16 Beauty Brands Like Benefit for Flawless Makeup Looks
You found a primer that actually blurs your pores, a brow gel that stays put through a full workday, and mascara that makes people ask if your lashes are real. Then you run out. Or you start wondering what else is out there. That itch to explore beyond your go-to makeup brand is totally normal, especially when your go-to is Benefit Cosmetics, the San Francisco label famous for playful retro packaging and some of the most reliable complexion products on the market.
We put together 15 brands that share Benefit's obsession with high-performance makeup that actually feels fun to use. Some cost less, some go deeper into clean beauty, and others bring a completely different vibe to your vanity. All of them deliver when it matters.
Too Faced
If you had to pick one brand that feels like Benefit's closest relative, Too Faced would be the obvious choice. The two share a DNA built on whimsical product names, eye-catching packaging, and formulas that perform well beyond what the cute exterior might suggest. Too Faced built a massive following around cruelty-free bestsellers like the Better Than Sex mascara and the Hangover Primer, both of which have earned permanent spots in makeup bags worldwide.
What makes the connection so strong is the attitude. Both brands refuse to take themselves too seriously while still delivering professional-quality results. Too Faced leans a little more into sweetness and glam compared to Benefit's retro quirkiness, but the core promise is the same: makeup should be enjoyable, not intimidating. You will feel right at home here if Benefit's whole energy speaks to you.
Best for: Benefit loyalists who want the same playful packaging and cruelty-free formulas with a sweeter, more glamorous twist.
Glossier
Glossier takes the idea of easy, effective makeup and strips it down to the essentials. The brand built its reputation on a "your skin but better" philosophy, offering products like skin tints, cloud paints, and brow gels that enhance what you already have rather than covering it up. Everything about the approach is skincare-first and low-effort, which appeals to anyone who wants to look polished without spending forty minutes in front of a mirror.
Where Benefit brings retro charm and bold personality to your routine, Glossier offers a more pared-back, modern cool. The dewy finish and minimal-coverage philosophy won't be for everyone, but if you love how approachable Benefit makes makeup feel and you lean toward a sheerer, more natural look, Glossier is worth exploring. The brand has expanded significantly beyond its original lineup while keeping that same effortless energy.
Best for: Natural-beauty fans who want a dewy, low-maintenance routine with skincare-first formulas.
Milk Makeup
Milk Makeup brings a downtown, creative-studio energy to everything it makes. The brand is known for innovative multi-use products housed in sleek, modern packaging, with the Hydro Grip Primer and Kush Fiber Brow Gel standing out as fan favorites. Every formula is vegan and buildable, designed for people who want high-impact results without a complicated routine.
The biggest difference between Milk and Benefit comes down to vibe. Benefit leans retro and quirky, while Milk runs edgy and cool. But both brands share a talent for creating game-changing primers and brow products that simplify your morning. Milk's stick-based formulas are particularly clever for on-the-go application, and the brand's commitment to clean, vegan ingredients adds another layer of appeal for anyone paying closer attention to what goes on their skin.
Best for: On-the-go creatives who want vegan, multi-use products with a cool, modern edge.
e.l.f. Cosmetics
e.l.f. Cosmetics has become one of the most talked-about beauty brands for good reason. The company proves that affordable makeup does not have to mean low quality, offering cruelty-free and vegan products that routinely go viral for rivaling their more expensive counterparts. The Poreless Putty Primer and Wow Brow Gel have both earned reputations as genuine alternatives to pricier options in those categories.
Think of e.l.f. as the budget-friendly entry point into the same territory Benefit occupies. You get the same sense of fun, approachability, and product innovation, just at a fraction of the cost. The brand moves fast with new releases and is not afraid to experiment with trending formulas. If you want to build a full routine or test out new product categories without a significant financial commitment, e.l.f. makes that possible without sacrificing performance.
Best for: Budget-conscious makeup lovers who want viral-worthy formulas at drugstore prices.
ColourPop
ColourPop is a dream for anyone who loves keeping up with trends without draining their bank account. The brand drops new collections at a pace that few competitors can match, covering everything from vibrant eyeshadow palettes to reliable brow gels and primers. The quality consistently punches above its price point, which is why the brand has developed such a dedicated community.
ColourPop shares Benefit's love for colorful branding and playful packaging. The key difference is speed and accessibility. Where Benefit focuses on perfecting its core lineup, ColourPop floods the market with fresh releases and limited-edition collaborations that keep things exciting. It is an excellent place to experiment with bold colors or new product types you might not want to invest heavily in until you know they work for you.
