Lipsticks are great and all, but sometimes I’m just looking for a hydrating lip product that offers subtle color. Enter: tinted lip balm. Now, I’m not talking about the fruit flavored Lip Smackers you begged your mom for as a kid (though I do still have a soft spot for those). I found lip balms that nourish your pout and provide just enough tint for the most casual of days. From drugstore classics like Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips to luxury picks like Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm, here’s a list of the 15 best tinted lip balms, vetted by editors and passionate reviewers.
The 15 Best Tinted Lip Balms for a Juicy Pout, Vetted by Editors and Reviewers
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Published May 25, 2024
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The Best Tinted Lip Balms at a Glance
1
Best Overall Tinted Lip Balm
Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm
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2
Best Budget Tinted Lip Balm
Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips
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3
Most Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm
Fresh Sugar Lip Balm Hydrating Treatment
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4
Best Tinted Lip Balm with SPF
Tatcha The Kissu Lip Tint
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5
Best Plumping Tinted Lip Balm
Augustinus Bader The Tinted Balm
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How I Chose the Best Tinted Lip Balms
I apply tinted lip balms every chance I get, so I started this list with a few of my favorites (like Fresh and Laneige) below. Next, I scoped out reviews for the buzziest lip balms online from popular retailers like Sephora and Ulta. I also chatted with fellow editors, who were happy to share their top tinted lip balms they’re currently loving. From there, I looked into key ingredients and shade options to compile a list of the 15 best tinted lip balms to add to your collection.
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Best Overall Tinted Lip Balm
1. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm
What We Like
- offers a subtle tint
- promises eight hours of moisture
- contains shea butter
What We Don't Like
- limited shade range on Amazon
Burt's Bees
With over 14,000 5-star reviews, many shoppers declare this Burt’s Bees lip balm is the best. Formulated with botanical waxes and shea butter, it promises eight hours of moisture and smooth coverage. As one reviewer shares, “I've been using Burt's Bees Lip Tint Balm for years now, and it's definitely a favorite. It hydrates really well, which is a must for me, and I love that it's made with natural ingredients. The tint is just right—not too bold, just a nice, subtle flush of color. It's perfect for everyday wear, especially because I like to go heavier on my eye makeup and keep my lips simple. This balm adds just the right touch of sheen and color for a polished look. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good lip balm with a hint of tint.”
Fast Facts
- Shades: 8
- Scent: n/a
Best Budget Tinted Lip Balm
2. Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips
What We Like
- good for dry lips
- locks in moisture
- non-sticky formula
What We Don't Like
- small tin
Vaseline
The OG Vaseline has plenty of uses—including keeping your lips soft and smooth—so it's no surprise the brand added a rosy lip product to their collection. Formulated with petroleum jelly, it deposits a soft pink tint that’s nourishing, subtly glossy and long-lasting. It also has a sweet scent of rose, vanilla and red berry that makes this lip balm a fan-favorite for Associate Sales and Deals Editor Destinee Scott. “I’m a Vaseline girl all day, every day…some may say I’m addicted to the stuff because I love applying it on my lips for hydration and moisture at least twice a day,” she says. “I use all the mini Vaseline balms, but I like the rose for the smell. It doesn’t really have a super noticeable tint either, which I love, and it makes my lips feel soft for hours (as long as I’m not eating or drinking anything.)”
Fast Facts
- Shades: 1
- Scent: rose, vanilla, red berry
Most Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm
3. Fresh Sugar Lip Balm Hydrating Treatment
What We Like
- great color payoff
- moisturizing
- pleasant scent
What We Don't Like
- expensive
Fresh
I can spend hours talking about this Fresh lip balm. It has sugar, cranberry seed oil, grapeseed oil to hydrate and soften my lips. The brand claims it offers 24 hours of hydration and I believe it. With previous balms I tried, I often had to reapply them throughout the day to keep my lips from chapping, but not with this. Plus, all the shades have a nice sheer finish to them.
Fast Facts
- Shades: 12
- Scent: sugar cane
Best Tinted Lip Balm with SPF
What We Like
- great color payoff
- contains SPF 25
What We Don't Like
- expensive
- limited shade range
Tatcha
This lip tint gives you the best of both worlds: a satisfying tint and SPF protection. It comes in darker tones that are buildable with a creamy formula that’s filled with botanical lanolin and silk protein to retain moisture and smooth lips. It also has SPF 25 to protect against harsh UVA/UVB rays (because yes, lips can get sunburnt, too). As Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu shares, “It’s so beautiful! The design is 10/10 and it’s super buildable. Honestly, the payoff is good and it doesn’t require much to build.”
