waking up and actually having some color on my face– it really helps with definition and the overall look. Cheena did an excellent job shaping my brows, despite the fact that they grow unevenly. One word of warning– they said there would be «some discomfort» with the lash tinting but I thought the burning went beyond that. It made me a bit nervous but all was find in the end and Cheena said thats just part of the process. So if you have sensitive eyes you should probably avoid the lash tinting.

i cant believe my review was removed!
i spent 200 dollars here on products that made me get a black eye
i was compelled to give a tip to the lady who RUINED my eye brows and it took 3 months for them to grow back if not longer!
my eye brows looked terrible yet the woman was so arrogant like she knew what she was doing. i cant believe they took my review down, im glad i found out. and so you know too they delete review they dont like.
my review of course had more information in it.

had my brows done here a couple of times when I didnt want to make the trek to my usual specialist. I think they do a decent job but they can be formulaic, which is why im not giving 5 stars. you’ll see a lot of the same brow comimg out of here, regardless of facial features. on the other hand they have it down when it comes to doing thay brow. so if you like that generic suburban style, you can feel confident youll get a consistent result. I can also attest that technique-​wise, they are fast and gentle.

I went to Christina for brow tinting and waxing at this location for a couple years and she was awesome. She’s no longer there (not sure where she is now).
I finally went back to Benefit today for a brow wax and tint and I was pretty nervous because I once went to someone who wasn’t Christina and had a bit too much waxed off. I saw Elizabeth and I can honestly say that I will be going back to her exclusively. She was really mindful about keeping my brows as full as possible and made my brows beautiful again. Plus, she didn’t even complain when a random customer rubbed her pregnant stomach.

I never got my brows done at benefit before but the first time I go I went to Jeanessa and she was so helpful and amazing! It was such a fun experience I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else!

I spontaneously made an appointment for April 1^st at 5:15pm for a lash and brow tint — my first time for both. I was sadly late, about 10 minutes, thanks traffic and hard to find parking. But my person, Cheena, squeezed me in and didn’t make me feel bad about it! She totally understood, was kind, chatted with me, walked me through it since it was my first time, didn’t rush me even though I was late and it was the end of her day, and was overall amazing. I appreciate her not making me feel like crap for being 10 minutes late, and for providing excellent service at the end of her shift — she’s the best!
Thank you Cheena for being excellent in your profession but also exuding amazing customer service, in less than ideal situations (IE I was late).

I have been coming here for about a year– and Elizabeth is one of the best estheticians I have ever seen! She is so sweet and really knows what she’s doing. I’ve seen her for a few brow waxes– she cleans my brows up very well. She did a full body tan on me as well and it came out very even. I was super nervous before we got started but she assured me I would look natural and still look tanned for my date later that week.
Thanks Elizabeth!

While I don’t get my hair colored, the pigment in my eyelashes and eyebrows has faded, prompting me to seek brow/​lash services. A friend recommended Beth awhile back, and I’ve been going to her ever since. She’s not only delightful, she’s also a master at her craft and gentle, too. I leave with face-​framing eyebrows (which look invisible upon entering) that are just the right color for my hair, and lashes that save me from needing to apply mascara. Highly recommended.

I had my eyelashes tinted for the first time today with Cole. I am very pleased with the results. I think it looks better than make up because it gets all of your upper and lower lashes without looking overdone. Cole was upbeat and professional. I was impressed when she said she had been with Benefit for over ten years, clearly she loves what she does.

The brow bar at 4^th Street Benefit is really the best. Cheena is now in charge of my eyebrows and eyelashes, and I won’t let anyone else do them. I used to just go in and get my eyebrows waxed, but after a few suggestions that dye might be a good addition, I went for it — wow, do they look better! Now I don’t have to apply mascara or eyebrow pencil every day. The first time I got my eyelashes dyed by another aesthie, it burned a lot and was extremely painful, but now that I go to Cheena, it hardly stings at all.
It’s easy to make an appointment through their online portal, and I usually go with my girl friend as a little pamper session. We make back-​to-​back appointments and Chenna can usually do the two of us at the same time. She always remembers us and makes it such a fun experience. Plus, at about $ 50 for waxing, eyebrow dye, and eyelash eye, the price can’t be beat. I go back every 6 – 8 weeks religiously!

My experience with Cole was pleasant. She is friendly and keeps it real with you about your brows. She’s been at Benefit for about 10 years now so it makes me feel good that she has plenty of experience.
Overall experience was good. It’s my first time getting a tint on my brows. I’m not thoroughly convinced with the results but she did do a great job cleaning them up. I guess I wasn’t sure what to expect with the brow tint. Regardless I had another girl moisturizer me and provided me some aftercare.
I like that no one tried to push any products on me. Will be back to my brow expert after I get those darn brows to grow back in!

