12 best tinted lip balms to keep your lips hydrated

tinted lip balm

by Lorna White |
Updated on

We can all agree that investing in one of the best tinted lip balms on the market is a must as they're one of the best make up choices for older women. They're an essential in our handbags, especially in the winter months when our lips can suffer from the dry and cold weather, leaving them cracked and sore.

Unlike a regular lip balm or lipstick for older women, a tinted lip balm has a bit of colour pigment in it to give your lips a wash of colour that'll leave you looking a bit more put together without sacrificing that soft and hydrated feeling you get with a nourishing lip balm.

They tend to come in more muted, subtle tones for an effortless look, making them ideal for minimal make up days or if you struggle with finding the right lipstick or shade for you. They're also very easy to apply throughout the day without having to worry about being too neat on the lip line. Some of the best tinted lip balms also contain UVA or UVB sun protection to keep your sensitive lips safe from the sun, too.

With so many brilliant tinted lip balms now on the market in a huge range of shades and suitable for every budget, there are a lot to choose from. To help you find the best tinted lip balms for you, we've scoured the shops for the best with some personal favourites from the Yours team.

The best tinted lip balms

Best overall tinted lip balm

You really can't go wrong with NIVEA for the lips. Their products are reliable and nourishing, so it's no surprise their tinted lip balm is a hit. Coming in a range of different shades inspired by fruits, we personally love this cherry one thanks to its bright pop of colour. It's designed to provide long-lasting moisture to the lips while leaving a subtle touch of colour to the lips and a bit of a shine.

One reviewer said: "This is my favourite go to lip balm. It not only keeps my lips nice and smooth but it leave my lips with a lovely tint. This is also an excellent price that won't break the bank. I would definitely recommend!"

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Comes in a range of different shades and flavours

Cons

  • May require reapplication throughout the day
Volume:5.5ml
  • Enriched with Organic Jojoba Oil
  • Dermatologically approved

Best long-lasting tinted lip-balm

Elizabeth Arden tinted lip balm
Price: £28.00
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=d0dbd0c339565e753f633a021d364c3d&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=DEQQEhcKTBxETkIYQgRbWFIUQh1QDl0dWBQcc1gKSQVSARYMHSJBV1xbG3AMUF1HS35cRhMdcUMBUlsZL1oUHTQQC0QGUEdYW0IYNkNcUA0bYEYPQ1FDAVZYGTNfEV1JU1cdDEkcCAUFA1ICAwZS&x=v1
Alternative retailers
Newegg$35.12View offer

This makes a brilliant daily lipstick or lip balm for dry lips. Although it's a little pricier than other lip balms, it's formulated to relieve chapping and cracking and help moisturise the lips throughout the day. There are five different sheer colour shades available and it also has an SPF of 15, to keep your lips protected from the sun.

One reviewer said: "Really pleased with this and I am on my 2nd. Softens lips without being sticky etc. Easy to wear as you forget it is on, but certainly softens lips. It does last so is not over expensive. Will certainly continue using.....you don’t let a good product disappear!"

Pros

  • Lasts throughout the day
  • Includes SPF 15

Cons

  • Some wearers found the taste unpleasant
Volume:4g
Dimensions:2.5 x 2.5 x 8 cm
  • SPF 15
  • Suitable for all weather conditions
  • Four sheer colours to choose from

Best tinted lip balm with SPF

We all know how important it is to wear an SPF daily, and that goes for our lips too. The Ultra Violette Sheen Screen Hydrating Lip Balm includes SPF 50 and is enriched with cacao seed butter for a sweet smell and to seal in moisture. The formula also includes sustainable lanolin, shea butter and vitamin E to help soothe and protect lips from damage. The high-factor sunscreen works to shield the lips from damaging UVA and UVB rays to prevent signs of ageing.

One reviewer said: "I use this all year round as it is a really nice lip balm and gives a very nice finish to the lips. I use it when sunbathing and never end up with dry lips anymore!"

