This Nipple Balm Gave Me the Best Lips of My Life

I've always prided myself on not giving in to all those ridiculously tempting little products placed not-so-innocently at the checkout line. But during a recent trip to Ricky's NYC, mecca of all things beauty and beyond, I couldn't resist walking out with a tube of the Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips that was perched alongside the register. Nipples...lips...can you blame me??

"You're going to loooove this stuff," the cashier told me as she rang me up. Full-on beauty experiment mode: Engaged.

The Product

Here's the gist: It was originally created for new mothers who were experiencing sore nipples during pregnancy. Over time, the balm has gone from a staple for nursing mamas to a must-have in makeup artist kits as a multipurpose lip treatment, primer, and gloss, as well as a subtle highlighter for the face.

What sets this beloved, all-natural balm apart from other lip products is its heavy dosage of lanolin, which is virtually as close as it gets to your skin's natural oils—i.e. instant soothing and hydration.

The Test

The formula itself is yellowish, ultra-thick, tasteless, and odorless, much like Vaseline, which is typically my go-to lip fixer. But unlike petroleum jelly, it really sinks in and doesn't feel caked-on or oily—aesthetically speaking, it's a real game changer.

Having read beauty bloggers sing the praises of the balm as a lip primer, I gave it a try one evening before heading out for drinks. After dabbing on a light coat of the balm, I gave it a few minutes to sink in, then swiped on Ruby Woo as I normally would. I found that 1) My lips never felt dry (even several hours later and despite the matte formula of my lipstick) and 2) The ruby-red pigment stayed in place *almost* like it was lacquered on professionally.

That night, and in the days following, I also used the balm like a brow gel to tame my thick arches and it met my criteria: long-lasting but without a glue-like finish.

But what I loved most about the balm is how after my first two days of applying it twice daily, my pout went from dry and crackly (yes, even in summer) to smooth, soft, and supple without help from an overnight lip mask.

At $14.50 for a small tube, it's not exactly as economical as the $1.50 cherry ChapStick you'll find at your local corner store, but it *does* work magic all over—plus, it packs a major punch per teeny-tiny dab.

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips, $14.50; rickysnyc.com.