Ariel Baker
In my 28 years of life, one thing has remained constant: my lips are perpetually chapped. Sometimes, they're peeling, occasionally bleeding (it's a winter thing), and very rarely do they feel smooth. So, I became a beauty editor on a mission: find the best tinted lip balm in existence so my lips could be both hydrated and pigmented 24/7.
My little hydration experiment proved successful (my lips are now silky smooth) and allowed me to try an exorbitant number of tinted lip balms. I've gone through almost eight tubes of Summer Friday's Lip Butter Balm (I'm a pink sugar girl who dabbles in vanilla beige); I keep Hourglass' Glossy Lip Balm in every going-out bag (the pigment is unmatched); and even discovered some drugstore go-tos, like Naturium's Phyto-Glow Lip Balm, that are ideal for a budget buy.
Those are just a few of my favorites. There are options for intense pigment, lip masks that double as an overnight treatment, and picks that have a little shimmer. Want to know all my thoroughly-tested must-haves? Keep reading to shop for the 18 best tinted lip balms of all time, according to yours truly. Plus, discover a few expert tips from makeup artists, who know what it takes to make a good lip balm.
The Best Tinted Lip Balms
- The Best Tinted Lip Balm Overall: U Beauty The Plasma Lip Compound
- The Best Viral Tinted Lip Balm: Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm
- The Best High-End Tinted Lip Balm: Dior Addict Lip Glow Balm
- The Best Tinted Lip Balm With a Glossy Finish: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
- The Best Tinted Lip Balm for Shine: Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm Jam
U Beauty’s OG Plasma Lip Compound has raked up thousands of five-star reviews since launch—and the hydrating, plumping, uber-glossy formula truly deserves all the praise. It improves volume and hydration, reduces the look of fine lines, and revives the lip’s natural color. I truly didn’t think I could love the product more, until the brand dropped three tinted shades. The pigment is strong and each hue looks great on all skin tones. I frequently switch between Fawn and Rose, but I’ll grab Cassis if I want something a bit bolder.
Application Method: Squeeze tube
What I Love: Intense pigment; High shine; Deeply hydrating
What I Don't: Expensive; Strong scent
Review for MC: "Not only is this lip balm next-level glossy, but the color range is fantastic. They are perfect to wear on top of lipstick on their own and they make my lips feel deeply hydrated when I take them off." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker wearing U Beauty Tinted Lip Balm.
I make it my mission to keep one of these stocked in every bag, pocket, and drawer—they’re really, truly my favorite. The color payoff, along with the shine is equivalent to that of a lip gloss, while the formula truly nourishes my lips. The texture is unmatched on the conditioning front. I’d even go so far as to say it’s my all-time favorite product in the Hourglass portfolio.
Application Method: Twist-up pen
What I Love: Great color payoff; Plumping
What I Don't: Color doesn’t last long
Review for MC: “While this isn't the longest-lasting formula on the market, I simply do not care because the colors are stunning and all of them work for my skin tone, especially the new shimmer shade in Invite 80. Plus, the sleek gold packaging looks so good and the product has gone viral on TikTok, so when I re-apply, it's an instant conversation starter.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker wearing Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm.
If you struggle to find the perfect lip shade for you, allow me to direct your attention to the cult-favorite Dior Addict Lip Glow. It comes in over a dozen shades, each of which is infused with a special color-reviver technology, which allows the lip tint to adjust to your lip's specific pH and create a custom shine that’ll last for up to six hours. The perfect sheer tint is what got me hooked, but it’s the hydration that caused me to stock up on every single shade. A blend of cherry oil, shea butter, and sunflower wax truly keeps my lips chap-free.
Application Method: Twist-up tube
What I Love: Perfect shade match; Gorgeous packaging
What I Don't: Not as hydrating as others
Review for MC: "While this formula isn't the most hydrating I've tried, it's actually one of the more pigmented tinted lip balms I have in my collection. As someone with two-toned lips, that kind of color payoff helps me actually achieve the "lived in" lip look that I'm going for." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker wears Dior Lip Balm.
There are lip balms that are denser and come in stick form. Then, there are those that come in a tube—they’re glossier, they’re thicker, they’re shinier, and they’re my personal favorites. One of the best of the bunch is this Summer Fridays option—and fair warning: It sells out constantly. Every shade gives an unreal shine (and smells delicious), plus you’ll experience a small plumping effect. You can’t go wrong with any of the colors, but my personal favorites have to be Pink Sugar and Vanilla Beige.
