August calls for lip colour that works as hard as you do — surviving iced coffees, sea dips and sticky heat while still leaving lips soft rather than stripped. A good tinted lip balm delivers a wash of colour with skincare benefits built in, so you get the glow without the commitment of a full lipstick. Here are four tinted lip balms worth adding to your bag this month.
1. Rimmel London Oh My Gloss! Butter Me Up Lip Butter Balm 15ml (Various Shades)
A budget-friendly pick that still delivers on hydration, this buttery balm melts onto lips for a sheer, glossy tint that layers easily over any lipstick.
- Formula: Enriched with 5% squalane, shea butter and avocado oil, plus hyaluronic acid and a peptide and vitamin E blend for lasting moisture.
- Finish: High-shine and buttery-soft, with a contour-hugging applicator that glides on smoothly.
- Good to know: Comes in six scented shades and can be worn alone, under lipstick, or as an overnight treatment.
2. Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tinted Balm 2.5g (Various Shades)
A pH-responsive balm that personalises itself to your natural lip tone, this pick blends skincare and colour for a glass-like, healthy-looking finish.
- Formula: Blooms into a tailored shade as it develops, with jojoba, moisture-replenishing ceramides and a gentle peptide infusion for suppleness.
- Finish: A soft, sheer veil of colour that can be layered under lipstick to build intensity.
- Good to know: Available in 15 shades ranging from bare neutrals to vibrant berries, so there’s a match for every skin tone.
3. KIKO Milano Coloured Lip Balm 3g (Various Shades)
An affordable everyday essential, this balm slips into any bag or pocket for touch-ups on the go, softening and smoothing lips with every swipe.
- Formula: Enriched with vitamins A, E and C for antioxidant protection, plus nourishing shea butter for a comfortable, creamy feel.
- Finish: A subtle wash of colour with a creamy, moisturising texture.
- Good to know: Housed in a metallic bullet for mess-free application, making it easy to reapply throughout the day.
4. Clinique Almost Lipstick 1.9g – Black Honey
A cult classic that’s gone viral all over again, Black Honey is the ultimate customisable shade, adapting to create a flattering colour on every skin tone.
- Formula: An emollient-rich, balm-like texture that moisturises and nourishes lips on application.
- Finish: A sheer, glossy wash of transparent pigment that works with your natural lip tone.
- Good to know: Combines the benefits of lipstick and gloss, and can be worn alone, as a base, or layered over other lip colours.
From a budget-friendly buttery balm to the iconic Black Honey shade, these four tinted lip balms deliver colour and comfort in equal measure this August.