r/LipBalm

My current wish list would probably be Ole Henrickson Sweet Macaron & Vanilla Bon Bon. Marin Blueberry French Toast & Mint. Rhode Caramelized Banana. Any Eadem or Topicals. And anything purple-y/mauve-y! Feel free to deinfluence or recommend specifics or anything else!

Seriously love having found this sub and love seeing everyone's goodies! 💖

Does not include lip sleeping masks or the ones with the rest of my makeup or the dozens in my various purses. Oh, or the ones in my car or next to my tv watching chair. You have all made me feel normal!

My absolute fav (and I hate myself for it) is Rhode, second is Skwálwen Botanicals (a canadian indigenous brand), third is Mario Badescu, and my biggest regrets are the Cover Girl squishy and Elf both are GARBAGE imo.

Love love love the Ole Henricksen Pout Preserve. This smells like fried donuts to me. So long lasting, so hydrating, my lips loved this.

Things escalated quickly with this brand.
If you’re wondering if you should try it, this is your sign.
I am a clear and sheer kind of lady. The pink vanilla has a slight pink tint to it but, I’m actually ok with it.
PSA these are good for 6 months once opened.

I’m trying to be good about not opening a ton of lip balms that I won’t be able to finish before they expire… BUT it’s finally time to open a new one!! (RIP Ruby & Millie vanilla lip balm i lost at the movie theatre 💔)

SO - what should I choose??

1. Topicals Slick Salve Açai lip balm
2. Cocokjnd ceramide lip balm in be kind
3. Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Mango
4. Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Matcha Bubble Tea

For reference, I have a few Laneige glaze crazes, an elf balm, and a few Ole’s open right now and i’m loving them all!

Please let me know what you think i should open next 💝

Sometimes I look at my collection and think to myself, “why am I like this?” But then I learned that this sub exists so thank you 💖
From left to right live in a pouch that I transfer from bag to bag: Ole Henriksen in Sweet Macaron, Summer Fridays in Brown Sugar, Eadem in Burnt Malai and new add Sakura Shave Ice, Prequel Lip Visor SPF 30 in clear
On the right from top to bottom live in my work bag always: Glossier BDC in Peppermint Bark and Black Cherry, Rhode in pbj,
On my keys always: Glossier BDC in Wild Fig
If I had to rank, I’d say 1. Glossier BDC (current/original formula forever) 2. Eadem 3. Ole 4. Prequel 5. Rhode 6. Summer Fridays

I’m on a mission to try every brand I can, but you can definitely tell which brands I am more partial to. Is there a favorite that you don’t see that I should try? Did you HATE any of these? So curious to get opinions lesser-known brands if others have tried. Thank you!

Lip profile: Not particularly dry, I had used isotretinoin and somehow never experienced chapped or dry lips (maybe because I have been a long time makeup/beauty girlie that my lips are covered in something, usually multiple things 24/7? Never are my lips ever bare and not wearing something). My lips are pigmented, color is greyish-brownish-mauvey-reddish color.

About me: AuADHD with special interest in sunscreens and intolerant of aromas I don't like but extremely receptive to aromas I do like which could be different from you. Fine with all types of matte to glossy finishes because makeup girlie. Prioritize reliable UVB and UVA protection for the lips and extremely prone to hyperpigmentation including the lips, mine of which have many colors, but understand the limitations with products out there. I do have MSc in cosmetic chemistry blah blah blah but I don't think the field is really as remarkable and rigorous as fans think.

Reviews, not organized in any particular order but trying to follow the picture from L-R and then final ones not pictured. Normally I include INCI but some people send messages to me to yell at me the way I formatted my other reviews and highlighted the filters so I won't do that anymore. But if you want me to add it later, I will do it, just say so.