Application Method: Squeeze tube
What I Like: Very glossy; Smells amazing
What I Don't: Always sold out
Review for MC: "Everything about these lip balms is fantastic, from the colors to the formula itself. However, they are a bit hard to get a hold of sometimes, which can put you in an unfortunate situation if you lose your favorite shade and can't buy it anywhere. But pair it with one of the best lip liners, and you'll have an easy, everyday lip look." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker wears Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm.
For the times when I want my lips to be so incredibly shiny they double as a mirror, it’s Naturium to the rescue. I’m a big fan of all the brand’s products (their bodycare is unmatched), and these tinted lip balms are no exception. They include a mix of shea butter, cupuaçu butter, and plant squalane to create a hydrating mask on the lips and come in a range of pink, berry, and red hues. The color payoff is pretty strong and true to the color on the packaging, so I recommend using that as your guide. Each one also tastes (and smells) like vanilla, so you’re in for a treat.
Application Method: Squeeze tube
Pros: Good pigment; Very shiny
Cons: Packaging can be a little messy
Review for MC: "I adore the shade range of these Naturium lip balms as there's a color for everyone and the shine is gorgeous on the lips. I'm not the biggest fan of the applicator (it gets a little messy), but for such an affordable formula, I'm willing to overlook it." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker wearing Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm.
Other Tinted Lip Balms I Love
This vegan lip balm, which is made of avocado butter, vitamin A, and vitamin E, has a thick and creamy texture that instantly relieves chapped, dry lips. It’s thick like a lip mask, making it a savior in the winter. I’m partial to Candy Kiss, but Sugar Plum is the way to go if you’re looking for a more intense color payoff.
Application Method: Squeeze tube
What I Love: Very nourishing; Good for extra dry lips
What I Don't: Frequently sold out
Review for MC: “This lip balm is a sleeper hit, and I'll never stop talking about it. The colors are soft and just add a slight tint to the lips but the hydration is so good, I keep one in practically every bag I own, regardless of the shade.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Botanicals take center stage with this tinted lip balm meets oil. You’ll find jojoba, avocado, and olive oil in the mix, which is in part what gives this product its silky smooth (and slightly shiny) finish. It has a subtle plumping effect thanks to the inclusion of a handful of peptides. My favorite part about this sheer tint, however, is how it looks on my cheeks. A little swipe paired with the heat of my fingers creates a gorgeous sheer glow.
Application Method: Twist-up tube
What I Love: Non-comedogenic and can be used as blush; Glides over fine lines
What I Don't: Formula could be more hydrating
Review for MC: “This formula easily glides onto the lips, and the color payoff is wonderful, especially if you have a deeper skin tone. I also love to use it as blush as well as how luxe the packaging feels.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
If you’ve ever had a sunburn on your lips, you’re well aware that it's a wildly unpleasant experience. Rather than layer a thick white glob of SPF on your lips before heading out in the sun, reach for one of these gorgeous (and very pigmented) shades. Each one provides mineral protection thanks to the inclusion of zinc oxide, and delivers a handful of deeply hydrating ingredients ranging from plant-derived oils and peptides to shea butter.
Application Method: Twist-up tube
What I Love: Contains SPF; Intense color payoff
What I Don't: Requires frequent reapplication
Customer Review: "I am constantly hunting for highly pigmented SPF lipsticks and this is among the very best-ever. The color is buildable, long-lasting, and the formula is wonderful—not sticky, but creamy—and somehow stays put for a long time. The scent is super mild and pleasant." — Sephora
This is my go-to, everyday lip balm for good reason. It features a special hydrating complex made up of squalane, coconut oil, and a moisturizing flower extract. I’ve found that it not only provides an immediate soothing effect, but the hydration actually gets locked into my lips and lasts for hours post-application. The pigment payoff is very subtle, but because of the silky texture, I'm left with a shine that’s almost reminiscent of a gloss.
Application Method: Twist-up tube
What I Love: Extremely hydrating; Has a hint of shine; Can be layered over lipstick
What I Don't: Pigment is not very buildable
Customer Review: "I absolutely love and live for this lip balm!! I wanted something that leaves a strong tint, with a lil shine at the same time. This product does just that, but it does wear off and requires to reapply every couple hours." — Sephora
I’m really not a lipstick girl. However, there are a handful of occasions where a matte lipstick is necessary—and during those times, this lip glorifier is a must. It’s more lightweight and less sticky than most, which allows it to work almost like a lipstick primer. One swipe smooths out any crêpiness, blurs over chapped areas, and locks in hydration, so that my lipstick applies smoother and doesn’t develop a peeling, dried-out aesthetic throughout the day. Occasionally I’ll even wear it alone to reap the hydrating benefits of shea butter and argan tree oil.