Fast Facts
- Shades: 3
- Scent: n/a
Best Plumping Tinted Lip Balm
5. Augustinus Bader The Tinted Balm
What We Like
- non-sticky formula
- sheen coverage
- contains clean ingredients
What We Don't Like
- expensive
- doesn't stay on all day
Augustinus Bader
PureWow editors and readers alike love Augustinus Bader for their skincare offerings, but did you know the luxury brand recently dabbled in the makeup world? Their tinted lip balm delivers sheer coverage, a nourishing formula and plumping capabilities. It’s formulated with shea butter, vitamin E and candelilla wax, as well as the brand’s signature TFC8 technology that moisturizes and protects the lips. According to Scott, she has been using it consistently and has not been disappointed yet. “I’ve been using them nonstop. All three shades are amazing. I will probably use them over lipstick moving forward because they give me the look I want and go on so smoothly. It also makes my lips feel so soft.”
Fast Facts
- Shades: 3
- Scent: n/a
Best Clean Tinted Lip Balm
6. Henne Organics Tinted Lip Balm
What We Like
- non-sticky formula
- buttery texture
- soft sheen
What We Don't Like
- not a long-lasting color
- have to constantly re-apply
Henne Organics
This tinted lip balm is loved by our Beauty Director Jenny Jin and I can definitely see why it’s highly recommended. It has a list of moisturizing ingredients, including coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, beeswax and candelilla wax to prevent chapped lips. In a raving review of the lip balm, Jin calls out the shade ‘Azalea,’ which she says gave her “the most flattering color with only two swipes.” She adds, “[The color] is so subtle, I never have to find a mirror to apply it. I just glide it over my lips, step back and admire the way it brightens up my face.” Flattering pigment aside, the lip balm also has a buttery texture to it that’s not-at-all sticky and offers a soft sheen.
Fast Facts
- Shades: 8
- Scent: coconut
Best Application Tinted Lip Balm
7. Tower 28 Beauty JuiceBalm Tinted Lip Balm
What We Like
- offers a nice sheen
- nourishing ingredients
What We Don't Like
- limited shade range
Tower 28 Beauty
Another favorite of Jin’s is this tinted lip balm from Tower 28. The crayon-shaped design makes it easy to glide across the lips for full coverage. Rich with shea butter and marula oil, the formula hydrates and softens your pout. “This balm has become a daily staple for me whenever I want a lustrous sheen and a hint of color on my lips (so always),” says Jin. “It comes in four shades, including a nude, a juicy coral and two shades of pink, but no matter which one I choose, they all have a forgiving texture to them so they're a breeze to apply on the go.”
Fast Facts
- Shades: 4
- Scent: sweet
Tinted Lip Balm with Best Shade Ranges
8. Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm
What We Like
- extensive shade range
- offers a glossy finish
- has a plumping effect
What We Don't Like
- expensive
Hourglass
This lip product makes my top ten for the shade options alone. Whether you’re looking for a bright red like ‘Thrill’ or a warm pink like ‘Crave,’ there are 16 shades to choose from. It's also praised for hydrating and plumping the lips, while delivering a high-shine finish. As Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida shares, “I love this collection from Hourglass! Unlike many of the other tinted lip balms I’ve tried, which have left my lips looking kind of dry and matte, this balm has a glossy finish that instantly makes my pout look more hydrated. At the same time, thanks to ingredients like avocado oil and shea butter, it really does moisturize my lips while providing a pretty dash of color. Since it’s also formulated to be “volumizing” the balm delivers that cooling, tingly sensation of throwback lip plumpers. I personally love it and do think my pout looks a bit plumper after application.”
Fast Facts
- Shades: 16
- Scent: n/a
Most Forgiving Tinted Lip Balm
9. ILIA Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm
What We Like
- extensive shade range
- offers a glossy finish
- has a plumping effect
What We Don't Like
- expensive
Ilia
If you’re looking for subtle tint, look no further than this lip balm by ILIA. It has a buttery texture that nourishes your pout and adds a touch of color that’s not too overpowering. Key ingredients include rosehip seed oil and shea butter to hydrate and plump your lips. “This lip balm is so great that I always have it with me in one of the neutral shades (like ‘Runaway’). I just swipe it on to moisten my lips, while adding a bit of sheer color. The pigment isn't so intense that I have to apply it in front of a mirror, but there is enough color to brighten my face a little,” says Dana Dickey, senior editor at PureWow. “It's also not sticky or too thick, so I can wear it when I'm doing some light sporty activity like a social hike and don't want to go completely bare-faced.”
