By Arissa Ha - published
There’s something oddly satisfying about spreading Nutella on a slice of warm, toasted bread. The way it glides so smoothly, leaving that perfect glossy finish—it’s enough to make you think, “This could totally be a lip colour.” It’s that same buttery, melt-on-contact feeling that makes glossy lip balms so irresistible. But here’s the thing—finding that perfect buttery balm is no simple task. It’s about picking the right shade, looking out for ingredients that hydrate, textures that flatter, and a finish that’s, for lack of a better word, yummylicious.
The magic of a hydrating lip balm lies in its formula—a blend of occlusives, emollients, and humectants working together to give your lips that soft, radiant perfection. These three categories of ingredients are the unsung heroes of hydration and nourishment, each playing a unique role in ensuring your lips look and feel their best.
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Moisture Lockdown
Think of occlusives as a barrier that locks in moisture and shields your lips from external irritants. Ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, and petrolatum fall into this category. They work by creating a thin film over the surface of your lips, preventing water loss and sealing in hydration. If your lips tend to feel dry or chapped, occlusives are essential—they help create that smooth, plump canvas you want before applying any colour.
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Smooth Operators
Emollients, on the other hand, are all about softness. These ingredients fill in the tiny cracks and crevices on the surface of your lips, leaving them silky and supple. Jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, and coconut oil are some of the most common emollients found in buttery lipsticks. They’re rich in fatty acids, which not only soften but also help repair damaged skin. Emollients are the reason buttery lipsticks glide on effortlessly, enveloping your lips in a creamy, luxurious texture that feels like a treat every time you use them.
Thirst Quenchers
Humectants draw moisture from the environment (or deeper layers of your skin) to keep your lips hydrated throughout the day. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and honey are some of the best-known humectants, often included in lipstick formulas to maintain that dewy, glossy finish. They’re particularly useful for combating dryness, especially in cold or dry weather when your lips are prone to flaking.
Together, these three types of ingredients create a perfect balance. Occlusives lock in moisture, emollients smooth and soften, and humectants actively attract hydration—all working in tandem to deliver that signature buttery finish. Many of these ingredients bring additional benefits to the table. Shea butter, for instance, is packed with vitamins A and E, which help soothe and repair dry or irritated lips. Oils like rosehip and almond provide antioxidants to protect against environmental damage. Meanwhile, ceramides—often included in occlusive formulas—strengthen the skin barrier, making your lips more resilient over time.
When shopping for a lipstick, it’s worth checking the ingredient list to ensure it includes a mix of these categories. For example, a lipstick with shea butter and jojoba oil will excel at softening and sealing in hydration, while one with hyaluronic acid will add an extra boost of plumpness and shine.
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Hydrating Lip Balms to Add to Cart
1. Fondue Balm in 01 Cool Rose, about $25.52, AMUSE at Olive Young
This melt-on-your-lips formula delivers a radiant glow with a touch of hydration that plumps and smooths. Infused with 11 types of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and panthenol, it visibly enhances lip texture while brightening your complexion with a sheer yet vivid tomato red tint.
2. Authentic Lip Glowy Balm in 03 Crave, about $47.52, ATHÉ at Olive Young
This ultra-soft, gloss-like balm melts onto lips, creating a smooth, mirror-like finish that’s as nourishing as it is stunning. Enriched with borphilin and collagen, it helps to visibly reduce fine lines and enhance the natural fullness of your lips. The colour payoff is subtle yet buildable, while the radiant shine leaves lips looking plumped and polished.
3. Super Slick Lip Balm in 07 Dune, $39.50, SIMIHAZE BEAUTY at Selfridges
A moisturising lip balm like no other, Super Slick delivers a high-shine finish with the nourishing power of rose oil. Its unique oil-balm texture melts on contact, wrapping lips in a sheer, juicy tint that feels weightless yet hydrating. The glossy chocolate hue, while bold at first glance, applies with a natural softness, subtly toning down lip saturation for an effortlessly chic look. Perfect on its own or layered with lipstick for added depth, it’s a versatile staple that makes your lips look and feel amazing.
4. Optimizing Care Lip Balm in U013 Guava, $66, PRADA BEAUTY at Selfridges
This balm takes lip care to the next level with its blend of bifidus extract and jojoba oil, designed to gently exfoliate and deeply hydrate. The firm yet lightweight texture sits comfortably on the lips, creating a barely there layer that feels weightless. Its MLBB (My Lips But Better) shade enhances warm tones beautifully, offering a soft, natural shine that’s perfect for understated makeup looks. Over time, this nourishing formula helps smooth, moisturise, and strengthen the lips, reviving their natural colour.
5. Glow Play Tendertalk Lip Balm in Trick, $42, M.A.C. at LazMall
Enriched with shea butter, jojoba oil, and sunflower seed oil, this lip balm delivers a delicate glow while keeping your lips hydrated all day long. Its feather-light formula feels barely there, offering a sheer, translucent finish with just a tint for a natural touch of colour.
6. Lip Idôle Squalane – 12 Butterglow in 30 Lisa Coral Glow, $58, LANCÔME at Sephora
This balm is where skincare meets makeup. Powered by 12 percent squalane and ceramides, it deeply hydrates, smooths fine lines, and visibly plumps lips while delivering a glossy, buildable colour. With its lightweight, non-sticky texture and a soft vanilla scent, it’s the perfect swipe-and-go essential for nourished, glowing lips.
Photography: Jung Wonyoung
Editor: Park Kyeongmi
Photographer’s assistant: An Nahyun
Design: Jin Munju
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