Benefit Cha Cha Tint Lip and Cheek Stain Swatches and Review

Benefit Cha Cha Tint

By Contributor: Priya Sharma

Baby Pinks, Magentas, maroon or even red stains, might look fake on usual dusky Indian Skin tones. If you really want to wear these deep colours, go for lipsticks and not lip and cheek stains! Nevertheless, have you ever tried coral or a not too bright orange stain, a perfect punch of lip stain colour? How can a girl can ever get bored with peaches, corals, oranges? You bet, in my opinion Coral & light Orange hues are stunning and suit much more than regular pinks on tanned skin, Dark to Medium, Deep, Wheatish, Olive or Dusky Indian skin complexions. Today’s review and swatch is one such tint.

Recently I tried Benefit Cha Cha tint after learning about the much rave and well deserved-Benefit Benetint.  I learnt that on my skin Benefit Cha Cha tint looks more flattering than Benetint. May be because I have pigmented lips and cha cha tint hides them to an extent.

Benetint Cha Cha Tint is described as to be a Sheer Mango-tinted lip & cheek stain. This is a fragrance-free, sheer orangish stain and can be used on both lips and cheeks to trend in the ‘summer make-up look’ with a gracious glow. This product does not have any shimmer, emollient, or gloss added to it. (silly me, that’s what stains are meant for).

Benefit Cha Chat Tint as a Lip Stain:

Unlike benetint, Cha Cha tint is not watery and too thin. In contrast, its a creamy stain (as you can see in the pic) and takes more time than benetint to dry up completely. Although Cha Cha tint’s texture is creamy yet it dries up lips, however pigment on the lips stays intact. That is when you might feel the need to apply a lip balm on top. Make sure you do only after the stain has completely dried up. The sad part is, I noticed the stain starts to wear off as soon as you eat or drink. So, the staying power on lips is not exciting and is a major con.

Benefit Cha Cha Tint as Cheek Stain:

On the cheeks the coral stain stays on for longer than expected. This shade on the cheeks appear flattering as well, however needs to be blended in seconds, just after applying, or else will stain or blotch that area.

The colour builds light to deep, with each coat applied. The trick lies in applying first coat to bare cheeks or exfoliated plain lips, followed with blending and let it set & dry. Then apply the second coat, to build a darker, typical orangish shade and again let it dry. Do it until you get the right shade as you want.

I adore this richly pigmented shade so much. By far, Cha Cha tint is the best lip product that compliments my skin. In addition, those who like subtle make-up or natural look can play with the stains on cheeks and lips both, and stay free of the touch-ups for long hours. Honestly, I do not think I am going to replace my Cha Cha stain with something else, ever. This will always be my HG. A Lethal combination with a bronzer.

Personally, I own 5 travel/sample size bottles of Cha Cha tint (2.5 ml each), which is equivalent to full size quantity only, i.e. 12.5 ml. The best part, buying Travel sizes Cha Cha tint got me saved 50 % of the full size cost. One travel pack I keep in my wallet (for lips), another in my cosmetic stockpile (meant only to stain cheeks), others in College bag and so on…This way they become very handy!

The product is so good and a must have. Sadly, it is rare to find its dupe. In India, you may buy full size bottle from thebeautybar.in for Rs.2250 or Sephora Delhi store. I still crave for more of it.

Pros

• Buildable Colour from light to deep
• Compliment Indian Skin tones Medium to fair, wheatish, olives etc
• Perfect product for natural looking make-up
• Staying power on cheeks is impressive
• Product does not at all get dries up in the bottle
• Sets quickly
• Convenient Packaging
• Applies evenly due to its creamy consistency
• Richly Pigmented/ perfect for staining

Cons

• Dry out Lips
• Staying power on lips is not impressive
• Hefty price
• Not Water-resistance (I noticed only for lips, not cheeks)
• Availability issue in India
• The same brush for cheeks and lips
• Doesn’t camouflage pigmented lips, fully

Price: $30 for 12.5 ml (Medium Sized Bottle – 4.5 ml, Travel size – 2.5 ml)

VNA Rating: 3.5/5

So is it for you? Benefit Cha Cha Tint works a lip and cheek stain. If you are looking for a stain that looks natural on dusky Indian skin and lasts for long without any touch ups then this is for you. Though it dries up lips and doesn’t cover the lip pigmentation fully. But you can always use it a only a cheek stain if it doesn’t work. The color is a beautiful orange coral which looks very beautiful.