...your lip balm! (Keep up, we went over this last week…) And after Anna published her science-backed treatise on why everyone is so obsessed with their own particular lip balm, you all reacted in the best way possible—with comments! Loads and loads of them, most written in an effort to explain why this balm or that balm is the very best balm. There were so many hot takes happening down in Disqus that patterns began to emerge—and you know what happens after that...a follow-up post! So here we are; thank you for stopping by. The seven best lip balms you can’t stop praising are...
Nuxe Rêve de Miel
The pot that’s a French pharmacy staple. Even germaphobes are on board.
“Nuxe in the tub for night time, and yes I do risk buying from shady websites because I need it.” —KathS
“Nuxe pot is the best hard-worker (ever!!) for winter and extreme dryness.” —Diana Anisimova
“Pot version of Rêve de Miel from Nuxe is the only lip balm that works.” —Kingusia Żak
“Nothing beats the French favorite: Nuxe Rêve De Miel (in the pot). You can find it at Cult Beauty. It lasted six months or longer. But it is annoying to travel with. I'll just depot in a clean contact lens case.” —Nuraimi Ibrahim
Bite Agave Lip Mask
Not to be confused with Bite's Agave Lip Balm, which encountered a tough crowd in the ITG comments (the consensus: balm, bad; mask, good!).
“The tube lasts an eternity, (though it does have an expiration of 24 months) and has incredibly clean ingredients. I love using it especially in brutal Chicago winters where the wind really kills my skin. But honestly, I use this any time, any season.” —Julyssa Nateras
“Bite's Agave Lip Mask is the BEST overnight lip balm especially in the dry winter weather. It actually moisturizes (it doesn't just create a barrier like petroleum jelly) and it means that I barely use lip balm throughout the day now because I don't need it. While it's a bit pricier than others, you only need the tiniest amount... I have been using the same tube daily for the past year and it's going strong!” —Colette G
“Bite Agave Lip Mask in the pinky tinted shade is objectively the best all-around lip product and here's why:
1. It’s supremely moisturizing, and while thick and occlusive, it doesn't feel oily or gross. I find it comforting, like the way your favorite oversized sweater feels.
2. The bit of pink is the perfect tint to give you a bit of flush, but isn't super bright (something my tan/olive complexion struggles with).
3. It’'s the best amount of shine (now that the pendulum has swung the other way and we're over matte) without being too slick.
4. The smell isn't overpowering, though slightly sweet (unless you're eyeing the maple one, the only one I don't own because the taste was a bit too much).
5. It just frickin works!!! Let this sit for a few hours (ideally overnight) and your chapped lips will be TRANSFORMED.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.” —ViHuynhy
Lanolips
Another great Australian import. Most Lanolips fans preferred the original formula over the tinted versions.
“After being a hardcore Carmex addict for 30+ years, I quit cold turkey and have since fallen in love with Lanolips. It's the best and lasts forever.” —T
“Lanolips is the only thing that has actually moisturized my lips, but I do like Balm Dotcom in Birthday on top to make it last alllll day.” —Emily Michaelis
“Lanolips and Everon are great for an ass-cold day.” —Meg Tripp
[In reply to whether or not the perfect lip balm exists] “She does and her name is Lanolips 101.” —whatnotlike
Balm Dotcom
Hey, we know her! A reverse scenario to Lanolips. You all not only seemed to prefer Balm Dotcom's flavored options over the original formula, but you also asked our colleagues to pony up some more.
“Coconut Balm Dotcom every day all day.” —Brianne Duverger
“I have a thousand lip balms but find myself reaching for Balm Dotcom most. The texture and feel is pretty perfect. My fave was Coconut until Birthday came along.” —TheShowgirl
“Number one is Balm Dotcom OG. I think the original is more moisturizing than my two preferred flavors, Rose and Cherry, though I love all of them. When is Glossier going to make Papaya happen?” —psd3194
“I love Balm Dotcom (Mint & Cherry are my favs).” —Carly
“Glossier Coconut Balm Dotcom. I also have the OG, but damn, I love smelling like coconut.” —AJ
Aquaphor
The workhorse lip balm. No flavors, no frills. Even your dermatologist loves it.
“Aquaphor forever. This is a reliable standby and I love the little tubes. I have them everywhere even though I prefer to stay away from petroleum.” —LolaNYC
“Aquaphor, my ride or die.” —Gully M
“Aquaphor as my night lip product. It's amazing. Spend the money!” —Cat
“The best ‘lip balm’ is Aquaphor. This is a hard truth!” —imposterinterrupted
“I have a tiny travel Aquaphor tub that I mixed some bergamot, ylang ylang and ho wood essential oil into. Aquaphor is my boo, but it didn't smell interesting enough.” —Bella
Dior Lip Glow
For fancy lips.
“Dior glow during the day, any color.” —KathS
“Dior Lip Glow looks like a flamingo decided to roost on my lips.” —Kimberely B Stone
“My ‘going out’ lip balm is Dior Lip Glow in Berry. Way overpriced and the tip tends to crumble, but I love the feel and color and the packaging is chic.” —TheShowgirl
“Dior Lip Glow. Been using it for years and have used up countless tubes.” —Abby
Carmex
The one and only. Light on price, but not on performance.
“Carmex in a tube. Slight SPF, doesn’t dry your lips out (some do, which is bananas) and pleasantly tingly. Slightly matte, works well under lipstick.” —HelveticaTheBold
“The least glamorous of all the lip balms, my ride or die, one I absolutely CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT is Carmex. It's so thick and waxy with that oddly satisfying camphor tingle. Slather some on at night and your lips are still soft and smooth 8 hours later. Sure you could get the ‘flavored’ Carmex, but we all know that it isn't the same. Never the pot (ew germs) or the squeezy tube. Always the stick with SPF. Feel a cold sore coming on? Slap some Carmex on it. Weird dry patch appear on your face? Carmex will clear that up over night.” —Starryhye
“My lip balm of choice is Carmex, and it has been for a good...five years...maybe? Now I can't remember why I used anything else before lol. I used to use Chapstick in high school and college, and until Carmex, it didn't dawn on me that I was always re-applying Chapstick after a few hours. Similarly, I was always reapplying Burt's Bees when I moved onto that after Chapstick. With Carmex, I don't have to re-apply,* and that to me means success!
*I'm speaking specifically on a day where I might not be wearing any lip color—just Carmex. Like, say, a Sunday.” —Ess da 5'6"
“Carmex forever. It's cheap and it works better than anything else I've tried.” —Jackie
Some comments have been edited for clarity. Photo via ITG.
