Battle of the Balms

This post will be an all out battle of drugstore lip balms. In order to be considered as a contender a product must have lip conditioning properties, provide some level of color and be available at drugstores or discount retail stores.

Almay Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm
$5.99
Doe foot applicator
14 shades

Pros:     Great Moisturizers                                                      *Most Moisutrizing!
             Long lasting conditioning                                                                              
             Light to Medium Color
             Hypoallergenic
             Gluten free
             Creamy, shiny color
             Easy gloss-like application
   
Cons:   Feels heavy
            Color doesn't last
         

Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm
$6.99
Twist up tube
9 shades

Pros:     Made with Shea Butter                                                  *Sturdy Packaging
             Contains Botanical Waxes
             Easy Application
             Convenient small tube for easy portability
             100% Natural

Cons:    Very little pigmentation
             Can be drying 
             Doesn't seem to last long  

CoverGirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm
$7.99
Twist up chubby crayon
15 shades

Pros:     Shea and Mango Butters                                             *Most Shades
             Great color selection
             Smooth and creamy
             Non-sticky
             Nicely pigmented
           

Cons:   Not long lasting
            No SPF
            Not overly moisturizing
            Not glossy
         

CoverGirl Lipslicks Smoochies Lip Balm
$5.99
Twist up tube
12 shades

Pros:     Contains essential lip conditioners                                     *Cutest Names
             Nice pigmentation
             Great selection


Cons:     Some shades are frosty and glittery
              Feel heavy on the lips
              Packaging seems childlike or cheap
              Doesn't last long
              Moisture doesn't sink in

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm
$7.49
Twist up tube
15 shades

Pros:     Very moisturizing                                                      *Great Color & Moisture
             Fantastic shade range
             SPF 15
             Fortified with mango and shea butter
             Lightweight
             Decently pigmented
             Smooth and creamy
             Not sticky

Cons:    Small amount of product

ELF Studio Conditioning Lip Balm
$3.00
Screw top pot
5 shades

Pros:      Super cheap                                                        *Most Pigmented
              Opaque color
              Great Moisturizers
              SPF 15
              Super smooth and creamy
              Great pigmentation
              Vitamins A & E

Cons:     Inconvenient packaging
              Bulky packaging
              Poor shade selection
           

Jordana Easyshine Glossy Lip Color
$1.99
Twist up tube
12 shades

Pros:      Very affordable                                                     *Most inexpensive
              Smells fantastic     
              Decent pigmentation
              Nice shade range    
              Glossy finish        
         

Cons:     Gritty Texture due to glitter
              Difficult to find
              Cheap packaging
           

L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm
$7.99
Twist up lipstick tube
8 shades

Pros:     Elegant packaging                                                         *Best Packaging
             Conditioning and moisturizing
             Smells great
             Lightweight
             Long lasting moisture
             SPF 15
         

Cons:    Almost no pigmentation
             Expensive lip conditioner

Maybelline Baby Lips
$3.99
Twist up tube
6 shades

Pros:      SPF 20                                                                    *Highest SPF
              Slick feeling
              Affordable
              Smells fantastic
              Not very pigmented
              Doesn't last   

Cons:     Poor color selection (only 4 of 6 are tinted)
              Doesn't last
              Childlike packaging
              Not very pigmented
           

Nivea Kiss of Cherry Flavored Tinted Lip Care 
$2.99
Twist up tube
2 shades

Pros:    SPF 10                                                                        *Easy to Apply
            Easy to apply, no need for mirror
            Great conditioning properties
            Enriched with almond oil
            Smells great
           

Cons:    Plastic tube which feels cheap
             Very limited shade selection
             Not long lasting
             Slick or greasy feeling
             Poorly pigmented
             Need to reapply often

NYC Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm 
$2.99
Twist up tube
10 shades

Pros:     Smells Great                                                               *Best Smelling
             Cute product
             Nicely pigmented
             Contains shea butter
             Jojoba and avocado oils
             Long lasting balm
             Not sticky
             Glossy finish

Cons:     Cheap packaging
              Tastes like plastic

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain
$8.49
Twist up chubby crayon
12 shades

Pros:     Nicely Pigmented                                                   *Longest Lasting Color
             Stains lips for lasting color
             Pleasant minty smell and taste
             Easy application
             Decent shade selection

Cons:    Can be drying
             Most expensive product on this list

Sally Hansen Colorfast 
$4.99
Twist up chubby crayon
10 shades

Pros:     Smells Great                                                         *Very Moisturizing
             Very Moisturizing
             Lightweight
             Long lasting moisture
             Leaves lips softer
             Most moisturizing chubby crayon

Cons:    Sheer pigmentation

My must haves are the new Almay Liquid Lip Balm, CoverGirl Natureluxe, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, and the Sally Hansen Colorfast. To be honest, the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Stains should skip the word balm as I don't find them overly moisturizing or conditioning. But they are still a fantastic product that every woman should at least try. All of the rest can be skipped in my opinion. After all, how many tinted lip balms does one person need. Here's my final verdict of all 12 products included in this 'Battle of the Balms.'

1. Almay Liquid Lip Balm
2. CoverGirl Natureluxe
3. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain
4. Sally Hansen Colorfast
5. NYC Applelicious
6. CoverGirl Smoochies
7. Maybelline Baby Lips
8. L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm
9. Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm
10. Nivea A Kiss of Flavor
11. CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm
12. Jordana Easyshine