Don't let delicate piece of gold leaf fool you: Tatcha's Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm is remarkably un-fancy and unfussy. Which, when you think about it, is kind of the point of a lip balm, right? It's supposed to moisturize and protect, and see itself out (or, absorb itself in). Tatcha's does all of the above, without stickiness, a glittery finish (the aformentioned metallic topping is barely perceptible when spread onto your lips; the finish is pretty matte), or a weird hyphenated flavoring (e.g., hibiscus-boysenberry, ginger-root-mangosteen).

The clear, jelly-like balm, a mixture of camellia and macadamia nut oils, licorice extract, plus squalane for...I'm not sure why (why not?), is also the perfect consistency, somewhere between a slippery gloss and thick beeswax. Girls, of course, will find it appealing, but, being low-shine, it's also great for guys. They'll just have to get past the gold leaf. And the price tag ($36). But it will last.

Photos by Elizabeth Brockway.