If there’s one item that’s never missing from my handbag — regardless of the season, the outfit, or the size of the bag — it’s lip balm. Forget lipstick, forget gloss; the humble balm is the quiet hero of my beauty routine. As a fashion editor, I spend long hours between sourcing appointments, fashion shoots, and back-to-back brand meetings, and I’ve learned that hydrated lips do more than just look good — they make you feel polished, confident, and ready for your next close-up.
When your lips are dry or cracked, even the best red lipstick can’t save the look. But when they’re soft and healthy? Suddenly, your minimal makeup feels effortless, your coffee breaks more glamorous, and that chic bare-lip moment looks intentional. Lip balm is that bridge between skincare and style — the unsung essential every woman needs in her rotation.
Here are five lip balms I swear by — the ones that live in my tote, my desk drawer, my car, and yes, my bedside table.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Think of this as the overnight facial for your lips. The texture is luxuriously thick without being sticky, and by morning, your lips feel pillowy soft. It’s my go-to for overnight hydration — and honestly, I wear it during the day too because the subtle sheen gives that “glass skin but for lips” effect.
NARS Afterglow Lip Balm
An editor classic for good reason. It’s equal parts balm and tint, enhancing your natural lip color while keeping them moisturized. Perfect for those minimal makeup days when you want to look fresh and polished without trying too hard. It’s the kind of balm that makes you feel expensive — even if you’re just in your loungewear.
NARS Afterglow Lip Balm – R760
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
This one is a crowd favorite across beauty desks. It smells like a vanilla latte, glides on like silk, and gives that dewy, editorial lip finish you see in campaigns. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, which makes it as feel-good as it looks.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – R729
Lanolab Naturally Tinted Lip Balm
For days when your lips are feeling extra parched (or you’ve been flying), this rich, honey-infused formula is a savior. Matte in finish, it’s ideal under lipstick or for that natural, “no makeup” beauty moment that’s so French-girl chic.
Lanolab Tinted Lip Glow – R130
Vaseline Lip Therapy (Rosy Lips)
A nostalgic favorite — because some classics never fade. It’s affordable, hydrating, and adds a soft tint with just the right amount of gloss. It’s the one I keep in my car and swipe on before coffee runs or last-minute errands.
At the end of the day, lip balm is more than a beauty product — it’s comfort, confidence, and care wrapped up in a small tube. Whether I’m front row at fashion week or writing late into the night, it’s that one ritual that keeps me grounded and glowing.
Because let’s be honest — great style starts with the details. And soft, hydrated lips? Always in fashion.
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Featured Image: DupePhoto
