What the Benefit Team Wears to Work

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Nothing prepares you for the amount of pink you encounter in Benefit Cosmetics's downtown San Francisco office. The pun-loving company's lobby has pink wallpaper, a pink sofa, pink pillows, a pink Segway—even pink office supplies. The unapologetically femme decor is an extension of Benefit's humorous brand, which advises in its manifesto, "If at first you don't succeed, apply more lipstick."

For almost 40 years, Benefit founders Jean and Jane Ford have been spreading the message that laughter is the best cosmetic. These days, Jean's daughters, Annie and Maggie Ford Danielson, are the faces of the company— traveling the world and spreading their family's multi-generational joy of makeup. We caught up with Annie, Maggie, and a handful of stylish Benefit staffers at the company's headquarters to check out their approach to office style, and pick up a few beauty tips.

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Annie Ford Danielson, Global Beauty Authority, wearing Rag & Bone jeans, a Helmut Lang top, Christian Louboutin Mary Janes, layered Jennifer Meyer necklaces, a Jennifer Meyer ring, a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet, a Jean Dousset wedding band, and a Rolex watch.

In three words, describe your personal style.
Casual, feminine, classic.

What's your signature shade of lipstick?
Pink, of course! There is nothing better than a bright pink lip. No matter how tired or disheveled, a pink lip give you the look of "that girl has got it together!"

Which celebrity is owning beauty right now?
Cara Delevingne.

What's your "desert island" beauty product?
Hands down, GimmeBrow.

Describe your weekend wardrobe.
This may be an over-share, however I tend to never leave my Lululemons on the weekend.

Give your 16-year-old self one piece of beauty advice.
OMG. This one is so easy: Stop wearing bring blue eyeliner and just because you can fit in a size 4 doesn't mean you should wear jeans that tight.

Is there any place you won't wear makeup?
The plane! I never ever wear makeup on an airplane.

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Maggie Ford Danielson Global Beauty Authority and HSN Account Director, wearing 3.1 Phillip Lim pants, a Madewell shirt, Pedro Garcia shoes, Dior knockoff earrings from a Bangkok street market, a Van Cleef & Arpels pendant, a vintage mustard seed from her mother, and gold chains from J Crew.

In three words, describe your personal style.
Pointy. Toe. Flats.

You're a Benefit product. What would you be called? Pointy toe flats—comfortable and slightly practical, but can go from day to night super easily. Really, I would be the best multi-use product we have.

What's your typical office look?
Normally pretty muted basics, maybe in nicer fabrics to make it work appropriate. Like a white silk tank instead of a cotton one. I also like bright blue and bright yellow. I'm not really a patterns person. When you're my height and you wear a pattern, it's a lot of pattern.

Describe your weekend wardrobe.
Like my work week wardrobe, but with the cotton instead of the silk. I have a pair of ripped up jeans that I live in on the weekend. I have one wardrobe that I sort of bend to fit what I'm doing. I wish I had a big enough closet for a work and home wardrobe, but I don't.

What's on your spring fashion wish list?
I'd like a new black bag. Sort of boring, but something I really need. Or some sort of canvas backpack. Maybe with stripes?

Share one style tip/lesson you've learned from working at Benefit.
Pink literally goes with everything. I have to wear a lot of pink when I'm doing press events so I don't really wear it when I'm in the office, but I do love a pink lip. It's how I represent even when I'm wearing white and black.

What's your "desert island" beauty product?
Gimme brow. 100%. I feel naked without it. Like my face has disappeared.

Give your 16-year-old self one piece of beauty advice. Don't pick at your face. (I should tell my 34 year old self that, too.)

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Blanca Rodriguez, Visual Merchandising Manager - Boutiques, wearing Gap Pure Body leggings, a grey racerback tank, a Banana Republic sweater, Vince Camuto booties, and silver hoops from a Brooklyn street vendor.

In three words, describe your personal style.
Classic, minimalist with a touch of eclectic-ness.

