If you’ve got chapped, dry lips, it may be time to invest in a brand new lip balm. Chapped lips can be caused by a multitude of factors – too much sun, not drinking enough water or habitual licking. For those of us who love matte liquid lipsticks, the situation can be worse, leaving already dry, flaky lips even worse for wear. And when you apply matte lipsticks every day, the result can be less than pretty.
But that’s where we’ll come in – through a long journey of trial and error over the years, we’ve put together a list of must-have lip balms guaranteed to keep your lips soft and luscious. Some of them are drugstore favourites, while others are a little more fancy. But whatever the price point, you can be sure that all of them will get the job done. Now, all you have to do is to decide which ones to buy.
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CHARLOTTE TILBURY Hot Lips 2.0 Lipstick in Enigmatic Edward, $52, Sephora
This lip conditioner is part of the Hot Lips 2.0 range, which comes in a cute encasing. This was created as a homage to Edward Enninful, the editor-in-chief of British Vogue. It promises to keep your puckers moisturised for up to 11 hours, but honestly, with that packaging, we wouldn’t mind reapplying every hour just to show it off.
Anna Sui Treatment Lip Balm II, $21
Part of their holiday range, the lip balm is housed in a pretty pot with Anna Sui’s signature design. It even comes with an ornament (a unicorn or a butterfly, depending on which of the two lip balm shades you choose) that you can hang on your Christmas tree. If you’re going for the no-makeup look, this tinted lip balm is perfect to keep your lips hydrated while adding a tinge of colour.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Levres Barrier Repairing Balm, $16.90, Lazada
Like the rest of the products in La Roche-Posay’s popular Cicaplast line, this is great for soothing sensitive, irritated and cracked skin. It’s infused with madecassoside (hence the “cica” in the product name), 5 percent panthenol (vitamin B5) and 10 percent shea butter to moisturise. The formula forms a comfortable film over your lips to protect it from the elements. It’s fragrance- and paraben-free, and is suitable for use on both adults and children.
Nivea Fruity Shine Cherry lip balm, $4.50, Watsons
You can always count on Nivea for reliable and affordable lip care products. Did you know that they’re apparently the #1 lip care brand in South Korea? No surprise, considering the fact that various members of South Korean boyband BTS are often spotted using the brand’s cherry-flavoured lip balm. This one carries a sheer red tint and just the slightest hint of shimmer, making it a perfect choice if you ever want to do a no-makeup makeup look.
DHC Lip Cream, $17.90, Watsons
Don’t be misled by the product name – although it’s called a “lip cream”, the product comes in a stick form. It’s infused with the brand’s signature olive oil, as well as lanolin, ginseng root, aloe extract, beeswax and squalene. There’s no added fragrance, although you do get a faint whiff of olive oil when it’s first applied. The product is included in the “Hall of Fame” on Cosme, the largest and most influential online beauty community in Japan. You can use the product both under and over lipstick, and it has a non-sticky finish.
Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15, $36, Sephora
Fresh’s best-selling tinted lip balm contains real sugar, which attracts and binds water molecules to your skin. It also has meadowfoam and blackcurrant oils (amongst a litany of other botanical oils) to keep skin supple, vitamins C and E to fight free radicals from UV exposure and pollution, as well as a natural wash of colour to liven up your lips.
Rosebud Perfume Company Rosebud Salve, $18, Sephora
You can’t go wrong with a formula that’s been around for about 127 years, can you? This beloved balm regularly pops up on lists of beauty must-haves and no wonder — it comes in a charmingly quaint tin, smells like a rose-scented dream, and is great for softening skin. Besides using it on your lips, you can also apply it to your cuticles, dry patches of skin and minor burns. Do note that the main ingredient is surgical grade white petrolatum, however.
Dior Lip Glow, $50, Sephora and Dior counters
Want to feel real fancy in a jiffy? Swipe this colour-changing lip balm from Dior on to your lips. The original formula transforms into a soft, rosy shade the moment it comes into contact with your skin. There are also holographic and matte versions, but we will always have a soft spot for the OG.
Origins Blooming Sheer Lip Balm, $33, Sephora
The Origins Blooming Sheer Lip Balms look like lipsticks, and come in beautiful tubes adorned with floral motifs. The balms are made with real crushed flower petals, floral waxes, flower honeys and essential oils. The darker shades (especially Night Bloom) may look intimidatingly intense in the tube, but are actually appealingly transparent on your lips, leaving just a delicate wash of colour.
