Benefit Goes Brit

benefit-crescent-row-scentsIf you’re an American consumer interested in makeup, you’ve probably run across San Francisco-based Benefit Cosmetics at some point.  I assume their backstory of twin sisters who launched the company in 1976 and first concocted their now iconic Benetint as nipple tint for strippers is true (hey, why not?)  Even before I read their company philosophy I’d have said almost the same thing they do: they treat makeup as fun, something to be approached with a sense of humor and play.  That might not seem so novel now in the age of Kat Von D and Urban Decay, but for me and probably lots of other women, Benefit is a welcome alternative to the science-lab approach (Clinique, Prescriptives) or the Veiled Mystery angle (Chanel, Dior and most of the rest.)

As someone with a background in advertising I also appreciate the unified thought and craftsmanship that goes into the company’s branding.  Not all the products work for me, but the line’s top sellers have a cult-like following.  I know many devotees of BADgal mascara and Benetint, and Dandelion is often discovered by pale women to be the blush that actually works on them, and not as clown makeup.   They have a ton of concealers and skin prep items as well.  If you’ve joined the Benefit cult, I invite you to pimp your favorite product in the comments.  I own Dandelion, and Dallas looks great on my daughter; I swipe it for summer parties, it’s literally the only thing I’ve tried, in my case as a bronzer, for a hint of summer color that goes neither too pink nor too orange.

But I’ve never particularly loved Benefit’s fragrances, although let me state the obvious that I’m not their targeted consumer.  Maybe Baby is a sweet, fruity-floral-powdery thing that gets mostly raves from the 18 to 29 year-old cohort on Makeup Alley, along the lines of it just smells really nice, or my boyfriend loves itB Spot does much worse with only a 35% rebuy rating (to Maybe Baby’s 67%.)  It’s arguably the slightly tarter sour candy to Maybe Baby’s sweetness.  To my nose they both have a hint of something plastique, that generic focus-grouped synthetic softness that simply isn’t my bag unless you freak it up (Exhibit A: the deliciously twisted Gucci Rush.)

They’re now launching a new trio, set to arrive in stores in July.  I got a preview sample vial set from Benefit.   (Yes, if you haven’t figured it out by now, I get some advance freebies.  No, I don’t feel morally compromised.  If you looked at my swag haul over the life of this blog, you’d laugh, and not in envy at my good fortune.)

So, what does a powerhouse like Benefit come up with?  A set called Crescent Row, inspired by a visit to the Royal Crescent in Bath, England by Maggie and Annie Ford Danielson, the daughters of one of Benefit’s founders.  Quoting their PR piece, “the Row was so exciting, so enticing, the girls felt it was the perfect concept for Benefit.”

Now, I’ve walked the Royal Crescent, and my impression was: imposing, vigorously preserved, highly uniform and wildly expensive real estate that makes our local historic landmark districts of Georgetown and Alexandria look like warrens of tumbledown shacks.  Nothing like a trip to Europe to revise your definition of old or stately.  Personally I find their cold Georgian formality an odd inspiration for a company like Benefit.

What do these scents smell like?  Well, I happened to have an extra eight girls over here for Diva’s 15th birthday party, so I shopped them around.

Laugh With Me Lee Lee – cassis, melon, citrus, black violet, lily, jasmine, blonde wood, amber, santal, “woody floral.”   The runaway hit of the bunch with the teenage girls, Lee Lee is one of those high-wattage fruit-bombs that’s about as appropriate on me as a baby doll dress and turquoise eye shadow, and yet it brings a huge smile to my face.    It’s not sexy; it’s joyful and playful, the sort of girly scent that should be worn to the boardwalk in summer or to the mall to hit Forever 21 with your BFFs.  I am easily two decades too old for this.  I’d describe it as mostly fruit with discernable jasmine and violet plus That Sweet Woody Base That’s In Everything Now And I’m Still Not Complaining Because You Could Do So Much Worse.  Whatever amount of melon’s in there wasn’t enough to trigger my alarms.  People tempted to complain about its insipid airheadedness should feel the pain of a mother tired of teenaged girls being induced to smell like sexpots.

