New Lipgloss in Town — Benefit High Shines

In June, Benefit will launch a new lipgloss called Ultra Shines Lip Shine, which will retail for $18 fo 0.17 fl. oz. There will be five shades available: Back to the Fuchsia (sparkling fuchsia), Dancing Queen (watermelon pink), Foxy Lady (diamond rose), Spiked Punch (juicy coral), and Wild Child (glimmering amethyst).

Benefit describes these as, “The newest, hottest beat on the gloss scene… back-to-the-disco drama! One gleaming stroke of our ultra-new pulse-pounding ultra shines will unleash your inner dancing queen. Loaded with bright patent-leather shine & sparkling crystal brilliance, these lip shines glide on smooth with the specially-designed custom brush for a gloss inferno pout. In a fevah of must-have vibrant shades so pumped up with pigment, you’ll be lettin’ loose in your boogie shoes… NOW!”

• Back to the Fuchsia is a sheer, lightened raspberry pink with fuchsia sparkle.  The way it looked (but not the way it felt) reminded me of MAC Dazzleglass–maybe if Love Alert and Ms. Fizz had a baby.  Smoother and non-sticky, unlike Dazzleglass, though.
• Wild Child is a semi-sheer, iridescent plum with a fuchsia shimmer and sheen.  I think this one would be exceptionally lovely over lipstick.  It also kind of reminded me of MAC’s Negligee, which is one of my favorite lipglosses (and it was limited edition).
• Spiked Punch is a slightly creamy, semi-opaque lightened apricot-pink with subtle silver shimmer.

My favorite of the three was Spiked Punch, because it packed plenty of color, had a glossy sheen, and still felt and looked like a gloss rather than a lipstick (or even liquid lipstick). Back to the Fuchsia and Wild Child were both pretty but on the sheerer side–I think Wild Child would be lovely over some in-your-face bright pinks. Back to the Fuchsia was the sheerest and added more of a dazzling, glossy look rather than a ton of color. As you can tell, pigmentation definitely varied from shade to shade!

Ultra Shines have a kind of fruity scent that’s noticeable but not overwhelming (and not at all noticeable once worn). The packaging is sleek in a plastic tube with a clear end and a shiny black cap. The gloss applicator is a stubby brush rather than a doe-foot applicator, which I liked. I also found that they wore a little longer than average for a gloss (about three hours), which was definitely an added bonus!

Benefit’s Ultra Shines are ultra glossy with either a shimmer or more glittery sparkle with sheer to semi-opaque color. They smell good, feel moisturizing, and last longer than the usual gloss, too. I like that they feel thick and jelly-ish but aren’t sticky. I definitely like the new Ultra Shines more than Benefit’s regular Lipgloss!

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• Product: 27/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you love a super glossy finish in your lipgloss, you might like Benefit’s new Ultra Shines. If you love pigmented glosses, though, you may want to look elsewhere, as these do run a bit on the sheer side.

Availability: June 2010 at Benefit and Benefit counters

Benefit High Shines: Wild Child, Back to the Fuchsia, Spiked Punch

Benefit High Shines: Wild Child, Back to the Fuchsia, Spiked Punch

Benefit High Shines: Wild Child, Back to the Fuchsia, Spiked Punch

Benefit High Shines: Wild Child, Back to the Fuchsia, Spiked Punch

Benefit Wild Child High Shines Lipgloss

Benefit Wild Child High Shines Lipgloss

Benefit Wild Child High Shines Lipgloss

Benefit Spiked Punch High Shines Lipgloss

Benefit Spiked Punch High Shines Lipgloss

Benefit Spiked Punch High Shines Lipgloss

Benefit Back to the Fuchsia High Shines Lipgloss

Benefit Back to the Fuchsia High Shines Lipgloss

Benefit Back to the Fuchsia High Shines Lipgloss