Smooth lips are something we all strive for, right? Maybe just me? Well anyway, over the last few weeks, I’ve been testing out a lot of lip balms for “research purposes”. And yes, I love using my blog for these types of purchases, because they’re obviously V. IMPORTANT. It’s our lips we’re talking about people!!! Not only are chapped lips annoying, but I’m also super prone to cold sores. If my lips are chapped for more than a couple of hours, I know I’m going to get a cold sore. Let’s keep going so we can see which lip balm is my favorite. (Do I even have a favorite?!)
I didn’t think I was going to love this lip balm if we’re being honest. When I originally went to Sephora to buy it, it was sold out at the location, so I knew it must be at least DECENT. I didn’t actually know too much about the balm, so when I did some online research, I was a little skeptical of it because it was pigmented – I was really just looking for something to make my lips nice ‘n smooth. The Vanilla wasn’t available, so I went with the next best option – Vanilla Beige. Definitely a glossy finish, but I do like that it doesn’t appear as a color on my lips. While I like this one (I do love the applicator though),I find myself grabbing other lip balms.
Rating: 3/5
I remember when Rhode Beauty first came out and everyone went nutty. I had heard good things about the peptide lip treatment, so I kept an eye on it to order when it was back in stock. The only flavor that was available at the time was the Watermelon Slice. When I tell you IT SMELLS AND TASTES EXACTLY like a watermelon, I mean it. At first, I thought it was a bit too sticky, but now I’m thinking it’s because my lips were just dry and icky. Now I find myself reaching for it – mainly because I keep this by my nightstand. It definitely has a high gloss finish, so keep that in mind.
Rating: 4/5
This is actuallywhat started my lip balm craze. Once I tried the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm, I wanted to see what other brands had to offer. I had picked this up during a random trip to Sephora. I loved the packaging, and for whatever odd reason, I was into the larger swivel stick (spoiler alert: look at the next lip balm). This balm is definitely more of a traditional balm. No noticeable sheen on your lips, so that was a plus for me. And it DEFINITELY keeps your lips hydrated. I usually keep it on my entry table so I can throw it into whatever bag I’m using for the day.
Rating: 4/5
I think I was watching Summer House and saw someone using the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter lip balm. I’m 99.9% sure I immediately ordered a 3-pack from Amazon. This brought me back to my younger days. I’ve always loved Palmer products – I’m not sure why. Maybe my mom kept the cocoa butter in our bathroom? But I for sure remember using their lip balm as well. Although they look like a straight up glue stick, the delicious smelling cocoa butter product feels like a velvety kiss on my lips. AND I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. I’m giving it a 4/5 because I do feel like I need to reapply constantly – but I think that’s because I just love the smell so much.
Rating: 4/5
When I saw the Summer Friday balm was sold out, I looked for a brand alternative and spotted this one from Laneige. I’ve raved about some other products by Laneige before on the blog, and I’m pretty sure I was an OG user of the infamous lip sleeping mask. This lip balm was another one I heard great things about. But again, I was skeptical about the pigmented options. I picked what I thought would tint my lips the least — the peach flavor. (As I did more research, I realized I probably would have been okay with any of the options.) I keep this one in my bag for the office. I will say I don’t feel like it lasts very long, so I do need to keep it around in order to continue to apply.
Rating: 3/5
Wow. Just wow. That’s really all I can say. My friend, Ailsa, and I were talking about lip balms and she told me I NEEDED to pick up the Fenty Plush Puddin’ balm. It was sold out when I originally went to purchase it, but man am I happy I snagged this. So if you’re reading this and it’s still sold out – keep an eye on it (Fenty’s website has re-stock notifications). My first impression was “eh I don’t love the applicator”, but once I put it on, I was sold. I still don’t LOVE the small hole and the large tube, BUT it’s a small peeve because this stuff is good. Really good. I will say it is THICCCCCCCCCCCK. So a little goes a long way. A really long way. This is strictly my night time lip balm: I keep it on my nightstand, apply as needed before bed, and in the morning I STILL wake up with product on my lips.
Rating: 5/5
PHEW, you still with me? Do any of my reviews shock you? Are there any products you’re excited to try?!
