DESPITE the sun not shining all the time, this summer has seen unprecedentedly high pollen levels – which has taken its toll on my skin.
My hands are dry, my eczema has flared up, and my lips are chapped – but I’ve found a summer saviour.
The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm in Berry Tint, £8.25
When the Inkey List launched the clear Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm earlier this year, it was better than I’d ever expected.
Hydrating, smoothing and instantly softening, it had all the qualities of a brilliant lip balm, plus the added bonus of gentle, gradual plumping.
Powered by a Tripeptide Complex, it hydrates, plumps and defines lips, leaving them up to 40% plumper in just four weeks – and it went viral for actually living up to its claims.
However, now the brand has launched a successor – and it’s even better.
A few weeks ago, the Fabulous Beauty team received one of the most exciting emails we’ve had in a while.
“The Inkey List is launching tinted lip balms!” I exclaimed, sending an instant wave of excitement throughout the office.
And so, this month, the skincare brand launched three new tinted Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balms – and I was one of the first to give them a spin.
The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm in Berry Tint, £8.25
Buttery-soft, non-sticky and lightly tinted, this lip balm really does it all.
With its deep, wine-red formula, it delivers a natural “bitten lip” look, without compromising on hydration.
Once applied, the balm feels lightweight and non-sticky, meaning you could even tap it on to your cheeks for a quick and easy flush.
While I love the deep red shade, it is prone to pilling in the corners of my lips, meaning I have to blend it with my fingers after application.
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The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm in Mocha Tint, £8.25
Reminiscent of a milky latte, this beige balm is (almost) the perfect nude shade.
Possibly my favourite of the new lip tints, you can build up the formula from a subtle balm to a high-shine gloss.
While it has a slightly chemical, clinical scent, the formula instantly sinks into dry skin, plumping and hydrating cracks and chapped lips.
The balm’s texture is similar to a lip oil, so you can even slick it over your favourite lipstick, for an elevated, hydrated pout.
You can reapply the formula up to three times a day – but to be honest, applying it once in the morning is enough to see my lips through the day.
The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm in Pink Tint, £8.25
While this candy-floss pink balm looks intimidating straight for the tube, it’s actually very flattering.
Once applied to lips, it has a cherry pink, glossy finish that blurs lines and imperfections.
Its unique formula, including 2% Ultra Filling Spheres, helps hydrate lips and lock in moisture, protecting them from drying air-conditioning, wind and rain.
I’ve been using the lip balms for just over a month now, and I’ve definitely noticed a difference.
While my lips are not dramatically fuller or plumper, I’ve certainly noticed that my bottom lip is more protruded.
So, fingers crossed that my top lip catches up soon, too!