Pros

  • SPF 50
  • Smells great

Cons

  • Some wearers didn't like the aftertaste
Available shades: 7
Volume: 30g
  • SPF 50
  • Rich in vitamins A and E for antioxidant protection
  • Formulated with sustainable lanolin for intense hydration
  • Infused with soothing cacao and shea butter

Best budget tinted lip balm

A little tin of vaseline is often the first lip balm we use for chapped lips, and we can still remember keeping a little pot of this in our school blazer pocket. It's a non-sticky formula and is designed to melt into the lips. As well as the rose oils and sweet rose fragrance, it adds a subtle pink shade to the lips.

One reviewer said: "These little pots are just fantastic. Perfect size for handbags, perfect lip conditioner. And the little tint to this one gives it something extra. Wish they did a strawberry one with red tint instead of just rose/pink."

Pros

  • Travel sized
  • Non-sticky

Cons

  • Colour doesn't show as clearly on darker skin tones
Volume: 20g
  • Non-sticky formula
  • Light rose fragrance
  • Contains rose oils and sweet almonds

Best shimmery tinted lip balm

If you like a bit of sparkle in your lip balm that's going to nourish your lips while they sparkle then this NARS tinted Afterglow balm is ideal for parties or special occasions. Available in eight different shades ranging from full to sheer coverage, some have a matte finish while some are high gloss so you really can find something to suit your preference or even double up!

One reviewer said: "The Nars Afterglow lip balm in the shade Orgasm has to be one of the prettiest shades available, it’s so nice and leaves my lips soft and moisturised. Although the colour is subtle it’s still really pretty and gives such a pretty natural look, I need to pick this up in more shades."

Pros

  • Different finishes available
  • Suitable for special occasions

Cons

  • Colour doesn't last very long
Volume:3g
  • Hydrating
  • Conditioning
  • Sheer finish
  • Subtle colour
  • Long-lasting
  • Fragrance-free
  • Alcohol-free

Best natural tinted lip balm

If natural ingredients are a must have for you, then the Burt's Bees lip balm is perfect as it's infused with powerful fruit extracts and Beeswax to richly moisturise and soften lips. It has a matte finish and is free from parabens, phthalates, petrolatum and SLS.

One reviewer said: "I really liked this Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm. The colour was beautiful and nicely pigmented. It had quite a strong scent though. It left my lips feeling very refreshed."

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Natural ingredients

Cons

  • Some didn't find this very hydrating
Volume: 4.25g
  • 100% natural ingredients
  • Contains Beeswax
  • Made with antioxidant-rich Pomegranate Oil
  • Convenient small size

Best luxury tinted lip balm

For something a little more luxurious for your lips, there's the DIOR Addict Lip Glow. Formulated using cherry oil, sunflower wax and shea butter as a base, it's a colour enhancing balm that'll last you hours. Available in 12 different shades, it's creamy, smooth and nourishing to wear throughout the day.

One reviewer said: "I purchased this product for myself after my sister received this as a gift, and I can say that I am not disappointed it is a beautiful colour and glides in so beautifully into the lips."

Pros

  • Good range of shades
  • Lasts throughout the day

Cons

  • Some found that the colours aren't very vibrant
Volume: 3.2g
  • 97% natural-origin ingredients
  • Uses cherry oil, sunflower wax and shea butter
  • Hydrates lips for 24 hours

Best multi-use tinted lip balm

The Lanolips balms are world renowned and loved by celebrities as well as beauty industry experts. The signature hero ingredient is lanolin which is used to treat and cure dry lips and skin. It contains no artificial fragrances, parabens, petrolatum, PEG's, mineral oil or sulphates and is animal cruelty free. It can also be won as a cheek tint as well as on the lips and we love that it contains SPF to protect lips from the sun.

One reviewer said: "I love this! It’s exactly the right amount of colour for me as it’s not too intense, but still looks like a colour. I far prefer it to lipstick. I find the product stays on brilliantly, even after eating and drinking (most alternatives come off immediately) and it’s so moisturising. The tube applicator makes it really easy to apply. I even put a tiny amount on my cheeks for an instant dewy glow - I thought it would be too sticky but it isn’t! I think it’s amazing!"