Something about Sofia – mango, freesia, sheer lily, jasmine sambac, peony petal, musk, white caramel, vanilla bean, “oriental floral.”   This is their gourmand entry and one great description I got from the girls was “gingerbread, flowers and old people in a good way.”  It’s less sweet than you’d think.  I smell mostly jasmine and lily at the top, and it’s got a decent amount of spice and woods for such a mainstream scent.  The mango and musk add richness rather than sugar.  I get something gingerbread-ish as well, although it’s not listed in the notes.  My personal favorite.

My Place or Yours Gina – pink pepper, bergamot, tangerine, peony, wild raspberry, white lily, patchouli, tonka, vanilla, “woody oriental.”   Epic Fail – both for me and the girls.  It starts off with a sour-citrus peppery burst, then fades rapidly into Estee Lauder Sensuous with an extra honking dose of Patty’s patented Tampax Fresh Accord.  Also, it becomes weirdly unsmellable on several girls after about fifteen minutes – some sort of temporary anosmia?   It did go through a wet-cardboard phase that I of course perversely enjoyed, and I didn’t rush to scrub it off, but I’m not sure they hit their mark with this one.

These are all 30ml for $36 and they are absolutely adorable in the pictures – what you’d expect from Benefit’s design team.  They look  like miniature cocktail shakers in the photos, with whimsical graphics. Given the price point and the packaging, and Benefit’s clever marketing, I’d say these will sell like the proverbial hotcakes, with Lee Lee first and Sophia second.

Today’s giveaway – my adorable set of three from Benefit, mostly full, say if you want it in the comments and I’ll pick someone.

  • Theresa says:

    These do sound fun and cheerful. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

  • Jacki says:

    I have to admit that I own A LOT of Benefit. I could ramble on for ages but I’ll try to keep it short. BadGal was amazing except is runs on me so I can’t use it in the Texas heat. Eye Potion is my friend as is the D’finer D’liner. I think D’finer D’liner might be my favorite product because it keeps the bright and dark (reds, burgundy and maves) lipsticks on the lips and not my face. I’ve tried Dr. Feelgood but it clogged my pores. Lemon Aid is wonderful for the eyes as are the creaseless shadows. Enough from me, please drop my name in the draw if it’s not too late.

  • Amy K says:

    They sound cute, even if I’m a little old to be their target audience too. Please add me to the draw if it’s not too late.

  • Gretchen says:

    Why not? Put my name in the hat, please, if it’s not too late.

  • pyramus says:

    Hey, pitch my name into the hat, if you don’t mind, if for no other reason than that I am perversely curious about that Tampax Fresh Accord of which you speak. Also, I seem to need to try everything that comes down the pike.

  • Sara K says:

    I’d love to smell these – I agree that Sophia sounds like the only one that I might wear. Please enter me in the drawing.

  • Tiara says:

    Got a laugh over the wet cardboard smell. Can’t imagine 15 year old girls were impressed with that!

    Wish I’d had a mom who would have introduced me to different fragrances. All she ever wore was Estee Lauder’s Youth Dew and she wouldn’t share. We could always tell when she was going somewhere cuz that was the only time she’d use it. Now that she’s in her late 70’s, she sprays every day whether she’s cleaning toilets or headed out to lunch!

    Please enter me in the drawing. Would love to try these (but hoping to escape the cardboard phase)!

  • elizablue says:

    I love their burgundy-tinted Badgal–might have been a holiday thing. Very cute witty san francisco graphic design…please count me in!

  • Mindy says:

    Dang, am I too late? I’ve got to get to Google Reader earlier in the day.

  • sybil says:

    I’m old and crabby, and I’ve mostly ignored Benefit as being too perky. But now i’m inspired to try the cream eyeshadow, and what they hey–put me in the drawing, please. DD1 and a bunch of her ‘fume loving friends are going to be hanging around soon, looking for amusement….

