Review: Benefit Benebalm Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm

Recently, Benefit Cosmetics released four new Hydrating Tinted Lip Balms. As a person who fears lipsticks but loves lip glosses that provide a sheer tint and long lasting hydration, I knew I needed to try this product.
I read a lot of reviews before purchasing my own Benebalm. Many reviews indicated that the product was very hydrating but did not provide much tint. I agree that the level of moisture that this product gives the lips is exceptional. It is very smooth and long lasting, even through a small meal or a glass of water. I love how the product leaves my lips with a glossy finish, almost like a lipgloss (as shown in the swatch below).  It also feels like a light, non-sticky lipgloss. It’s never tacky, waxy, or oily.
As for its level of pigmentation, I was quite satisfied despite the disappointment of other reviewers. My lips have a medium level of pigmentation, and, on me, this balm looks comparable in pigmentation to a layer of Benetint lip and cheek stain, minus the dry feeling. It leaves a noticeable colour on my lips that brightens my complexion and makes me feel put together whether I’m wearing other makeup or not. The shade of this balm is very similar to Benetint with its red base and slight berry undertones—a fresh, rosy colour.

And let’s not forget about the beautiful packaging. With its mirror-like red casing and cute pink dots, this lip balm tube is something worth showing off. It’s also very well made and the cap clicks on with a tight seal so there’s no risk of it falling off and making a mess.

Despite the many positive aspects of this product, it does have a few negative qualities, one being the scent.  The lip balm has a waxy, rosy scent that is a bit unpleasant; however, it disappears quickly upon application and the balm does not taste like it smells. In fact, it really doesn’t taste like anything. Another downside is the price. $22 CAD is quite expensive for only 3 grams of product. I used my Shoppers Optimum points to pay for mine, but, since I really enjoy this product, I would definitely repurchase it with my own money.
Overall, I really like this product and plan to try the other shades of this balm (Chacha, Lolli, and Posie). What are your thoughts on Benebalm?

My Perfect Red Lip

Since I tend to shy away from bold makeup, achieving the perfect red lip has always been a challenge for me…until now.
I have never been a lipstick type of gal and, while I love a red gloss, it’s quite windy where I live and my hair always tends to get caught in gloss and leave unpleasant sticky streaks of colour on my cheeks.
For the past two weeks, I have been layering Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Tinted Lip Balm in Rose over Benetint from Benefit. The result is a pigmented red stain that lasts for hours. The Benetint works perfectly as a base because it stays put and does not leave a harsh border on the lips. The Burt’s Bees balm is a perfect topper because it evens out the colour of the Benetint, makes the shade more vibrant, and adds non-sticky moisture to the lips. It also has a pleasant cherry scent.
I love how the combination brings a healthy, youthful glow to my complexion. Not to mention, I can add an extra layer of the balm throughout the day without needing a mirror.
What’s your perfect red lip combination?

February Topbox (Benefit Cosmetics)

In December, Topbox contacted its members to let them know that the Privé Box will be introduced in 2013 and it will showcase a selection of products from one featured brand. All Topbox members were granted priority access to this box and received their first Privé Box this January. The January box featured Clinique items, and, as a result, it was very disappointing.
The February box is quite the opposite. It features products from Benefit Cosmetics, one of my favourite beauty brands! All items are “deluxe” samples and feature a variety of products from skincare to makeup. This month’s box definitely renewed my faith in the Privé Box and the Topbox company in general. I’m hoping that the March box will be just as impressive.

My Top Five Blushes for Summer

During the summer months, I like my skin to look fresh, glowy and effortless. I achieve this look with the following five blushes:
1. MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty
Dainty has been a long-time favourite of mine. It is perfect for my pale skin tone and it gives my complexion a healthy pink flush with a bit of glow. MAC describes this colour as a “light yellow pink with gold pearl.” I find that this colour is very neutral and flatters my cool toned colouring. Since it is a mineralize blush, it applies very smoothly, even on bare skin, and never looks harsh.

