The rise of makeup culture and TikTok’s massive influence has brought a whole new wave of beauty trends to the spotlight. From the foundation you buy to the hair products you use, it seems like everyone is taking cues from what’s being praised online.
For me, one of the most influential categories has been lip products. Some of these viral “lippies” are absolutely worth the hype and the price, while I find that others fall short. After being influenced myself, more than once, I’m here to break down which ones truly live up to their reputation.
- Laneige Lip Glowy Balms ($19) – BUY
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Out of all the viral lip products that have taken over social media, I’d have to say that Laneige’s Lip Glowy Balms are my favorite. I currently own several of them because they offer the perfect sheer tint without giving a fully colored lip.
The formula has a rich, thick consistency that feels luxurious without being overly sticky.
My current favorites from this collection are probably “Taro Bubble Tea,” “Pink Supernova,” and “Gummy Bear,” as I think they offer the best tints overall. That said, I’ve heard amazing things about every scent in the line.
- Rhode Peptide Lip Tint ($20) – BUY
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Hailey Bieber truly worked wonders with this product. In most aspects, I consider it to be the perfect lip balm. The sleek packaging was what initially drew me in, but the quality, longevity and beautiful tints are what keep me coming back for more.
I own this product in the shades “Jellybean” and “Salty Tan,” which I think are the ideal duo. “Jellybean” offers a sweet, bright and subtly sparkly tint, while “Salty Tan” provides a more neutral, unscented option that I find perfect for everyday wear.
These lip tints have a thick, nourishing texture that feels luxurious without being heavy. I also appreciate that Bieber offers both scented and unscented varieties, making this line a great choice for anyone, particularly anybody who might find themselves a bit sensitive to fragrance.
- Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm ($24) – BYE…
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I really wanted to love this product, especially after seeing it be promoted all over social media. The packaging is beautiful, and the tube itself is generously sized, so it feels like you’re getting a good amount of product for the price.
However, at $24 for a lip balm, I expect near perfection. Unfortunately, Summer Fridays falls short of that bar.
I own this balm in both the “Pink Guava” and “Pink Sugar” scents. While I enjoy the vanilla, cupcake-like aroma of the “Pink Sugar,” I find that “Pink Guava” smells somewhat artificial and can even give me a bit of a headache.
I’ve also noticed that the formula feels a little too thin for my liking. It goes on slightly greasy and, over time, seems to leave my lips feeling drier rather than nourished. Many people I know swear by this product, but personally, I just don’t think it lives up to the $24 price tag.
- Glossier’s Balm Dotcom ($16) – BYE…
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Glossier’s Balm Dotcom was the ultimate “it-girl” lip product back in 2016. While I’ll probably always keep one in my makeup collection for nostalgia’s sake, I don’t think it’s worth the $16 price tag anymore.
Since their recent rebrand, I’ve found the new packaging to be a bit of a downgrade. The completely plastic, non-squishy applicator tends to make application messier than it should be. I’ve also run into the recurring issue of the product separating and becoming oily if it hasn’t been used for a while.
That said, one major pro (besides the fun flavors) is its impressive longevity. It’s definitely a balm I can apply before bed and still feel on my lips when I wake up.
I still have a soft spot for Balm Dotcom, but at the end of the day, it feels like a product of its time, and there are better lip balms out there worth your time and money.
- Tower28 Lip Softies ($16) – BYE…
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I really wanted to love these products, as their scents are incredibly intriguing and versatile. It is definitely the most unique out of any lip product I’ll be discussing today, with options like “ube vanilla” and “red bean mochi.”
Unfortunately, the scents are, in my opinion, all the product truly has to offer. The applicator is essentially just a plastic sphere, which makes application messy and imprecise, as it’s difficult to control where the balm goes.
I would recommend saving your money rather than purchasing this product.
- Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve ($23) – BUY
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I saw people raving about this product all over TikTok, and while I didn’t want to buy into the hype right away, I was eventually influenced. Honestly, all the praise is completely deserved.
These lip balms leave my lips feeling incredibly soft and hydrated, and they come in a wide range of amazing scents. I’m currently using the “Strawberry Sorbet” flavor, but I’ve heard great things about all of them.
Overall, this is a truly solid lip product, and I find that the slightly higher price feels totally justified by its longevity and quality.
- R.E.M. Beauty Lip Oils ($18) – BYE…
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I love Ariana Grande, and I’ll defend most of her R.E.M. Beauty products to their very end. However, after seeing so many people talking about her lip oils on social media, I finally gave in.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
I own the shade in “Mint Condition,” and while the scent is nice and I genuinely wanted to love it, the product just doesn’t do it for me.
I adore the sleek, sci-fi aesthetic of the R.E.M. Beauty line, and the design of the lip oil wand with its smooth, cooling metal ball is definitely a standout. But, when it comes down to the actual formula, it feels like an overhyped tube of basic lip oil. There’s nothing particularly unique or impressive about its texture or scent.
Of course, these are just my opinions, and you should ultimately use whatever products work best for you. That said, in a world increasingly dominated by social media–driven consumerism, I think it’s perfectly fine to skip out on some of these products.