B for Beauty

Changing Faces

BeneFitCrescentRow_group.JPGBeauty brand BeneFit has long made its name creating cult classic, one-off products that are focused on problem-solving, are easy to use, and are perfectly packaged with a vintage flair. Think BeneTint or Erase Paste.

Obviously the brand hasn’t lost its signature playfulness, but it’s interesting to see what happens as it turns (at least partially) from its fix-it focus to creating stand-alone fragrance and makeup collections.

This recent shift is probably due in part to recent additions to the staff: Co-founder Jean Ford’s twenty-something daughters Maggie and Annie became full-time employees last year and are making their voices heard.

It was the girls’ idea to do the company’s first fragrance collection: Crescent Row. Launching in July, the three fragrances are inspired by a trip the sisters took to Bath’s famed Royal Crescent neighborhood. There’s the woody floral Laugh With Me Lee Lee, the oriental floral Something About Sofia and the woody oriental My Place Or Yours Gina. They smell great and the packaging is still very BeneFit.

What do you think about beloved beauty companies shifting their focus?

—MEGAN MCINTYRE

Comments

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1

posted by guest

May 27, 2009 5:36PM

wow i cant wait to try it
i have been to bath and fell in love with the city

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2

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 10:03AM

come on now. ending on a question doesn't make this any less of a boring, second-hand press release.

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3

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 12:48PM

exactly, guest #2.

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4

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 1:34PM

I think it's an interesting question, and one I've thought about lately. With company growth, Benefit is now launching new products every month, it seems, just for the sake of launching new products. As a result, Benefit is losing its niche, cult cachet and is now just another beauty brand among many.

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5

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 2:01PM

I agree with number 4, benefit has losts allure and appeal to me now and is just like any other mainstream beauty brand sold everywhere. Its also much more expensive in the UK than it it for those who live in the US which doesnt seem fair somehow.

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6

posted by guest

May 28, 2009 2:19PM

I wish they would "shift their focus" to making their products non-comedogenic and hypo-allergenic. I have gotten the worst reactions from some of their stuff (especially their Play Sticks) and I don't even have sensitive skin.

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