  • Lindsey9107 says:

    I like Dandelion but didn’t repurchase it for some reason. I think you’re right that the “fun” marketing approach was novel at one time but is now ubiquitous (checked out an Ulta store lately?)

    Please enter me in the draw! Thanks for sharing the slumber party story. The whole scene sounds quite fun and adorable, having your daughter and her friends test these out.

  • Tara says:

    I love their packaging – I’m a Dandelion fan. Please enter me in the drawing – Lee Lee sounds right up my alley (I love cassis) and Sophie sounds good too.

    • March says:

      You’re in! This is funny, WordPress is telling me “duplicate comment.” Guess I need another way to phrase that.

  • HollyGolightly says:

    Oh,I would love to be included in the draw! I’m a longtime fan of their benetint. Adorable packaging, too! 🙂

  • Robin says:

    I think we had the same favorite, but I’ve already got the names all confused. Have a bunch of their silly makeup cases & love them…great packaging all around.

    • March says:

      Oh, yes! I totally forgot. I have a small makeup mirror that says “hello gorgeous” or something on the back, and some cute cases. Wonder which of these you liked? I agree the names are silly. I removed my un-PC discussion with Lee…

  • helenviolette says:

    I LOVE THOSE SHAKERS!!! Wonder if they will hit my neck of the woods in time for a July 20th birthday girl (15)…

    I am a fan of Maybe Baby- to me it is not too sweet and a bit peachy -completely uncomplicated- and I went through two bottles at a time in my life that I could not think about fragrance (lawschool)- still have a small bit of that last bottle and sprtiz it on from time to time…

    And the makeup is super fun (nipple tint? who knew?)- have some of that and Dandelion, their Blue mascara is fun and pretty, and that Boing concealer is great for covering blemishes…

    Please enter me in for the win!

    • March says:

      Thanks for the review of Maybe Baby — obviously it has a lot of fans. I’ll re-smell it at the mall. And you’re in for the draw — I should have made clearer up there, my set is SMALL SAMPLE VIALS not those cute shakers.

  • Chris G says:

    Great reviews! Now the products are a “must try” for me. Please enter me in the draw. Thanks!

  • Frenchie says:

    Another Benefit fan here.
    I buy their makeup often because it is quality stuff and I like the silly-girly design although I’m older than their target buyers 🙂
    Cream eyeshadows are lovely and stay on the whole day without creasing. The Bo-ing concealer is someting I use in summer because it is quite thick and stays put. I’ve used their under eye cream and will definitely buy again.
    There are a few other products I have but the HG for me is their Dr Feelgood face balm. I’ve tried it all, from clinical lab to veils of mistery brands and this one wins. I use it as a primer beneath my makeup. It is the only product that actually keeps my t-zone matte and makeup put. Even in heat. It has a lovely scent and a tub lasts me ages.

    I have to confess that I like Maybe Baby and wear it often during warmer months. It’s not the most sophisticated or complex smell but it is great when I want something sweet and easy. I’m not a fan of the B Spot though.

    • March says:

      Huh. I’m going to try Dr. Feelgood. It doesn’t break you out? Every damn thing breaks me out. And thanks for the plug for Maybe Baby. I hope you know I am totally on board with the no-brainer scents, several of which lurk on my shelves!

      You’re in the draw.

      • Frenchie says:

        It doesn’t break me out. I don’t have sensitive skin so maybe I’m not the best person to give advice on this.
        Thanks for including me in the draw. I’m in the UK, hope that’s not a problem.

  • maitreyi1978 says:

    I like their benetint. Please enter me in the draw.

  • Tammy says:

    I’m thinking they are confused, and actually meant to cite Brighton Pavillion as their inspiration. Colorful, tacky, over-the-top….

    And even though I am also several decades too old for this, joyful and playful is something I need in my life right now, so please enter me in your generous draw!