Share one style tip/lesson you've learned from working at Benefit.
Brows frame your face. Your eyebrows should always be on fleek!

Which celebrity is owning beauty right now?
It's a toss-up for me between Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez, the Queen and La Reina! They know about completing the look, from their hair down to their shoes!

Do you have a style icon? Who and why?
Right now I am totally digging Marrissa Webb. She has a classic look with an edge that anyone can pull off with any budget.

What's your "desert island" beauty product?
Benetint! I wear it every day.

Is there any place you won't wear makeup?
The gym on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

You're a Benefit product. What would you be called?
Chachatint because Cha Cha is a dance and anyone who knows me knows that I love to dance.

Give your 16-year-old self one piece of beauty advice.
I'd say "Little B, purchase a curl friendly shampoo and conditioner!"

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Claudia Allwood, Director of US Digital Marketing, wearing a J. Crew pink embroidered lace top, J. Crew lookout high-rise crop jean, Dolce Vita ‘Jodi' wedge sandals, Marc by Marc Jacobs gold watch, and Benefit Cosmetics "all over" her face.

In three words, describe your personal style.

Stilettoed mom phenomenon.

What's your typical office look?
Kris Jenner going on a brunch date, but not the pilgrim wardrobe she was sporting a few months ago. Casual jeans, heels, and fun tops, with one oversized accessory for extra fun. I also always wear a pop of color to keep my look fun and bright.

What's on your spring fashion wish list?
A fabulous new pair of sunnies from Retrosuperfuture or a classic Saint Laurent satchel.

What's your signature shade of lipstick?
I love a bright bold lip, so I use Benefit Lollitint to stain my lips and then finish with Dare Me.

Is there any place you won't wear makeup?
To the gym. The thought of wiping off makeup soup from my sweaty face makes me feel gross. Also, it's a waste of makeup, let's be honest.

Give your 16-year-old self one piece of beauty advice.
PUT THE TWEEZERS DOWN IMMEDIATELY.

You're a Benefit product. What would you be called?
The Swear (to stare) Jar.

What's your "desert island" beauty product?
Concealer! These under eyes aren't going to fix themselves.

How do you feel about everything being on fleek?
Is that as good as meerkating? Regardless, it'll never be as good as #fetch.

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Monica Chieng, Event Planner, Boutiques, wearing a Forever 21 polka dot crop top, Space 46 Boutique tulle skirt, Manolo Blahnik CC pumps, a bracelet from Phoenix, AZ vintage shop, a necklace from Portabello Market in London, and stacked rings collected from traveling around the world.

In three words, describe your personal style.
Classic, eclectic, and feminine.

What's your typical office look?
My office look changes daily. I don't put that much thought into a look before getting dressed and will restyle what I have. I own a lot of staples, so I will always wear one staple piece.

Describe your weekend wardrobe.
It'd really depend on San Francisco's precarious weather. A chiffon dress with ballet flats and a light jacket are my quick and easy go-tos. I like to feel comfortable in everything I wear. I also accessorize with designer purses that I don't typically get to wear during the work week.

Give your 16-year-old self one piece of beauty advice.
SPF and moisturize/hydrate your skin.

What's on your spring fashion wish list?
Overalls because they are a one step, effortless staple. I'm also pretty petite so I need to elongate my body.

Which celebrity owns beauty right now?
Taylor Swift perfects the classic red lip and cat eye, but she is truly such a beautiful person inside. She's just real, and to me that's owning beauty.

What's your "desert island" beauty product?
Ultra radiance facial re-hydrating mist. It's the best re-moisturizer to quench your skin's thirst while instantly enhancing radiance.

Do you have a style icon? Who and why?
Audrey Hepburn has been my ultimate style icon since the age of 14. She's the pinnacle of timeless grace and elegance. Her outfits were always classic, elegant and daring. She wore them all with confidence in her own skin. (She also has amazing brows.)

Share one style tip/lesson you've learned from working at Benefit.
Don't take yourself too seriously and have fun... Laughter is always the best cosmetic!