Ah, Benefit's Cha Cha Tint is so famous and controversial, I'm not sure where to begin! Let me break it down for you:
1. A unique color for everyone
While it's fundamentally a coral cherry-mango shade, this tint looks incredibly different depending on who wears it. On my darker complexion, it appears as a vibrant hot pink with a neon twist. For others, it's more of a soft peach hue. Cha Cha Tint is renowned for its high success rate on warm skin tones, so I highly recommend testing it out for yourself.
2. Works beautifully as a blush
I was initially skeptical about using a milky tint as a blush, but once I mastered the technique, I could create the most adorable peach-like cheeks. I've even received compliments on my 'peachy' glow after applying Cha Cha Tint. Plus, its staying power is impressive.
3. True to the essence of tints
As 'tint' became a buzzword, we've seen countless variations hit the market. Many of these are questionable products that transfer easily and barely qualify as tints. However, Benefit, as the original, delivers rapid staining that doesn't transfer. It's perfect for date nights - no worries about it coming off! In my experience, it lasts at least 5 hours.
The packaging is a major letdown. It's an enormous amount of product at a hefty price. I can't help but think it would be much more user-friendly if they halved both the quantity and the cost. I mainly use it at home, so I haven't experienced any leakage, but given Benefit's notorious packaging issues, this is definitely a 'keep at home' product.
While it's marketed as a lip and cheek tint, it falls short as a blush. It requires some skill to apply effectively. The rapid staining can be tricky - I once rushed to apply it with a brush before going out and ended up with visible brush marks on my face. I've even had instances where it looked different on each cheek. This product definitely demands technique.
The brush can also feel ticklish on the lips. Sometimes it's challenging to control the amount of product that comes out - it can be excessive.
You might be surprised to learn that even Benefit recommends using a cotton swab with the brush rather than the brush alone.
I recently started doing this, and I wish I'd known sooner - it's fantastic! The main advantage is that it applies more evenly. You know how Cha Cha Tint can fade unevenly? When applied with a cotton swab, it fades more gracefully. It also seems to adhere better to the skin. The only challenges are controlling the amount of product and the cotton swabs wearing out quickly. But given the generous amount of product, that's not a major concern. I use this method for both lips and cheeks. It's much more hygienic too, so give it a try!
In the swatch photo, I've applied Cha Cha Tint with a cotton swab and topped it with a clear lip balm. The texture varies depending on your lip condition, but it's not particularly hydrating.
The third photo shows the same Cha Cha Tint, yet it looks different. The appearance can vary greatly depending on how much you apply. In this photo, I've layered Cha Cha Balm on top.
Happy shopping!
