We are well into the heat of the summer, which seems like an appropriate time to address an area you have probably always been told to pay attention to but weren’t sure why beyond obvious cosmetic reasons: your lips. Our lips have the most delicate skin on our bodies, and it’s important to keep them hydrated all the time and not just in particularly trying, drying times like summer and winter. The skin on our lips is incredibly sensitive and thin, and additionally, it does not produce its own natural oils. This means that it’s essential to be on top of hydrating this area to avoid irritation and dryness year-round, not just in two of the most taxing times of the year.
The first thing I look at when deciding on a lip balm is the ingredients— the more naturally-derived the better. I know that this a sudden trend in the beauty world, and everywhere you turn there’s no-paraben, “all-natural” claims. Keep in mind when you’re browsing that “all-natural” is a highly misleading term, and it’s safe to assume that no product on shelves is completely composed of natural ingredients. Everything would go bad almost immediately if that were the case!
And I’ve digressed… so how do you ensure that you are choosing a healthy, safe lip product? First things first, check out the main ingredients. Think about how when you apply a product topically to your lips you are essentially ingesting it, so it’s important to know what’s going into your body. I generally look for something rich in plant-based oils, shea butter, lanolin, and honey. All of these are ultra-hydrating, naturally-occurring ingredients that I’ve found work effectively for me.
Take a look below at a breakdown of five of my favorite lip products for use in every season and let me know what you’re using or intrigued to try:
Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm
My holy grail, cannot-live-without lip product. I absolutely love this balm, so much so that there’s about five to my name at all times, which includes three stashed in my bathroom, one in my bag, and one by my bed.
I first came across this product while watching Jeanne Damas’s British Vogue interview where she reviewed her favorite pharmacy products. Intrigued, I then proceeded to research Nuxe as a brand. I was immediately attracted to their values and commitment to sustainable, plant-based beauty and decided to pick up a few balms on my trip to Canada that summer. I haven’t been disappointed since.
The consistency of this product is similar to honey as the name suggests. It feels thick and creamy but somehow applies matte. It’s the only lip balm that is so fixed upon application that I can even add lipstick over it like normal. I don’t experience any sliding or running when I put color over the balm, and when I wear a matte lip, I don’t get those annoying flakes of dry skin.
The thick nature and nourishing properties of Rêve de Miel primarily come from beeswax, shea butter, and sweet almond oil, which also makes it handy as a lip mask for nighttime. I like to pile it on while I sleep to hydrate my lips overnight.
10/10 for form and function.
Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in the shade “Hibiscus”
There’s no history with this one. It was your classic “let me pop-in to Target real quick” story, which never actually happens, at least in my reality. Probably not needing anything remotely related to beauty or skincare, I went to the beauty and skincare section anyway. I found this tinted balm and decided to give it a go.
It’s great for those “I’m not gonna even bother with lipstick today” moods. I apply this almost once a day if I want a quick, effective hydration boost and a little natural-looking pop of color. The top three ingredients in this one are coconut oil, vegetable oil, and beeswax. While I’m not keen on the vegetable oil, I justified it because I appreciate their use of shea butter and lanolin as supporting sources of hydration. You have to pick and choose your battles.
Weleda Skin Food Lip Butter
The texture of this one is not quite a butter but more like an aqueous gel. I’ve used other Weleda products, and I’m a big fan of the entire Skin Food line. I also admire Weleda’s commitment to using plant-based ingredients and taking care of the environment, so I thought I’d give their newest product a try.
While it is hydrating, it doesn’t stay on your lips for very long. I use it as a quick burst of moisture, but not when I plan on going awhile without reapplying or before I put on lipstick. I’d say it’s helpful to keep in your bag when you’re in a pinch, but not something I’d re-buy.
Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, lanolin, beeswax.
Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in shade “Smashed”
This is my newest addition to the collection, and I’m obsessed with the sweetness of agave, the thick texture, and the subtle but flattering color. I use this more like a lip gloss rather than a lip mask and can attest that it also looks great over lipstick for extra shine.
My first impression when I tried this out was “how does it taste so good?” The agave’s sweetness is incredibly palpable but not overpowering, and the olive and castor seed oils give the lips noticeable plumpness. I primarily use this one in situations where I want that noticeable flush of color without sacrificing long-lasting hydration.
The shade “Smashed” is described as a “sheer candy apple red,” but I find it to be more of a purple-red, berry-like color. It’s a flattering shade regardless, and it noticeably enhances my natural lip color when I wear it alone. I like to layer the lip mask over red and pink-toned lipstick shades and find that it complements them well.
Flower Beauty Lip Mask in shade "Sangria"
I love Drew Barrymore. That’s really it, so thanks for reading!
I’m joking, of course. While I do really love Drew, I genuinely wanted to support her beauty line and try something functional. I’m not a huge makeup collector, though the rest of her line is beautiful, and knew that realistically I’d probably only get good use out of something like a lip balm.
I love the tint of the shade “Sangria,” a sheer, glossy violet. It’s not particularly pigmented, but it definitely gives a flattering hint of color and lasts for a decent amount of time. It’s not an absolute must-have, but it works and I do find that my lips stay hydrated for a couple of hours after application.
Out of all the lip balms I’ve reviewed, this is the only one without predominantly plant-based ingredients, despite Flower Beauty’s claim that this is a coconut and mango butter- derived product. The top three ingredients include polybutene (a thickening agent), petrolatum (like Vaseline), and mineral oil.
What do you think makes a good lip product and what products am I missing? Send me a note and we can keep the conversation going about all things lip care.
