So, I’m a little late to the game. Used to my tried and true powder formulation blushes, I had no desire to use anything else until a couple of months ago when a makeup artist “showed me the light” and introduced me to Benefit Benetint.
Years ago during a trip to London, I met up with my beautiful cousin Naomi in Covent Garden for lunch. As she neared us with her giant, perfect smile, I was stunned by A) how stylish she was, B) how perfect her skin was, and C) how perfect her blush was!! Naomi has flawless ebony skin, and her cheeks were the most perfect pink flush. As I hugged her and we happily went off to lunch with the rest of the family, being the beauty-obsessed junkie I am, I asked her what amazing blush she was wearing. “It’s Benefit Benetint! Go get it!”
Fast forward years later, while on a photoshoot, I learned that the makeup artist on set worked exclusively for Benefit Cosmetics. I remember being sad at that fact…until she got me in her chair. She pulled out the Benetint and started applying the product to my cheeks in a gentle patting motion. My cheeks went from none existent and “winter sallow”, too delicately flushed and perfect. The makeup artist laughed as I grabbed my phone to take a picture of the Benetint so I’d remember to pick it up next time I was at Shoppers Drug Mart.
Interesting little factoid: Benefit Benetint was created in the 1970s for an exotic dancer! Sex-xay!!
How to apply:
- Apply three brush strokes to your cheeks and blend with your fingers.
- I prefer to apply directly to my index finger and dab and blend into my cheeks. Warning: it will stain your fingers, but will come off with a few washings.
What I love about this product:
- Benefit Benetint can be used on both cheeks and lips. Providing a sheer, subtle stain, it lasts for hours.
- It smells wonderfully of delicate roses.
- Gel tint blushes like Benefit are great for oily skin (this one is water-based) as your oily skin will really make this product last and provide a really realistic finish.
- It gives me a dewy glow as opposed to the matte finish of powder blushes.
- This type of blush gives a much more natural look than powder blushes and heavier cream blushes that are a little harder to control and apply.
- On my skin tone, it provides the perfect pink colour that I have been chasing for years. A good dupe for my ebony-coloured beauties? MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Blush in Whole Lotta Love (awesome name…awesome song).
- I expected the watery formulation to remove my foundation when applying, but that wasn’t the case at all, especially if you use a dabbing motion.
- It gives you a little room for error which is great, as I tend to have a heavy hand with blush and usually end up looking like a clown.
What I don’t love so much:
- Being a stain, you must work quickly with it or it will literally stain your skin in an unflattering manner. The Benefit website suggests that you brush three strokes directly on your cheeks. If you do not blend immediately, you’ll be wearing three racing stripes or polka dots for the rest of the day.
- I have to use much more than three brush strokes. I chalk this up to my dark skin tone and loving that “dolly” look.
- The price. At $39 CAD, I find it a little steep. While I’ll pay whatever for a product I love that works well, you can still achieve a rosy flush by purchasing a fuschsia lipstick at the drugstore for much less, dabbing on your cheeks and blending out with a Beauty Blender.
- If you have dry skin, you may want to stay away from this product as it will emphasize dry patches.
- I didn’t care for it as a lip stain. While the colour is beautiful, it tastes funny! There is however, an actual Benetint Lip Balm for those who don’t like the taste of Benetint.
- THIS WILL STAIN CLOTHING. Be careful not to splash onto yourself!
Overall, I give this product two thumbs up! LOVE!
Have any of your tried Benefit Benetint? Love it or hate it? Let me know in the comments and please feel free to suggest any other cheek stains and gel tints!
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Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
Benefit is a life saver!
Author
Haha – no kidding! Love it! I’m hopelessly hooked on their Cha Cha Tint too…
Great review! Your skin look stunning with Benetint. I must confess I’m afraid of this product, I have light skin and it looks too pigmented for me.
XO
https://styleonboard.wordpress.com
Author
Thank you, Luiza! I think it would be pretty on you! You just a light hand. Alternatively, you could try Benefit’s Posie Tint which is lighter in colour. Thanks for reading! xoxo
Thank you for the tip, sweetie. I’m gonna give it a try!
Author
You’re welcome! Good luck! xoxox
I never thought I’d be one to switch up blush by the season, but for some reason this fall I’ve been loving my Nars Seduction blush. In the warmer months I use the orgasm blush by Nars and I love that too. I know, so basic of me hahahaha. I’m interested to try this though!
Author
Hey babe! I have about 4 blushes that I rotate depending on how I’m feeling. I’ve been meaning to pick up Nars Orgasm for months now. Thank you for reminding me. I really love this Benetint because it’s rosy, subtle and long-lasting. I just think it’s a tad expensive. Sigh – at least it does double duty on lips and cheeks though! xoxoxox
I’ve always wanted to try a blush/tint. Thanks for the detailed review. Might have to head to sephora real quick.
Author
You’re welcome and thank you for reading! Haha! See you at Sephora, Melissa! ;o)
I absolutely love Benefit products. I used the Benetint years ago and loved it. I don’t remember why I ever stopped. Your post reminded me how much I loved it.
Author
Oh that’s great to read! I also love their Sun Beam and Cha Cha tint!
Very pretty!
I loove this cheek tint ! It was the very first blush I had ever tried back in high school 😀 Thanks for reminding me to reintroduce it back into my makeup rotation!!
I have a small vial of this and it scares me! I also have the Body Shop version of it. I feel like they will dry super fast on my cheeks and leave a weird circle of blush on my cheeks. 😮 Looks really natural on you though. I’m going to play around with mine maybe over the weekend – in case I mess up!
