I Have Officially Retired From Lipstick—I'm Only Wearing This Gloss-Balm Hybrid From Now On

I firmly believe you're either a lipstick lover or you cannot stand it. I sit in the latter. Lipstick is just a bit high-maintenance for me. I always look a little too "done" wearing it, most formulas dry out and irritate my lips (both my mum and grandma are both allergic to most lipsticks, and I suspect I'm somewhat sensitive to them too) and I really just can't be doing with the upkeep either—I'm always that person who has lipstick on their teeth.

But, while lip oils and lip balms have a special place in my makeup bag, sometimes I want something with a little more pigment, but still non-committal. I want to swipe on and go. I want it to hydrate and plump. And most importantly, it needs minimal upkeep—I've got things to do. And being a beauty magpie, I want something chic that I can slip out of my bag throughout the day—something I know one of my favourite makeup brands, Hourglass, can deliver on.

So, when the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm (£36) entered my life, I officially kissed lipstick goodbye—and I've not looked back since. I'm now the proud owner of eight different shades, and I'm here to tell you why you need to try them too if you haven't yet. This is my love letter to the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balms.

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm Review

Eleanor wearing Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm in shade Trace

The Formula

These pigmented balms have the most luxurious, sensorial application I've ever tried. Coming in a twist-up bullet, it looks like a lipstick, but on contact with your lips you're met with a melting texture that imparts the glossiest, juiciest lacquer. They're buttery soft and leave my lips looking plump and feeling hydrated.

As for the formula, it's the hydration and feel of a lip balm, the mirror-shine of a lip gloss and the pigment of a sheer, satiny lipstick. I love pairing these with a lip liner as an everyday lip combo. And the beauty of them is that you can wear them as sheer tint, or, apply a second layer for more intensity and opacity.

We have to talk about the packaging too. These feel so luxe to use. The gold packaging looks and feels expensive, and the lipstick twists up with a satisfyingly quiet click. Of course, with these being a gloss formula, they do need topping up after eating and drinking, but when they look and feel this good to apply, do you really mind? It's a little luxurious moment.

The Shades

I love these glossy balms so much, that I've collected quite a few shades now. Scroll on ahead to see swatches of the shades I love.

Trace

Mist

Secret

Wander

Rise

Invite

Slip

Red