Gabrielle Langdon; Source images: Allure editors; courtesy of brands
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Some shine, some shimmer, and some even tingle, but one thing all the best tinted lip balms do is provide equal parts moisture and color. Sure, there are some days when we want ultra-pigmented, matte color, but other days, especially during chillier months, we lean on a barely-there lip balm with a hint of sheen. But don’t fret—tinted lip balm has evolved since its humble Lip Smackers days. Makeup brands ranging from drugstore to prestige have refined ingredient lists to include powerhouse skin-care ingredients (hi, peptides and shea butter) and developed dreamy hues for every skin tone. So, when our dryness stops us from reaching for lipstick, these formulas come to the rescue, replenishing moisture and imparting glowy, our-lips-but-better finishes.
Our Top Tinted Lip Balms
- Best Overall: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, $24
- Best Plumping: Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment, $23
- Best “My Lips But Better” Shades: Clinique Almost Lipstick in Pink Honey, $25
- Best Exfoliating: Eadem Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm, $24
- Best for Lip Lines: Kosas Wet Stick, $24
- Best Sheer: Nars Afterglow Tinted Lip Balm, $30
- Best Buildable: Violette_FR Bisou Jelly, $29
- Most Delicious Shades: Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment, $16
- Best Bold Shades: Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm, $28
- Best Drugstore: Hard Candy Lip Butter, $7
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
Best Overall: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Summer Fridays
Lip Butter Balm
Amazon
Sephora
Allure former senior beauty editor Paige Stables applying the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Pink Sugar
Paige Stables
Why it's worth it: Summer Fridays' Best of Beauty-winning Lip Butter Balm comes in nine sweet-smelling tints inspired by some of our favorite treats (we're looking at you, Iced Coffee). This TikTok-viral lip balm has it all: a dryness-diminishing formula, delectable flavors, and layerable formula—and the clear shade doubles as an overnight mask. As for its shades, you can go as subtle as Vanilla Beige (pictured) or amp up your natural lip color with a layer of Cherry. No matter which one you opt for, the rich formula seamlessly glides across and cushions dry, chapped lips in a blanket of moisturizing vegan waxes, antioxidant-rich shea butter, and murumuru seed butter.
Stables before applying the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Paige Stables
Stables after applying the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Pink Sugar
Paige Stables
Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han
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"I'm not a gloss girly, but I'm a sucker for the high-shine finish of Summer Fridays' Lip Butter Balm. A lot of lip balms talk the talk, but leave my lips dry within the hour—but this formula feels like it not only sits pretty on my lips but actually lends long-lasting hydration. I also appreciate the shade range has, well, range. Shoutouts to my neutral-loving friends, but I love a pink, red, or berry, and Cherry delivers."—Sarah Han, commerce editor
Tester Feedback from features director Dianna Mazzone Singh
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"These lip balms are the equivalent of Pokémon: You'll want to catch them all. In every flavor, the plush formula feels like a hug for your lips." –Dianna Mazzone Singh, features director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, murumuru seed butter, microcrystalline wax
- Shades: 9
Best Plumping: Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment
Ole Henriksen
Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment
Ulta Beauty
Allure former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis applying Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment in Creme Brulee
Angela Trakoshis
Why it's worth it: Our editors can't get enough of Ole Henriksen's Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment, which explains the 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner seal. Derms approve of the star ingredient (two types of peptides) when it comes to all skin, including the lips. "Peptides are effective for enhancing lip appearance by boosting collagen production, which helps keep lips firm and smooth," Nicole Lee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Epoch Dermatology in Garden City, New York, explained. "They also improve hydration, making lips plump and well-moisturized, and reduce the appearance of fine lines while supporting overall repair."
Also contributing to the plumping, fuller-looking effect are kokum butter, mango seed butter, and cloudberry oil—a recipe for smooth-gliding, juicy success, if you ask us. What also doesn't hurt: Ole Henriksen's balms smell utterly delicious. Hello, creme brulee? Strawberry sorbet? We need one of each.