Fast Facts
- Shades: 8
- Scent: n/a
Best Smelling Tinted Lip Balm
What We Like
- offers a high-shine finish
- pleasant scent
- moisturizing
What We Don't Like
- very subtle tint
Laneige
It’s no secret that I love the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, so when I heard they were making a lip balm, I knew I had to get my hands on the entire collection. Though the color is barely there, it has plenty of high-shine gloss and comes in deliciously fruity scents. There are signature scents like ‘Vanilla’ and ‘Berry,’ but I’m obsessed with the ‘Gummy Bear’ scent that reminds me of candy (it takes everything not to lick my lips constantly). Plus, the combination of shea and murumuru seed butter makes my pout extra soft and juicy.
Fast Facts
- Shades: 6
- Scent: varies
Best for Dry Lips Tinted Lip Balm
11. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
What We Like
- offers a nice sheer color
- non-sticky formula
- pleasant scent
What We Don't Like
- expensive
Summer Fridays
We’ve loved this lip butter balm since it was first put on our radar four years ago. Since then, a few tinted options have been added to the collection. Whether you grab the ‘Pink Sugar’ or ‘Poppy’ shade, the color payoff is great. Shoppers rave about its hydrating formula, featuring shea and murumuru butters to condition dry, cracked lips. You’ll also find vegan waxes that add a boost of shine and soften your pout. Plus, the scent is the icing on the cake. “I love this product so much! It’s the perfect shade [that’s] not too red, not too plain. I feel that it has really moisturized my lips,” says one Sephora reviewer.
Fast Facts
- Shades: 8
- Scent: varies
Best Drugstore Tinted Lip Balm
12. CoverGirl Clean Fresh Tinted Lip Balm
What We Like
- creamy texture
- great color payoff
- budget-friendly
What We Don't Like
- some reviewers don't appreciate high pigment for a lip balm
CoverGirl
The nourishing blend of hyaluronic acid and pomegranate oil in this balm keeps your lips feeling soft and smooth all day long. In sheer shades like ‘Bliss You Berry,’ and ‘You’re The Pom,’ many shoppers claim it provides long-lasting hydrating and a satisfying hint of color. “I'm obsessed with this lip balm! It's soft and the [offers the] prettiest color on your lips. It provides a smooth feeling and hydration all day. It's the perfect balm to throw into your makeup bag for everyday wear,” says one Ulta shopper.
Fast Facts
- Shades: 6
- Scent: n/a
Best Vegan Tinted Lip Balm
13. Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm
What We Like
- buildable coverage
- light scent
- has a vegan formula
What We Don't Like
- some reviewers experienced dryness after a few hours
Honest Beauty
Thanks to this vegan lip balm’s avocado, acai and pomegranate oils, it works to improve and nourish lips. After one swipe, reviewers say the tint is visible and helps enhance their natural lip shade. It also claims to lock in hydration for up to six hours. One Ulta shopper states, “I've had this in ‘Fruit Punch’ for a while now, and it's the only coral/warm pink lip product that looks good with my skin tone! I love the feel, how buildable it is and the wash of color! They also work to layer on top of drier lip products if you like to mix and match your colors like I do.”
Fast Facts
- Shades: 7
- Scent: n/a
Internet Favorite Tinted Lip Balm
What We Like
- dermatologist-tested
- long-lasting moisture
What We Don't Like
- small tube
Glossier
Glossier has a few beauty hits under its belt (i.e., Boy Brow, Milky Cleanser), so it’s no surprise that their balm is one of the top-rated products online with over 10,000 positive reviews and counting. Infused with natural emollients like shea butter and beeswax, shoppers keep coming back for its long-lasting moisture. A popular pick is the ‘Berry’ shade, which is a deep purple that looks more flattering than you’d think, according to reviews. As one fan states, “When I apply it, it basically deepens the natural color of my lips. It’s so pretty and smells amazing. The tube is small, but it will last you forever. Absolutely the best tinted lip balm I’ve tried!”
Fast Facts
- Shades: 9
- Scent: varies
Tinted Lip Balm with Smoothest Application
15. Lawless Forget the Filler Tinted Lip Balm
What We Like
- moisturizing
- nice color payoff
What We Don't Like
- not a great plumping effect
- expensive
Lawless
Lawless is loved for its tinted lip balm that has rosehip oil, shea butter and jojoba seed oil to condition and soften lips. Reviewers say the balmy texture keeps your lips looking and feeling supple all day—plus, it comes in an array of shades. “I really like this balm! The shade ‘Sugarplum’ has a nice amount of color to it. It gives my lips a sheer wash of pigment. I like to pair it with a lip liner. This is the second shade I own. It is the kind of balm you can apply on the go without a mirror,” says one Sephora shopper.
Fast Facts
- Shades: 11
- Scent: n/a
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.