Benefit They're Real! Double the Lip Lipstick & Liner In One

Benefit They're Real! Double the Lip Lipstick & Liner In One ($20 each) at Sephora 

The ombre lip trend seems to be a popular one this year, and Benefit has been quick to hop on with the newly launched Benefit They're Real! Double the Lip.  These are a touted as a lipstick and lipliner   in one product, with a tear-drop shaped tip that does all the work for you.  Each lipstick (or liner-lipstick hybrid) contains two colors - a darker shade that would work as the lipliner, adding definition around the edges and preventing feathering of the lip color, and a lighter shade that acts as a lipstick, filling in color and adding volume to the lips.  Scroll on for swatches.

Benefit They're Real! Double the Lip Lipstick & Liner In One - Swatches
Criminally Coral - Nude Scandal - Lusty Rose - Juicy Berry

Benefit They're Real! Double the Lip Lipstick& Liner In One - Swatches
Pink Thrills - Fuschia Fever - Revved-Up Red - Flame Game

I have unevenly pigmented lips, so I amn't too enamored by the lip-contouring/ombre lip trend, but I do love the idea of having two lip colors or a liner and lipstick in one product.  Benefit They're Real! Double the Lip seems to do this in theory, and while I can see the darker and lighter shades quite clearly in the lip product, on swatches at least, the effect is a subtle gradient (at best).  I like that that gradient isn't too obvious, but some of the colors don't really show up as distinct lighter-darker shades.  It is easy to get a precise application of the desired color when the tube is new and the tear-drop shape is intact, but I amn't sure how well this would work as the sharply defined shape gets rounded with use.  I do like the colors in this range, a mix of neutrals and some fun corals and pinks, most of which would work well across a range of skin tones.  The formula applies smoothly and has a satin finish.

Overall, a fun product to try out, especially if the ombre lip trend appeals to you.