We Tried La Mer’s New Tinted Lip Treatment
La Mer has a new luxury lip product, which is different from its intensive-moisture lip balm. The most obvious difference is the packaging; the new lip treatment comes in a stick form, unlike the OG’s small jar. They’re both made with the brand’s signature Miracle Broth ingredient, which promotes cell renewal, found in every product it makes. The lip treatment, $85, comes in four shades: a light pink, a peachy nude, a rosy pink, and a deep brown. We tried the Cocoa shade on five different complexions to see how it looked and also shared our thoughts on how it wears.
La Mer The Lip Treatment
Asia Milia Ware, beauty editor
Around winter is when I find myself reaching for balms more, and I usually look for a trifecta of deep nourishment, a sensorial minty experience (like the OG Burt’s Bees), and a tint because I don’t like bare lips. This mostly filled all of my boxes, it has the tingly feeling and this Cocoa tint is something I’d naturally gravitate toward because of my skin tone. But I wish it was a bit more nourishing. I think because it’s La Mer I was expecting the same cushiony feeling I get on my skin after using its moisturizer, but on my lips the intensity of it isn’t as rich. Not everyone wants a balm that’s almost pastelike because of how rich it is; that’s just personal preference. Overall, if we’re talking about how it wears, it was long lasting and protective throughout cold New York City nights. Also, the tint was buildable, which I loved because I can wear it as a sheer balm when I’m wearing no makeup and I can amplify the shade into a deeper tone if I’m in full glam.
Would you buy it? I would buy it because it’s not easy for me to find a shade of a lip product that I love on me, especially for a balm, something that feels like more of a necessity for lip health. The price is a splurge, obviously, since it’s La Mer, so it wouldn’t be a product I pick up every day. I’d definitely gift it, too. Who doesn’t want a bit of everyday luxury?
Carol Lee, beauty writer
I love the original La Mer lip balm in the pot — I’m usually not a fan of minty lip products, but that one is refreshing yet doesn’t sting. It’s the same with the new one, and because it’s in stick form, it’s even easier to apply when I’m out and about. I was also excited about the launch because I adore a brown lip. The product goes on sheer at first but is definitely buildable, and the formula catches the light in such a way that it makes my lips look plumper than they actually are. I wouldn’t say that it’s the most hydrating balm I’ve ever tried, but my lips do feel plumper.
Would you buy it? I would buy this as a special gift, especially for the La Mer enthusiasts in my life. I genuinely do think it’s the kind of color that’s both on trend and will look good on anyone. However, I wouldn’t necessarily rely on this for deep moisture; instead, I’d treat this as more of a lip tint that also has hydrating properties.
Bianca Nieves, shopping editor
I’ve never tried La Mer’s lip products, so this was a pleasant surprise. I tried out the Cocoa shade and loved how smooth it went on. It’s a bit minty but it didn’t sting, which I appreciated. I can see myself throwing this on before applying my favorite brown lip glosses.
Would you buy it? I would gift it. I usually like to wear clear lip balms because I’m extremely forgetful and if I applied this on a day when I needed extra hydration but forgot it was tinted, I would look like I ate chocolate ice cream like a mad woman.
Chinea Rodriguez, shopping write
I loved the color; it’s this nice sort of grungy shade of brown that I would usually gravitate toward. Since it’s sheer, I don’t have to worry about it being too perfect so I can skip the liner. I can’t, however, skip the lip prep. As much as I love this color, it settles into every line on your lip. And as someone who frequently gets chapped lips in winter, this could hardly be a balm. On lips that are exfoliated and moisturized, this is a nice wash of color so that’s how I’ll be using it from now on. It’s moisturizing but not enough for me to wear on its own. I also love the smell.
Would you buy it? Maybe for a special occasion. I love the packaging, but I rarely spend that much on a lip product.
Hanna Flanagan, shopping writer
My initial reaction when I tried the treatment with no makeup on was that Cocoa is too warm-toned for me. If I wear a brown lip product, I usually opt for something more neutral. I liked it a little better when I tried it with a full face of makeup on later in the week. (It looks a lot more pigmented in person than it does in the photo.) I also found that it wears nicely throughout the day — the color looks like a natural flush after sitting on the lips for a few hours. I’m super-picky about lip treatments and, even in the daytime, prefer a thick, nourishing formula. This product glides on so easily, but the consistency is too thin and lightweight for my liking.
Would you buy it? Probably not. It feels like every brand has a tinted lip treatment at this point; there are literally thousands to choose from. So for one to stand out in mind, it has to be extremely comfortable on the lips and extremely hydrating. The La Mer lip treatment is nice but not better than similar products from competitors.