Review and swatches: Benefit They're Real Double the Lip
One of Benefit Cosmetics' newest and most innovative releases comes in a type of lip product that I haven't owned or seen before: A lipstick and lip liner in one tube. Interesting. Very interesting.
Benefit's They're Real Double the Lip Lipstick and Lipliner in One comes in eight shades: Pink Thrills, Lusty Rose, Revved-up Red, Flame Game, Fucshia Fever, Juicy Berry, Nude Scandal, and Criminally Coral.
Since this is part of the They're Real family, the slim tube is in the shiny pewter color that its older sisters, They're Real eyeliner and mascara, came in.
These lipsticks are really unique, even just looking at the teardrop-shaped bullet. The "double" here doesn't mean a separate pencil and lipstick come in one box or tube. The bullet itself has the darker color on the tip of the teardrop-shaped bullet that acts as the lip liner, and the lighter color on the lower curve that acts as the lipstick. Who doesn't want fuller-looking lips in one product?
Pink Thrills, Lusty Rose, Revved-Up Red, Flame Game
Fuchsia Fever, Juicy Berry, Nude Scandal, Criminally Coral
Fuchsia Fever, Juicy Berry, Nude Scandal, Criminally Coral
Fuchsia Fever, Juicy Berry, Nude Scandal, Criminally Coral
Pink Thrills, Lusty Rose, Revved-Up Red, Flame Game
Whoever does product development at Benefit did some good thinking behind the unique shape of these bullets, as the point containing the darker color is not too small like the size a lip pencil would be that you would see no difference upon application.
The first use feels unusual as you don't normally turn lipstick upside down when applying, but the shape hugs the line of the lip so well to finish the job in a couple of quick strokes.
Some colors are more obviously two-toned than others. See what I mean in the swatches:
Pink Thrills, Lusty Rose, Revved-Up Red, Flame Game,
Juicy Berry, Nude Scandal, Criminally Coral
Juicy Berry, Nude Scandal, Criminally Coral
Overexposed, but this shot may help if you have super-fair skin!
I know I only have seven swatches of the eight - sorry! Fuchsia Fever was feeling camera shy during class photo day and did not emerge from one of my handbags until days later. I'll try to do this again when time and sunlight are simultaneously cooperative!
I'm wondering if there's an Asian lady behind the team that thought up these lipsticks. Even though Benefit was born in California, these colors are all very wearable on Caucasian or Asian skin tones alike. (I must admit that I found Flame Game the most difficult to wear, but that's generally the case for me with orange lipsticks.) My personal favorite is Revved Up Red, a pretty, wearable strawberry red.
The lipstick formula feels creamy with a satin finish. All shades make my lips appear soft and full, and are very comfortable to wear the whole day. It's doesn't tug when applying and goes on smoothly and evenly. All shades have good pigmentation - the swatches were done with a single swipe. Lusty Rose and Nude Scandal are the less pigmented of the range, which is just fine for those who prefer subtler lipsticks. These two had the least staying power for me, though. The bolder shades had about four to five hours of wear and all left pretty stains after. Which ones do you like?
These lipsticks are available online or in any Benefit Cosmetics boutique around the Philippines. In Cebu, Benefit is located in SM Seaside City.
