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Tinted lip balms to turn to for a subtle hint of colour

Sheer genius

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Digital Beauty Editor / November 26 2024

If 'effortless' is the makeup aesthetic objective, subtlety is key—and while the delicate balance between undone and done is a difficult one to strike, the results are rewarding... if you get it right.

The lip product that hits the 'understated chic' brief every time? A tinted balm. Formulated with the ideal fusion of colour and shine, balms deliver just enough pigment to add polish to a natural look, without loading lips with an artificial-looking amount of gloss.

Intrigued? We bet. Here are our favourite formulas…

WANDER BEAUTY Double Date Lip and Cheek Duo

Enjoy a swathe of flush-inducing colour on cheeks as well as your kisser with this multi-purpose formula.

$34 at Sephora

FENTY BEAUTY Pro Kiss'R Luscious Lip Balm

Hey, if it’s good enough for hydrating the likes of Rihanna’s lips, then it’s good enough for us. This nourishing formula utilises shea and mango seed butters to moisturise and a light peach-vanilla scent that’s good enough to eat .

$28 at Sephora

Tom Ford Lip Gelee in Sunlit

The coloured core imparts tint while the transparent gelee boosts hydration.

$72 at David Jones

Lanolips Tinted Balm SPF30 in Rhubarb

A sheer wash of rouge-y colour that steers well clear of sticky territory.

$14.95 at Adore Beauty

By Terry Baume de Rose Nutri Couleur in Toffee Cream

Deeper than a nude, but chicer than a bright, it's the ideal colour compromise.

$79 at Mecca

Mecca Cosmetica Tinted Lip De-Luscious with SPF 25 in Rose

A pomegranate seed oil and vitamin E mix that leaves lift lusciously soft.

$32 at Mecca

Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer Shine Balm in Amaryllis

Cautious of colour? This buttery balm is the ultimate understated nude.

$28 at Mecca

Dr. Lipp Lip Tint in Sweet Potato

A tint formulated with plant-based pigments in a universal berry shade.

$12 at Mecca

Dermal Therapy Tinted Lip Balm in 'Cherry Red'

The OG, cult-classic Dermal Therapy Lip Balm formula with the added benefit of a stunning pop of red. 

$8.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Chapped lips? These 8 lip balms have got your back.

Main image credit: @rosiehw

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tinted lip balms /

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All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Are Media and its brands may have generated text partially using generative AI. Upon generating draft language, our editors review, edit, and revise it to their own liking. We take ultimate responsibility for the content of our publications.