Best for: Trend-chasers who want constantly rotating collections and bold colors at accessible prices.
Tarte Cosmetics
Tarte Cosmetics combines high-performance makeup with skin-loving, cruelty-free ingredients. The brand earned its reputation through standout products like the Shape Tape concealer and its Amazonian clay-infused blushes, both of which deliver a fresh, natural-looking finish that lasts. Tarte positions itself firmly in the clean beauty space, making it a strong pick for anyone who cares about what is in their products as much as how they perform.
Where Benefit embraces retro whimsy, Tarte goes for a more natural, earth-conscious aesthetic. Both brands deliver reliable essentials for a perfected complexion, but Tarte appeals specifically to shoppers who want formulas rooted in botanical ingredients and sustainable practices. The packaging leans tropical and nature-inspired rather than kitschy, giving your vanity a completely different look while still covering the same makeup basics.
Best for: Clean-beauty shoppers who want high-performance complexion products with eco-conscious ingredients.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
When it comes to brows, Anastasia Beverly Hills wrote the rulebook. The brand started as the go-to for perfect arches and has since expanded into a full range of professional-quality makeup, from eyeshadow palettes to contour kits. Their brow pencils, powders, and gels are legendary among both makeup artists and everyday users for delivering precise, polished results that hold up throughout the day.
Benefit's Gimme Brow is beloved for its ease of use and quick application, and ABH takes brow work in a more detailed, pro-level direction. The tools are built for precision, giving you the ability to sculpt and define with a level of control that Benefit's more casual approach does not aim for. If your brow game is something you take seriously and you want a broader toolkit for shaping and filling, ABH is the natural next step.
Best for: Brow perfectionists who want pro-level precision tools and an expanded range of shaping products.
Shop Anastasiabeverlyhills Now
NARS
NARS brings high-fashion sophistication to your makeup bag. The brand is celebrated for bold pigments, luxurious formulas, and iconic products like the Radiant Creamy Concealer that have become staples for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Everything about the line feels polished and intentional, from the sleek black packaging to the richly saturated colors.
Where Benefit is playful and approachable, NARS runs sleek, edgy, and grown-up. The brand delivers a more luxurious version of the same complexion-perfecting products Benefit does well, including primers that create a smooth, shine-free canvas. If you have been enjoying Benefit's Porefessional primer and want to explore something with a more refined, fashion-forward sensibility, NARS offers that upgrade without sacrificing any of the performance you rely on.
Best for: Fashion-forward makeup lovers who want bold pigments and luxurious formulas with a polished edge.
Urban Decay
Urban Decay is synonymous with edgy, high-performance makeup that refuses to budge. The brand made its name with the legendary Naked eyeshadow palettes and the All Nighter setting spray, a product that has become a non-negotiable step in countless routines. Their primers and brow products are equally respected for longevity and bold, dependable results.
Benefit projects a sweet, quirky image, while Urban Decay has always carried a rebellious streak. Both brands excel at creating products that last through long days and late nights, but Urban Decay leans into that rock-and-roll attitude with deeper color stories and a grittier aesthetic. If you appreciate Benefit's reliability but want your makeup to carry a bit more edge and attitude, Urban Decay matches that energy perfectly.
Best for: Long-wear loyalists who want bold, edgy makeup that stays locked in from morning to midnight.
Fenty Beauty
Created by Rihanna, Fenty Beauty changed the industry with its groundbreaking commitment to inclusivity. The brand launched with an extensive shade range that set a new standard, and it has continued to push for representation across every product category since. The Pro Filt'r primers are particularly noteworthy for creating a smooth canvas, and the Gloss Bomb has become one of the most universally loved lip products on the market.
Fenty trades Benefit's playful retro energy for a modern, chic coolness backed by serious performance. Both brands do complexion-perfecting products exceptionally well, but Fenty's core mission of celebrating diversity means you are far more likely to find your exact shade match here. The formulas are designed to work across a wide range of skin types and tones, making it one of the most accessible luxury-adjacent brands available today.
Best for: Inclusivity-minded shoppers who want shade-range diversity and modern, high-performance formulas.
Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury brings red-carpet glamour to your everyday routine. The luxury brand, created by the legendary makeup artist herself, is known for products that deliver a radiant, lit-from-within finish. The Hollywood Flawless Filter has become one of the most talked-about complexion products in recent years, beloved by celebrities and regular shoppers alike for the way it makes skin look luminous without any glitter or shimmer.