Pros

  • Doubles up as a cheek tint
  • Contains SPF 15

Cons

  • Some found the formula quite sticky
Volume:12.5g
  • SPF 15
  • No artificial fragrances, parabens, petrolatum, PEG's, mineral oil or sulfates
  • Animal cruelty free

Best tinted lip balm for gifting

This 12-hour hydrating lip balm makes a lovely gift for the makeup lover in your life, and thanks to its buttery smooth texture, this balm effortlessly glides across lips, coating the lips with moisturising, luminous shine. It's a buildable formula to allow you to add depth to the shade and it's suitable for vegans.

One reviewer said: "Great product, vibrant pigment which lasts. Better than any other tinted balm I’ve tried which tend to be lacking colour."

Pros

  • 12 hour hydration
  • Lightweight for comfortable wearing

Cons

  • Some found it too messy to apply without a mirror
Volume: 2.4g
  • 12-hour hydration
  • Jojoba Oil
  • Vegan
  • Does not contain animal oils, parabens or gluten

Best subtle tinted lip balm

If it's just a subtle sheen of colour you're looking for, then this delicate pink tinted lip balm is perfect for everyday wear. The balm is clever in that it responds to your unique lip shade to reveal a shade that's perfect for you. It works beautifully on its own or under your usual lipstick.

One reviewer said: "I've always been a fan of Estée Lauder lipsticks & the Pure Colour line is a home run! These products are outstanding and my lips look great! I've bought one for work, car, purse and makeup bag - can't go without!"

Pros

  • Subtle shine
  • Smooth application

Cons

  • Some prefer a bolder lip shade
Volume: 3.2g
  • Tints with personalised colour
  • Castor oil extracted from food-grade castor seeds, this oil is composed of fatty acids that help condition the skin

Best tinted lip balm for colour range

L'Oreal Paris Lipstick
Price: £13.01
Alternative retailers
Walmart$29.00View offer

L'Oreal are great when it comes to offering a wide range of colour shades, you really can find one to suit any skin tone. It's lightweight and sheer in texture and works to moisturise for all-day long hydration.

One reviewer said: "So wet and moisturising on your lips it feels fantastic. The colour you could build a bit but is very subtle at least on my very pale skin tone and a very pretty pinky coral shade. I would image would look stunning on darker skin tones."

Pros

  • Wide range of colour options
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Some found this didn't last very long
Volume: 4.2g
  • Up to 98% natural origin ingredients
  • Multi use

Best tinted lip balm packaging

If it's fun packaging you're after then this shiny MAC balm is ideal for making your make up bag look prettier. Available in six shades this tinted lip balm not only looks amazing from the outside, but it's also formulated using a nourishing blend of shea butter, mango and jojoba-seed oils to instantly soothe, smooth and hydrate the lips.

One reviewer said: "I have almost all of these. Halo at me is my favorite. The texture is gloss like without stickiness. I adore them. Halo at me has a small sheen, which can slightly slightly lighten my lips, so its great to have around to add dimension to my lips."

Pros

  • Nice packaging
  • Designed for long-term hydration

Cons

  • Some found it needed to be won with a lip liner to get the full effect of the colour
Volume:3.6g
  • Shea butter and mango - and jojoba-seed oils
  • Moisture Glow Matrix that locks in moisture

Do I need to wash off a tinted lip balm?

We all know how important it is to clean off our makeup after a long day, but unlike your other make up, there really is no need to clean off your tinted lip balm as it acts like a moisturiser, meaning you are fine to sleep in it. We would however opt for a clear lip balm while you're sleeping as we wouldn't want the colour to transfer to your bedsheets.

Can I wear tinted lip balm underneath my lipstick?

Yes, the best tinted lip balms can work really well under your lipstick to keep lips hydrated throughout the day and to stop your lipstick from looking dry. They're especially good if you're using a balm with an SPF as this will protect your lips from the sun.

To enjoy more regular stories just like this, become a Yours subscriber and become part of our fun and friendly community of like-minded readers.

BUTTON

Lorna White is a Senior Digital Writer at Yours.co.uk. She was previously a writer at Yours Magazine writing features and news stories before joining the digital team. Lorna loves the great British countryside and likes to spend her spare time out and about in her home of Nottinghamshire walking her dog, Pippin.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us