1. Blistex Ultra SPF 50+ Comparatively the most matte lip balm, particularly SPF lip balm, I have found. No white cast. Very smooth, waxy, plush stick with a slight vanilla aroma and sweet flavor due to the vanillin and saccharin. Very easy to use under or over lip makeup especially matte lip products. I have repurchased this many many times after finding the recommendations here on EuroSkincare. 
2. La Roche Posay UVSport Stick SPF 50+ This doesn't say that it is part of the Uvmune series but it has the collective Uvmune filters combining Avobenzone and Mexoryl 400. For me, as my lips are big, I actually welcome this size of stick for my mouth. It is waxy, smooth, satin natural finish. Has more sheen than the Blistex but not as much as other balms and nowhere near considered a gloss finish. So it wears really well under and over lip makeup for both matte and glossy looks. There's no aroma and barely any taste as in it doesn't have the poisonous sunscreen lip balm taste which I am very happy with. Recently, I've been reaching for this more than Blistex and others. I can see myself repurchasing it because it is so versatile and tenacious too.
3. Ultrasun Lip Protection & Care SPF 50, PPD 25 This like Blistex I repurchased many many times already due to recommendations on EuroSkincare. It is only SPF 50 but that's ok, it is not a super high UV use for me but an everyday casual use. It has a subtle berry/blackcurrant aroma but not much of a taste. It is waxy but leaves a sheen that I will describe as a soft gloss. On its own, it does make it look like I'm wearing a clear gloss but not a glassy gloss. It works well with other glossy and sheeny lip makeup or when I do want that shine. 
4. Hello Sunday The Rose One Tinted Lip Balm SPF 50 I posted an individual review for this already and I have repurchased it many many times already. I really love this for my personal tastes. It is a really nice pink, almost like "nude pink" tone that is not too warm and has decent opacity and a creamy shine. The aroma is like artificial strawberry candy and not too much of a sunscreen or poison taste. So the color and the aroma are huge pluses for me as is the variety of filters used, many of which are newer gen. This is still one of the best tinted SPF lip balms I have found for makeup girlies. 
5. Bell Hypoallergenic Peachee Touch Lip Mask SPF 50+ I also posted an individual review for this a while back. I bought so many but haven't been able to go back to buy more that I'm not sure if it was really limited edition. But this is from a Polish brand that is widely sold in Poland but not necessarily in other countries (I am based in Spain). I loved this so much. It's a brighter tint than the Hello Sunday and shinier and also SPF 50+. Doesn't have a sunscreen or poison taste. I will still yearn for this one or I will have to harass the brand to make it more accessible. It is so good.
6. Cancer Council Lip Balm SPF 50+ in Vanilla This has to be ordered online and it is from an Australian brand. There have been several repackaging of this but I always enjoy this one. It is like a melty gloss so there is definite shine and shimmer here. There is a vanilla aroma and a sweet flavor that makes it easy to use. The color is a sheer wash of a slightly cool to neutral toned beige with champagne shimmer that tempers down my natural lip color and I really like that. I personally really enjoy using this on top of other lip makeup, especially neutrals and browns, or a neutral liner and this on top. If you like the super popular Chanel boy lip color, you might like this though it is not as cool and more glossy. 
7. Cancer Counil Lip Balm SPF 50+ in Raspberry (discontinued) So I had to add this even though it's been discontinued and I'm writing this off memory. The new Berry ones are similar. Like the Vanilla, it is a melty gloss so there is a lot of shine and feeling on the lips. The aroma is something I really love. It's like the raspberry version of the Hello Sunday. It has a slightly sweet flavor too. The color is a bright midtone pink that adds brightness and depth to my natural lipcolor. For me, I like to pair it with lighter pink makeup. If someone has less pigmented lips, they would find it imparts a rosy translucence. I'm kind of sad this one was discontinued. 
8. Labello Liposan SPF 50 If you know, this is a Beiersdorf formula that is reiterated across multiple brands. Labello as shown here but also the same as Nivea Sun. This is a waxy stick that doesn't have too much sheen but not as matte as the Blistex. There is a slight vegetal and floral aroma and a stronger sunscreen taste but the taste doesn't go so bad that I think I've been poisoned. I don't enjoy the aroma so I didn't like using this as much. 
9. Avene Lip SPF 50+ I like Avene's non SPF lip balms so I wanted to try this. Unfortunately, it tastes like poison and it has a white cast. I could not use this for very long to be honest. 
10. La Roche Posay Stick XL SPF 50+ PPD 27 This was similar to the experience with the Avene lip spf except it didn't have a white cast. But the aroma and taste was unbearable that it is unuseable for me.
11. Aquaphor Lip Protectant SPF 30 This is a Beiersdorf product but I bought this at an airport in Canada. I don't think it is sold in Europe. But that's not a bad thing because we are not missing out. This tasted like poison that I got worried mid flight.
12. Ultra Violette Sheen Screen SPF 50 EU/AUS formula I wrote an individual review for this one in Bejewelled which is a very sheer shimmery mid tone rose shade. I was so excited to try it but I ended up have to get medical care due to a reaction. The doctor suspected it was the minty/mentholated component that produces the tingly effect on the lips that caused the reaction which I had to take steroids and antibiotics. That experience plus the underwhelming filter combination that isn't fully photostable (Octinoxate+Avobenzone still degrades with the bit of Octocrylene and lack of other ingredients in this formula) and the high price was a big time never again!
13. Ultra Violette Sheen Screen SPF 50 USA formula Oh but wait, I said never again but never say never. Acorn, when will you learn from your mistakes? Oops I did it again, on a trip across Atlantic I made impulse purchase of the USA formula which supposedly changed the aroma ingredients so that it is a "vanilla caramel" instead of mentholated/minty tingle. The aroma was not really there and no even close to subtle hit of vanilla you get with the Blistex and the Cancer Council. The aroma was more vegetale and waxy. I got a reaction again and had to go through the terrible American healthcare system for my swollen, peeling, bursting, cracking mouth. This was a nightmare. This was a horror film. But I am glad I made it back so I can write about it and tell you about my experience and have the financials to pay for the bill, medications, and all these lip products.

