Hand on Heart: This Is, By Far, the Very Best Lip Balm I've Tried
Our take
The pursuit of the perfect lip balm is, for many, a lifelong endeavor. It’s a small indulgence, a daily ritual, and a surprisingly revealing indicator of broader beauty trends. The recent declaration of a particular balm as “the very best” – a bold claim in a saturated market – warrants closer examination, especially given its French origins. We’ve long observed a fascination with French beauty secrets, a reverence for their understated elegance and seemingly effortless chic. This isn’t merely about skincare; it’s about embodying a lifestyle. Consider, for instance, the enduring appeal of French fragrance – [Delicate, Earthy and Cosy—These 8 Perfumes Feel Like Drinking a Warm Cup of Tea] – where subtle notes and comforting aromas evoke a sense of timeless sophistication. Similarly, the desire to emulate French style, as explored in [Want to Dress Like French Women This Autumn? Your Wardrobe Needs This, This and This], speaks to a yearning for quiet confidence and enduring quality over fleeting trends. The elevation of a simple lip balm to such a position underscores the growing consumer desire for attainable luxury, for small rituals that elevate the everyday.
The fact that this balm is being hailed as exceptional, after years of testing by a beauty journalist who considers herself a "connoisseur," lends significant weight to the assessment. This isn't a fleeting viral moment; it's a considered endorsement from someone who has dedicated their career to evaluating beauty products. The proliferation of lip balms, ranging from drugstore staples to high-end formulations, has created a landscape of overwhelming choice. Consumers are increasingly discerning, seeking products that deliver not just hydration but also a sensorial experience, a feeling of indulgence. This aligns with a broader shift in the beauty industry towards mindful consumption, prioritizing quality and efficacy over quantity and hype. The focus on “bare minimum energy,” as we’ve noted previously, reflects a desire for products that work quietly, seamlessly integrating into one’s routine without demanding excessive attention – a hallmark of modern elegance. The recent focus on Réalisation dresses, as demonstrated in [We Try Before You Buy: The Best Dresses in Réalisation Right Now], highlights this same principle of understated quality and timeless design.
The rise of French beauty brands, in general, is a testament to their enduring appeal. They’ve cultivated a reputation for understated luxury, focusing on high-quality ingredients and simple, effective formulations. This contrasts with the often-overwhelming and complex routines promoted by some other beauty markets. The French approach is rooted in a philosophy of preserving natural beauty, rather than masking it, which resonates with a growing consumer base seeking authenticity and transparency. This particular lip balm's ascent to the top of the ranks isn't just about its moisturizing properties; it’s about the story it tells – a story of heritage, quality, and a certain *je ne sais quoi* that defines French beauty. The emphasis on a single, exceptional product speaks to a desire for curation, for distilling beauty down to its essence.
Ultimately, the elevation of this French lip balm signals a broader cultural shift towards a more discerning and mindful approach to beauty. Consumers are seeking products that are not only effective but also align with their values and aspirations. The future of beauty lies not in chasing fleeting trends, but in investing in timeless essentials that enhance and preserve natural radiance. Will other French beauty staples follow suit, claiming their place as essential elements of a curated routine? And more importantly, will this focus on attainable luxury continue to reshape the beauty landscape, prioritizing quality and efficacy over fleeting trends and over-the-top formulations?
I consider myself to be a bit of a lip balm connoisseur. I've tested hundreds of them for a living as part of my job, but even before I became a beauty journalist, I've long had an obsession with lip balms. Not just because I have dry lips, but it's easily my most-reached-for beauty item in my skincare and makeup routine—I don't feel myself if I don't have a layer on my lips. I've tried everything from Vaseline all the way up to La Mer's £70 lip balm and almost every other formula in between. However, I can confidently declare that I've found my favourite formula yet.
Violette_FR Balm Amour
Key ingredients: Tripeptide, vitamin E, cocoa butter, peptides, lupin seed
Pros
- Hydrating, nourishing, plumping and repairing formula
- Non-sticky texture lasts on the lips
- Comes in clear and 3 tinted formulas
- Ceramic applicator feels cooling on the lips
Cons
- Luxury price point
What Makes Balm Amour the Best Lip Balm?
Violette_FR was created by French makeup artist Violette Serrat, and it is not only one of my favourite makeup brands, but it is a total staple in my makeup bag for its incredible lip formulas in particular (Bisou Balm delivers what she calls "bouche mordue"— meaning just bitten lips in French). So, when I heard that she had spent six years developing Balm Amour, I already knew I'd like it. But after testing it for myself, it became clear that this is the lip balm to end all lip balms.
Firstly, I want to highlight the applicator. It's made of ceramic, which makes swiping it on a moment of joy every single time. It stays cold, which feels particularly cooling on chapped or inflamed lips. My lips are prone to dryness and sensitivity, but since using this formula, they've remained baby-soft.
As for the texture, it has a rich yet non-sticky balm that instantly cloaks your lips in hydration and stays put on the lips for a good while. Even once it's worn away, my lips still feel deeply nourished and sumptuous. Serrat included a whole range of hydrating plant actives alongside tripeptides at double the functional dose, meaning not only is this balm incredibly nourishing and repairing, but it also helps to make your lips look fuller and smoother over time.
The Shades
After the clear version launched last year, the lip balm has become so popular that there are now three tinted shades to choose from. They all have the same formula, but with a sheer tint of colour that are perfect for throwing in your bag when your lips are parched but you also want a wash of colour.
Noisette Fumé
Noisette Fumé is a cool brown that brings just a hint of hazelnut to your lips. It's not so pigmented that it overpowers a natural makeup look, but it offers just enough depth to your lip colour to feel a little more polished. I'll be wearing this all throughout autumn and winter with a lip liner.
Dahlia Noir
Dahlia Noir is Violette_FR's bestselling shade in its Lip Nectar lip stains, so I was thrilled to see it join the Balm Amour tints. The shade might look intimidating at first, but it's actually a perfect pairing of berry and brown in a sheer tint, which makes it so wearable for day-to-day. This one lives permanently in my work bag.
Rose Latte
Last but not least, we have Rose Latte. This is the shade to go for if you like a bright pop of pink that's still effortlessly wearable and leaves your lips with a healthy flush of colour.
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Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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