Whether you love to rock a bold color or prefer to go au naturel, cracked, dry lips are never a good look. For smooth texture and optimal color payoff, a trusty lip balm always comes to the rescue—it’s a makeup-bag essential. To narrow down the bevy of options out there, we’ve asked 10 celebrity makeup artists to share the balm they keep in their kit. Shop their picks ahead and get ready for the softest, most kissable pout ever.
Makeup Artists' Favorite Lip Balms
"The Oribe Balmessence Lip Treatment is super luxurious. It feels great on the lips and the packaging is divine!"
"My personal favorite lip balm is by La Mer! It's so moisturizing and leaves your lips hydrated and smooth without looking too shiny. It's great for men and women."
“I use La Mer The Lip Balm on all my clients—it's unbelievably moisturizing."
"Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil is soothing, deeply hydrating and helps with volume and shape. I use it on all my clients. It's free of waxes and parabens—as well as peppermint and menthol, which I know are ingredients a lot of people enjoy, but they can dry out lips."
"I like to use Lucas' Papaw Ointment from Australia as a prep before applying lip color. It's super hydrating and creamy and doesn't leave behind any heavy residue. You can also apply it to the skin for a nice dewy finish or around areas of dryness such as your elbows."
"I apply Baume de Rose from By Terry before beginning makeup on my clients. It quickly softens lips, plumping and conditioning them so the liner and lipstick go on smoothly."
"My favorite is It Started with a Kiss from Lush Cosmetics. It's a red-tinted balm that you can also use on cheeks for a natural-looking flush. I find the color to be universal—it looks good on just about any skin tone. My clients all love it!"
"The Malin + Goetz balm is my favorite. It hydrates lips in seconds no matter how dry they are and it's long-lasting."
"I always keep the Malin + Goetz in my kit. It's lightweight, super moisturizing and free of fragrance and color. Everyone absolutely loves it."
"Milk Makeup's eco-conscious, paraben-free salve is super moisturizing with a blend of natural oils and shea butter. It doesn't create that weird film on the lips that some balms do. It's addictive!"
