I am a self-confessed lipstick lover but I found myself reaching for a different type of lip product lately. Even with 16 lip balms currently in rotation, I’m afraid I have a couple more ready for checkout! There’s something comforting about slathering moisture all over my perpetually dry lips as I usually get flaky bits that hurt and bleed when accidentally peeled. I’ve grouped the balms according to “function” for ease. Let’s discuss!

The Basic Balm

This has got to be my most basic lip balm and it’s one I reach for most when on the go. The stick form makes it easy to reapply and it doesn’t melt in higher temperatures. It is admittedly pricey for such a “simple” stick but if you can get your hands on the two-piece promo pack via Rustans or BeautyMNL, you’d get two for almost the same price as one. Moisture-wise, this does the job with some reapplication from time to time though not so much that it bothers me.

Repurchase? Yes. I have twice already and got backups. But only when it’s the two-piece promo pack!

Nuxe reve de miel Lip Moisturizing Stick with honey and sunflower (P445 for 4g/0.14oz)

The Power Pair

These next two balms are part of Estee Lauder’s line specifically made for lip care. There’s also a scrub and another intense hydrator if I recall correctly. I like how luxe they look displayed on my vanity and for the price, these are indeed borderline luxury. The Color Replenish Lip Balm gives such a lovely pink tinge while the Lip Repair Potion covers the lip in moisture without the overly sticky feel. Sadly though, I can’t wear these two for long periods as my lips get somewhat irritated and end up feeling drier than before. I keep hearing how these are such well-loved products that I’m almost inclined to think I may have gotten a bad batch.

Repurchase? I’m afraid these are off my list until I figure out why they’re irritating my lips.

*Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Color Replenish Lip Balm (P1,790 for 0.11oz) and Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Lip Repair Potion (P1,750 for 0.2oz)*

The Clean & Conscious

I went on a “clean beauty” kick when I was pregnant and breastfeeding so I was ecstatic when RMS Beauty finally reached our shores. I even got to meet the founder, Rose-Marie Swift when they launched and I liked her philosophy of “makeup unlike any you have seen before. Consider it skin care with mineral color.” The ingredients are non-toxic and they also make sure to use sustainable packaging. While I like this balm immensely for its lightweight but hydrating feel, I find myself constantly reapplying to maintain the moisturized feel I want. And if I didn’t slow down by alternating with other lip balms, I would have finished the pot in less than a month.

Repurchase? Yes but with reservations. I wish it made my lips moisturized longer. The pot form also doesn’t make it the most hygienic. I did see online that they recently launched a stick version with some tinted ones so I’ll probably wait for those to be available locally.

RMS Lip & Skin Balm in Simply Vanilla (P1,700 for 5.67g/0.20oz) and Hurraw Moon Lip Balm Blue Chamomile Vanilla (P395 for 4.8g/0.17oz)

I got this Hurraw Moon Lip Balm because I was searching for a clean alternative to my staple Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. It doesn’t quite moisturize like the Laneige one especially as an overnight treatment but it works well enough. I’d say it moisturizes similarly to the Nuxe one except this is a bit more slippy which works well on its own but not so much when layered with lipstick.

Repurchase? Yes but I’ll probably try other flavors. They have plenty!

The Trendsetters

blk Cosmetics Color Adapting Moisture Balm (P299 for 3.4g). Remember those magic lipsticks from the 90s? Well this is the balm version! This blk balm is quite a handy one. The clear stick can moisturize but it probably warrants a place in your stash because of its natural looking tint. It came out as part of the Universal Collection which I reviewed here.

Repurchase? Maybe? I’m still on the fence. While it is a good enough lip balm, there are other magic balm hybrids out in the market that I’d love to try first.

Laneige Two Tone Tint Bar in No. 02 Tangerine Slice and No. 05 Apple Jello (P1,250 for 2g). These Two Tone Tint Bars are part of the two tone lipstick trend pioneered by Laneige a few years back. When they came out with these tint-balm pairings, I knew I had to get onboard. These two are the third and fourth in my stash already and I love them because of the instant color plus moisture they give. I think the balm part is like the Lip Sleeping Mask formula because it moisturizes so well. The built-in tint is a welcome bonus because a quick swipe instantly preps me for the day.

Repurchase? Yes. But in a specific shade. My favorite would have to be Cherry Milk, a natural looking burgundy tint.

