This Mini Lip and Cheek Balm Packs More Pigment Than Most Lipsticks
When it comes to must-have beauty products for my purse, I’m all about dual-use, high-impact options. Since I’m pressed for space, finding a balm that I can use to brighten my cheeks and add a wash of color to my lips is a major score — but discovering a pinky-sized stick that has such impactful pigment it rivals my full-sized go-tos is an instant obsession for me.
The Onomie Boosting Lip + Cheek Balm ($30) launched in mid-January, and it quickly became a permanent purse staple of mine. The first time I applied it, I expected it to give off the sheer, barely-there hue that I experience with most multi-use balms. Spoiler alert: I was wildly wrong. This moisturizing balm left behind a vibrant, bold color that reminded me of a liquid lipstick. It was that striking. I used my finger to blend it into my lips and dabbed the remnants onto my cheeks, where it gave me a healthy, rosy radiance.
My favorite hue is Berry Cruz, which works well with my fair skin tone. It’s bright enough to perk up my tired 3pm face (you know what I’m talking about!) but is also buildable, so I have control over how strong the pigment payoff is. After two or three swipes, I’m left with a daring tint that’s versatile enough to work with any outfit (and whatever makeup look I have going on). It’s the perfect balance of being punchy but not overpowering or distracting.
While I love the richness of the shade, the comfortable, moisturizing nature of the formula also makes it a joy to wear. It contains spilanthes acmella flower extract, which actually boosts microcirculation and amps up collagen production — two bonus benefits I definitely appreciate. Beyond that, sunflower seed and cacay oils smooth over any fine lines or uneven texture I’m dealing with on my face or pout. My lips feel exfoliated after a few hours of wear, which I can attribute to the softening, smoothing shea butter. From boosting my glow from the inside out to making me feel put together in a matter of seconds, this mini-but-mighty stick proves you can’t always judge a product by its (small) packaging.
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