Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z All Agree: This Old-School Cheek and Lip Tint Is Still Worth the Hype

In an era where it seems like a new beauty item goes viral every second, it can be hard to know which products are actually worth investing in versus which are simply overhyped fads. There are, however, those few beauty staples that have stood the test of time despite the constant influx of new products. Think Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle perfume, Clinique's Honey Almost lipstick and of course, Benefit's Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain.

As someone who loves easy-to-use makeup that looks natural and glowy with minimal effort, you'd be surprised to know that I had never tried Benefit's iconic Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain until recently, and there was a very simple reason for that: the shades just didn't pique my interest. Despite hearing nothing but good things about it from my fellow beauty editors, as someone with a cooler undertone, the brighter reds and pinks this tint was available in never called to me. However, when two new shades of this iconic formula landed on my desk, I knew I had to give it a try.

The History

Created in 1976, Benetint (named Rose Tint at the time) was originally created by founders Jane and Jean Ford as a custom-made tint for an exotic dancer who wanted to enhance her nipples for performances.

After its initial success. The original rose red hue was extended to four other tints, which have since been discontinued. The brand now carries three versatile shades that can be purchased in-store and online across a range of different retailers.

The Shades

From left to right: Dark Cherry, Rose, Raspberry

Benetint now comes in three shades: The original Rose (a true red), Raspberry (a berry pink) and Dark Cherry (a burgundy-brown). All three shades can be sheered out or built up for more pigment on the skin, meaning it's suitable for a wide range of skin tones. My personal favourite is the shade Dark Cherry, as this appears as a natural-looking flush on my deeper skin.

The Formula

There are plenty of cheek and lip tints on the market at the moment, but while most of them have a jelly or serum-like texture, Benetint remains a true water tint, giving it more longevity on the skin as well as a more natural-looking finish than oil-based tints. The texture also allows it to apply more easily both over and under other products without disturbing the rest of your makeup base.

My main concern before trying the product was that, because of its watery base, it would be too drying on my already dehydrated skin, as well as be more difficult to blend out. I was also sceptical of the precision with which this product could be applied to my lips and cheeks since the formula was so runny when I tried it on my hand.

The Packaging

The Benetint comes in a glass bottle with a small doe-foot applicator to help with precise application. The shades 'Dark Cherry' and 'Raspberry' can be purchased in a 6ml bottle, whilst the original shade 'Rose' can be purchased in a 6ml or 10ml bottle. It might initially seem like a small amount of product for the price, however, after trying it, I can definitely vouch for the fact that a little goes a very long way. Even if you prefer a more pigmented finish and apply multiple layers, one bottle is sure to last you for at least a few months.

The Application

I initially planned to blend out the product with my fingers; however, after I used the doe foot to apply it, it immediately began to run down my face. So I quickly picked up a brush and decided to blend it out that way.

With a blush brush, the product buffed nicely into the skin, but I would note that you have to work much more quickly with this watery formula than you would with a cream or liquid blush. Even as I was blending it out, I could feel the formula drying very quickly into the skin, meaning you don't have a lot of time to work with it. For this reason, I would be wary of using my finger to blend out the product in fear of patchiness and uneven pigmentation on my cheeks.

The Result

Before using Benefit's Benetint in 'Dark Cherry'.

After using Benefit's Benetint in 'Dark Cherry'.

I loved how natural 'Dark Cherry' looked on my skin. As I mentioned earlier, I hate red blushes, so I was initially worried that this would appear too red on my cool skin tone. However, it provided me with a skin-like flush that was the perfect balance between glowy and natural.

I particularly loved how it felt after the application. Although you can clearly see the blush on my cheeks, the tint settled into the skin in a way that is undetectable by touch. It also didn't leave a tint on my fingers after a quick transfer test, meaning it won't budge after the initial application. Despite being transfer-proof, it didn't feel too dry on my cheeks after my skin was prepped; however, as my lips were dry, I decided against using it as a lip tint.

If I were to try this on my lips, it would most likely be a formula that I would need to layer gloss on top of; however, I will definitely be using this as a cheek tint for both 'no makeup' and full-coverage makeup days.

My Verdict

Although I would warn people with dry skin like myself that this cannot be used without adequate skin prep (I made sure my skin was thoroughly moisturised before applying), it lasts the entire day without smudging or needing reapplication.

Overall, I was really impressed with this product. At £23, you want a product that is both versatile and that lasts a long time to avoid repurchasing so often, and I really would recommend this to anyone looking for a radiant, natural-looking blush that can be sheered out or built up to your liking.

Shop Benefit's Benetint