  • Musette says:

    Just sayin’ Hey to Gomer! I have to agree with Lee – these sound about as far from the stateliness of Bath’s Royal Crescent as you can get – but they sound fun nonetheless. I have two young gals who are just starting to love perfume, though the conversation is all about Vera Wang Princess and MJ Daisy (which is nice – I don’t think I’m ready to hear an 11yr old go on about Carnal Flower just yet) – these sound right up their alley.

    So….I’d love to be in the draw!

    xo>-)

    ps. ’twas Benefit that got me started on my HG of alpha-hydroxy creams. I used their lotion, which was great (pricey, though, at $38 for a bottle) then they discontinued it (QC issues) for awhile and the lovely Benefit SA told me about Walgreens’ Alpha Hydroxy cream – more AH, less money ($5.99) – it has been my HG for skin for about 8 years now. So I’m very pro-Benefit in a very backwards way!:-D

    • March says:

      Princess and Daisy are two really good choices for young girls – I think I like their Summer Princess or whatever it’s called even better. And I proclaimed right on here that Daisy is “totally devoid of sex appeal,” and I meant that as a compliment.

      I love AH creams. I get mine mail order from somebody… it’s not that much $ … pretty high concentration. The secret to smooth skin!

      • carter says:

        Two words: Retin A.

        • Louise says:

          one word: Renova

          • Musette says:

            Did both Retin-A and Renova. Both tore my little blue face apart. The Walgreen’s AHA actually works as well (or nearly) without ripping my skin right off my face. I had to decide which was worse- and the tearing/ripping thing offset anything else. That stuff HURT!

            xo>-)

        • March says:

          One other word: Tazorac. 🙂 I use AHAs in the morning and Taz in the evening.

          • Lindsey9107 says:

            Ahhh, March. That’s your secret. I use Tazorac too. What AHA do you use? Is it a moisturizer?

          • March says:

            MD Forte, I use level II, that’s about all the face-eating action I can stand. 🙂 It’s at various places online. I use the body lotion on my arms and feet, and they have a level II face lotion and a II face cream. Usually I go for the cream, but I’ve discovered I like the II lotion better in the summer. The cream is really rich.

  • Aubrey says:

    Oh, I’m a huge fan of Benefit! Pick me! 🙂

    And a comment on the “B Spot” low rebuy… I smelled this in Sephora and liked it enough to actually BUY a sample on the bay (this was before I knew that you could request a sample at the store). I bought 2 manufacturer’s samples for $5 or something like that. They came in a plastic spray vial. I looooved the samples and actually used them up, which is super unusual for me. Most samples go virtually unused after a week or so of my interest. So I then asked for the perfume for Christmas (non-niche, I know– but who can afford to buy me a bottle of L’Artisan… and I really loved the samples).

    BUT– the perfume from the actual perfume bottle smelled quite different than the sample– and not nearly as good. I had enough left of a sample to actually show my fiance, who agreed that they were significantly different. The bottle is glass. The sample vials were plastic. My only thoughts were that it has a broad variation from batch to batch, or that the plastic had some sort of very good reaction with the perfume (I read about something like that happening with Hermes but with poor results, and they had to recall samples). I wouldn’t rebuy the scent in the bottle, but the sample scent I would (if I could get it in a bottle).

    Maybe my experience has something to do with the low rebuy?

    • March says:

      You know, we could do an entire post on the variations in smell of particular fragrances, and I’m not even talking about vintage stuff. Anyone who sniffs a lot, regularly, at different stores and via samples and decants, will eventually run across some wildly different iterations of the same scent. And more than once I have tried the sample of something and then found the bottle completely different (most recently, the new Narciso.) Sometimes the difference is between dabbing and spraying, but other times the fragrances smell maybe vaguely related but pretty different. No idea why. Storage? Manufacturing issues?

      • Aubrey says:

        That would be an interesting post. I’m telling you, if the bottle smelled like my samples, I’d buy three!

      • carter says:

        Calyx is infamous for that. It’s got to be very fresh or it just ain’t right.

