e.l.f. Studio Lip Balm SPF 15 {Review}

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Overview

Rating: 5/5 stars ★★★★★
Price Tag: $3 USD
Shades: 5 shades
Weight: 0.07 oz / 2.1 g
Where to Buy: In stores like Target; online at eyeslipsface.com [Link]

This budget-friendly tinted lip balm by e.l.f. is both cruelty-free and vegan.

I like to wear tinted lip balms like these since I prefer sheer color and a super moisturizing formulation to combat my constantly chapped lips. It’s the minty flavor and sun protection, however, that really make this product stand out from the rest. I took a couple of shades with me on a Walt Disney World vacation a few years back specifically because of the sun protection, and also because I didn’t want a sticky gloss that my hair would constantly get stuck in.

Packaging

The lip tints are packaged in sleek, matte black, squarish metal tubes with a color band around the middle to indicate the shade. The band is by no means perfect, and the Nude and Peach bands are very similar, but it gives you a good idea of which color you’ve just picked out of your drawer.

Likewise, a few months after their initial release the e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipsticks were similarly packaged in a squarish, black metal tubes, albeit a larger size, before being redesigned into the current plastic tubes.

Metal packaging of the e.l.f. Studio Lip Balms

I have three different versions of the lip balm tubes in my collection. The original version did not have any markings printed on the sides. The second version has e.l.f. Studio Lip Balm printed in white on one side, and the newest version has the label and other information printed in white on two sides.

I’m a big fan of the metal tubes. It is a unique aspect to an often overlooked product.

There’s not a whole lot of product in each tube. However, considering the metal tubes and $3 price tag, the amount of product contained in the tubes seems fair. If this is your primarily lip product, you’ll probably go through the tube faster than I have. So far I have yet to use up any of my Studio lip balms.

Formulation

I was a fan of this product when there was only the clear balm version. The formulation is a harder than normal wax, with a minty flavor and SPF 15 protection, all traits I prefer to see in my lip products.

The pigmentation, while much sheerer than a traditional lipstick, is much better than your average lip tint. There’s definitely more than a hint of color that you can actually see the product on your lips.

e.l.f. Studio Lip Balms

As a balm, the lip tints are very moisturizing, even with the hard waxy consistency. I recently picked up a couple more for my husband, who wanted something for when he plays trombone, and one of my sons.

All of the shades have a creme/glossy finish. None contain any shimmer or glitter.

Shades

I currently have all of the available shades, including four colors and one clear option. The clear version was the initial product, with the four shades being added later.

As much as I would love more shades, I don’t foresee e.l.f. adding any more in the future.

Swatches of the e.l.f. Studio Lip Balms in Pink, Peach, Nude, and Rose

Clear

[Omitted from swatch photo.] The original balm. Great for when you want a clear balm, or you to give to your male acquaintances. There’s really a dearth of clear, so-called medicated lip balms that are also vegan. The e.l.f. Studio Lip Balm nicely fills that niche.

Pink

This is the shade I wear the least, mostly because I have warm undertones and this Barbie pink doesn’t work well for me. The shade Pink works better on those sporting cool undertones.

Peach

I used to wear the Nude shade a lot until I finally bought Peach. Like the name suggests, this is a very peachy shade. I find it’s the most flattering shade of the bunch for my pale, warm undertoned skin.

Top view of the e.l.f. Studio Lip Balms

Nude

The shade is exactly what it claims to be: a brownish, nude color. Nude probably works better for those with warmer undertones.

Rose

If you are looking for a subtle reddish pink, look no further than Rose. If this was a lipstick, it would be a very powerful color. As a tinted lip balm, it’s sheer enough for even the lightest skin tones to pull off with being overwhelming.

Images

Final Thoughts

Pros: SPF sun protection, good pigmentation, moisturizing, budget-friendly
Cons: Minty/tingly flavor, parabens, limited shades

The Studio Lip Balms are an all around great lip product. I highly recommend them, not only because of their moisturizing formula and generous color payoff, but also for the sun protection.

While the amount of product in the tube may be lacking, the combination of the stylish metal tube, sun protection and ultra budget friendly price tag more than make up the difference.