There’s nothing like cracked, chapped lips to take the joy out of a cozy winter meal, which is why I’m constantly in search of a lip balm that will actually leave my lips moisturized. But the unfortunate truth is that a lot of allegedly hydrating balms and ointments actually make your lips more dry, leading to an endless cycle of overuse. The TL;DR is: Lip balm addiction is not just in your head.
Skip straight to shopping for lip balms:
The main thing to look for in a good lip balm for winter is an occlusive ingredient, like beeswax or shea butter, which will create a moisture-locking barrier that prevents your lips from immediately drying out. But much like how you take your morning coffee, lip balm preferences are highly personal. When you’re looking for the best lip balm to toss in your grocery tote, think about what you like in a balm. Things like flavors, tints and whether or not it has SPF can make a big impact on how much you enjoy a lip product, which will impact how often you use it.
Once you find a lip balm you love, I highly recommend buying them in bulk so you can keep one at your desk, in your bathroom, in coat pockets, and in tote bags. That way, when you’re faced with your favorite salty, spicy, citrusy foods, you won’t have to worry about your lips stinging.
It seems like a new “life-changing” lip balm shows up on my social media feeds every single day, but there are two that have stood the test of time. Aquaphor and Vaseline had a serious moment last year thanks to the slugging trend, but these old-school occlusives are not flash-in-the-pan trends. The reason these are some of the best lip balms for dry lips is that both use petrolatum to seal in moisture. This creates a strong long-lasting barrier that can stand up to the kinds of cold, windy conditions that can cause severely chapped lips.
Vaseline Lip Therapy Original .25 Ounce Pack of 4
Lanolips lip balms are made with lanolin, a naturally occurring oil that’s derived from sheep’s wool. Lanolin is humanely sourced, so no sheep are harmed in the making of your lip balm, and it almost perfectly mimics the oils in human skin. I’ve been using Lanolips products for years, and the original 101 Multipurpose Ointment is my go-to whenever I’m spending a lot of time outside in the cold. The brand makes unflavored and unscented options as well as sheer flavored balms and lightly tinted ones, so there’s a good chance you’ll find something that ticks all your boxes.
Lanolips 101 Ointment Multi-Balm Duo
There’s something about balm in a round tin that just makes it 100% more satisfying to use, and I keep a tin of Féret’s Le Baume on my desk at all times. In addition to having peak fancy French vibes, the thick, waxy formula is excellent for ultradry lips. I also use it on my cuticles and hands after I’ve been washing a few too many dishes. The solid all-natural formula has occlusive, moisturizing ingredients like honey, shea butter, and seabuckthorn oil, and it has a light, pleasing scent from rose and rosemary extracts.
Hanalei’s nourishing lip treatments are Leaping Bunny–certified, and the primary ingredient is Hawaiian Kukui nut oil that’s rich in vitamins A, C, and E. Of all the lip balms I’ve tried over the years, this is definitely one of the best lip balms for dry lips. It comes in both clear and lightly tinted formulas, and the brand also makes an all-natural lip scrub for those times when you’re trying to recover from chapped lips rather than prevent them.
Hanalei Sugar Lip Scrub Exfoliator
Yes, you should put SPF on your lips when you’re spending a lot of time outside—even in winter. If you’re into skiing, snowboarding, or other outdoorsy activities (and all of the cheesy, gooey après-ski foods that come with them), you’ll definitely want to slather on thick layer of Supergoop’s Play lip balm before you hit the slopes. The SPF 30+++ broad spectrum balm will protect your lips from both sun and wind exposure, and the combination of shea butter, acai, and sunflower oil will keep them moisturized.
Supergoop! PLAY Lip Balm with Acai
In my experience, a lot of tinted lip balms are just glorified lipsticks that still require a hydrating balm over them during the winter. Tower 28’s JuiceBalm is a rare exception to that rule. The stick formula offers buildable color that you can actually see (unlike some tinted balms that are super sheer), and the combination of shea butter and marula oil is actually very moisturizing.
Tower 28 Beauty JuiceBalm Vegan Tinted Lip Balm