13 tinted lip balms that offer a pop of color and full dose of hydration

With the winter chill comes all kinds of skin care woes — chapped lips being among the worst of them. And when it comes to applying lipstick to a dry pout, most of us know that it's not the best feeling. That's why we're re-introducing our beauty routines to tinted lip balms: the perfect way to add a pop of color to your lips while also soothing and hydrating them all season long.

Celebrity makeup artist and entrepreneur Camara Aunique shared why she adores tinted lip balms for her busy lifestyle. "I [like to] keep them in my car [or] my bag. I even sometimes use tinted balms on my cheeks to flush them out a bit without using blush," she said. A two-for-one beauty product? We'll take it.

Tinted balms provide a subtle amount of color without being overbearing; plus, they're not as sticky or cumbersome as actual lipstick. "I personally wear tinted lip balms [because] I like a little bit of color on my lip, especially while wearing masks — you don't want to wear something that's going to ruin the inside of your mask," added Aunique.

Between the cold weather and mask-wearing, tinted balms are your best option for an effortless beauty look this winter — and to take with you into spring. We found several tinted lip balms in various shades for every skin tone, all of which are highly-reviewed or bestselling picks.

Best tinted lip balms, according to shoppers

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez With Gratitude Dewy Lip Balm

With over 86,000 "hearts" on the Sephora website, it's clear that shoppers are loving this hydrating lip balm from Rare Beauty. The creamy formula offers light-to-medium coverage and comes in eight shades that offer buildable color while keeping your lips nourished at the same time.

Tinted Lip Balm

It's not hard to see why this tinted lip balm is an Honest bestseller. Between the skin-loving ingredients (pomegranate, acai extracts and avocado oil), paraben- and silicone-free formula and stamp of approval from dermatologists, what's not to love?

Tinted Lip Balm

Available in various deep red and pink tones that are perfect for winter, Burt's Bees tinted lip balm promises eight hours of moisturizing relief and a beautiful, natural hint of color. Plus, almost 600 Target shoppers also rated this affordable find a perfect five stars.

Tinted Lip Balm SPF 15

Just because it's cold out doesn't mean potentially harmful rays aren't hitting your skin. Fortunately, Sun Bum's tinted lip balm with SPF will keep your lips protected. Available in several cool tones perfect for colder months (including one with the warming name Bonfire), it currently holds over 3,300 verified five-star ratings on Amazon.

Kiss Lip Balm

With over 7,500 five-star ratings on Amazon alone, this SPF 20 tinted lip balm from Revlon is infused with natural fruit oils that, according to the brand, keep your lips hydrated for up to eight hours. One reviewer mentioned, "I love this color and it leaves your lips soft and smooth without the sticky feel that some glosses leave."

Soft Matte Tinted Lip Balm

According to Sephora, 92% of reviewers would recommend this lip balm to other shoppers. If you're looking for a lip hydrator that offers color and a matte finish, this NARS tinted balm is a must-have in your winter beauty arsenal.

Balm Dotcom

Out of Glossier's bestselling products, Balm Dotcom is one of the brand's top-rated drops. With nine shades to choose from (including their newest limited-edition flavor, the caramel-hued Cookie Butter), this balm is crafted with heavy-duty, hydrating ingredients like beeswax, rosemary leaf extract and castor seed oil.

Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm

Boasting over 700 five-star ratings on Walmart and over 500 on CVS, Baby Lips is definitely one of the most shopper-loved tinted lip balms out there. One verified reviewer and lover of this clinically-proven balm remarked, "I can't live without this lip balm."

Buxom Power-full Plump Lip Balm, Dolly Fever, 0.17 oz

Tinted, moisturizing, plumping — this lip balm truly checks all of the boxes. The brand says, "There's no other lip balm like it," and we have to agree. Not only does the formula react to PH levels to create your perfect shade, but it also includes plumping peptides to give your pout a fuller, suppler look.

Vegan Agave Lip Butter

Agave, shea butter, jojoba oil and other beneficial ingredients team up to bring you this luxurious — and completely vegan — lip butter. It's available in 12 different shades, all cheery and bright.

Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

Jam-packed with nourishing mango and shea butters, this nourishing balm offers a solid pop of color to those looking for something less sheer. "This is my favorite lip balm! It’s perfect for everyday wear, going out or a quick Zoom meeting," wrote one Sephora customer.

Oh Sugar! Vitamin Lip Balm

"Looking for a great lip balm — not too gooey, not too waxy? This is it," raved one Amazon shopper about CoverGirl's Oh Sugar! lip balm. Although it looks like a lipstick, don't be fooled. This option — loaded with lush ingredients like avocado butter and grapeseed oil — provides sheer, subtle color and lots of moisture.

Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

TikTok users everywhere love this product — so much so that it's gone viral and is sold out at most retailers. It claims to be somewhere in the middle between a lipstick and a lip gloss — a silky balm that is Clinique's No. 1 bestseller.

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This article was originally published on Dec. 23, 2021.