The Best Tinted Lip Balms, According to Beauty Editors Who've Tested Hundreds Over the Years
From sheer shine to bold color, these formulas deliver moisture in one swipe.
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Tinted lip balms are, in my professional beauty editor opinion, one of the most important and time-saving makeup products you can own—they hydrate, plump, smooth, and add pigment to the lips just in a single swipe. Celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz tells Cosmo that tinted lip balms are a beauty essential because "they're not fussy to apply, they contain healthy skincare ingredients and properties, come in easy-to-wear shades, and are more practical for everyday than traditional lipsticks or glosses."
Our top picks for the best tinted lip balms of 2026:
But with so many options out there, choosing the perfect tinted lip balm can feel overwhelming. That’s why Cosmo editors tested dozens of formulas to find the best tinted lip balms on the market, evaluating them based on hydration, pigment, and longevity. We also consulted Loiz for expert advice on how to choose the best tinted lip balm.
Pros
- Packaging is super luxe
- Shade range looks great on any skin tone
Cons
- Often sold out
Why we love it: Not to be dramatic, but this ultra-pigmented lip balm has completely changed the way we think about lip color. It’s loaded with intense hydration that sinks into your lips while giving a bold, beautiful pop of pigment (no more settling for just a sheer wash of color). Every swipe leaves lips looking plump, nourished, and effortlessly polished, which is exactly why it earned a Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty award. It has truly set the standard for a multitasking lip product.
One Cosmo editor says: "I have a tube of this in my bag, genuinely, at all times. It's the best lip balm, period, let alone the best tint. The metal applicator makes this product feel so luxe and genuinely makes me so excited every time I get to reapply it. The pigment is strong, but can be sheered out if you want something with less impact. My go-to shade is Fig Sauce—it's a berry-brown that I could see working on basically every skin tone, any time of year."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Lactic acid, plant butters, peptides |
| Shades | 8 |
Pros
- Wide shade range, including cool and warm tones
- Chic packaging
Cons
- On the pricey side
Why we love it: This solid lip balm earned itself a Cosmo Holy Grail award for its ability to deeply nourish lips sans that waxy feeling. And thanks to the solid format, you don’t have to worry about it getting messy or sticky in your bag. It also comes in 27 shades, including pH-adjusting options and hues specifically designed for both cool- and warm-toned skin, so there’s truly a shade for everyone.
One Cosmo editor says: “As a chronically dry lip girl, I love a lip balm that’s hydrating, but one that can add pigment is even better. This balm comes in a bunch of shades—some are pH adjusting; others are pigmented from the start. I love this for the days I wanna swipe on a low-key lip with the added hydration benefits.” —JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Shea butter, cherry extract |
| Shades | 27 |
Pros
- Applicator makes it easy to spread evenly
- Also comes in a mini size
Cons
- Some shades are often sold out
Why we love it: At any given moment, there is a 99% chance that there's a Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in a beauty editor's purse or backpack. Why? Because it's as good of a lip tint as it is a lip balm. It's got a super hydrating formula that's thick but not overwhelming, and the bio-resin applicator tip gives off the perfect amount of product and makes it super easy to reapply.
One Cosmo editor says: "I now understand why the Lip Butter Balm is considered the GOAT of lippies. To sum it up, the formula effectively nourishes and repairs lips to keep them kissably soft, the glassy finish is *chef's kiss*, every iteration smells heavenly, it imparts a buildable tint, and the slim tube holds a solid amount of product so it lasts for months."—MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
| Key ingredients | Shea butter, murumuru seed butter, hyaluronic acid |
| Shades | 10 |
Pros
- Buildable pigment
- High-shine finish
Cons
- Certain shades are often out of stock
Why we love it: The Rhode Peptide Lip Tint feels like a beauty accessory in its own right—the buildable tint melts onto lips for a hint of color while doubling as a hydrating lip treatment. The formula is packed with peptides to help smooth and plump lips, and shea butter to lock in moisture to keep lips soft and hydrated all day.
One Cosmo editor says: "I've been drinking the Rhode lip balm Koolaid since the brand launched. But these lip tints are my go-to day to day because they come in the best shades. From beiges to pinks to deep browns to berries, Rhode genuinely has all the trendy shades I reach for, and in a formula that hydrates and smooths lips with peptides."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Peptides, vitamin E, shea butter |
| Shades | 7 |
Pros
- Formula leaves lips hydrated for hours
- Applicator dispenses a perfect amount of product
Cons
- We wish there were more shade options
Why we love it: If you’re looking for hydration and shine that actually lasts, this lip tint is the one to add to your rotation. Its peptide-rich ingredient list helps support smoother and fuller-looking lips over time. And the one-and-done formula delivers pigment, moisture, and gloss in a single swipe. Plus, it comes in both a glassy and shimmer finish, so you can decide what level of glossiness you want.