        • March says:

          Really? I bet we could compose a whole list like that. Off the top of my head, AG Petite Cherie goes off pretty quick. Some people would say it starts out that way. 😉

          • carter says:

            Rhully (I’m working your British theme here). Well, you’re the Bloggerista, so it sounds like you’ve got yourself a potential topic.

          • aubrey says:

            Have you read The Perfect Scent? In there, they talk about the official Hermes samples that went bad in plastic, and how they had to redo them at the last minute in glass vials… that’d be a good example.

            But yes! You should do that list! It’d be terrible if people thought that a scent was bad, when it turned out it was just the decant/bottle/time etc. They could miss out on their HG.

        • Musette says:

          Ditto on the ‘lyx. What is it that makes it go off – and you want ‘off’? Try the Calyx body lotion in the tube. I dunno what they do to that but it smells completely different from the glass bottle. Odd, because I’m assuming it all comes out of the same giant vat.

          xo>-)

          • Louise says:

            Yeah, I just got a “gift set” of Calyx body lotion, ‘fume and purse spray. The lotion is rancid, the perfume dead (just base notes), but the purse spray is lively and sharp. I do love Calyx, but feel it must be renewed monthly; I can’t get my library books back that often. One tip-off-the color brightness seems a good indicator of the brightness of the juice.

          • Joe says:

            Calyx has base notes? For real?

          • Louise says:

            Dang it, Joe-it’s musky, in a good way…

  • pattie says:

    Benefit’s products are fun to try, and there are some real keepers. The cream eye shadows are very good, and there are a couple of highlighting sticks (names escape me . . .) that are great on, ahem, older eyes. Please enter me in the drawing- I have a soon to be 11 yr old who is showing an interest in perfume, but seems to be stuck on vanilla!

    • March says:

      You’re in, and they’re all stuck on vanilla. 😉 And I like those cream shadows too. They have a lot of great neutrals.

      • carter says:

        Okay, that does it…I’m going to avert my eyes long enough to grab a handful of the cream shadows that everyone seems to like so much. I can embrace a good neutral cream shadow, no matter how kitschy.

        • March says:

          I think those and Benetint got mentioned more than any other thing today. I’m surprised about the shadows myself. I like them, but didn’t realize others did.

          • carter says:

            I tried Benetint years ago, but it didn’t work with my fair pinkness. Hey, not a bad title for a musical.

          • March says:

            I tried it on my lips only, and ugh. Maybe it’s better on the nips. 😉

  • Lena says:

    I swear by BADgal lash. One coat and I have fab lashes and it dries quickly so I don’t have to worry about not blinking while it sets up. There must be something magical about what weird-looking brush. It’s a bit more than I’m used to paying for mascara (about $20) but the tubes are generously sized and last for a long time. I always have to get rid of them before I’ve used it all up…stupid bacteria…wish they made it in a smaller size.

    ANYWAYS, please enter me in the drawing. I have a 9 year old who’s becoming enamored with all things girly and scented and I think she would really enjoy these. They seem like age-appropriate scents that might act like a perfumey gateway drug into the darker underbelly of perfume… muahaha! I need a partner in crime.

    • March says:

      That’s funny, I just got a small BADgal from Sephora … they have them periodically in their insider club giveaways. I wonder… are you sure they don’t sell them in their small-size bins near the registers? I thought I saw them there. Of course I’m guessing the brush might be smaller. My 15yo loves it.

      You’re in the draw.

  • rosarita says:

    I bought the Realness of Concealness a couple years back and have enjoyed it as a sampler of some of Benefit’s better products. Their Bo-ing concealer is perfect for me, and I also like Highbeam as a not too bright highligter for eyes. I think they have a few more of those mini-product, single purchase kits now.

    The scents don’t interest me, but I completely feel your pain abt. scents (and makeup, and clothes, and shoes) that are non-sexy/prostitute-in-training for teenage girls.

    • March says:

      I know a lot of people love their concealers and highlighters. I haven’t found one that’s a perfect match for my skin, but then I’m blessed in that I don’t have dark undereye circles, the bane of so many people, not sure how I dodged that one.