Trakoshis before applying in Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment in Creme Brulee
Angela Trakoshis
Trakoshis after applying in Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment in Creme Brulee
Angela Trakoshis
Tester feedback from Allure former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
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"I have one of these in every bag, in my car, and pretty much everywhere I frequent. That's how much I love them. It's a mix of skin care meets makeup—the peptides hydrate, the butters moisturize, and the pigment is comparable to some of my favorite lip glosses on the market." —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: peptides, kokum and mango seed butter, cloudberry oil, acai sterols
- Shades: 4
Best “My Lips But Better” Shades: Clinique Almost Lipstick in Pink Honey
Clinique
Almost Lipstick in Pink Honey
Clinique
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Pink Honey
Sarah Felbin
Why it’s worth it: First launched back in 1971, the sheer formula of Clinique’s Almost Lipstick has yet again returned to the spotlight, thanks to Gen Z’s obsession with the shade Black Honey, which won a 2023 Best of Beauty Award. The shade lineup has since expanded to feature Nude Honey and Pink Honey, which, as you can assume, is a pinkier version of its darker sibling. What has stayed the same, though, is the featherlight wash of color and texture—infused with castor seed oil, candelilla wax, and vitamin E for comfortable wear with each application (and reapplication).
Felbin before applying the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Pink Honey
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Pink Honey
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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"When the classic Black Honey feels too dark and vampy, I reach for Pink Honey instead. The color is the perfect 'my lips, but better' shade—it adds just the right amount of color. And the thicker texture feels super nourishing on my lips, compared to a thinner gloss." —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: castor seed oil, candelilla wax, and vitamin E
- Shades: 3
Best Exfoliating: Eadem Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm
Eadem
Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm
Amazon
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying Eadem Le Chouchou Exfoliating Softening Peptide Lip Balm in Bissap Glaze
Sarah Han
Why it’s worth it: Lips aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think “exfoliating,” but Eadem’s Le Chouchou Lip Balm is here to change that. Think of this lip-cocooning treatment as an ultra-fancy exfoliating chapstick. With hibiscus enzymes and lactic acid, it buffs away that crusty, dusty layer of dryness to reveal a juicier pout. “Anyone with dry, peeling lips or anyone looking for exfoliation would like this formula, which has alpha hydroxy acids and peptides that help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and plump the skin in the lips,” Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Alabama, previously explained. Oh, and about that tint: It comes in eight glossy shades (plus one clear), all deliciously smooth and glossy.
Han before applying Eadem Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm
Sarah Han
Han after applying Eadem Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm in Bissap Glaze
Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han
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“It took me long enough to try this beloved lip balm but the wait was worth it because I get the hype. Le Chouchou is thick and cushiony (moreso than I expected) and feels more conditioning than my other lip balms, and the fact that there are chemical exfoliants baked into the formula takes them straight to S-tier lip balms. My lips flake pretty easily but now I can treat them during the daytime, instead of only relying on a lip mask at night. My lips feel instantly smooth and the color range is fab, too. I'm a sucker for berry hues like Bissap Glaze but will definitely be reaching for Guava Fresca on minimal makeup days,” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hibiscus enzymes, Brazilian açaí and African mongongo butters, collagen-boosting peptide
- Shades: 8
Best for Lip Lines: Kosas Wet Stick
Kosas
Wet Stick
Amazon
Credo Beauty
Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin applying the Kosas Wet Stick in Malibu
Shanna Shipin
Why it's worth it: We know Kosas's Wet Stick is technically a lipstick, but its ultra-moisturizing feel and sheer pigment lean much more balm than conventional lipstick. This lineup of 12 shades has a nude and pink for all skin tones, but our editors love that this balmy lipstick runs deeper than tint. We love swiping on its slightly slippery, lightweight formula for its barely-there feel and conditioning results. Speaking of its formula, it contains the hydration works: squalane, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and firming peptides, to be exact.
Shipin before applying the Kosas Wet Stick in Malibu
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying the Kosas Wet Stick in Malibu
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin
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"The glide on a Kosas Wet Stick is unparalleled—you truly have to try it out to understand just how smooth, creamy, and (yes!) pigmented this balm is. Part of the reason I have so many (somewhere in the realm of a half-dozen) is the luxe experience of application. While there isn't incredible staying power, in true Kosas fashion, the stick is infused with skin-loving ingredients like ceramides and squalane that hydrate and moisturize, leaving my lips feeling protected—and naturally amped up. I also love the shade range with Wet Stick; there's everything from neutral mauves to totally moody browns.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, peptides
- Shades: 12
Best Sheer: Nars Afterglow Tinted Lip Balm
Nars
Afterglow Tinted Lip Balm
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure contributor Deanna Pai applying Nars Afterglow Tinted Lip Balm in Turbo
Why it's worth it: Nars knows its cheeks, bases, lips, and really everything in between, and Afterglow Tinted Lip Balm is living proof. True to its name, this sheer formula is perfect for those who like a subtle look with a hint of sheen—the latter is due to the hydrating complex (including coconut oil). Fair warning: The shade lineup includes the ever-iconic (and not-safe-for-grandma) Orgasm and Deep Throat.