I love the way it looks on you. It doesn’t have that dry, caked look. Thanks for sharing.
Author
Thanks Lisa! Do you experience dry cakiness with it??
Mac blush has been my go to for years! Love it!!
Author
OMG – I love that blush soooo much. Like, where has it been my whole life? LOL!
Its the best!!!
Best product ever. Its great as a base layer for other blushes too- and will help a powder blush’s staying power. LOVE the cat getting a makeover!
xoxo
http://www.quintessentialjill.com
Author
Haha! Isn’t the kitty cute! So, I just discovered your tip about it being a good base layer after I took the photos for that post. I applied the Whole Lotta Love blush after it and they pair beautifully together!! Anxious to try it with my other blushes! xoxoxox
First off, the Benetint looked GORGEOUS on you. Second, I have tried this before, but I believe it was a sample product a few years ago. The color they gave me was lighter, and while I can’t recall using it on my cheeks (the sample bottle was so small I lost it) I, personally, loved it on my lips. I generally never wear anything but lip balm, but when I used this, it felt like nothing was on my lips, I loved the scent/taste, and it really just enhanced my lip color. Gave me a glowy, just-smooched look! Your post has reminded me to go out and buy this <3
Author
So glad to read this! Good for you! I really packed it on…hence the intensity of the colour. I really like it on my lips too. I may order the Benetint balm. You should review it too when you get it! Thanks so much for reading! xo
I have never tried that brand before. A little embarassing. LOL Thanks for sharing, I will have to check it out!
Author
Don’t be embarrassed! I only started using Benefit products a few months ago! LOL! It was never a brand I was interested in….
I want to try this product, but I have really oily skin. I’m concerned that this product will just make me look more oily. I still might give it a try since I love the look on you and you’ve reassured me that it’s good for oily skin. ?
Author
Hey Asa! Well, this one is water-based, so you should be good. I am super oily, and I haven’t suffered any breakouts outs and I’ve been using it for about three weeks now. Good luck! Don’t be too afraid of oil in some products too. I think thick, waxy makeup is bad…but I’ve stepped away from using a completely oil-free regimen. I have been having some great luck lately…
What a neat blush product! I had never heard of it before.
Author
It really is great! You need to check it out. Thanks for reading! xoxoxo
I love benefit products! Their high beam works so well this the benetint
Author
Hi Marleen! Thanks for the tip. Buying Sun Beam is high on my to do list! I’m rally feeling the liquid highlighters. I think they blend way better than the powder ones, although I swear by Nars Albatross and Orgasm blush!
I’ve tried this and SO wanted to love it. Not so much. I ended up with patterns on my cheeks for the day. LOL I’m too easily distracted!
Author
LOL! Oh no!!! It takes patience and quick hand!
I love Benefit! Haven’t tried the blush yet, but the mascara is my favorite by far. And now it is so easy to buy in Canada 🙂
Author
Oooh! Which of their mascaras do you use? Love that Benefit is everywhere now – and next time you are in Toronto, visit their freestanding store! How are you, Allie?? Well, I hope! xoxoxo
The “they’re real” mascara – awesome!! I have gifted it to friends so they can share the awesomeness 🙂
Author
OK. I am buying this one to review on your recommendation. Thanks Allie! xoxoxo
Looks beautiful on you!
Author
Thank you, Sheena! xox
I really like Benefit, particularly Benetint, but you’re right, it can be quite a pain with the way it can stain everything if you don’t work quickly (and carefully!).
Author
Completely! using this product takes a little practice! xo
Wow, it looked so amazing on you! I tried some of Benefit products and loved them! I think I will check this out, but am nervous about the stain part. I mess my makeup often and have to redo the makeup.
Author
Yeah – this product requires a bit of a light hand, especially on fair skin. You should check out Posie Tint too…a nice pale pink! Thanks for your comment! xoxox
Ugh, so glad I found this post! I’ve been using the same E.L.F. cheek tint for going on…uh, 4 years? I shouldn’t admit that, haha. This looks like a perfect substitute and I love products that can be used for more than one thing!
Author
Hey Jordyn! If it works for you, why switch? I do love the Benetint though! Hey – I’ve been using the same brand of black eyeliner for 10 years, so you’re in good company! LOL! Thanks so much for your comment! xo
I love the fact that this is a multi-purpose product, and that it isn’t as bright and terrible as some of the blush stains I’ve attempted to use in the past. (I’m super fair skinned, so I turn from “elegant doll” to “circus clown” REALLY quickly.) — I’ll be sure to check this out, thanks!
Author
You know what? You should check out Benefit’s Posie tint. It’s a little more forgiving with it’s pretty pink tone! Thanks so much for reading! xoxoxo
I’ve never been one for blush, but this one looks fantastic on you! Might have to rethink some things!
Author
Thanks, Theresa! I’m really enjoying this product!
I love a good blush but yea 39$ is a bit much! Looks good on you though.
Author
Thanks, Marielle!
I LOVE Hourglass’s blushes, but I’ve heard wonderful things about Benetint. I’ve never used a cream blush, but I’m definitely keen to give this a try! 🙂
Christie’s Take on Life. x
Author
Thanks, Christie! I love Hourglass – the quality is amazing, but alas, most of the colours are too light for my skin. So thrilled I discovered the Benetint! Thanks for reading! xo
Very pretty. The cat looks sooo cute.