Not pictured!

1. Isdin Lip Protector SPF 50 Really strong vegetal and floral aroma and taste I had to immediately remove after applying. I can't use it and I will not repurchase.
2. Babe Laboratories Lip & Cheek Color Balm SPF 50 Nude This has a melty gloss feel to it and the color is a warm, orangey nude which is not good for my own coloring (all the colors leaned warm, burnished, reddish types, not good for my coloring). But it tasted really really bad that I had to wipe it off.
3. Transparent Lab Tinted Lip Gloss SPF50  in Rose So I actually ordered all of the colors and the issue was that they were all very warm, burnished berry reds and orangey colors. Also they all showed separation upon squeezing out of the tube and not entirely smooth. Rose was the one I decided to put on my lips and it tasted so bad I had to wipe it off.
4. Naked Sundays Glow and Go Lip Oil SPF50+ in Salted Caramel. This tasted like strong poison and I had to wipe it off! I originally wasn't crazy about the clear container style packaging and thoughts were further reinforced after learning about the questionable manufacturer (Wild Child).

the most delicious lip balm flavor i have ever tried. it isnt a candy banana but a decadent dessert caramelized banana pudding with the pie crust and all

the formula actually heals my lips and doesnt just sit on top. there isnt a weird white cast like their regular banana sheen and has a clear yellow color that goes on without any color.

ive been sniffing this all day and im obsessed. i think i enjoy this more than wearing perfume

AMA! Edit* I keep adding ones I’ve tried that I have forgotten about 🤭🤪

I decided to go on a quest for my favorite mint lip balm. I have slowly collected over the years and here is my personal rankings. I divided them into squeeze tubes and sticks. I have noticed I tend to favor lanolin and coconut bases and less the wax bases.

The piles to the left on each row are my winners, arranged in order of favorite. I would repurchase all.

The piles to the right on each row are returns/trash/giveaway. But I would never use again.

Not pictured that I have tried: eos sweet mint (middle of the pack), Burt’s Bees (return/trash/giveaway pile), wet’n’wild grapefruit mint (middle of the pack), neccessaire (bottom of my keeps, maybe in returns) Vaseline mint (trash. This one broke my heart because I adore rosy lips) Henry’s black tinted balm (color was neat, didn’t do much. I lost it), Chapstick Candy Cane (meh? Giveaway)

Not tested but want to try: rhode, Summer Fridays, Prequel Lip Visor, Jones Road Lip Recharge, Poppy & Pout, Surface, Lanolips 101 Candy Cane, Korres

Squeeze top 3: Marin, Lanolips, Jack Black
Stick top 3: Co Bigelow, Starface, lypsyl

The one mint to rule them all: Marin

2nd ETA- you guys are coming through on the recs, I’m gonna need a pt. 2! 😂

3rd ETA -
I tried Korres 😖. Super moisturizing. But. It burnt my tongue! and smelled like sour beer! Blegh! (Return)
I also tried Poppy & Pout. It wasn’t sweet at all and had no flavor. More peppermint and super strong mint. Super moisturizing but not my jam.(Return)

I just ran out of my banana Lanolips and saw they’re on Amazon so I put one in my cart. I just got it, the box was open when I got it but nothing else seemed off until I put it on. Still smelled like bananas but the texture is a bit off, it smells sort of like rubber, and has an off taste to it. I added photos, what do you think?

to those who have this- does it leave a white cast or a similar white wash of color on the lips? is it flattering on its own without a lip liner?

Hermes - $86. Packaging is cute and luxurious. I like the magnetic top. No scent/ color. This is more of a lip conditioner. I would use it under something else like a matte lipstick or even before putting on a gloss. It was on my wishlist and I got it for Mother’s Day as a gift. 7.5/10

Prada - $50. This is the PH balm that changes colors with the PH of your lips. Packaging is also magnetic Smells like baby powder and is blue but turns your lips pink. Not as moisturizing and also not a must have seeing as though there are better PH balm/lip oil options. 5.5/10

Chanel - $40. Very moisturizing. No color/scent. Lasted a while on my lips. Will repurchase. 10/10

Dior - $40. This one is also a PH balm. Turns my lips a rosy pink color. Very moisturizing. I wore this one down lol. It was my date night balm for a while. 10/10

♥️

Ugh so many recent launches that I couldn’t resist. I know I’m gonna get judged for this and I totally get it. I’m blaming a lot of my recent purchases on this subreddit lol. But tbh I secretly don’t regret any of this (I will use them all). I’m totally enjoying the limited edition tinted balms from rhode (I had placed an order for backups of the scents and shades I loved the most before they took them down from the site-so happy to have those coming). I won’t be cracking any open until I have finished one.

Second and third pic: finished summer Fridays balm in the classic pink sugar scent.

Third pic: two balms I’m finishing next (victoria’s secret lip mask and laneige glowy balm)