      Yeah, three cheers for something whimsical rather than slutty, ya know?

  • Elle says:

    I clearly live in a cave when it comes to makeup. Have never heard of this line, but it sounds like something I’d really enjoy – definitely want that mascara.
    Am still trying to wrap my brain around how they got inspired for these scents by Crescent Row. Was there a very well hidden back alley part that I missed? They went to a parallel universe Bath? Anyway, the scents sound like a lot of fun. I have no teenage daughters, but Something About Sophia sounds like a scent I might actually enjoy as something to cheerfully spritz on at night when I’m in for the evening and will be seeing no one other than DH and DCC (canine child). Laugh With Me Lee Lee makes me come close to tearing up because that’s what D called her DH. 🙁

    • March says:

      Parallel universe. “Back alley” I’ll leave alone or Lee and Louise will be leaving us porny comments. Lee and I had a discussion about the wrongness of “Crescent Row” but I accidentally cut that part out of the post, whoops. It’s the Royal Crescent. He says if you google there are a couple places in the UK named Crescent Row (which is kind of funny if you think about it) but not there.

      Aw, I didn’t know that about Lee Lee. Now you’ve got me tearing up too.

      • Louise says:

        Right, then, March. Blame us for dirty minds and comments…! The very thought of it.

  • Louise says:

    I’ve played with Benefit over the years a bit, and like their sheer lippies, Get Bent mascara (sort of curls your lashes), and cream eyeshadows-those are great. My sis swears be Benetint, though on her lips and cheeks, I beleive.

    No need for the fumes…my almost 20 DS has no need, having been converted to PdN and CdG scents 😉

  • carter says:

    While I appreciate Benefit from an advertising perspective, everything about it is so darned cutsey-wootsey that mostly it just makes me feel icky-wicky, not unlike those sleepwear companies that market pajamas for grown women with hideous graphics of cupcakes and puppies on them. But then, I don’t think did cute even when I was young enough to get away with it. No, a touch of Veiled Mystery will always be my heart’s desire, and I’ll happily leave the Benefit to the kiddies.

    • March says:

      Wait… you don’t own those flannel sock monkey pjs? I’m picturing you in these:

      http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/2816957

      oh — whoops, too bad — sold out! Now it’s really bothering me, what’s the name of the monkey cult clothing company? It’s a man’s name… I think… I keep coming up with Ed Hardy, and THAT’s wrong. I definitely need to cut back on the caffeine before answering these, huh?

      Hey, I’m all for Veiled Mystery too. You’re just an old soul in a hot blond bod.

      • March says:

        Paul Frank. Thank God. Now I can go waste my mental energy on something else.

        • carter says:

          Eeek! My eyes! Doesn’t anyone find it sad that these gawdawful things are SOLD OUT? We’re doomed, people! No, I will definitely not be making hot monkey love in sock monkey pajamas. I’m just an old soul in an old bleached-blond body 😉

          • March says:

            Eh, me too, only I’m tackier. Let’s get married. Don’t let my gender or kids or the fact that I’m already married get in the way, okay? You can borrow my lipsticks. You don’t have cats, do you? I’m allergic.

          • carter says:

            I will! For better, for worse, and for skank! We’ll ignore both our husbands, but we’ll have to run it past Anita, to whom I did pledge my troth right ‘chere in Posseville. Of course she’s already cheating on me with Nancy, so what me worry? Oh, and I am allergic to cats, too! If you ain’t allergic to squirrels, it’ll be match made in heaven 🙂

          • Musette says:

            Hey!hey!Hey!

            Hey…..you know…I’m seeing some very fabulous possibilities here…

            …we’re already flouting convention; why not go all the way – all four of us will marry each other, how’s that? March and I already know we are soul mates in housekeeping, so there’s that. Carter, what’re you bringing to this li’l party, besides the Shoe Shrine? We’ll have to check with Miss Nancy – she may not want to join our happy haven (guess what? in the Big Town near me there is a Home for Elderly Ladies. I kid you not! That is either nirvana or hell on earth!)

            xo>-)

            I’m vaguely allergic to housecats. Am extremely allergic to tigers and panthers. Squirrels…dunno.