I love what Beth does with my eyebrows. Nicely shaped and keeps them natural. I just started using the products and so far am happy with them.

Cole is a god send! Love her! The rest of the staff is very friendly and helpful as well.

My go-​to for brows in the East Bay! I was out shopping at another store and whilst in the fitting room I noticed my brows were out of control! I have someone I really like in the city while I’m working, but this was a brow-​mergency! A few months prior we were treated to a Unilocal Elite event here, and I was pleased with my brows. To Benefit and make it snappy!
Was able to walk right in, on New Year’s Eve day, and be seen promptly. I highly recommend getting an appointment, but sometimes those brows sneak up on you. I like the work they do, and have even gotten a few tints here and there to go with my wax.
I guess my one criticism– is of Benefit in general– I just want to get my brows done and go! I understand they’re a makeup company first and foremost, but I had stopped going to the one on Mill Valley cause I was tired of the up sell. Didn’t get too much of an aggressive up sell vibe here, though but I definitely proceed with caution.
Benefit, you and me are gonna be friends ;)

I have been going to Benefit in Berkeley for about 6 years and always look forward to coming in. Beth is my brow queen! I typically get a brow wax and tint, and I feel like a million bucks after she does my brows. She’s so warm and friendly, and it makes the experience totally worth it. The reason I trust this location so much is even when I can’t get an appointment with Beth, the other ladies have also done a stellar job on my brows. Even when it’s super busy at this location, they really take their time and I never feel rushed. The vibe here makes me feel like I’m a girls night or something, because I always geek out with the ladies about makeup and hair while I’m getting my brows done.
PRO TIP: Make your appointment online! you can even pick the aesthetician you want!

This Benefit store is super cute! I love the interior design, as it is very pink and girly and the perfect representation of the Benefit brand. The store is lined with individual makeup stations on both sides and has beauty counters in the middle of the store. There are also private rooms in the back of the store for services such as full body waves.
The staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable about the products — and they definitely know what they are doing in terms of services. I had a brow wax done here and my brows have never looked better! The price is hefty at $ 21 for a brow wax, and it makes me hesitant to want to pay for this service at least twice a month, but my experience here was so wonderful and my brows are SOOO on fleek that I may just keep coming back for more.
Also don’t forget to snap a pick with Simone, the jewel-​studded, brow on fleek, fashionable from head to toe mannequin that stands at the back of the store!

Never had a brow tint before, and I really liked it!!! One less step to do while putting on my «face» in the morning (as my grandma would say haha). I also got a sample of the «It’s Potent» eye cream, and boy! Can you tell a difference! I ended up buying a pot :-)
I’d say the store is minimally laid out with products. Their highlighted products are on the shelves, but most of their makeup is on the center tables as samples, so I assume if you want to buy any of the products, you have to ask and they’ll grab one for you (I should have asked if that’s what they do!). The products I bought were on the shelves anyway, so I didn’t need to ask for anything specific.
Benefit is a little pricey, but their products are nice. I’d come back here for sure.

If you would like to keep both of your eyebrows, do not come here for waxing. I’ve gone here 3 – 4 times over the last few years as a backup place when my esthetician is not available and 3 of those times I’ve left with one eyebrow perfect (full, well shaped), and the other almost missing. One time my eyebrows were done perfectly, so I keep hoping that they won’t mess up a touch up.
This happened again today so I guess I’m back to growing things out and penciling in a non existent brow. I never write Unilocal reviews but for anyone who wants to keep their brows, go elsewhere.

I made an online appointment for an airbrush tan about one week in advance. I received a confirmation email that everything was a go! I was so excited and I prepared for it in the way that the website suggests. I show up to the boutique and as I am walking in the door the two women working inform me that I will not be able to have a tan today because they are the only two women there and they are not trained to do the tan. I asked how this was possible since I had made the appointment as well as received the confirmation. They replied that there was nothing they could do and gave me a half assed apology as I walked out the door. I was very unhappy as I was scheduled to leave for a trip to Mexico the following day.
They really should have apologized and offered a complimentary service of some type due to the huge inconvenience that this posed. Needless to say I will not be coming back. Please work on your customer service skills.

Surprised to see such low ratings. I came here for a private party. Each one of the girls were amazing! Super nice and friendly, as if I had known them forever. The manager Katie is super sweet and helpful.
I opted to get a brow wax and tint! Super happy with the results. I don’t normally go to benefit stores direct but am definitely coming back just for the staff alone.