Pai before applying Nars Afterglow Tinted Lip Balm in Turbo
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying Nars Afterglow Tinted Lip Balm in Turbo
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from Allure contributing editor Deanna Pai
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“I have these in multiple shades, which is important because I keep them ev-er-y-where: in my purse, at my desk, in my bathroom. They offer just enough moisture to keep my lips comfortable, even in the dead of winter, and pigment that's sheer enough that I don't need a mirror. They're my end-all, be-all." —Deanna Pai, contributing editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Monoi Hydrating Complex (coconut oil, gardenia tahitensis flower extract, squalane), jojoba seed oil
- Shades: 9
Best Buildable: Violette_FR Bisou Jelly
Violette_FR
Bisou Jelly
Sephora
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffman applying Violette_FR Bisou Jelly in Aïssa
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it's worth it: Here's a quick, unprompted French lesson: "Bouche mordue" means just-bitten lips. That's the vision Violette Serrat (Violette_FR's founder) had when creating these extra-juicy lipstick-balm hybrids, otherwise known as Bisou Jelly. The texture lives up to its name, and then some, in case you have doubts. The outer jelly layer acts as a supremely hydrating base, while the vitamin E-infused, deeper-hued core adds a subtle wash of color. No need to be precious about application, either—it's oh-so buildable, almost to a fault. Position the jelly ring right above your lip line for a cute, fuller, but never obvious effect.
Hoffman before applying Violette_FR Bisou Jelly in Aïssa
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffman after applying Violette_FR Bisou Jelly in Aïssa
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffman
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"To some extent, I think this is the lip product I've been looking for for my entire life. It is far and away the easiest method of achieving the French blurred lip look I've ever found, and for that reason, it will simply never leave my purse again. I like to get really haphazard with the application—the messier you are, the prettier it looks, I swear—so the pigment in the center and the balm on the outside really get mixed together on my lips." —Sarah Hoffman, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: castor seed oil, sunflower seed oil, vitamin E
- Shades: 4
Most Delicious Shades: Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment
Tower 28
LipSoftie Lip Treatment
Amazon
Sephora
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment in Ube Vanilla
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why it's worth it: If there's one lip product nearly every Allure staffer has on their desks, it's the Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment. Our editors praise this gooey lip balm for its ability to impart equal parts moisture and color. Bonus: The shades—particularly Ube Vanilla and Blood Orange Vanilla—are much more pigmented than other tinted balms. This concoction of shea butter, jojoba oil, and amino acid lysine leaves our lips feeling smooth and nourished.
Calaor before applying the Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment in Ube Vanilla
Jesa Marie Calaor
Calaor after applying the Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment in Ube Vanilla
Jesa Marie Calaor
Tester feedback from Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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"Not only is the LipSoftie in Ube Vanilla deliciously sweet, but it also imparts the prettiest berry tint with a glassy shine that is perfect for fall. It dispenses to look like marmalade, but the rounded tip easily spreads it across lips for an even wash of color. I also love how balmy (and not sticky) it feels on my lips." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, lysine, jojoba oil
- Shades: 8
Best Bold Shades: Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm
Ilia
Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm
Amazon
Nordstrom
Allure contributor Annie Blackman applying Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm in Faded
Annie Blackman
Why it's worth it: On days you can't decide whether to wear lipstick or lip balm, Ilia's Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm has your back. The hybrid formula doesn't compromise pigment or moisture (thanks to sea succulent extract, rosehip oil, and shea butter), so your lips stay soft with gorgeous color all day long. We also love that this lip balm has a buildable tint you can apply in one swipe for a sheer hint of color or layer for a more opaque, glossy lipstick-like finish.
