Is Lip Balm the New Lipstick?
By Beth Shapouri
(Photo: Mark Leibowitz)
Happy news for your mouth: Lip balm is experiencing a renaissance. With the growth of makeup sales waning, mass retailers are now looking to lip balm to boost more than just the state of your lips.
Recently, WWD reported that while spending on makeup goes down, mass retailers are finding that lip balm just might be the new thing. In fact, balm sales soared almost 26 percent in all mass outlets from April 2013 to 2014 while cosmetics rose only 4 percent in the same period. The reason they’ve been banking lip conditioners, according to the article, is because the category hit three hot buttons: “Millennials, multicultural consumers, and those looking for natural beauty.” And while we wait to see what Markwins International does to revive our old middle-school favorite Lip Smackers, here are three newcomers to the scene that deserve a spot in your balm stash:
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Burt’s Bees Squeezable Beeswax Lip Balm, ($4; target.com)
The company’s go-to beeswax and vitamin E formula is now softer (and slightly more liquid-y) and in a tube for those who prefer some squeezing action in their application process.
Eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm Spring 2-Pack ($5.99, drugstore.com)
For any fan of Eos’s adorable balms, you have have two limited-edition flavors to add to your arsenal: passion fruit and watermelon.
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Maybelline Baby Lips Crystal ($2.99, ulta.com)
You’re probably already familiar with Maybelline’s cult product Baby Lips, but you may not have tried its new formula with shimmer. Perfect for summer!
(Product photos: Courtesy of brands)
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