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Berry (P650 for 10g). Another Laneige product?! Well this glossy version of the Lip Sleeping Mask is certainly tempting. I went through a glossy lip phase and this product is perfect for it. This doesn’t quite moisturize the same as the Sleeping Mask though so it’s better for daytime use. And it can get a bit sticky which admittedly makes me reach for it less.

Repurchase? Not immediately. I’d probably dip into lip oils for my next foray into glossy, well-moisturized lips.

The Tinted Ones

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom (P545 for 4.25g/0.15oz). Basic tinted lip balm in stash? Check. This is an oldie but goodie. There are plenty of shades to choose from too. Not as moisturizing as a true lip balm though.

Repurchase? I’ll hold off on it as I’m still looking for a true moisturizing tinted lip balm.

Human Nature Natural Tinted Lip Balm in Guava Jelly (P100 for 4g/0.14oz). I like how this looks and feels on my lips. The moisture it gives is just right, and that goes the same for the tint. However, I cannot wear this as peppermint irritates my lips. I already knew this but I still got this lip balm in the hopes that I can maybe wear this one. But nope. I do hope they come out with non-peppermint laced versions.

Repurchase? Unfortunately, no. Or at least until they make a no mint version.

In Her Element Butterlips Conditioning Color in Hanan, Tala, and Mayari (P345 for 3g, P875 set of three). The IHE Butterlips is a more recent launch, one that leans towards the super pigmented yet moisturizing lip balm trend. I’m liking the curated colors but am not a huge fan of the packaging – the caps can get a bit stained with the balms because when they said color, they really mean color! These are incredibly pigmented that it almost looks like lipstick except it slips like lip balm.

Repurchase? Yes but I’ll probably wait for more shades as I can’t stop raving about the pigmentation and a little goes a long way because of it.

Generation Happy Skin Love You Lips Intense Color Butter Balm SPF 15 in Powerful. Speaking of pigmentation, this is another one of those am I a lipstick or am I a lip balm hybrids? The colors are intense! It’s almost like wearing a really glossy lipstick. While I love the SPF 15 bonus, I can’t wear this for long because of the cooling effect.

Repurchase? While this is handy and the tube eye-catching, I’d probably go for the newly launched Cooling Lip & Cheek Tints. I know they’re not exactly lip balms but I’m going for pigmentation if ever I repurchase the Butter Balm.

The Sleeping Companions

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry (P950 for 20g). This. Is. A. Classic. I don’t think I need to say more. You can read Liz rave about it here.

Repurchase? Yes. This is always in my cart, waiting for that 20% off sale with GWPs and free shipping to get my backup.

Mamonde Lip Sleeping Mask in Plum Blossom (20g/0.7oz). I got this Mamonde one to compare with the Laneige since they’re both marketed as Lip Sleeping Masks. At first my lips were pretty happy – they were soft and moisturized. But after a few days of consistent use, I felt that this particular lip sleeping mask was over exfoliating my lips. Maybe it’s the glycolic acid in the ingredients as Mamonde did say that there was an exfoliating effect. I now apply it around once per day only to avoid irritation.

Repurchase? For a lip sleeping mask, I’ll stick to Laneige. But for a quick moisturizing while exfoliating balm, I’d get this again.

The Multitaskers

Smith’s Rosebud Salve (P550 for 22g/0.8oz). This is one of those products that constantly got featured in celebrities’ and their MUAs’ makeup bags from before. I chanced upon this pot in BeautyMNL so for old times sake, I got a new one. This pot lasts a while and I use it not only to moisturize my lips, but also to moisturize my cuticles, and yes, to “highlight” my cheekbones as they say on the magazines I used to read.

Repurchase? Not for a while. But it is nice to see this familiar pot on top of my dresser.

Lucas Papaw (P599 for 25g). Another one of those staples. I used to be a non-believer especially since my previous experience with this classic was a bit of a melty mess. The ointment almost turns liquid when exposed to warmer temperature. But upon the insistence of my father that this was good for my baby and his subsequent gifting of a big tub of Lucas Papaw, I am now a convert. This works wonders. It’s not so much as moisturizing as it is healing. There’s something about the papaw that soothes rashes and accidentally peeled lips fast.

Repurchase? Always. I’m a firm believer in this hype.

How about you? What are your favorite lip balms?

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