Every summer, I pare back my makeup. The heat, humidity, and nonstop movement of the season call for one thing: ease. My base gets lighter, mascara becomes optional, but one product never leaves my side—a really, really good tinted lip balm.
For me, the ideal tinted balm isn’t just a hint of color. It’s an experience—hydrating, smoothing, soft, and subtly enhancing. It’s the effortless swipe I apply during a morning coffee run, a long road trip, or on a rooftop with friends. It’s the answer to flaky lips, boring nudes, or drying lipsticks.
After years of swatching, testing, and reapplying, here are 10+ of my favorite tinted lip balms that I return to every summer—and why each one deserves a permanent place in your bag, your pocket, or your glove compartment.
1. Jones Road Miracle Balm in ‘Tawny’ or ‘Flush’ – \$38
Texture: Balmy, glowy, lush
Color payoff: Sheer but buildable
Hydration: Deep and long-lasting
Buy at: jonesroadbeauty.com
This one walks the line between highlighter, lip tint, and healing balm. It comes in a generous pot that lasts forever, and while it’s marketed for the whole face, I reach for it most often on my lips.
The shades “Tawny” (a warm cocoa-red) and “Flush” (a rosy pink) give the kind of color that looks like you just came back from a long beach day. Dabbed on bare skin, it gives a sun-warmed finish. Blended on lips, it creates that lived-in, effortless summer softness. If you love versatile products that feel like skincare first, this is it.
2. Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatments – \$24
Texture: Creamy with a buttery melt
Color payoff: Medium-to-full tint
Hydration: Excellent, thanks to sugar and oil blend
Buy at: Sephora, Nordstrom, fresh.com
Let’s be honest—this is a cult classic for a reason. I’ve gone through multiple tubes of “Rose,” “Tulip,” and “Petal.” The scent is citrusy, the feel is luxurious, and the color payoff is bold enough to skip lipstick. It contains SPF 15, which makes it great for daytime wear, and the twist-up metal tube feels almost too chic for a lip balm.
Perfect for people who like a balm that feels like lipstick but doesn’t act like one.
3. Dior Addict Lip Glow – \$40
Texture: Soft, glossy balm
Color payoff: Custom-matching sheer
Hydration: Moderate but effective
Buy at: Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom
This is the one I keep in my bag when I want to look polished without trying. The balm adjusts to your lip’s pH level, giving you a customized pink or berry stain that somehow always flatters. “Berry” is my favorite for summer—it makes me look like I’ve been eating fresh cherries.
It’s more of a glam option than a healing one, but the feel is smooth, not sticky, and lasts longer than you’d expect.
4. ILIA Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm – \$28
Texture: Velvety, soft-matte balm
Color payoff: Buildable from barely-there to rich tint
Hydration: Infused with shea and rosehip seed oil
Buy at: Credo Beauty, Sephora, iliabeauty.com
ILIA’s Balmy Tint in “Runaway” (a dusty mauve) and “Memoir” (a berry rose) has become my daily swipe. It gives the coverage of a lipstick but the feel of a balm. On dry summer days, it keeps my lips moisturized while delivering color that looks alive, not overdone.
Bonus: clean formula, sustainable packaging, and a buttery feel that rivals designer balms.
5. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – \$24
Texture: Gel-balm, cushiony
Color payoff: Glossy tint
Hydration: Extremely rich—great overnight or daytime
Buy at: Sephora, summerfridays.com
Their original clear balm got so much love, they expanded into color. “Pink Sugar” is a soft, almost translucent blush; “Cherry” gives a just-bitten look. I adore the squeeze tube—it’s mess-free and travel-friendly.
It’s the one I throw in my beach tote because I know it’ll hold up in the heat, and the hydration is unbeatable after a day in salt and sun.
6. Tower 28 JuiceBalm Tinted Lip Balm – \$16
Texture: Soft-crayon balm
Color payoff: Bold for a balm
Hydration: Mango seed butter and apricot oil
Buy at: Sephora, tower28beauty.com
I discovered this one at a clean beauty pop-up in Los Angeles, and it’s now a staple. It’s bright, juicy, and fun. “Mix” is a cool-toned berry, and “Shake” is a warm coral that flatters every skin tone.
Perfect for people who want a little more pigment from their balm without crossing into lipstick territory.
7. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm – \$5.99
Texture: Classic balm texture
Color payoff: Subtle, natural
Hydration: Simple and effective
Buy at: Target, Walgreens, Amazon
This one has saved my lips during hikes, camping trips, and plane rides. “Hibiscus” is the perfect flush of color—just enough to make you look alive when you’re barefaced. It’s a no-fuss essential and one I repurchase often.
Affordable, effective, and available pretty much everywhere.
8. NARS Afterglow Lip Balm – \$28
Texture: Luxurious with a dewy finish
Color payoff: Sheer yet bright
Hydration: Surprisingly long-lasting
Buy at: Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta
“Orgasm” is the shade everyone talks about, but don’t sleep on “Dolce Vita” or “Turbo.” This balm is for when you want to feel a little glam—but not overdone. It gives a veil of shimmer and moisture that looks lit-from-within.
I’ve worn this with a fresh tan, tousled hair, and linen shirt—and honestly, it completes the whole summer look.
9. Tatcha Kissu Lip Tint – \$29
Texture: Jelly-like
Color payoff: Stains like a water tint
Hydration: Deeply moisturizing
Buy at: Sephora, tatcha.com
Tatcha’s skincare roots shine through in this one. It feels like a lip mask but leaves behind a soft berry or pink tint depending on the shade you pick. It’s gorgeous in its little pot, and a little goes a long way.
I wear this when my lips are truly parched, but I still want to look put together.
10. Rare Beauty With Gratitude Dewy Lip Balm – \$18
Texture: Soft and cushiony
Color payoff: Natural to medium
Hydration: Olive oil and shea butter base
Buy at: Sephora, rarebeauty.com
Selena Gomez’s line surprised me. This balm is genuinely lovely—hydrating, creamy, and effortless. “Support” is a muted mauve that gives depth without drama. I’ve reached for it on long days out when I want comfort, moisture, and a hint of sophistication.
11. Glossier Ultralip – \$18
Texture: Gloss-balm hybrid
Color payoff: Vibrant and buildable
Hydration: Extremely nourishing
Buy at: glossier.com
“Villa” and “Lucite” are summer MVPs in my book. These balms combine the feel of a hydrating lipstick with the glide of a balm and the glow of a gloss. The packaging is satisfyingly sleek, and the formula? Equal parts moisture and shine.
Perfect for beach-to-brunch transitions.
12. Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm – \$9.99
Texture: Soft, simple balm
Color payoff: Light to medium
Hydration: Avocado oil and acai
Buy at: Target, honest.com
This is the no-nonsense tinted balm I stash in my car. “Blood Orange” and “Lychee Fruit” are juicy, sheer shades that brighten your entire face. They melt on contact and feel comfortable all day.
These tinted balms aren’t just products—they’re moments. They’ve seen me through weddings, work calls, bad dates, and solo road trips. Some hydrate deeply. Others color softly. All of them belong in your summer rotation.
If you’re shopping in the U.S., check:
- Sephora
- Ulta Beauty
- Credo Beauty
- Nordstrom
- Target
- Jones Road Beauty
- Glossier.com
- Amazon (for drugstore favorites)
