19 of the best tinted lip balms to brighten and nourish

Bobbi Brown is the master of multitasking ‘no makeup makeup’ and these sheer, tinted balms are as hardworking as you’d expect. In 11 shades, from Buff to Chocolate, there’s one to suit every skin tone and occasion, and the cocoa butter loaded formula makes lips feel noticeably softer after an hour or so’s wear.

Makeup artist Aimee Connolly never puts a foot wrong when it comes to grown-up, glamorous beauty. This new lip colour has it all: a trio of hyaluronic acid, kokum butter and jojoba seed oil for moisture you can feel, SPF25 to care for lips, and a glistening veil of colour. If you have literally seconds to leave the house, a slick of this will make all the difference.

GH beauty editor Anna Lao-Kaim is on her fourth refill of this minty, perfectly pigmented sheer balm; it’s become that much of a daily staple. The Phantom ‘family’ now numbers 16 shades and the formula is frankly genius; it glides on neatly and initially has a vibrant high-shine effect that becomes a more subtle, even stain after a few hours of wear. It’s one of those handbag heroes that you can apply and forget about, but with beautiful results.

It’s got you covered from an SPF POV but it's the punchy colour that really stands out here; just one coat of the red, coral or berry shade has an impressive lipstick-like effect, but with the conditioning benefits of a balm (the brand’s signature silk protein creates a smooth base and prevents flaking).

The newest shade in a nine-strong lineup, this vibrant pink balm cushions lips with rich, hydrating lanolin and beeswax yet isn’t in the least bit tacky. The colour is surprisingly sheer and different flavours add a fun element (lip balm needn’t be highbrow).

Unlike many plumping lip products on the market, this peptide-based balm boosts lip volume without the tingle or potential irritation of commonly used ingredients such as chilli. The catch? Plumping results aren’t instant (you’ll be waiting at least two weeks to notice a difference). That said, increased volume is clinically proven, if subtle. Three new pink, berry and mocha tints make it even more wearable.

Another peptide-based lip volumiser, each of these three sheer tints (switch between candy pink, caramel or berry) adds a wash of colour and a hefty dose of moisture thanks to a blend of avocado and shea butters. The corresponding flavours make each a pleasure to use too.

There is so much to love about Lip Glow from Dior, from the covetable packaging to the dreamy shade selection. The cleverness lies directly in the shade range of this product: each shade, from the ballet-slipper pink pictured to a rich mahogany, is brilliantly 'stretchable' and works to suit all skin tones and lip colours. It's a handbag staple.

Coming in a great range of 90s-inspired hues with nourishing shea butter and rosehip seed oil, this tinted balm deeply hydrates lips. Given the high pigment payoff, it brings all of the drama of a lipstick but none of the chapping risk.

A-list makeup artist Monika Blunder has launched a range that reflects her own aesthetic: natural and prettifying. Her lip tints are seriously thick and balmy, but melt down into the lip to feel lightweight and comfortable. It's packed full of kind-to-lip oils and fatty acids to nip any dryness in the bud. There are four very sheer shades in the collection (including a beautifully sheer orange red) that genuinely everyone.

Makeup artist Aimee Connolly never puts a foot wrong when it comes to grown-up, glamorous beauty. This new lip colour has it all: a trio of hyaluronic acid, kokum butter and jojoba seed oil for moisture you can feel, SPF25 to care for lips, and a glistening veil of colour. If you have literally seconds to leave the house, a slick of this will make all the difference.

Launching a new sunscreen in Australia is a challenge; quality control is ultra-strict, so anything that gets approved there will be formulated to very high standards. Enter Aussie range Ultra Violette, with something for every skin type. This treat for lips does everything a juicy balm should (adds shine, hydrates, plumps and tints) all while delivering factor 50 protection. If you buy one thing for your lips this summer, make it this.

This ultra-hydrating hybrid lip oil/tinted balm is infused with camellia, jojoba, sesame and sunflower seed oils, as well as vitamin E, to soften dry or chapped lips. The non-gloopy formula offers a subtle swipe of colour in three pretty hues Ruby (pictured), Fig and Blossom - our top pick is the latter. It's perfect for everyday wear at an affordable price point.

Worth buying purely for the looks you get when you whip it out of your bag and start painting your lips with what appears to be a bottle of nail polish. Thankfully the contents are nothing like a gloopy lacquer, but simply a divine tint/oil hybrid that adds a luxurious plumpness to lips. Once the initial glossiness fades, you’re then left with a very pretty translucent tint. The Ruby Red shade is a particularly favourite of senior beauty editor Lynne.

Colour meets care in this balm. The texture is beautifully rich (soothing, but not at all heavy or sticky), and gives a pretty, glossy sheen to lips. We love the bright coral pictured here, in the shade Poppy. It's punchy, mood-boosting and just looking at it whisks you away to sunnier climes.

So beautiful is the colour, we'd also be inclined to apply some on to cheeks for a tonal makeup look.

A lipstick in name, but glides on as easily as a balm, leaves behind a healthy shine and is infused with lip-caring ingredients such as organic shea butter and rose oil. Plus, the shade pictured creates the perfect 'your-lips-but-better' look.

Rosé on lips, rosé between lips: the beauty team approves of both options. This new balm features hyaluronic acid for moisture, menthol for a perky plumpness and a subtle hint of soft pink colour. We were especially impressed with how incredibly smooth our lips felt after applying it, and how well that silky softness lasted. If you love a polished, barely-there look, this pretty balm needs to be added to your basket.

Packed full of - yes, you guessed it - lanolin and other rich butters, this balm forms a protective layer on the lips, soothing any chapped areas and preventing more occurring. The colour is sheer, but still pulls a look together and subtly tints the lips. Out of all the tinted balms here, consider this the richest and most fortifying.

A tinted lip balm that’s a real ‘treat to self’, this rose oil infused lip conditioner is gorgeously creamy and the new marbled shades create a luminous, glowing finish. It’s recently been upsized too to last even longer.