5 Hydrating Tinted Lip Balms That Add Instant Colour
Last Updated on January 8, 2025 by Amy
As a complete lip balm addict, I’ve tried more products than I care to admit. My lips get dry easily, and I’ve never been a fan of heavy lipsticks for everyday wear. That’s where tinted lip balms come in—they’re a quick, easy way to add colour and hydration without any fuss. As a busy mum of young kids, I need products that help me look polished with minimal time and effort. Today, I’m sharing my top tinted lip balm picks that keep my lips soft, hydrated, and give a gorgeous wash of colour.
1. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm £23/$24
Best For: Intense hydration with a natural tint.
The packaging had me sold on this one before I even tried it! The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is designed to provide ultimate hydration with a touch of sweetness. Infused with shea and murumuru seed butters, it keeps your lips soft, smooth, and supple. I have the Brown Sugar shade, which offers a subtle, natural tint, making it perfect for everyday wear.
What I loved:
- Rich Hydration: The buttery texture keeps your lips moisturised for hours.
- Natural Tint: The 8 shades give a sheer wash of colour, perfect for a “no-makeup” look.
- Multi-Use: You can use it on its own, as a lip primer, or as an overnight mask for extra hydration.
- Eco-Friendly: Summer Fridays uses sustainable packaging, which is a win for your lips and the planet! It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without harmful chemicals.
What I didn’t like:
- My only criticism is that I’m getting through the product too quickly. A bigger tube would be amazing!
Quick Takeaway:
If you’re looking for a tinted balm that offers intense hydration with a hint of colour, Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is a must-try.
2. Rituals Fortune Balms £13.90/$14.50
Best For: A pop of vibrant colour with deep hydration.
This balm doesn’t get nearly enough attention, and I don’t know why! Rituals Fortune Balm in Pink is my go-to when I need a boost of colour to brighten my skin tone. Enriched with shea butter, aloe vera, and Vitamin E, it provides lasting moisture and leaves your lips feeling smooth and nourished.
What I loved:
- Deep Hydration: The creamy formula sinks in deeply, leaving your lips soft for hours.
- Protective Barrier: It shields your lips from the elements—great for windy or cold days.
- Natural Ingredients: Shea butter and eucalyptus soothe dry, irritated lips with a refreshing sensation.
- Colour Pop: While there are softer, more natural shades available in the collection, the vibrant Pink is my personal favourite. It’s incredibly easy to apply, and I always keep it in my bag for a quick, effortless pop of colour whenever I need a little pick-me-up!
What I didn’t like:
- Feels a little greasy on the lips.
- The scent is initially quite strong so it may not suit if you are sensitive to fragrance.
Quick Takeaway:
If you need intense hydration and protection from the elements, Rituals Fortune Balm is perfect. It’s also cruelty-free and packed with natural ingredients.
3. Dior Addict Lip Glow £33/$40
Best For: Custom colour with luxury packaging.
Yes, Dior Lip Glow is a splurge, but I keep coming back to it! This balm is infused with Dior’s Color Reviver Technology, which reacts to the natural chemistry of your lips to create a custom shade that’s unique to you. It’s perfect for enhancing your natural lip colour while providing deep hydration. It comes in 15 different shades, from soft pinks to deeper hues, allowing you to choose the perfect colour for any occasion.
What I loved:
- Custom Colour: The Color Reviver technology adjusts to your lips to create a personalised tint. I’ve used the 001 Pink and 012 Rosewood shades and love the natural rosy tint I get from both shades.
- Intense Moisture: With ingredients like wild mango butter, it hydrates and protects. No matter how dry my lips feel, this lip tint doesn’t appear flaky or accentuate dry patches.
- Stylish Packaging: The pastel-coloured tube looks great on my dressing table!
What I didn’t like:
- Quite honestly the price is the only negative about this product!
Quick Takeaway:
If you love a personalised touch and luxury in your beauty products, Dior Lip Glow is worth every penny. Plus, it has a broad shade range for any mood or occasion.
4. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil £20/$20
Best For: Long-lasting stain with a lightweight feel.
This one’s a newer addition to my collection, but I’ve used it every single day since I opened it. Rare Beauty Tinted Lip Oil, created by Selena Gomez, combines the hydrating benefits of a lip oil with the lasting colour of a lip stain. It’s enriched with jojoba, sunflower, and meadowfoam seed oils, so your lips feel nourished and soft all day. It’s available in 8 shades, from soft nudes to bold reds.
What I loved:
- Long-Lasting Stain: As you can see in the photo above, the gloss dies down after around an hour. However, it leaves you with a gorgeous lip stain effect which lasts most of the day.
- Hydrating Formula: The botanical oils keep lips moisturised while adding shine. I have noticed some ongoing benefits from this product with my lips feeling more hydrated, even after it has worn off.
- Lightweight Wear: Despite the oil-based formula, it feels lightweight and non-greasy, making it super comfortable to wear.
What I didn’t like:
- There is absolutely nothing I don’t like about this product!
Quick Takeaway:
For vibrant colour that lasts and lips that feel hydrated all day, Rare Beauty Lip Oil is a fantastic choice. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free!
5. Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss £27/$35
Best For: Bold colour with a plumping effect.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Hyaluronic Happikiss combines the nourishing benefits of a balm with the colour payoff of a lipstick. Packed with hyaluronic acid and C-peptide, it hydrates, plumps, and smooths the lips, leaving them with a glossy, pigmented finish. I tried the Pillow Talk shade, which gives a beautiful rosy tint.
What I loved:
- Deep Hydration: Thanks to hyaluronic acid, it keeps lips moisturised.
- Plumping Effect: C-peptide adds a subtle, plumping boost.
- Bold Colour: A full, vibrant pigment with a glossy finish. I like adding a bit of lip liner to give a more polished look.
What I didn’t like:
- This lip product comes in a non-retractable case. Don’t be tempted to twist it too much as you won’t get it back down!
- Feels a little heavier on the lips than some of the other products on the list.
Quick Takeaway:
If you want a luxurious balm that delivers bold colour and a plumping effect, Hyaluronic Happikiss is a great choice!
Swatches of the Tinted Lip Balms
Final Thoughts: What’s Your Favourite Tinted Balm?
Tinted lip balms have become an essential part of my beauty routine, with each offering unique benefits, from intense hydration to a pop of colour. While a few products have minor drawbacks, I’d still happily repurchase every one of them (and already have in some cases!). Whether you’re looking for a luxurious treat or a reliable everyday balm, these options truly deliver and won’t leave you disappointed.
Have you tried any of these? What’s your go-to lip balm? Share your favourites in the comments below!