2. Benefit Benetint
On very hot summer days, I like to use a cheek stain that will stay put through heat, humidity, rain, and even sweat. My favourite is Benefit’s Benetint, a rose-tinted cheek and lip stain. It comes in a tiny glass bottle that looks like it could contain nail polish with its round shape and brush applicator. I apply this product by brushing two or three horizontal lines of colour on the apples of my cheeks and then blend with my fingers. It dries fast so I have to work quickly. Once set, it lasts all day. The rosy shade gives my cheeks a healthy just-got-back-from-the-gym flush. Note: in the photo below, it looks like this product may contain a bit of shimmer but it does not. Any little glimmering flecks were left over from previous swatches.

3. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface
For a long lasting powder blush, I turn to Tarte’s Amazonian Clay line. These blushes stand up to heat and humidity and last well into the evening hours. My favourite summer shade from this line is a light pink called Dollface. For the most part, this shade is matte. I usually stay away from matte blushes because they can look quite flat but this colour gives my cheeks a bright pastel pink glow that really does make my pale skin look porcelain and doll-like. I have found that it is easy to apply too much of this blush and the colour seems to intensify about 10 minutes after application; therefore, I use a soft brush and a light hand when applying Dollface.

4. Pür Minerals Pressed Mineral Blush in Natural Bornite
This blush has been hiding at the back of my makeup collection for a couple years. I discovered it a couple weeks ago and realized that it had never been used. I usually gravitate towards pinks and this nude-ish shade is just not my style…or so I thought. Out of curiosity I applied a bit to my cheeks and it instantly made my skin look healthy and slightly bronzed. Now this product is my secret for adding colour to my cheeks without looking like I am wearing blush. Perfect for those “no makeup” makeup days. Also, it is fairly sheer and blends nicely so there is no risk of applying too much. The matte finish adds to the natural effect that it gives.

5. Benefit Sugarbomb Face Powder
For me, this product serves three purposes; It works as a blush, a cheek highlighter, and a luminous face powder. Most days I dust it over my blush to give my cheeks a bit of sheen. It is never glittery and somehow gives my foundationless complexion a very smooth, airbrushed finish. On days when I don’t wear blush, I still use this to give my cheeks a subtle glow with a bit of colour. The product comes with four shades (coral, light pink, muted plum, peach). When swirled together, the colours produce a shade that is peachy-pink and extremely glowy but never glittery.

What are your favourite blushes for summer?

Benefit’s Benetint: Rose-Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain

Since its creation in the 1970s (it was originally developed for an exotic dancer) benetint has become a popular product. It has appeared in many magazines and is loved by celebrities, makeup artists and makeup lovers around the world.
This product is marketed as a rose-tinted lip & cheek stain that lasts all day and looks “naturally sheer and sexy on all complexions.” It claims to be “the sexiest flush you can get from a bottle.”
I have been using this product for about 10 months. After testing it out in different ways and using a variety of application methods, I have decided that, for me, this product is not ideal for use on the cheeks. Although it gives a pretty flush, I have found that it darkens and draws attention to dark spots and imperfections on the face in a way that powder and cream blushes do not. It also seems to make the skin look a bit flat and does not leave the cheeks looking fresh or glowy. In terms of application, benetint sets so quickly on the cheeks that it blends unevenly and makes the skin appear blotchy.
That said, it is one of the best lip products that I have ever tried. It gives the lips a pretty rosy flush that really does last all day. I usually dab a bit of this product on my lips in the morning and then apply lip balm a few times throughout the day to add moisture (the nail polish-like brush makes application easy and precise). My lips look almost as flushed by the end of the day as they had at the beginning. I like the colour because it looks natural and does not feel heavy or sticky. Although I purchased this product in the summer, I started using it more often in the winter when I put my lip glosses away for the colder months. I only wear lip gloss in the summer because where I live the winters are very windy and my long hair gets stuck in my lip gloss. Benetint is mess free and transfer resistant. I only wish that it did not have such a high price tag. It costs $28 for 12.5 ml/0.40 fl oz. I was lucky enough to purchase my bottle on ebay for around $9. In benetint’s defense its seemingly small amount of product lasts for a very long time. I have been using it every single day for the last six months, and a few times per week before that, and the bottle still looks completely full. At the rate that things are going this one bottle could probably last for 10 years!
Benetint can be purchased at www.benefitcosmetics.com
My rating: 2/5 as a cheek stain and 5/5 as a lip stain
*click photos to enlarge*