13 Best Tinted Lip Balms That Hydrate & Hug Your Lips With Subtle Color
Tinted lip balms are the crux of a minimal makeup look and a desert-island grab for many beauty fans (self very much included). Even if I have a completely bare face, I'll always stash a rosy number in my bag for a kiss of color. They just bring your lips to life with ease and provide a splash of moisture—as a bonus, you can even tap the pigment onto your cheeks for a subtle flush.
Although, it can take quite a bit of testing to find the formula you can't live without—the good news is, mbg embraced most of the legwork for you. With these picks below, you'll be sure to find your staple balm.
Our picks
Our picks
How we picked
Ingredients
These options come loaded with skin-nourishing ingredients—that's what separates a tinted lip balm from, say, a lipstick. Here, you'll find hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, as well as extra callouts (like lip plumping agents or SPF) for specific benefits.
Finish
In this list, you'll find a mix of effortless sheer numbers, comfortable glosses, and matte formulas that fuse to your lips like perfection.
Color payoff
Some are partial to an opaque layer of pigment; others prefer just a hint of "my lips but better" color. Even if you love the hue of the balm inside the applicator, it might not have the same density on your lips, so it's important to keep color payoff in mind.
Testing & testimonials
Every balm on this list comes recommended by experts, real users, or editors. Personally, I’ve used (and loved) the majority of the products mentioned below.
mbg review process
At mbg, high standards are earned—and there are no shortcuts. Our beauty editors stay up to date on the latest ingredient research and innovation. It's a dynamic, continuously evolving space, and it's important we look into the science so we can make informed choices about which formulas earn our stamp of approval (figuratively speaking).
mbg's picks for the best tinted lip balm of 2022
Pros
- Smooth and moisturizing
Cons:
- Not best for those who prefer something sheer.
Key ingredients
- Shea, cacao, and kokum butter
- Full spectrum CBD
- Jojoba and hemp seed oils
Shades
- Rose
- Clear
I've waxed poetic about Vertly's balms in the past—the shea-butter-based formula feels especially soft and decadent on my lips. With this tinted number, a little goes a very long way; just a quick swipe leaves a bold berry finish.
Pros
- Low price point.
Cons
- Not suitable for vegans, as it contains carmine and beeswax.
Key ingredients
- Coconut oil
- Shea butter
Shades
- Red Dahlia
- Rose
- Pink Blossom
- Hibiscus
You can never go wrong with a Burt's Bees lip balm. Personally, I have dozens strewn across my apartment with practically one in every bag—and I can't get enough of 'em. I particularly love this rosy shade: It offers just enough pigment to give my lips a little oomph.
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Best lip & cheek combo: RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek
Pros
- Can easily apply on the cheeks, lips, and eyelids.
Cons
- Constantly dipping your fingers in the pot can introduce bacteria.
Key ingredients
- Buriti oil
- Shea butter
- Cocoa butter
Shades
- True red
- Soft pink
- Burgundy
- Matte burnt rose
- Berry pink
- Shimmery salmon pink
- Coral
- Dusty rose
- Muted coral
- Sheer coral
We love a monochromatic look around here, and we swoon over a good multi-balm. RMS Beauty's Lip2Cheek pot has a blendable cream formula (courtesy of shea and cocoa seed butter) that works like a charm: Simply swirl the pigment onto your fingertip and tap wherever you'd like to deposit some lush color.
Pros
- Offers a matte finish without drying the lips.
Cons
- Has a more opaque texture, so not for those who want a hint of color.
Key ingredients
- Shea and coco butter
- Olive, jojoba, and rose hip seed oil
- Rice bran and sea succulent extract
Shades
- Berry
- Rose pink
- Warm red
- Peachy nude
- Cranberry
- Mauve
- Pink nude
- Cocoa brown
Who says matte formulas have to be drying? With sea succulent extract, rosehip seed oil, and shea butter, this conditioning formula instantly quenches lips while providing a whisper of color. It's so conditioning, in fact, that I actually notice it filling in my lip cracks—I'm met with smooth, hydrated lips that appear naturally rosy.
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Pros
- Can easily fit into your pocket and reach the innermost lip corners.
Cons
- Wild mint oil can be irritating for dry and sensitive lips.
Key ingredients
- Hyaluronic acid
- Konjac root
- Mint extract
Shades
- Beige
- Spice (pink - red)
- Pink
- Clear
For just a kiss of color, grab this Kosas number before heading out the door. With hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and wild mint, it offers a cooling sensation and juicy hydration your pout will drink up. And let's not ignore the unique packaging: Instead of a classic round applicator, Kosas uses a slim shape so you can reach the innermost corners of your lips with ease.
Best scent: Rituel de Fille Enchanted Lip Sheer
Pros
- Lots of shade options
Cons
- Some people prefer fragrance-free balms.
