Beauty has always been a means for connection, but there’s one universal icebreaker that ties us all: What lip balm are you using? It’s no secret that the lip market is capital-N noisy. The categories are increasingly blurred, but still, every time I see a chic individual glide a glossy situation across their pout, I want to know what tint they deem worthy—and why. After all, lip balms easily reflect the personality (and oftentimes the aesthetic) of the wearer given the fact that many don’t leave home without one or two stalwart formulas. These days, it can feel like you’re only as cool as the mysterious, sparkling tube poking out of your jacket pocket or wedged inside a branded phone case. (Yep, you know the one.)
Will I ever stop complimenting strangers on their lip combos? Certainly not, but I did ask stylish experts about the It-girl balms they hold dear and what exactly makes them tick. After cross-referencing my conversations (beauty journalism, folks!), I landed on this criteria—plus 15 viral balms truly worth their salt—below.
What makes a cult-favorite lip balm?
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