Benefit Cosmetics Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tint Review

Summer 2022 is arguably the era of sunburnt-looking blush, thanks to celebrities like Hailey Bieber popularizing the trend. And of course, TikTok has fallen head over heels for a product that can get you that “I’ve been basking in the sun all day” look within minutes (and without the UV damage).

Benefit Cosmetics’ lineup of Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tints​​ lets you fake sun-flushed cheeks and popsicle-stained lips all year round. TikTok users have particularly found favor with the shade “Benetint,” a dark cherry red that imparts a rosy red hue on the cheeks and a bold crimson on the lips. The TikTok beauty community has also warmed up to some of the other shades, such as “Floratint,” a lighter interpretation of red with a hint of pink. That said, I wanted to see what all the Internet fuss was about, so I experimented with these tints on both my lips and cheeks.

What is Benefit Cosmetics?

Benefit Cosmetics was established in 1976 by entrepreneurial twin sisters Jean and Jane Ford. The brand got its start as a stand-alone makeup shop called “Face Place” in San Francisco and eventually grew into a cosmetics company that we now know today as Benefit Cosmetics. Benefit underwent its transition from “Face Place” to Benefit Cosmetics in 1990—the same year in which it unveiled the first Benefit counter at Henri Bendel in New York City. Today, Benefit Cosmetics sells makeup products designed for the eyes, brows, lips, and face, in addition to a skincare line. The brand also offers in-person brow-grooming services at its “BrowBars” in Macy’s and Ulta, in addition to its beauty boutiques located all over the country.

The history behind Benefit’s TikTok-famous product in question, the Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tint, goes back 13 years prior to the brand’s transformation into a full-fledged cosmetics company in 1990. What’s now dubbed as the Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tint was initially called “Rose Tint” and was designed in 1977 for an exotic dancer in San Francisco to use on her nipples (yes, really). Since its reimagining as a face product, the Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek tint has grown into six color iterations: “Benetint” (cherry red), “Floratint” (brick red), “Gogotint” (dark pink), “Playtint” (light pink), “Chachatint” (coral orange), and “Lovetint” (bright red). Each color comes in a 0.2-ounce bottle equipped with a doe-foot applicator and retails for $18—with the exception of the shade “Benetint,” which is also offered in a 0.33-ounce bottle for $30.

What I like about the Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tints

Vibrant color payoff

The tints’ bright color impact that takes centerstage in many TikTok videos rang true in real life. In fact, I don’t think photos and videos can do the Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tints’ colors justice. One to two dots of the liquid formula are all you need to get bright cheeks and a statement lip. I found the best way to apply “Playtint” and “Floratint”—my two favorite colors out of the bunch—was by sweeping the formula upwards from the apples of my cheek to the side of my temples with the Real Techniques Filtered Cheek Makeup Brush. As for the lips, brushing one to two dots of the shade “Benetint” on my finger to dab it all over my lips was enough to create a subtle yet impactful popsicle-stain effect.

Sheer, “no-makeup makeup” finish

Another thing to note is their unique finish. In contrast to the opaque liquid blushes that have made their rounds in my makeup routine—the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in “Happy” and Glossier Cloud Paint in “Eve”—Benefit’s Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tints have a watercolor finish to them that lets your skin show through. I guess its ‘au naturel’ look is why people on TikTok are in love with it—and what won me over, too.

Long-lasting

When used on their own—at least in my experience—liquid blushes tend to fade throughout the day, but the Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tints proved me wrong. From morning to night, their bright pigments kept me looking fresh and rosy-cheeked.

What I don’t like about the Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tints

Can look patchy

Unfortunately, the liquid formula of these lip and blush colors is prone to looking patchy if you apply too much at once. I consulted TikTok to see if others were having the same problem, and it’s apparently a universal conundrum. User "sarahssuperspa" provided a solution in one of her videos, noting that it's best to place one to two dots on your cheeks, then blend it out with a makeup brush containing densely-packed bristles. If you want to add more color, she recommends adding another layer using the same technique. Bottom line: This blush may not be best for those who have limited experience with applying blush.

Are the Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tints worth it?

Yes, if you’re into the sun-kissed look

For those that are looking for a blush with a bright, natural finish, Benefit’s Liquid Lip Blush and Cheek Tints offer just that. Thanks to their bold color impact and longevity, you also don’t have to worry about layering powder blush on top of it for some added oomph, making these blushes ideal for day-long events like weddings.

If you’re still left questioning whether to spend $18 on a tube of blush or aren’t the most skilled at blush application, I suggest reaching for a powder blush that doesn’t fall short when it comes to color payoff, like the Essence Mosaic Blush for $5.