Balmy summer days go hand in hand with balmy lips, and these are the best summer lip balms and tints we’ve been using on repeat.
From the latest launches tried and tested by our beauty editor to our fashion editor’s travel-friendly essentials, your lips will have never looked (and felt) so good.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
For those that know me, it’s impossible to find something to replace my trusted Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm, in Hibiscus of course. But, Monika Blunder’s Botanical Hyaluronic Lip Tint is my new favourite discovery. It’s hydrating and has the right amount of gloss without being overpowering as well as a very natural pink/red tint for daily use. I also use it on top of lipstick for nights out. Lastly, no one knows neutral tones better than Bobbi Brown. Her new brand Jones Road has glorious lip tints, and the way they glide on is impeccable. The dusty pink Just Pinkie shade is my favourite colour, which you can layer up for slightly darker shades. It has a lovely light sheen, which makes you look completely fresh-faced.
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Becki Murray, Beauty Editor
I used to find lip balms and tints never really delivered, but something’s changed with this season’s new crop of launches. Now they promise – and actually provide – moisture-locking, glossy-boosting formulas, with just enough complexion-enhancing colour to make natural-looking ‘no makeup’ makeup a reality. First up, you can believe the social media hype around the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. Using technology that veils your lips with an infusion of minerals, hyaluronic acid, fruit extracts and shea butter the formula gets to work overnight and, if flavours win you over, you’ll love this one.
As for travelling, I now can’t fly without the Farmacy Lip Smoothie. It’s powered by peptides and upcycled apple extract, so, as a bonus, it’s smoothing as well as moisturising. It also provides a high-shine finish that’s even better than a traditional gloss. My final cult favourite is the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Lip Oil Crystal Elixir. I remember being recommended it by multiple makeup artists one-after-another in less than a week when it launched. The clear, light oily texture is their shortcut to faking a plumper pout and, trust me, it really works.
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Gemma Louise Deeks, Fashion Editor
I’ve been travelling a lot this summer and have suffered with dry lips, due to plane dehydration and freezing aircon in sweltering cities. Because of this I’ve been looking for products that not only moisturise my lips, but that give them a bit of colour too (as someone with a naturally fair complexion, I can look quite pale if I don’t have a slight colour on them). HERMES’ Rosy Lip Enhancers glide effortlessly across the lips and give them lasting nourishment and hydration. I love the playful pink colour shade that Rose Confetti leaves, and it has a subtle shine too.
I’ve generally always stayed away from glosses – they give me 90s nostalgia and not in a good way. But I was keen to try the hottest products of the year, including those from REFY and Rhode. Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment in Vanilla smells like heaven and is a non-sticky formula that glazes the lips while keeping them hydrated and plump. Although colourless, it’s great to apply before bed or when travelling. REFY’s Lip Gloss and Lip Blush duo is a match made in heaven – the blush offers a subtle colour to the lips before finishing with a high-shine clear gloss. Lastly, Atelier Westman’s Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm in Chou Chou has been my go-to for evening looks, the translucent gloss has a chic, pale-pink sheen that feels luxurious when applying.
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Lucy Halfhead, Content & Partnerships Director
I’m a big fan of Votary’s luxury skincare and their Tinted Lip Gloss is one of my handbag essentials. This vegan gloss is enriched with 12 natural plant oils, including raspberry seed, passionflower and jojoba, and gives a delicate red blush to lips, adding moisture, plumpness and shine without any stickiness. Packaged in a sleek silver tube and infused with cherry oil, Dior Addict Lip Glow is another classic balm that leaves skin feeling silky smooth – the formula actually reacts with the pH on your lips to deliver a personalised rosy glow. For the ultimate nourishment, try Beauty Pie’s Super Healthy Skin lip balm with SPF 30. Made in Japan, the mix contains pure squalene, avocado and grapeseed oils to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and it has a delicious sweet orange peel flavour.
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Lead image: HERMES BEAUTY
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