This essay first appeared on Wednesday, March 20, in The Strategist Beauty Brief, a weekly newsletter in which our beauty writers share their must-tries, can-skips, and can’t-live-withouts. But we liked it so much we wanted to share it with all of our readers. If you want more first impressions of buzzy launches, quick takes on what’s trending on TikTok and Instagram, and deep dives into the week’s best beauty launches, sign up here. The Strategist Beauty Brief is delivered every Wednesday.
If you’re a regular reader of The Strategist Beauty Brief, you know we’re pretty picky about our products. Yes, we’re always down to try a dupe and test an internet trend. But we’re passionate about our basics, too. So we thought we’d drop in to share a bit about our favorite, tried-and-true products — the everyday face moisturizers, body lotions, and deodorants of it all. For the first installment, we’re sharing our can’t-live-without lip balms. Read on to find out which lip balms we’re carrying in every bag, pocket, and purse.
I’ve tried a lot of lip balms in my life, and the only one I ever managed to finish was Milk Makeup’s Kush lip balm in Green Dragon. Unfortunately, the brand discontinued it a couple years ago, and nothing else I tried ever came close — until I discovered this Puffer lip balm from Blunt Skincare. It’s infused with hemp-seed oil, just like the Milk balm. It’s also shiso flavored, so it imparts a similarly fresh, earthy scent and sage-y green color (though it goes on with a clear finish). Nothing will ever fill the Kush-size hole in my heart, but this one comes pretty damn close. —Kitty Guo
I know picking Nivea is a bit of a yawn, but it works! I have a tube of this for every purse and in every coat pocket. It’s the one I’ve used since high school, and it’s the one that soothes my lips after my yearly lip-filler top-up. As for tints, I’ve tried a few (the cherry smells great), but I like to keep it simple with the classic smooth lip balm. —Racheal Griffiths
I apply this all day, every day. I’ve tried tinted lip balms in the past that either aren’t very hydrating or the color looks off. This ticks all the boxes: My lips stay moisturized for hours and the tint is natural but noticeable. I also appreciate the applicator, which is larger than most. Mocha, Latte, and Chai have been my winter go-tos, and I have Petal in my cart for spring. —Arielle Avila
I’m a lip-balm aficionado — I’ve tried so many and keep a healthy rotation of balms for different functions. For simple, utilitarian purposes, I reach for Vaseline. It’s an OG and my lips like it, no matter what they’re going through. If I’m after a little bit more shine and not just straight-up protection, I switch between the Summer Fridays lip balm and Nudestix. I have to have one of the three in my bag at all times. —Tembe Denton-Hurst
Each time I get seduced by a new fancy lip balm, I always end up coming back to Vaseline. It’s cheap, it’s classic, and it works better than anything else. I slather my lips in it at night and they stay hydrated all day. But for sun protection, I always keep Supergoop’s SPF-30 lip balm in my bag. —Dominique Pariso
I have a terrible lip-picking habit (I’m working on it), and this is what fixes the flaking. —Ambar Pardilla
This article originally appeared in The Strategist Beauty Brief, a weekly newsletter from our beauty writers on their must-tries, can-skips, and can’t-live-withouts. Sign up here.
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