I think it’s safe to say that we’re living in the era of all things less-is-more beauty. While we’re not straying away from self-care products and treatments in any way, many beauty lovers are striving for a more pared-back, barely there aesthetic from hair to skin to, of course, makeup. I’ve tried my hand at what is probably bordering on an obsessive amount of lip products in my days, and while my lip product vibes have shifted with the trends, I too find myself searching more and more for a lip product that emphasizes my natural assets without looking too “done.”
While I’ve been a big fan of the lip liner and gloss combo for some time and have also dipped my toes into the lip stain category lately, too, no lip product has really given me that “your lips but better” look I’ve been going for. In the same way many people want their foundation to be so dewy and seamless it looks like you have naturally flawless skin, I want my lip products to make my lips look effortlessly plump and juicy without looking like I’m wearing anything at all. I thought this was a fruitless pursuit for my naturally small and pale lips until I tried tarte’s limited-edition Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm in Cherry Crush ($27).
Tarte’s Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm in Cherry Crush: The Secret to Sexy, Juicy Cherry Lips for Summer
Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a tarte Maracuja lover for quite some time, but when the brand came out with its limited-edition Cherry Crush collection, things changed. For a while, I opted for clear, tint-free balms when I wanted a no-makeup look and more pigmented glosses and stains when I wanted something bolder, on account of the fact that I’d accepted that any sort of colored lip product just looked unnatural on me. But tarte’s Cherry Crush Juicy Lip strikes the perfect balance between pigment and soft, hydrating sheen, giving me that juicy, model-like lip I’ve only dreamed of.
Tarte’s Cherry Crush Collection comes in five variations suitable for any lip aesthetic: Lip Balm, Lip Plump, Lip Vinyl, Lip Melt Mask, Lip Plumping Oil and Lip Shimmer Glass. While I loved each of the cherry flavored and tinted Maracuja Lip products, the Lip Balm struck me the most even though you may think it to be the most basic. Dermatologist-tested to provide 12 hours of hydration and infused with nourishing ingredients like 10+ superfruit complex, maracuja oil and vitamin E, I was shocked by how long the balm’s hydrating properties lasted between applications (comparable to that of my favorite non-tinted lip masks and super hydrators), but I was equally impressed by the gentle yet long-lasting wash of color. Cherry girl summer is undoubtedly here, and if you’re looking to bring those perfectly kissable, juicy, natural-looking cherry lips into your summer festivities, you’ll want to snag this limited-edition tarte lip balm.
BUY ON TARTE – $27
BUY ON ULTA – $27