LANEIGE Stained Glow Lip Balm in No.2 Rich Red, $33
You know that a tinted lip balm is serious about doing its job when it has a technology called Smart Tinting—this means, the colour you see after application depends on the moisture and pH levels on your lips. Plus, it contains the goodness of the brand’s Lip Sleeping Mask, namely the Berry Mix Complex™ and Moisture Wrap™ technology, which means not only will you have a wash of a beautiful shade on your lips, your puckers are also moisturised for your bae’s pleasure.
Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm, $36
Infused with cocoa extract that makes your lips hydrated by stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid, this one will make your puckers look irresistible throughout the date. It also contains blue lotus wax that forms a nourishing film on your lips for supple-looking puckers that he can’t resist.
Developed with sensitive skin in mind, all First Aid Beauty products are made without artificial colourants, fragrances and sulfates. Combining luxurious textures with efficacy, the allergy-tested formulas are mild and pleasurable to use at the same time. The same goes for this fortifying lip balm. Infused with the healing properties of the brand’s signature Ultra Repair Cream, it pampers chapped lips with nourishing ingredients for long-lasting moisture. Plus, unlike many lip balms that are shiny or glossy, it has a semi-matte finish that makes it perfect for layering lipsticks over.
Innisfree Canola Honey Lip Balm Deep Moisture, $10
Ideal for super sensitive skin, this nourishing lip balm contains Jeju canola honey extract which is rich in protein so skin elasticity is improved. The naturally derived honey scent is sweet but not overpowering, so feel free to apply liberally if you love the fragrance. The combination of sweet almond, jojoba oil and canola seed oil also creates a protective barrier to prevent lips from drying out, while leaving a slight glossy finish on the lips.
Chanel Rouge Coco Baume Hydrating Conditioning Lip Balm, $50
With a sheer yet high-gloss finish, the moisture-rich lip balm glides on easily to give lips a healthier and fuller appearance. Wear it alone or use it as a base before applying lipstick. The soothing formula is packed with squalene, vitamin E and meadowfoam oil and instantly melts to give you plump and sumptuous lips.
Sulwhasoo Essential Lip Serum Stick in No.5 Blossom Coral, $50
The name alone is enough to get us to add to cart. Available in a wide range of pink and red colours, these gorgeous tints provide the perfect amount of colour without skimping on moisture. Say goodbye to fine lines with just a few swipes of the product as it fills the surface of the lips and leaves them looking plump and vibrant. Camellia oil and safflower complex instantly conditions lips and creates a double layer of oil and water for long-lasting moisture without leaving lips feeling sticky or tight.
Caudalie French Kiss Tinted Lip Balm in Seduction, $19
This tinted balm feels rich and creamy on the lips and allows for buildable colour. Infused with aloe vera, beeswax and sunflower oil, the balm is also made without parabens, phthalates, SLS and mineral oils. With the playful names, French Kiss in Séduction caresses your lips with a soft pink tint and has faint buttery vanilla scent—how delectable!
By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Care, $80
A beauty editor favourite, this super luxe lip balm is formulated with softening Rose Flower Essential Wax, antioxidant Vitamin E and healing Shea Butter. Nourishing while repairing lips’ natural moisture barrier, your lips are guaranteed long-term protection even after an intense makeout marathon. Apply directly to the lips with fingertips and rub in the excess on dry cuticles. Or put it on before you sleep for an intense overnight treatment.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour® Cream Lip Protectant Stick Sunscreen SPF 15, $31
In a convenient lipstick packaging, this lip balm is an essential to pack when you’re travelling travelling with bae as it helps to guard against the damaging effects of UV exposure with SPF15. The formula glides on easily and doesn’t leave lips looking glossy or shiny, so it’s perfect to wear alone or under lipstick. Treat yourself to some aromatherapy with the hint of eucalyptus while applying this lip balm, which also boasts the brand’s cult-classic Eight Hour ingredients for soft and smooth lips.
La Mer Moisturising Lip Balm, $120
Infused with a potent concentration of Miracle Broth, this balm restores and conditions lips. A patented lip lipid complex strengthens the natural moisture barrier of your lips while the smell of mint calms and invigorates your mind. Not sticky or waxy, the lip balm is packaged in a pot, so you’ll have to be comfortable applying it with your fingers. Share with bae to make his lips kissable too.
Text: Engracia Ang, Debby Kwong
Additional text: Zoe Zeng
Image: Respective brands, Pixabay