Blackman before applying Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm in Faded
Annie Blackman
Blackman after applying Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm in Faded
Annie Blackman
Tester feedback from Allure contributor Annie Blackman
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"I love how Ilia's Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm bridges the gap between balm and lipstick. It goes on so, so buttery, but with a rich, buildable pigment that looks just like lipstick after a few swipes. You get the opacity of a creamy lipstick, but the hydration of a balm. What's not to like?" —Annie Blackman, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sea succulent extract, rosehip oil, shea butter
- Shades: 8
Best Drugstore: Hard Candy Lip Butter
Hard Candy
Lip Butter
Walmart
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Hard Candy Lip Butter in Whipped Peach
Lily Wohlner
Why it’s worth it: It’s the cushiony, moisture-packed formula of Hard Candy’s Lip Butters that makes these $7 tubes true steals. Loaded with murumuru, jojoba, mango, and shea butters, it leaves lips soft and hydrated for hours—no constant reapplying required. The shade range includes a fall-ready Berry Mousse and Toasted Coconut, a sheer brown that’s as good as it sounds, and even a clear, minty option if you want a pick-me-up without the tint.
Wohlner before applying Hard Candy Lip Butter in Whipped Peach
Lily Wohlner
Wohlner after applying Hard Candy Lip Butter in Whipped Peach
Lily Wohlner
Tester feedback from Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“I recently went to an event with Hard Candy to scout out its relaunch—in case you didn’t know, it was a popular drugstore brand in the ‘90s—and I was seriously impressed by the formulas. I tried everything from chubby lip pencils to highlighters, but what I’ve been actually using daily are these Lip Butters. They’re so juicy and refreshing, and offer the perfect topper for my lips, whether I want something clear or slightly tinted. You’d have no idea the tube is less than $10.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to Know
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- Key ingredients: murumuru, jojoba, mango, and shea butters
- Shades: 5
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ingredients are commonly found in tinted lip balms?
Whether tinted or clear, a balm's main job is to offset dryness and chapping, and to do this, they're spiked with nourishing ingredients you're probably familiar with from your skin-care routine. Here are a few of the most common ones:
Hyaluronic acid
This humectant is arguably the most popular hydrator in skin care. Doris Day, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure that hyaluronic acid is "great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness." She also noted that, while injecting hyaluronic acid into the deeper layers of the skin will provide the most effective results and help restore lost volume, this ingredient is quite beneficial as a topical. "When used in creams, lotions, and serums, it can also do wonders for rejuvenation and hydration," she said.
Shea butter
While humectants like hyaluronic acid actually bind water to the surface layer of the skin, emollients like shea butter act as a seal to prevent moisture loss while reducing roughness and flaking. "Shea butter is rich in essential fatty acids, making it an excellent emollient for the skin, helping to simultaneously moisturize and protect against water loss," Kim Nichols, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Greenwich, Connecticut, previously told Allure. Dr. Nichols added that shea butter is also a great source of vitamins A (also known as retinol) and E, two antioxidants that soothe and soften irritated, dry, and itchy skin. "This combination of powerhouse ingredients makes shea butter an ideal ingredient to help soothe symptoms of common skin-care conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis, to name a few," she says.
Jojoba oil
Despite having "oil" in its name, jojoba oil is relatively lightweight. "Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax, which is why it feels less greasy on skin compared to oils," cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson and founder of BeautyStat previously told Allure. Unlike most oils, jojoba oil is mainly composed of fatty acids, alcohol, and hydrocarbons. According to Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, jojoba oil's composition is what gives its moisturizing properties a light texture that won't clog pores as easily as other oils. "It acts as both a humectant to draw moisture in and an emollient that softens and smoothes the skin," she said.
Peptides
You've likely seen a boom in peptide lip treatments, and for good reason. If you're looking for a (much more subtle) alternative to fillers or Botox, "Peptide lip balms can be effective for improving lip texture and hydration," Cindy Bae, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City explained. Though the concentration and type of peptides will determine how effective said peptides are, the star ingredient can firm, smooth, plump, and minimize the appearance of lip lines.
What's the difference between tinted lip balms and lip tints?
They may have similar names, but tinted lip balms focus on moisture replenishment while lip tints and stains provide more potent color. Though not every lip stain can be considered a moisturizing balm, Cincinnati, Ohio-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos previously told Allure that, depending on composition, just about any lip product can act as a tint. "The color additives are the primary determinant of whether a color actually stains the lips," she says. "It's really about the chemistry of the color additives that contribute to staining, so balms, glosses, and lipsticks can all be lip stains."
Meet the experts
- Cindy Bae, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Doris Day, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Kelly Dobos, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based cosmetic chemist
- Kim Nichols, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Greenwich, Connecticut
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Ron Robinson, a cosmetic chemist and founder of skin-care brand BeautyStat
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best tinted lip balms, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance (or lack thereof), texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
