Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z All Concur: This Classic Cheek and Lip Tint Continues to Live Up to Its Reputation.

      In a time when it appears that a new beauty product goes viral every moment, it can be challenging to distinguish which items are truly worth the investment and which are merely fleeting trends. Nevertheless, there are a few beauty classics that have endured the changing landscape despite the continual introduction of new products. Consider Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle perfume, Clinique's Honey Almost lipstick, and, of course, Benefit's Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain.

      As someone who appreciates makeup that is easy to use and provides a natural, glowing finish with minimal effort, you might find it surprising that I had never tested Benefit's renowned Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain until recently. The reason was quite straightforward: I was never captivated by the available shades. Even though I heard numerous praises from fellow beauty editors, the bright reds and pinks did not appeal to me due to my cooler undertone. However, when two new shades of this iconic product arrived on my desk, I felt compelled to give it a shot.

      The History

      Benetint, originally called Rose Tint when it was created in 1976, was developed by founders Jane and Jean Ford as a custom-made tint for an exotic dancer looking to accentuate her nipples for performances. Following its initial success, the original rose red shade was expanded to four other tints, which have since been discontinued. Currently, the brand offers three versatile shades that can be bought in stores and online from various retailers.

      The Shades

      Now available in three shades, Benetint includes the original Rose (a true red), Raspberry (a berry pink), and Dark Cherry (a burgundy-brown). All three shades can be sheered out or intensified for a more pigmented appearance on the skin, making it suitable for numerous skin tones. My personal favorite is Dark Cherry, as it provides a natural flush on my deeper complexion.

      The Formula

      While there are many cheek and lip tints available today, most have a jelly or serum-like consistency, whereas Benetint remains a true water tint. This quality grants it greater durability on the skin as well as a more natural finish compared to oil-based tints. Additionally, the texture allows for easy application both over and under other products without disturbing the makeup base.

      Prior to trying the product, I was concerned that its watery formulation might dry out my already dehydrated skin and be challenging to blend. I also had doubts about the precision with which I could apply it to my lips and cheeks, given how runny it felt when I tested it on my hand.

      The Packaging

      Benetint is packaged in a glass bottle with a small doe-foot applicator to facilitate precise application. The 'Dark Cherry' and 'Raspberry' shades are sold in a 6ml bottle, while the original 'Rose' shade is available in both 6ml and 10ml bottles. While it may initially seem like a small quantity for the price, I can genuinely attest that a little of this product goes a long way. Even if you prefer a more pigmented look and apply several layers, one bottle should last you for a few months.

      The Application

      I initially intended to blend the product with my fingers; however, after applying it with the doe foot, it began to drip down my face. I quickly grabbed a brush and decided to blend it that way. Using a blush brush, the product blended seamlessly into the skin, but I must note that you need to work more quickly with this watery formula compared to cream or liquid blushes. Even as I blended, I noticed the formula setting quickly into the skin, giving you limited time to work with it. For that reason, I would advise against using fingers to blend to avoid patchiness and irregular pigmentation on the cheeks.

      The Result

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

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

      I was pleased with how natural 'Dark Cherry' looked against my skin. As I mentioned earlier, I’m not fond of red blushes, so I had initial concerns that this might be too red for my cool undertone. However, it gave me a skin-like flush that perfectly balanced glow and natural appearance.

      I especially appreciated the sensation after application. Though the blush was clearly visible on my cheeks, the tint blended into the skin in such a way that it was unnoticeable to the touch. It also did not leave any tint on my fingers after a quick transfer test, indicating that it stays put after application. Despite being transfer-proof, it did not feel excessively dry on my cheeks after I prepped my skin; however, since my lips are dry, I opted not to use it as a lip tint.

      If I were to try this on my lips, I would likely need to layer a gloss on top; however, I will certainly be using this as a cheek tint for both 'no makeup' and full-coverage