          • carter says:

            I think it could be a haven for cats.

          • carter says:

            Waddaya mean, what do I bring to the party? My new true love March and 45 bottles of Bandit (on the wall) is what I bring. Housekeeping skills, not so much…

          • March says:

            Okay, Carter and Musette — no cats large or small, we’ll pay someone to clean, we’ll rotate the cooking as long as you let me cook from Gourmet and I never want to see another f’ing chicken nugget as long as I live. We’ll bring all the perfume and makeup. No Paul Frank PJs. And Carter — I raised a baby squirrel as a child. Fed it formula from a dropper every two hours and wore it in a gym sock in my shirt to keep it warm the first couple days. No lie.

            Um, y’all will have to work the dog thing out, I think there Could Be Issues.

          • carter says:

            What’s a chicken nugget? Squirrel to the left of us, squirrel in your sock. My dogs play nicely with others, but hang on to your eyeglasses.

          • Louise says:

            Quadruple Hey Hey Hey! I want in, you all have my heart already….I’ll bring a sense of playful chaos to the union :))

          • March says:

            Well, I just assumed you would join us. You’re always up for something new and different.

  • Lee says:

    A friend of mine uses Benetint and swears by it, though I’m not sure she tries it much on her nipples. Will have to let her know.

    These sound as much like Bath as, well, the Golden Gate Bridge or the Staten Island ferry. Those names are way off base and Crescent Row (a row and a crescent… Erm…) strikes me as an oxymoron even if it exists in reality.

    But, they’re a company with chutzpah, kudos and other loan words as part of their metier, so I’m with ’em, authenticity be damned.

    I live in a Georgian terrace*, funnily enough. Should I double up my name and be self-referential a lot from now on?

    *and no, my terrace IS NOT like the Royal Crescent. It’s a little more shabby chic actually (and though it looks Georgian, it’s actually Regency, for all you history buffs…). And waaaaay smaller.

    • Louise says:

      I’m having difficulty imagining how March managed not to play with the moniker reduplication…

      • March says:

        Oh, Lee and I had a whole ‘nother section of this post that I left out due to PC wussy concerns. In which he dis(cus)sed the names, very humorously, of course.

    • March says:

      I just read Satan Island Ferry…. hmmm. And I SHOULD have noted, as you did, the Crescent Row weirdness. It’s the ROYAL CRESCENT, have no idea why they named their line like this. But let’s not have a row over this (here all night, folks!)

      I think Benetint tastes terrible, although I never hear anyone else say so.

  • Annelie says:

    Oh, pretty please pick me. My youngest daughter will be 12 next tuesday and I would love to give the set to her, and since I also visit Cresent Row once, I think I can also tell her a little about the place that inspired the perfumes. Good deal?

  • ggs says:

    This line is new to me, but I’ve got teen girls here, so I’m in for the draw. My 15 year old daughter’s HG for the last several years now is Apothia Velvet Rope. She’s got niche tastes 🙂

    • March says:

      I know LT ragged the Apothias up one side and down the other, but I really like Velvet Rope, although my preferred source is their candle. It’s a great room fragrance.

  • Francesca says:

    I don’t think I’ve ever heard of this brand, and the makeup seems worth looking into. Please put me in for the draw, too–I have a sweet young colleague who I bet would like the frags.

  • Elizabeth says:

    I really love Benefit, my favorite products being Big, Beautiful Eyes, 10, and their glossy lip creams. I do wish more of their lipsticks had shimmer, though. Please enter me in the drawing!!

    • March says:

      I like that 10 too! I decided to ramp down my blush purchases 🙂 And actually I like their non-shiny lipsticks for those of us who are a little less blingy, makeup-wise, than we used to be… I figure you can always throw some shimmer gloss on top.