This is the sophisticated upgrade from Benefit's casual fun. Charlotte Tilbury packages its products in rose-gold Art Deco cases and names them things that make you feel glamorous just reading the label. If you want to invest in a flawless canvas and achieve that signature celebrity glow, the lineup delivers. The primers and brow pencils create polished looks with a touch of old-Hollywood magic that feels special every time you use them.
Best for: Glamour seekers who want luxury packaging, celebrity-approved formulas, and a red-carpet finish.
BareMinerals
BareMinerals pioneered the clean beauty movement with mineral-based formulas that prioritize skin health above everything else. The brand's products, from light-coverage foundations to primers and brow powders, are designed to enhance your natural look with ingredients that actually benefit your skin over time. The Original Loose Powder Foundation remains a bestseller for good reason, offering buildable coverage that feels like wearing nothing at all.
Benefit's bold, colorful packaging stands in contrast to BareMinerals' minimalist, skincare-centric approach. But both brands share the goal of making you look naturally polished without a heavy, made-up feel. If you love that effortless Benefit finish but want formulas rooted in clean beauty and skin wellness, BareMinerals offers a compelling alternative that your dermatologist would probably approve of too.
Best for: Sensitive-skin shoppers who want mineral-based, clean formulas that improve skin health over time.
Pat McGrath Labs
From the legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath herself, Pat McGrath Labs represents the peak of luxury and artistry in the beauty world. The brand is known for intensely pigmented formulas and opulent packaging that makes every product feel like a collector's item. The eyeshadow palettes are frequently cited as some of the best ever made, with color payoff and blendability that professionals and enthusiasts obsess over equally.
While Benefit makes everyday beauty effortless and fun, Pat McGrath Labs transforms makeup into a high-fashion experience. The price point is higher, and the aesthetic is unapologetically luxurious. For makeup lovers who appreciate true artistry and want to invest in exceptional products for special occasions or simply because they deserve something extraordinary, this is the ultimate destination.
Best for: Luxury makeup collectors who want artistry-level pigments and opulent, collector-worthy packaging.
IT Cosmetics
Developed with input from plastic surgeons and dermatologists, IT Cosmetics bridges the gap between skincare and makeup in a way that few other brands manage. The Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream has become a phenomenon for providing natural-looking coverage while delivering real skincare benefits like hydration and sun protection. Their Brow Power pencils are also popular for creating full, defined brows with minimal effort.
IT Cosmetics takes a more clinical, problem-solving approach compared to Benefit's playful personality. The brand formulates products specifically to address concerns like fine lines, uneven texture, and dullness, making every application feel like a skincare treatment that happens to look great. If you love effective makeup but want formulas packed with anti-aging and hydrating ingredients that do double duty, IT Cosmetics is a smart choice.
Best for: Skincare-obsessed makeup wearers who want anti-aging benefits built into every product.
Pixi Beauty
Pixi Beauty excels at creating skincare-infused makeup that gives you that coveted "lit-from-within" glow. The brand is perhaps best known for its iconic Glow Tonic, a skincare staple that put Pixi on the map, but the makeup lineup holds its own with long-lasting primers and brow products that help you achieve a fresh, radiant look without much fuss. The pastel green packaging adds a friendly, approachable charm to your shelf.
Like Benefit, Pixi keeps things lighthearted and accessible, but with a stronger emphasis on botanical ingredients and skincare-forward formulas. Founded by makeup artist Petra Strand, the brand brings professional expertise to products designed for real life rather than editorial shoots. If you want a flawless, healthy-looking finish that enhances your natural glow while treating your skin kindly, Pixi hits that sweet spot between makeup and skincare beautifully.
Best for: Glow-chasers who want skincare-infused makeup with botanical ingredients and a fresh, radiant finish.
Beyond Benefit
These 15 brands prove there is no shortage of fun, high-performance makeup worth trying. Pair e.l.f.'s budget-friendly innovation with Charlotte Tilbury's red-carpet glamour. Mix Glossier's natural glow with Urban Decay's long-wear edge. Layer Tarte's clean formulas under Fenty Beauty's inclusive shade range. The best routines borrow from everywhere, and each of these brands brings something worth adding to the mix.
If you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission. Our editorial team is independent and only endorses brands we believe in.
Written by
Spencer Lanoue
