I was in a little photo-shoot thing not too long ago at a Spa/Salon near my house, and they used Ben Nye foundation/concealer/blush/powder.
I think usually you use it in theater and photography, because the bright lights and flashbulbs wash you out.
The makeup felt good on, looked good (although I was loaded up and looked a little powdery when I looked in the vanity mirror in my car), looked great in pictures, and blended really well.
The artist had these huge palettes/displays full of every shade of concealer, foundation, powder, and blush. It came in a huge range of shades, with all sorts of different undertones.
I can't find a MAC foundation that has my undertone--I have "blue" and "green" veins visible inside of my wrist, and I don't think I've seen a 15-20 level foundation with just a neutral base. NC makes me pinky and NW makes me yellowy.
The Ben Nye looked just right, as far as I'm concerned, but I seriously had tons of makeup on, so maybe it just looked like it was my right shade after a while. I know it was near to the color of my neck, so it didn't look wonky.
When I purchase my pictures, I'll have to post a few. I looked terrible, but my makeup looked great, and the pictures looked great.
Basically...I'd say it's more worthwhile to go for Ben Nye if you're going to do photography, film, stage, runway--anything with bright lights.
For more of an everyday makeup artist, I'd say Ben Nye is still good, but maybe use a more sheer powder/founation, because it goes on THICK and OPAQUE.
Good luck with your career and your training!
PS. The eyeshadows look great for everyday and for stage, you get a really good amount in the container, and the colors are absolutely gorgeous!
