Does your basic lip balm still cut it? Lip balms and treatments are a big buzz in beauty right now – and more expensive, too. But, which ones are worth it?
One of the first beauty items I ever fell in love with was lip balm. The Body Shop’s glass pots of flavoured balms, from spearmint to cherry and kiwi fruit, were everyone’s favourites. Many of us have a lip balm habit, carrying one with us around at all times, like a grown-up soother: there’s something comforting about having one with you. Lip care is now big business – when did it become normal, or at least common, to spend €40 or more on a lip balm? With the rise in lip filler, lip care treatments have become fancier and more marketed than ever.
I remember longing for that velvety, minty La Mer lip balm (now €71 for 9g; or pick it up at the airport for €63.50). Expensive, but lovely, and the tinted Lip Volumisers are silky smooth, too.
Although high prices have become more of a norm, we know that we don’t need to spend a fortune on a good lip balm – Dr Pawpaw will do the job for under €4, or Carmex, or of course 8 Hour Cream. But a lip balm or treatment is a small treat that can give us a lift on a cold day.
For an Irish option, Pestle & Mortar’s Chummi lip masks (vanilla, berry or coconut, €19) are buttery and decent value for 20g, which will last for ages. However, the additional tube packaging, while attractive, seems superfluous, and as a pot it’s rather large to carry around. We love one with a bit of tint, too, or you can mix a balm with lip crayon or colour for the same effect.
These are our top picks to try …
For night time, I love Tatcha’s silky, comforting Lip Treatment, although it’s undeniably pricey at €48 for 10ml.
I’m also coveting the Summer Fridays set of “mini neutrals” with tints, €26; a set of four mini balms in appealing shades of coffee and cream.
Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment (€23, 10ml) remains one of the nicest – the tints are pretty, from cherry to espresso, and the texture is silky and lip-softening.
bareMinerals Dewy Lip Gloss Balm (€29) comes in neutral, plus a range of soft colours, and is comfortable to wear as it’s non-sticky and quick to swipe on.
Next time I travel, I’m going to nab a Tinted Balm by Augustinus Bader x Sofia Coppola, available in three subtle shades, €32. So elegant, with lip-caring ingredients from the skincare master.
Lastly, the Dr Jart packaging baffles me. It’s a nice enough balm, but I can’t think who this blue plastic pot is aimed at, beyond ten-year-olds, who don’t need lip balm in the slightest anyway. We’d rather have something that’s easier to recycle, too. €25.50.