Application Method: Twist-up tube
What I love: Multi-purpose; Great scent
What I Don't: Expensive
Customer Review: "Not only is the color outstanding but the feel of the lipstick when you put it on is heavenly. So creamy and soft, like a lip balm that’s healthy for your lips." — Nordstrom
Whether you’re in the market for a crowd-pleasing gift or are in the mood to treat yourself to an assortment of shades, Mara has you covered. They recently released this trio with two limited-edition shades (a pretty pink and a rich red), alongside their classic nude. Each one locks in moisture and has a mission to repair chapped and cracked lips.
Application Method: Squeeze tube
What I Love: Great formula; Plumping effect
What I Don't: Limited-edition
Customer Review: “This is so thick and moisturizing. I put it on before bed and the colors anytime. It stays on for a few hours during the day, as long as you're not eating or drinking. My lips feel amazing now. I'm even comfortable without lip products after using this.” — Sephora
Tinted lip balms are inherently on the sheerer side. It’s all well and good, but thanks to Tata Harper’s latest innovation you don’t have to sacrifice pigment. The brand’s lip cremes come in four tinted shades—and rest assured you’ll have a bright pout once you swipe. A soft dab of color will be more subtle, but if you really want to pack on product, you can build up the pigment to be completely opaque and very bold. Blasé has been my go-to (it’s the tamest of the quad), but you really can’t go wrong with any of the gorgeous shades.
Application Method: Twist-up tube
What I Love: Great pigment; Buildable; Contains 23 hydrating botanical ingredients
What I Don't: Not as hydrating as some others
Customer Review: "The color is beautiful. The texture is so smooth and feels great, not sticky or too slippery. I liked the previous formulas well enough but found them to be too sheer. These new formulas are a lovely combination of both worlds. I just received Blasé and I love it!" — Tata Harper
Just like the name indicates, this product is going to be eons more hydrating than a traditional lipstick and pack in way more pigment than a stereotypical lip balm. Each shade is infused with hyaluronic acid (hydration!), peptides (plumping!), and emollients (glossy!) to create one of the prettiest, shiniest finishes you’ll find across the lip category. Thanks to such a powerhouse ingredient profile, the tint actually provides a blurring and smoothing effect that disguises fine lines.
Application Method: Twist-up tube
What I Love: Great pigment; Blurring effect; High shine
What I Don't: Packaging is a bit messy
Customer Review: "I love Charlotte Tilbury and I absolutely love this lipstick balm. I am not a lipstick type but I love lip balms. Usually Lip balms don’t have a big color payoff but this is not the case with this product. I love that it has the texture of a lip balm but the color payoff of a lipstick!" — Sephora
While a lip oil like this one is going to be a bit more liquid-like than a traditional tinted lip balm, it deserves to be one of your top contenders. The formula is extremely nourishing and delivers around the same level of tint you’ll find with the balm. The biggest allure of this Hermesistible oil, however, is the scent. Perfumer Christine Nagel created a specific olfactory experience to correspond with each shade.
Application Method: Doe-foot applicator
What I Love: Smells great; Very glossy
What I Don't: Expensive
Customer Review: “It is expensive however it lasts a long time, it is creamy, excellent texture, long lasting- you have to apply it more than once per day however that is to be accepted, fragrance is elegant, delicate, packaging is beautiful.” — Nordstrom
"I describe my approach to makeup as follows: as little effort as possible. But not in a no-makeup-but-actually-a-lot-of-makeup, Hailey Bieber type of way; it's more that I'm unbelievably lazy," says Fashion Features Editor Emma Childs. "Over the years, I've curated a roster of products that keep my getting-ready routine as low lift as possible, and Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm in the shade Magnolia takes the top slot. With one simple swipe, my lips look rosy and blushed, achieving the look of lipstick but without any of the painstaking precision and effort.”
Application Method: Twist-up tube
What I Love: Affordable; Multiple shades
What I Don't: Can be a bit chalky
Customer Review: "Its a light sheer, mauve/pink. This is the best chap stick I've ever owned. It feels very smooth going on, moisturizes well and leaves a nice, sheer tint on the lips. I will buying more." — Target
Anytime Lawless expands their Forget the Filler line, I get excited. The entire collection is designed to mimic the plumpness and fullness you can typically only achieve from an injectable. Enter the Forget the Filler tinted lip balms, which have an other-worldly plumping effect that smooths out little lines and leaves behind a high-shine, extremely hydrating sheen powered by jojoba seed oil and shea butter. Even the darker shades in the collection are pretty soft, so don’t be afraid to choose a shade more intense than your usual.
