Hyphen, Laneige and Summer Fridays—here’s The Nod’s lip balm edit

I have a lip balm hoarding problem, but then I think most of us do. I’m a big fan of the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (in Berry), so it was a given that I’d try their Glaze Craze tinted lip serum (I got the shade Chocolate Frosting). The donut applicator makes reapplication a dream (which is great since you do need to reapply often), but the tint is pretty saturated and the product smells like its name. Texture-wise, it sits a little tacky on my lip; I’m constantly aware that it’s there. —Shalini Shah

The Innisfree dewy tint lip balm in the shade Rose Brick is always in my bag and has literally replaced my going-out lipstick. The texture is silky and smooth, the formula is sufficiently hydrating, the colour is buildable (though the payoff is pretty good even in one swipe), and the bullet format makes it really convenient to carry around in the pocket. The product definitely lives up to its name and has a gorgeous, dewy finish that makes the lips look pink and healthy. —Chloe Chou

I love lip balms with big applicators because they’re so much easier to use, and this buzzy new launch has the most adorable packaging. Each pink tube comes with a detachable charm—a must-have for anyone who buys beauty for the plot. The formula combines shea butter, murumuru butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and a peptide complex to moisturise the lips, and the sheer colour is subtle but buildable. It kinda looks like I have Jello-O on my lips. I tried Glee—an orangey red that I think would look very flattering on light to medium skin tones. —Chloe Chou

This balm is Pretty Girl Energy in tube form. The tint, the smell, the hydration, and the glaze are everything! I found it at Sephora and I’ve never put something in my shopping basket faster. The texture is amazing—it goes on like a glassy glaze, and even after it dries off after hours of wearing, your lips still have this very soft pink tint but there’s no dryness. The hyaluronic acid microspheres ensure your lips retain moisture and are smooth as ever. —Priyanka Parkash

What is the line between a lip gloss and a lip balm? I’m not entirely sure after trying out Hyphen’s vitamin-infused peptide lip balm in Jelly Glaze. The product offers a nice bit of gloss and a dark pink tint but leaves a sticky coating on the lips, similar to a lip gloss. Unlike a lip balm, it didn’t seem to get absorbed or offer any long-term hydration, but, like a gloss, it was handy having the tube in office for a quick, last-minute bit of colour before a dinner date. —Butool Jamal

Hyphen’s VIP lip balm is really good for its price point. I tried the shade Orchid—unconventional for a lip balm, but it’s surprisingly wearable since it adds only a sheer veil of colour. I wish the applicator was less stiff and a bit broader, but other than that it’s a great pocket-friendly option. —Chloe Chou

My makeup-obsessed friends and I went running all over Paris to find this viral balm. I got the shade Mon Chéri—it’s this sheer, brown-red hue that’s super buildable, and it feels amazing on the lips. I personally don’t find it hydrating, but it works perfectly as a stain. —Naheed Driver

If you’re looking for a lightweight, no-nonsense balm that keeps your lips plump and hydrated without feeling too sticky, d’you’s lip nectar is a great pick. It has a really lowkey and pleasant Earl Grey tea scent, and the texture is silky like a luxurious serum. —Chloe Chou

I have a lip balm in every corner—one in my makeup kit, another in my purse, and of course one by my bedside table. Indewild’s DLT is a winner for the bedside-table spot—it’s hands down the most moisturising lip balm I’ve used. I often wake up feeling the ghost of lip balm past. I have the untinted version for my nighttime routine and the fiery red hot sauce version to layer on my lips when at work or stepping out casually. Not to worry, the tint isn’t as red as the Tabasco-coded tube promises but a subtle sheen with a hint of brightening colour. Plus, every DLT comes with a little charm, and honestly what more could you want? —Ruhi Gilder

As a firm believer of the idea that makeup artists make the best products, I was hyped to try out Isamaya French’s makeup line when I spotted it at a Sephora. Her shiny, metallic lip balm in the colour Retrograde has become my go-to for its smooth, melting texture and easy lipstick-like application. I love the deep berry tone that’s very reminiscent of the ’90s and how the colour and shine build with each application. —Butool Jamal

I can pretty much pick any e.l.f. lip product without thinking twice. Their vegan formulas make life easier if your skin reacts to everything. I picked the Java Chip shade, a cool-toned colour that leans into a gothy grey when applied lightly, and my dry lips are comfortable for hours. It layers well without turning tacky or sticky, which is rare in most gloss finishes. It can wash out medium to deeper skin tones, so it’s one of those shades you try on at home before committing to a full day with it. —Shyamolika Vaz

I reach out for the Chanel Rouge Coco Baume in the shade Natural Charm every day. I saw that Sofia Richie Grainge used it on her wedding day and so, obviously, I needed it. It’s the most perfect nude and feels so smooth on the lips. Not only does it look so pretty, it’s also quite hydrating. —Naheed Driver

As a full-blown Summer Fridays lip-balm addict who’s tried basically every flavour, Pink Guava has my entire soul. It smells like if gummy bears and the watermelon Jolly Rancher lolly had a baby—not very guava-esque, but so juicy it honestly doesn’t matter. And the colour? The perfect pink. Not too light, not too dark, just that natural “my lips but cuter” flush. —Diya Parakh

This is hands down my favourite lip balm ever. It hydrates the lips better than any other lip balm I’ve tried (and I’ve tried many), smells delicious, and the longevity is unmatched. The Vanilla Beige shade is the one I keep reaching out for most—it’s a beautiful nude and has the yummiest vanilla fragrance. Pink Sugar is meant to have a sheer pink colour, but it goes on clear for me. —Chloe Chou

This one earns its spot on my nightstand, and if you’re in Australia, it’s one of those products you simply must pick up. It’s made with fermented papayas and has a light scent and clear gloss-like finish that I love. The antibacterial, antiseptic, and antimicrobial claims actually hold up. Even if you’re prone to lip allergies, this is the only product your lips might tolerate. It usually comes in a tube, but I like it enough that I’ve started stocking the tub version too. —Shyamolika Vaz

If you’re on holiday abroad and on the hunt for a budget-friendly tinted lip balm, Naturium’s Phyto-Glow balm is a great pick. The formula is thick and waxy thanks to phyto-derived esters (a vegan alternative to lanolin), and it’s packed with shea butter, cupuaçu butter, and plant squalene, which make it quite hydrating and perfect for winter. The applicator is wide and super easy to use. While the finish is slightly sticky, it’s very glossy and makes your lips look super juicy (which is always a plus!). —Chloe Chou

If your-lips-but-better were a product, it would be this one. The sheer pink hue sits softly and looks close to your natural shade. Anyone with a double vermillion border knows how annoying it is to keep lining all day; this tint is natural enough to skip that step entirely. The formula has ceramides plus actives like kojic acid and niacinamide, which is rare for something this easy to swipe on. It’s marketed as a brightening product, though the effect fades in a couple of hours. I’ve already gone through two tubes, the price point is perfect, and the added SPF makes it an easy yes. —Shyamolika Vaz