

When's the last time you got really, truly excited about a lip balm? Probably sometime in 2003, when you spent your birthday money on a glittery Limited Too stick or Maybelline Baby Lips (hey, still a classic!) that you immediately lost in your backpack at school the next day. Well, the world of lip balms has come a very long way since your middle school days. Today's formulas are now available tinted, stained, and plumping; long-lasting or quick-dry; cheap or pricey—basically, whatever it is that your lips, and your wallet, have been crying out for. there's bound to be one for you. Not to mention, the same hydrating ingredients you look for in skincare products have finally found their way into the lip category, thank goodness.
If you want truly kissable (and honestly, just comfortable) lips during the frigid winter months in 2022, you'll need a good formula that's made specifically to soften, hydrate, and even the texture of your lips. To make the journey a billion times easier, we searched the internet (and our own purses and medicine cabinets) for our absolute favorites, both classic and current.
But before you start slathering on lip balm, take a good hard look at the current state of your lips. Do they look dry, cracked, or otherwise not in the best shape? Then you'll probably need to keep a lip scrub handy to slough away any dead or dry skin before you apply your balm. If you've ever applied lip balm only to feel like your lips are still as dry as the desert, it's probably because that dead skin was making it nearly impossible for all of those hydrating and good-for-you-ingredients to really seep in and get the job done.
Once you're done, it's lip balm time. Allow us to present the very best lip balms, treatments, stains, salves, and crayons you'll actually be excited to slather on each day.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
"While this may be a mask, it's by no means exclusively for overnight use. I have this on hand at all times. It's deeply hydrating and give my chapped lips an instant hydration fix. Plus, the high-shine finish can't be beat." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Blistex Medicated Lip Balm (Pack of 3)
"I test my fair share of lip balms, but I always, without fail, go back to this one. It leave no film whatsoever, has a slight menthol feel, and keeps everything smooth. I'm a big fan of applying it over my lipstick for a subtle shine." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve
"This balm has been a mainstay in my handbag since I was old enough to buy anything with my own money. I love the pink tint it leaves behind, the ultra-hydrating texture, and, of course, the size—It's nearly impossible to scratch the the bottom of it. The hydration lasts forever, but I love to reapply throughout the day for a naturally glossy finish." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Writer
Burt's Bees Lip Balm
The smell and feel of this iconic lip balm is permanently engrained into our collective memory at this point. The balm is one of the best-sellers on Amazon, with close to 36 thousand five-star reviews. "I have been using this for well over a decade. I've tried many many other lip balms and treatments but continue to go back to this, my holy grail," writes one rave reviewer.
ILIA Lip Wrap Reviving Balm
Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm , Cherry Me , Cherry Me (Pack of 4)
Who didn't run to the drugstore imminently after this lip balm debuted? The Cherry Me flavor is the most iconic, but you can shop Maybelline's Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balms in tons of different tins and flavors.
Aquaphor Aquaphor Lip Repair Balm
Beyoncé uses Aquaphor on her face every night—need I say more? In an ELLE interview, Queen Bey said she lathered this all over her face at night to wake up with glowing skin: "I go to bed looking totally greasy." And you better believe my lips follow suit. This treatment is rich with moisture, so I like to apply a generous amount on my lips before bed.
Kiehl's Lip Balm #1
There's a reason this Lip Balm is called #1. With squalene, aloe vera, and vitamin E, this product soothes the lips while giving them the moisture they need. This product gives lips a juicy shine that means you can pack away your lip glosses, as an added bonus.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Lip Balm
Just like so many of Dr. Barbara Sturm's products, this Lip Balm is scientifically developed to help calm down even the driest, cracked lips. Outfitted with lanolin and cacao butter, it seals in moisture to keep lips feeling comforted all day. Better yet, it doubles as an eye cream.
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15
Once upon a time, a lip stain and a lip gloss fell in love, got married, and created this baby tinted balm. The stain-gloss formula is perfectly hydrating, not at all sticky, and comes in 12 bright shades—ranging from pale rose to deep wine—that are so sheer and pretty, they'll look good on every skin tone.
