Cover Dior Addict Lip Glow collection (Photo: Dior Beauty)
Dior Addict Lip Glow collection (Photo: Dior Beauty)
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Whether you need a heavy-duty lip saviour, a nourishing overnight treatment, or simply want a reliable everyday balm, here are some of our tried-and-true picks that deliver real hydration
Fellow sufferers of The Great Lip Drought Crisis, we see you, and we feel you. We’ve all been through it—the never-ending losing battle against dry, chapped lips that seem to absorb moisture like a sponge but somehow never stay hydrated despite countless reapplications.
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In your desperate search for a lasting fix, you tell yourself, “Maybe this is the one!” as you reach for yet another balm that promises salvation, claiming everything from “long-lasting moisture” to “instant nourishment,” only to be let down by the same old cycle of fleeting moisture. Some feel great at first swipe but disappear faster than a flake of dry skin in the wind, whilst others leave behind a weird film that does everything except nourish. And the worst offenders? They somehow leave the lips feeling even drier than before.
But don’t worry—we’ve done the legwork (or should we say lip work?) to find the real deal. After putting some of the most raved-about balms to the test, we’ve rounded up the ones that truly deliver.
Dior Addict Lip Glow
Above Dior Addict Lip Glow in 001 Pink cool undertone
Dior Addict Lip Glow in 001 Pink cool undertone
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Key ingredients: Cherry oil and shea butter
How it performs:
- Lightweight, non-sticky, and comes in a wide range of shades
- Keeps lips nourished and supple for hours
- Reacts to your lips’ pH for a personalised tint
There’s a reason why this cult-classic beauty icon has held its crown for years—she’s just that girl. Formulated with 97 per cent natural-origin ingredients, it locks in moisture for hours on end and adjusts to your lips’ pH for a custom flush of colour. The finish is smooth and luminous, leaving the lips plump and hydrated with a healthy glow. And now, the range includes six new shades in warm undertones.
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Mario Badescu Rose Lip Balm
Above Mario Badescu Rose Lip Balm
Mario Badescu Rose Lip Balm
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Key ingredients: Cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and coconut oil
How it performs:
- Ultra-hydrating without feeling heavy or greasy
- Locks in moisture and keeps lips soft for hours
- Subtly rose scented but not overpowering
This lip balm is pretty much glued to me these days. It has a lightweight, silky-smooth texture that melts into the lips like butter on warm toast, instantly drenching my lips in moisture—no stickiness, just pure, plush nourishment that actually lasts without constant reapplications. 10/10, no notes.
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Augustinus Bader x Sofia Coppola The Tinted Lip Balm
Above Augustinus Bader x Sofia Coppola The Tinted Lip Balms
Augustinus Bader x Sofia Coppola The Tinted Lip Balms
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Key ingredients: Shea butter, vitamin E, and Candelilla wax
How it performs:
- Deeply nourishing and promotes long-term lip health
- Enhances your natural lip colour in three buildable shades
- Featherlight, non-sticky finish with a plump, healthy sheen
If Sofia Coppola loved a product so much that she needed to create her own version, best believe I’m first in line to get my hands on it. I’ve heard all the raving reviews about the original balm but never got around to find out what the hype is all about until the tinted balms dropped. And y’know what? I get it.
Powered by the brand’s TFC8 technology, the formula is rich yet weightless, gliding on like a silky veil of hydration that feels as luxurious as it looks. It doesn’t just sit on the lips—it actively works to soften, smooth, and restore them with every wear. As for the tint, it delivers just the right amount of sheer, my-lips-but-better wash of colour that’s buildable and effortlessly flattering. It’s everything you’d want in a tinted balm and more.
Evereden Tinted Lip Oil
Above Evereden Tinted Lip Oil in Ruby Red
Evereden Tinted Lip Oil in Ruby Red
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Key ingredients: Cherry oil, peach oil, and cranberry oil
How it performs:
- Packed with nourishing botanical oils
- Glossy, lightweight, and non-sticky
- Lightly tinted for a sheer, natural hint of colour
Another lip quencher that I can never leave the house without, this kid-safe tinted lip oil is the one I always reach for when I need to hydrate my lips and give it that juicy, plumped-up look. It glides on like a silky oil but nourishes like a lip treatment with a glossy finish, giving you that nostalgic candy-glazed pout without any of the sticky mess. And as a little cherry on top? It comes with a free charm. What’s not to love?
Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Hydrating Lip Mask
Above Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Hydrating Lip Mask
Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Hydrating Lip Mask
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Key ingredient: Hyaluronic acid
How it performs:
- Softens and soothes peeling, dry lips overnight
- Locks in moisture, leaving lips plump and hydrated by morning
- A thick, buttery texture that stays put without feeling gloopy or heavy
Anyone in the never-ending struggle against dry lips knows the drill—slathering on a lip mask before bed is a non-negotiable ritual. And this one is here to put in the work. It cocoons the lips in rich hydration and melts away any dryness overnight, so by morning, all it takes is a quick swipe to reveal a smooth and supple pout. It pulls double duty as a lip primer, creating the perfect base so your lipstick applies like a dream without settling into fine lines or clinging to dry patches.
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Credits
Images: Courtesy of respective brands
About
Phyll Wu is the Style Writer of Tatler Malaysia. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she's an avid fashion geek who loves all things beauty, pop-culture, and film.