Key ingredients
- Jojoba seed oil
- Lavender and rosemary extract
Shades
- Peach pink
- Blood orange
- Warm red
- Blush pink
- Electric pink
- Fleshy pink
- Earthy red
Even this vampy red glides on beautifully sheer, so you can either stick with a translucent finish or build up to your desired intensity. We can thank jojoba oil and castor oil for the comfortable application, while lavender oil provides a subtly floral scent.
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Pros
- Incredibly moisturizing
Cons
- Not a ton of shade options.
Key ingredients
- Squalene oil
- Vitamin E
Shades
- Purple pink
- Dark pink
- Beige
A skin care brand through and through, Indie Lee loaded their lip tint with skin-loving ingredients. Castor seed oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, pumpkin seed oil, ginger root oil, and vitamin E hug your lips in a layer of hydration, and the stick provides the most natural, subtle tint.
Best gloss alternative: Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm
Pros
- Nails a glossy texture without feeling too sticky.
Cons
- Not for those who want a subtler look.
Key ingredients
- Organic jojoba, almond, and argan oil blend
- Shea butter
Shades
- Soft coral
- Pale pink
- Raspberry
- Brick
- Beige
- Dark pink
If you love a good gloss, this liquid lip balm is your perfect match. Brimming with nourishing oils (like jojoba, almond, and argan), this formula offers a veil of moisture with a unique gel-oil system, so it's shiny yet never sticky. The color simply clings to your pout all day long and makes your lips look extra juicy.
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Best lipstick alternative: PYT Beauty So Extra Tinted Lip Balm
Pros
- Comes with easy-to-follow recycling instructions.
Cons
- Some prefer a sheer balm
Key ingredients
- Hyaluronic acid
- Vitamin E
- Grape seed, jojoba, coconut, and olive oil
Shades
- Soft nude
- Beige nude
- Rose nude
This texture is a bit thicker than most sheer balms—if you're looking for color that's more lipstick than lip balm, you'll fall in love with this rich, matte payoff. Still, it's loaded with skin-nourishing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, olive oil, coconut oil, and grapeseed oil, so the formula stays super hydrating and never tacky or caky.
Pros
- Protects lips from sun exposure.
Cons
- Some reviewers note a slight sunscreen smell.
Key ingredients
- Shea, avocado, and olive butter
- Avocado oil
Shades
- Blush
- Ruby red
- Coral
- Pink shimmer
- Deep pink
Yes, you need to protect your pout from excess sun. We have a full roundup of SPF lip balms here, if you're interested, but this number from MD Solar Sciences truly ticks all the boxes: hydration, broad-spectrum sun protection, and a glossy color.
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Pros
- Makes your lips look supple & moisturized.
Cons
- Lip-plumping ingredients can be irritating for dry, sensitive lips.
Key ingredients
- Moringa butter
- Manuka honey
- Konjac root
Shades
- Cherry
If you're looking for lip volume, this tinted plumper has you covered. Konjac root provides a subtle sting (and a temporary swollen appearance), while the brand's proprietary lip-plumping complex enhances lip volume for a supple, smooth pout. Grab this juicy watermelon shade, and your lips will look like they're practically bursting with moisture.
Pros
- Deeply moisturizes lips.
Cons
- Some prefer a subtler matte finish.
Key ingredients
- Moringa & kukui oil
- Kokum & shea butter
- Cotton oil
Shades
- Rose
I'm a full proponent of wearing overnight jelly lip masks during the day—especially if they're as aesthetically pleasing as this KNC Beauty number. The soft rose tint offers a wash of color (just enough to give your lips some life), while a shea butter, moringa oil, and cotton oil keep your pout supple and plump.
Pros
- Silky-smooth formula that feels great to apply.
Cons
- It has a very sheer finish, so you might need many coats to build the color.
Key ingredients
- Camellia seed oil
- Avocado oil
Shades
- Clear
- Coral
- Strawberry
- Mauve
- Berry
- Terra cotta
It's all in the name: This balm feels deliciously comfortable as it glides across your pout (one customer reviewer after another comments on its texture!). We can thank avocado oil, shea butter, and camellia seed o for the silky texture, and the sheer-yet-buildable finish will make you want to reapply all day long.
Our high standards also come from testing products—many, many products. Our editors and writers rigorously test and research the products featured in our roundups to offer you the best, most informed recommendations. When we write reviews, you can trust we spend quality time with the formulas: We don't simply rave about products we've slathered on the back of our hand. We endorse products we've tried and loved.
Learn more about our testing process and clean beauty standards here.
The takeaway.
A tinted lip balm is the hero of a low-lift makeup routine. Although, finding your go-to staple extends far beyond your favorite shade: Along with the finish and color payoff, you'll want to find a formula that actually keeps your lips hydrated. That being said, if you already have a hydrating clear lip balm you love (perhaps mindbodygreen's lip balm?), you can always tap a clean cream blush on top and call it a day—consider it an easy DIY lip tint.
