Balm, gloss, tint, or lipstick? How to pick your lip product

Lip products can look alike on the shelf. Then you swipe one on, and it feels nothing like the last. A balm, a tint, and a gloss each do a different job.

Start with what you want

Most lip products do one of three jobs: care, color, or shine. A few do two at once.

Care: balm by day, mask by night

A balm is your everyday basic. Our Fruit Smoothing Lip Balm glides on light but feels rich, with a fruity hint of color. Wear it alone, or layer it under or over lip makeup.

Hydrating Lip Sleeping Mask is the night shift. Smooth it over your lips before bed, and leave it on. You wake up to lips that feel soft and cushiony.

Dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology suggest lip balm several times a day and before bed. They also say to stop licking your lips, since they get drier as saliva evaporates.

Color: from sheer to bold

Melting Candy Balm sits right between care and color. It’s a balm stick with a natural tint and a high-shine finish.

Aqua Hydrating Liquid Lip Tint is water-based, so there’s no waxy layer. Hyaluronic Acid, Cica, and Green Tea keep lips looking moist. Start with one coat, then layer for deeper color.

Want a bold look? Matte & Satin Liquid Lipstick blurs on with rich color and a velvety satin finish.

Shine: classic or plumping

Bling & Glow Moisturizing Lip Gloss adds luminous shine without the sticky feel. Wear it alone for a natural glow, or layer it over lipstick.

Moisture & Shine Lip Plumping Gloss brings a little warmth. Its formula lists Tea Tree Leaf Oil and Vanillyl Butyl Ether, a warming ingredient. You may feel a gentle warmth after you apply it.

How to layer them

Tint, then gloss: you get the color of a tint with the shine of a gloss. Liquid lipstick, then gloss: a satin finish turns glossy. Lipstick, then balm: a softer, dewy look.

A few smart rules

Apply tint and lipstick to clean, dry lips. Build color in thin layers rather than one thick coat.

If a product ever stings or burns, wipe it off and stop using it. When lips are chapped or cracked, the AAD suggests gentle, fragrance-free products until they feel better.

Find your match

Shop balms and masks on our Lip Care page, and glosses, tints, and lipsticks under Makeup. Our team can also help you pick at a Glowoori store near you.

Sources

• American Academy of Dermatology, “7 dermatologists’ tips for healing dry, chapped lips”
• Vantage Specialty Chemicals, “HOTACT VBE” (Vanillyl Butyl Ether)