#BigLipstickEnergy: The Tinted Lip Balms I've Been Keeping in Rotation

THE DETAILS:  

COVID-induced quarantine has made hydration top of mind—why not add some color into the mix for your next Zoom meeting marathon or FaceTime date? This balm comes in six shades that suit all skin tones. And it's made with antioxidants and monoï oil to keep its moisture levels up to par. 

WHY I'M OBSESSED: 

I've waxed poetic about NARS makeup products many times before—for backstory on the iconic, royal-approved brand, dive into Marie Claire's interview with François Nars—but boy does this balm deserve the spotlight. This dusty rose shade does everything you want a tinted balm to do: moisturize, last forever, and leave a supple-looking wash of color behind. Since my lips naturally have a pink undertone, I get a my-lips-but-better effect from this balm. It's super subtle so you don't have to commit to a bold color. 

THE DETAILS: 

My friend, if you haven't tried Maybelline's Baby Lips Balms yet you're missing out on a well-moisturized life. This drugstore star floods lips with hydration for eight whole hours—for all of $5. It doesn't feel slippery or greasy either, thanks to its stay-put formula, and works to repair chapped, flakey, inflamed lips with clinically-tested ingredients. There are five shades for you to choose from or buy in bulk.

WHY I'M OBSESSED:  

As a woman of color, finding a "nude" balm is a challenge. This peachy hue has just enough color to complement my natural lip tone perfectly without looking overpowering or reading too brown or too pale. It's a barely-there shade that still brightens my face and makes me look refreshed. I love applying it post-workout when my cheeks are flushed and my skin is glowing. It makes me feel like makeup is optional rather than necessary, which is a mood I'm always aiming to be in. 

THE DETAILS: 

Celebrity makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts alike tout the benefits of this balm for very good reason. Made with moisturizing mango butter, this excellently treads the line between a lip color and a lip balm. Basically, it's a lip product that can do both. Whether you choose the satin or shimmer finish, both offer up a lip plumping glow you'll get addicted to. There's no denying that it's just that good.

WHY I'M OBSESSED:  

Beauty is science, people. The tone of Dior's Lip Glow actually shifts depending on your lips' pH levels. I love the way this color customizes on my lips—it turns in a deep berry with a juicy (not gooey) glow. I've been wearing this in quarantine and my wanderlust has me dreaming of days ahead when I'll pack this in my travel case. This shade has already gone with me to Paris, Bali, and Switzerland—yeah, it's a keeper. 

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