Speed Review: Benefit Benebalm

I'm a big fan of lip butter formulas and anything which I can apply to lips without a mirror but which adds a hint of colour & a hit of hydration appeals to me. As such, when I heard that Benefit offer a version, I was excited to try it out.

Benefit Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm is available in four shades, designed to complement the popular lip & cheek stains (Benetint, Chachatint, Posietint & Lollitint). It's described by the company as a hydrating tinted lip balm with mango butter & sodium hyaluronate to condition. It can be used alone or over a favourite tint to add sheer, buildable colour & leave lips soft. I opted for Benefit Benebalm, based on the original, bestselling Benefit Benetint. It's described as a rose tinted balm, whereas Posiebalm is described as poppy-pink, Chachabalm as mango tinted and Lollibalm as candy-orchid. The outer box packaging is similar in design to the tints. Inside, Benebalm is presented in a high-shine, red reflective tube with pink polkadots. I really liked the packaging, which stands out in a crowded makeup bag or handbag & is also fun and in keeping with the Benefit brand. What's more, the packaging is functional with a pull off lid and twist up functionality.

The bullet has a slanted tip which allows for a smooth and controlled application, although as the bullet is quite wide, it's not the most precise. That said, as the resulting colour is so sheer, it can be applied without a mirror. Benefit Benebalm has an inoffensive scent which is best described as similar to lotion.

In the bullet, Benefit Benebalm looks bright red and could be off-putting to some for this reason. However, it lives up to the sheer tint claims. One layer adds a very sheer hint of rose colour. Even when a number of layers are built up, the colour is a very, very sheer red. The colour isn't nearly as pigmented as something such as the Revlon Lip Butters, for example. It's a flattering colour which I feel would look good on a range of different skin tones. The finish isn't a high shine gloss but lips simply look hydrated and healthy. The colour wears off evenly & doesn't leave a stain.

It feels very comfortable & hydrating on the lips and this feeling lasts for over two and a half hours. It may be of interest that it doesn't contain an SPF.

I feel that Benefit Benebalm would be a good choice for those who want a hint of colour on their lips but are wary of the highly pigmented colour which a traditional lipstick offers.

At £14.50, I feel that Benefit Benebalm is reasonably priced considering the brand as well as the price points of other, similar products. For me, it's not an essential addition to my makeup bag but something which is nice to have for "no makeup" makeup days.