One Cosmo editor says: "I've used this tinted lip balm for years. It's ultra shiny and softening and leaves my lips hydrated and plump for hours. And I love the different sheer tints it comes in—especially the berries and browns for winter." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Peptides, vitamin E, cloudberry seed oil |
| Shades | 5 |
Pros
- Thick yet hydrating consistency
- Under $20
Cons
- We wish there were more shade options
Why we love it: Slick Salve combines the shine of a gloss with the care of a lip treatment, using hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and plant extracts to keep lips soft and nourished. Its unique Cling Technology locks in moisture so your lips stay hydrated and glossy all day without feeling sticky or heavy. Plus, the coinciding scents are a nice delectable touch to the juicy formula
One Cosmo editor says: "When I want more balm than tint, I go for Topicals. The rich consistency feels like pouring a luxe serum over your lips and majorly moisturizes and smooths them out. The tint is secondary; although, it's pretty pigmented (it was especially formulated to work on deep skin tones)."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides |
| Shades | 4 |
Pros
- Lipstick and lip balm hybrid
- Buildable opacity
Cons
- Amount of product that comes in it is on the smaller side
Why we love it: Glossier UltraLip glides on like a soft balm but gives the vibrant color payoff of a lipstick. Its creamy formula keeps lips hydrated and shiny without feeling heavy or sticky. Plus, the buildable tint lets you go from a subtle wash of color to a bold statement lip in seconds.
One Cosmo editor says: "Normally I have to layer a lip balm under lipstick to prevent my lips from drying out, but this combines the hydrating benefits of a balm with juicy red color for comfy all-day wear. And the tint skews berry, which I personally love for the winter months."—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, watermelon seed extract |
| Shades | 9 |
Pros
- A lot of product comes in one tube
- Under $10
Cons
- Glossy finish doesn't last super long
Why we love it: This affordable lip balm could be considered a dupe for formulas that are triple the price (some of which may or may not be on this list). It's loaded with moisture-boosting ingredients like mango butter, shea butter, and cocoa butter.
One Cosmo editor says: "I love the e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Balm because it proves you don’t have to spend a ton of money for lips that actually look and feel hydrated. I have one of these sitting on the entryway table of my apartment, and I swipe it on every time I'm about to leave the house. The tint is the perfect level of opacity for everyday wear, especially when I'm going light on the makeup."—JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Mango butter, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, cocoa butter |
| Shades | 10 |
Pros
- Non-sticky formula
- Boasts SPF 40
Cons
- It only comes in three shades
Why we love it: This glassy lip SPF delivers high-shine payoff with zero stickiness, making it feel more like a luxe lip gloss than sun protection. It’s packed with nourishing shea butter and peptides that keep lips soft and smooth. Plus, the subtle glow paired with a tint instantly makes lips look fuller.
One Cosmo editor says: "So many SPF lip products feel gunky and gooey on lips, but this is a dream. Honestly, if you didn't look at the label, you'd never know it was packed with SPF by the way it feels. And the sheer tints are so pretty and wearable for beach days too." —LB
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Peptides, shea butter |
| Shades | 3 |
What ingredients should you look for in a tinted lip balm?
Tinted lip balms should include at least a few good moisturizing ingredients, Loiz is a big fan of shea butter, which, she says, "helps to nourish and condition the lips." She also suggests looking for a synthetic wax or beeswax "which helps to provide a smooth application."
For more hydrating formulas, you should look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and plant extracts like jojoba oil or cocoa butter.
How to find the best tinted lip balm for you:
There are a few things to consider when selecting the best tinted lip balm for you:
Find your perfect finish
Tinted lip balms tend to be, well, balmy, but they also come in a variety of other finishes and textures. Tinted lip balms can be super glossy and high-shine, matte, or satin. Consider how often you'll wear it and what level of glam you're going for before choosing the right finish.
Determine your preferred pigment level
Some tinted lip balms give off just a hint of color, while others are as opaque as a lipstick. Think about how you want to wear your tinted lip balm and whether or not you want to use it with other lip products like a lip liner or a lipstick.
You can never have too many tinted lip balms. As brands continue to release new tinted lip balms, there will be more colors, finishes, and applicator styles available. And, as Loiz says, "If you're on the hunt for the perfect color or texture, you have to keep trying all the different varieties, right?!" Sounds right to me!
Meet the expert:
- Renée Loiz is a professional makeup artist who has worked with Quinta Brunson, Uzo Aduba, Leah Jeffries, and many more. She is also the founder of Color May Vary, a Black-owned beauty guide.
Why trust Cosmo?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she writes about all the best products out there. For this story, she, along with team Cosmo's seasoned beauty editors tested dozens of tinted lip balms and chose the best ones based on hydration, longevity, pigment, and shade options.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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