Application Method: Twist-up tube
What I Love: Plumping; High-shine
What I Don't: Not a lot of pigment payoff
Customer Review: "This formula goes on smooth, hydrates lips, does not stick to or enhance the little fine lines I am starting to get that comes with good ol' aging, and actually makes my lips look noticeably fuller and plumper. I can put it on and go without a mirror and still look fabulous." — Sephora
The best part about this lip balm is its long-term effects. Sure, you’ll feel instant hydration off the bat, but I can confidently say that after using this little guy religiously, I noticed that my natural lips—without anything on them—were softer, smoother, and more supple. The secret ingredient? Pomegranate extract, which is loved in the beauty industry for its moisturizing properties. I started off my Balm-in-Lipstick journey with the Peach Charm shade, but the price point is so good, that I’ve gradually added every SKU to my collection.
Application Method: Twist-up tube
What I Love: Affordable; Provides long-term hydration
What I Don't: No intense pigment
Customer Review: "This is a very pretty light coverage lipstick. It will leave your lips feeling very smooth and nourished." — Amazon
“I’ve loved this tinted lip balm from C.O Bigelow for years. The tint is so sheer, so it leaves my lips looking juicy and ever-so-slightly rosy—perfect for everyday wear! The tin also lasts ages," says E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla. "I keep it next to my bed to apply in the morning and at night. The finish is pretty slippy, so make sure to pat off any excess if you’re going to be building another color on top of it. However, I find it incredibly nourishing and easy to wear.”
Application Method: Pot with twist-off cap
What I Love: Subtle hue for everyday wear; Good for layering
What I Don't: Strong fragrance
Customer Review: "I have been using this salve for years. It soothes, smoothes, softens and is my go to product especially when I need extra moisture. I put it on my lips, hands, cuticles, feet, elbows, knees, etc. A little goes a long way. It's not by chance it's been around for decades, it's really that good. Just get one or a few like I did!" — Bloomingdales
What to Look For in Tinted Lip Balm
Ingredients
First things first, look for the right ingredients. A lip balm that’s genuinely hydrating is going to contain two types of ingredients: Film formers, like petrolatum or a wax, and hydrators, like ceramides, waxes, butters, oils, or sea asparagus. “If there are no hydrators in the product, it’s like putting saran wrap over a dry lip—which does not do anything,” explains cosmetic chemist Ginger King. If your lip balm does contain petrolatum, make sure it’s USP-grade, meaning the purity is par.
Coverage
If you prefer balms of the tinted variety, King has a hot tip. “A good tinted lip balm should be able to build coverage,” says King. “If people want full coverage, they should opt for lipstick.”
Are Tinted Lip Balms Good For Your Lips?
The answer to this question is that it depends on the formula. "Tinted lip balms can absolutely be just as hydrating as your typical lip balm; however, it’s ultimately all up to the formula," says makeup artist Theo Turner. "Some formulas with color don’t compromise hydration, whereas others may feel drier due to the addition of the pigments to the wax (or whichever base is used for the actual lip balm formula)." It all depends on the brand finding pigments and base formulas that mesh and work well together without compromising comfort or color.
Is Lip Tint Better Than Lip Balm?
This also depends on the look you're going for. "If you’re someone who has sensitive skin, you may want to stick to clear lip balms for the best hydration properties," says makeup artist Jonet Williamson.
"All tinted lip balms are not created equal," Turner adds. One easy way to identify if a tinted balm is going to be hydrating is to take a look at the ingredients. Look for formulas infused with natural oils and butters like shea and jojobo oil.
Why Trust Marie Claire?
Samantha Holender and Ariel Baker have a combined two decades of experience in the beauty industry and and are both lip balm fanatics. They also consulted a cosmetic chemist as well as two makeup artists for this story.
Marie Claire is also an expert in makeup and lip care, writing stories on everything from lipsticks to lipglosses and everything in between.
How We Tested
Marie Claire's Samantha Holender and Ariel Baker went through a vigorous testing period where she reviewed dozens of tinted lip balms. After determining the top picks alongside cosmetic chemists and makeup artists, they tested the tinted lip balms to evaluate for hydration, color, and staying power.
Meet the Experts
Ginger King has been passionately creating beauty products from concept to finish since 1995. She is well versed in innovative concepts, creative product formulation, advanced technology applications, ergonomic package development and impactful competitive analysis. Ginger has developed over hundreds of products from hair care to skin care, and sun care to color cosmetics. Her claim to fame products include the revolutionary first to market Joico ICE SPIKER, water resistant hair glue, Freeze 24.7 Ice Shield, SPF 15 face wash and Avon Advance Techniques Color Protection series. Her Avon True Color Eye shadow and Daring Definition Mousse Mascara have also been selected as the finalists for CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) for 2005 and 2006 respectively.
Jonet Williamson is a professional makeup artist and content creator
Theo Turner is an international celebrity makeup artist, beauty influencer, and creative director based out of New York City.
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