The lip balm craze has been around forever.
I remember my godmother always pulling a lip balm out of her purse every few minutes. As a kid, I thought it was weird. But she’d tell me she had to be ready in case someone kissed her. Soft lips were non-negotiable. She took it very seriously.
Years later, I understand.
Now that I make beauty videos for social media, my lips are constantly in front of the camera. And I’m not talking about normal close-ups. I’m talking crazy close-ups where every little line suddenly looks like the Grand Canyon.
I’ve learned very quickly that the prettiest lipstick in the world won’t save dry lips. Chapped lips change how lipstick applies, how it reflects light, and even how long it lasts. The finish is never quite as smooth, no matter how expensive the formula is.
Which made me discover something interesting.
I used to think every lip balm did the same thing. If my lips felt dry, I’d simply apply another layer. If they felt dry again an hour later, I’d apply more. I judged a lip balm almost entirely by one thing: did my lips look shiny?
Turns out, shiny lips and healthy lips aren’t always the same thing.
One thing I learned is that our lips are very different from the rest of our skin. They have a much thinner barrier, almost no oil glands, and lose moisture much more easily. That’s why they’re usually the first thing to become dry in the winter, after a long flight, or after spending a day in the sun.
This is where I discovered something called transepidermal water loss, or TEWL. It’s simply the process of water naturally evaporating from our skin. It happens everywhere on our body, but because our lips have such a delicate barrier, they lose moisture even faster.
A good lip balm isn’t just supposed to make your lips feel hydrated for a few minutes. It’s supposed to help slow down that water loss by supporting the barrier and sealing moisture in.
That’s also why not every lip balm is created equal.
Some formulas are mostly about giving you immediate comfort or a beautiful glossy finish. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But others are designed more like skincare, focusing on ingredients that help protect the lip barrier while keeping moisture from escaping.
That’s a completely different philosophy.
One thing I found particularly interesting is that many treatment-focused formulas avoid making water the main ingredient. Water isn’t bad, but if it evaporates without enough protective ingredients around it, it doesn’t do much for long-term comfort. Instead, these formulas rely more heavily on nourishing butters, waxes, oils, and barrier-supporting ingredients that stay on the lips longer.
The goal isn’t to keep reaching for your lip balm every thirty minutes.
The goal is to eventually need it less.
Recently, Violette_FR expanded their Balm Amour collection, which I've been using for quite a while. I use the original more like skincare than makeup. It lives on my nightstand, and I reach for it in the morning and always before bed. The formula is divine.
Now they’ve launched new shades with a soft tint.
And I want to clarify something because I think the word tinted can be misleading.
These aren’t lip stains, and they’re not designed to leave behind a long-lasting color once the product wears off. Think of them as a treatment lip balm with just enough pigment to make your lips look healthier and more polished while you’re wearing it. Your lips, just a little prettier.
The best part about this lip balm is that it’s not just aesthetically pleasing. The formula actually works. Instead of simply sitting on top of your lips, it’s designed to help keep moisture in, so over time you find yourself reaching for it less, not every two seconds.
You know I wear very little makeup these days, so a treatment like this fits perfectly into my routine.
The more I learn about skincare, the more I realize the same principle applies everywhere: makeup can make something look beautiful, but healthy skin underneath will always make makeup look better.
Lips are no exception.
I have a 15% off promo code, so definitely take advantage of it. BONNIEVFR15
They also have a set with Balm Amour, the treatment balm I've been talking about, and Bisou Balm, their iconic French matte lip. It's the perfect way to get a taste of both worlds: the classic and the new. HERE
Other favorites:
Eadem Lip Balm HERE
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm HERE
And while it’s not a lip product, the one skincare product I’ve been wearing nonstop is the French pharmacy answer to aging: Le Crème. It has completely won me over.
Le Crème HERE
Le Baume HERE
The Duo HERE
With love,
Bonnie 🖤
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