Augustinus Bader The Lip Balm
I'm a huge fan of Augustinus Bader's skincare line, so this balm is a must-buy. It contains the brand's proprietary TFC8, a blend of amino acids and vitamins and applies that science to the delicate skin on your lips.
La Mer The Lip Balm
Please don't hate me for including a $60 lip balm—I had to, it's that good. This is an opportunity for you to embrace "put your money where you mouth is," quite literally. La Mer has this innovate ingredient called "Miracle Broth," which is a mixture of sea kelp, minerals, and nutrients that has gone through a natural fermentation process to leave your lips feeling ridiculously smooth, soothed and hydrated. In other words, this lip balm is legit.
Dior Dior Addict Lip Glow
It's no secret that I'm obsessed with this balm. It's not too shiny or sticky, it doesn't smell like cupcakes and 2003, and it doesn't give you that gunky white line around your lips after a few hours. And, most importantly, it leaves your lips with the prettiest glow—I know, I know, but there's no better word for it—that sticks around through lunch (and second lunch).
Sara Happ The Lip Slip® One Luxe Balm
Sara Happ's lip scrub is iconic, so it makes sense that the line also included a best-in-class lip balm. The pale pink shade makes your look naturally sheeny, so it's great for daytime wear in lieu of a lipstick.
BITE Beauty Agave Lip Butter Balm
Mango seed butter, mango seed oil, and agave nectar give this brand-new balm from BITE a boost of hydration.
Lucas Papaw Ointment
This is the kind of product that works on just about every skin ailment, from burns to chapped lips. It's an all-around beauty lifesaver that you need to have on-hand.
12 Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
If there was an award for the best-smelling balm, this one from Summer Fridays would win. One Sephora reviewer even claimed it was the best balm they had ever used.
PATRICK TA Major Glow Softening Lip Masque
Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta's line dropped this glowy-as-hell lip balm to give you Instagram-filtered lips with one swipe.
Avène Cold Cream Nourishing Lip Balm
This super-smooth balm from French pharmacy-essential brand Avène is designed to reduce the effects that an allergic reaction from other products might cause. The inclusion of linoleic acid retains your lips' natural moisture, while Vitamin E nourishes your lips all day long.
RMS Beauty Lip Skin Balm
RMS Beauty's range of good-for-you skincare includes this heavenly balm that is designed to minimize wrinkles on both your lips and your face.
Vaseline Lip Therapy Lip Balm Tin in Cocoa Butter
Some products really do just stand the test of time. Vaseline Lip Therapy Lip Balm Tin in Cocoa Butter is one of those products.
Sun Bum Tinted Lip Balm
Going somewhere warm sometime soon? Pack this sunscreen-balm hybrid for your trip.
Malin + Goetz Mojito Lip Balm
When I had an Ipsy subscription, I would sometimes get this lip balm—and I would treasure it down to the last drop. I’m convinced this was made with the secret to eternal youth because no matter how chapped my lips, are if I coat them liberally at night, I wake up with the softest, smoothest lips.
ChapStick Total Hydration with Sea Minerals Nourishing Lip Balm
Chapstick might be a classic, but this new formula takes the brand's promise of moisture to the next level. It's enriched with blue sea kale, sea algae, and aloe to moisturize and sooth lips.
Carmex Daily Care Moisturizing Lip Balm
The Carmex classic has gotten an update, and is still as great as you remember from your childhood, that is if your mom also forced you to use this every winter like it was a cure. In fairness it practically is, and the updated scents and SPF protection are a nice bonus.
Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask
You know that feeling when your lips have had it and your left with irritable, inflamed, cracky lips? Same—we've all been there. This jelly mask will be your lips' lifesaver because it's made of Japanese peach, which is known to soften, repair, and calm inflammation. Not to mention, the Japanese camellia oil uses omegas and vitamins to seal moisture.
Supergoop! PLAY Lip Balm SPF 30 with Acai PA+++
If sun protection is a high priority for you when reaching for a lip balm (as it always should be), look to this clear, shea butter–based formula that won't leave your lips pasty, despite being loaded with SPF 30.
Julia Marzovilla is an E-Commerce Writer at Marie Claire covering all things fashion, beauty, and entertainment. Offline, she’s most likely browsing the web for another pair of black boots or listening to music too loudly—often at the same time.
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