This $12 TikTok-Famous Lip Balm Delivers the My-Lips-but-Better Look

As someone with dry lips, there's nothing more I depend on than a quality lip balm. Rather than an emotional support water bottle or a weighted blanket, I have a stash of emotional-support lip balms. Finding a formula that fits my needs and looks good isn't easy, but it's not impossible. I look for options with conditioning skin-care ingredients that sink into the skin, a smooth, nondrying texture that makes my lips feel soft, and if it's tinted, it's a bonus.

2023 was the year of the battle of lip balms, with several brands releasing a take on the perfect glossy balm. Once Naturium's Phyto-Glow Lip Balm ($10, originally $12) entered the chat with its affordable price point and vast colour options, it went viral on TikTok. I've been using several shades of this lip product for a while now, and you can read why it's worth the hype ahead.

About the Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm

• It contains phyto esters, a plant-derived lanolin alternative that helps condition and moisturise the lips, along with shea butter, cupuaçu butter, and plant squalane.

 

• The lip balm is available in five core colours (Clear, Camellia, Petal, Jam, and Lychee), four limited-edition Juicy Collection colours (Spritz, Goji, Hibiscus, and Plum), and four neutral Café Collection colours (Latte, Chai, Spice, and Mocha).
• It has a light vanilla scent.
• It is cruelty-free, paraben-free, vegan, gluten-free, and synthetic-fragrance-free.

What I Like About the Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm

From the formulation and feel to the colour payoff, the Phyto-Glow Lip Balm exceeded my expectations. It has a thicker, balmy feel like Rhode's Peptide Lip Treatment, yet it's smooth and conditioning like the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. The formula delivers all-day moisture that sinks into the lips, leaving you with a conditioned, softer feel. Plus, its thicker texture helps prevent lips from cracking and feeling dehydrated in the winter.

Naturium's Phyto-Glow Lip Balm comes in plenty of different colours across three different collections. The core line features the viral Jam and Petal shades, the limited-edition Juicy shades offer sheer yet vibrant pigment, and the Café Collection neutral tones are designed to help you find your perfect nude. They're all pigmented enough to deliver a gorgeous flush of colour to the lips with a shiny, gloss-like finish. Although it's not a plumping formula, my lips look juicier immediately after using it, making fine lines less noticeable.

Its slim, squeeze-tube packageing makes it easy to toss into pockets or small handbags and get every last drop of the formula. Plus, its rounded tip helps with a mess-free application. On top of all this, the affordable price point truly makes this a winner in my book.

How to Use the Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm

Because this lip balm comes in a wide variety of shades, it makes the perfect topper for any lip combination. Wear it alone like a regular lip balm for that my-lips-but-better look or pair it with a lip liner for a gorgeous no-makeup makeup look (or as TikTok dubs it, the "gym lips" look. You can also use it as a gloss and add moisture back to a matte lip.

Apply as much as you need to keep your lips feeling moisturised, and reapply as needed. I tend to reapply after eating or drinking — otherwise, the conditioning feel lasts for a while. You can also use the clear one as an overnight lip balm.

What to Consider Before Trying the Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm

As someone with tan skin, I noticed the lighter shades either don't show up on my lips or tend to wash me out. I prefer darker or more vibrant shades, like Lychee, Jam, Goji, Spice, and Mocha, which complement my skin tone better. Another thing to note is that popular shades tend to sell out quickly, so be sure to keep an eye out for the colours you're vying for on the brand's site and join the waitlist.

Where is the Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm Available?

The Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm is available on the brand's site, Amazon, and Soko Glam.

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