Benefit

Benefit is famous for their brow service and this place had been on my list since they opened their pretty vintage inspired shop on South William Street.
I had an appointment booked for a brow arch and small ‘make upper’ afterwards. This review is solely for the quality service provided, not for their products.
After a brief consultation (no patch test!) lotion was applied to my skin and my brows were waxed. My beautician was friendly and quick. I was then asked to sit down at the make-​up counter and wait 10minutes for another beautician to do the make upper.
Once she arrived, she started by covering up the redness around the brows and filled them in. She then worked on my eyes, applying 2 different colours of shadow and finishing with a black gel liner. Unfortunately, the colours didn’t work with my skin tone and the liner which she winged out, was totally uneven so when I got home I took the whole lot off right away. There also was a lot of fall down from the shadows which wasn’t removed. Overall a rushed and not very thorough or professional service on the make-​up. I am not sure whether the staff are make-​up artists or just sales staff but I wouldn’t spend any money on a make over there.
Having said that, I was happy with how my brows turned out. Not offering a patch test beforehand to me sums up the impression that Benefit is all about pretty packaging and cute little slogans only.

I came here for waxing about 3 times after they opened and found it ok, but I don’t think I will be going again. Getting an appointment is so difficult, often 2 or 3 weeks ahead! Also, the waxing isn’t that great, they always try to persuade me to get hot wax (which is more expensive), even though I clearly say cool wax only because it’s much cheaper. They ask why, so I lie and give some excuse but I find it annoying every time.
Also, I found them remarkably slow, taking twice as long to wax than other salons.
The staff are ok, but I find them overly superficial instead of genuinely friendly. I’m not a fan of Benefit products since they’re not really made for Asian skin tones and are quite expensive. Overall, this place was too commercial.