From barely-there tints in chic metal bullets to glassy finishes infused with skincare-grade actives, the humble balm has had a serious glow-up. Credit the hybrid beauty boom – where makeup meets skincare – for the surge in demand. These new-gen lip balms hydrate with hyaluronic acid, plump with peptides, protect with SPF, and serve up a subtle hit of colour that looks fresh, not fussy. Ideal for hot-weather beauty when full-coverage lipsticks feel too heavy, they deliver that elusive 'your lips, but better' finish that works from morning coffee runs to sundown spritzes.
On TikTok and Instagram, it’s the designer balms doing the rounds – Hermès’s slick cases, Dior’s glow-enhancing tints, and the buttery shine of Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatments, complete with colour-coded phone cases, that have all achieved cult status. And with every A-lister and beauty editor sliding a luxury balm from their clutch, it’s clear these sleek little tubes have become as much a style statement as a beauty essential. But you don’t have to spend designer money to get in on the trend - affordable icons from Laneige, Summer Fridays and Glossier are just as covetable and pack a serious hydration punch.
Whether you’re loyal to an old favourite or ready to try something new, this edit rounds up the lip balms worth the hype this summer. From quiet luxury to high-gloss drama, these are the formulas that do it all.
