Benefit's New Release | 'Lolli Tint'

Benefit | Lolli Tint | £24.50* | Link

When Benefit announced the launch of their new lip & cheek tint 'Lolli Tint' - it's safe to say I was a teensy-weensy bit over excited... I'm a big fan of their infamous 'High Beam' highlighter and their 'Cha Cha Tint' is a summer must-have for me so when their new release arrived on my doorstep courtesy of the lovely ladies at Benefit HQ, my mood was comparable to that of a fat kid in a sweet shop. Benefit know how to market and theme a product don't they?! The pink box and adorable design went down a treat, let me tell you! Packaging appreciation aside, I was eager to see how the newbie addition to the 'Benefit Tint crew' actually worked for me. I have to admit, I'm not always a fan of tints and stains. They're notoriously difficult to work with and I'm sure we've all been there, done that and tried to blend in the clown cheek (I reckon my first experience with their original 'Benetint' went along those lines...) However, Lolli Tint isn't one of those 'POW' colours - and it definitely works in its favour. It's a lovely pastel pink with a hint of lilac - soft, gentle and sheer - it's actually quite buildable.

Benefit describe Lolli Tint as a 'Candy Orchid' shade and I actually find I like the colour much more than I thought I would.  I'm usually one for corals and peach tones, but the lilac 'milky' sort of tone to this looks really lovely on my winter skin.  It's not one I'd reach for in the summer, but it really does work a treat during this time of year. It is definitely one of the more sheer tints I've used from Benefit - which I personally prefer as I like to be able to build up colour. Texture wise, it is very similar in consistency to Cha Cha Tint and not as runny or as strong as Benetint.  It's much easier to work with and sheers out very nicely on the skin. I find it best to apply with a brush (I have the Daniel Sandler Water brush and it works a treat with this!) although it's still relatively easy to dab in with your fingers.  You do have to work fast with it as even though it's relatively sheer, it will still leave a stain if you don't get to work blending it in straight away.  Those swatches on my arm didn't budge for the entire day once I'd photographed them - if you're after a long-lasting tint - Benefit have certainly nailed it!

On the lips, Lolli Tint transfers much more lilac-y as opposed to on the cheeks in my opinion. It looks really sophisticated and sheer - which was a pleasant surprise as I'm really not one to suit Barbie pinks! The sheerness of it works with your natural lip colour and looks really soft and subtle.  It does, like all tints, dry out the lips somewhat and leaves them feeling a little moisture deprived, but not uncomfortably so. A little slick of balm over the top sorts it out straight away and a touch of gloss really does set it off. It's also incredibly long lasting on the lips - your best bet for kiss proof colour if you're after something for upcoming Valentine's Day *wink-wink* (yep - i went there...such a girly, cliche thing to say but one must consider this sort of thing...)

Overall, I have to say it's a thumbs up from me for Lolli Tint. I still think that Cha-Cha tint might top the mark for me (but only for preference of colour!) - they're very, very similar so if you liked Benefit's coral offering - you'll be sure to like its girlier, pink cousin!  The lilac tones to it make it all the more wearable in my opinion, and the buildable, sheer aspect really does sell it to me even more.  

What's your favourite Benefit Tint?