With a dizzying number of lip products on the market — from balms to glosses — your makeup bag can surely be stretched thin (or, should we say, stretched to overflow).
But, I can surely attest that not all products for your lippies were created equal. In fact, it takes some trial and error to find that *glossy* formulation you’ll want to swipe on over and over again.
As someone who has a cornucopia of twist-up tubes and twist-open jars practically everywhere — from my makeup vanity to my work bag — I’ve ran the gamut of practically every brand of lip products. This, leads us to today’s guide: the best lip masks of 2024.
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There’s something totally dreamy about using one of these societally trending products. First off, you’ll feel like “that girl” from TikTok or Margot Robbie (or, both), because there’s simply something luxe and regal-feeling about applying a lip mask before bed, much like hand cream.
Let me be the first to tell you: this guide isn’t all about LANEIGE. Though widely popular on Amazon, there are so many hidden gems I dug from the beauty trove. And, they’re all below.
Read on for the horde of lip masks I’ve tried, tested and touted to everyone I know. Oh, and if there’s one thing you take away here, it’s that this is the one product review, in particular, I’m beyond grateful to have worked on (after, all, my lips haven’t been smoother).
Click to jump to a specific section:
- Best Lip Mask Overall
- Best Budget Lip Mask
- Best Lip Masks Worth the Splurge
- Best Overnight Lip Masks
- Best Hydrating Lip Masks
- Best Cruelty Free Lip Masks
- Best Multi-Use Lip Mask
- Best Tinted Lip Mask
How we tested
Prior to testing the best lip balms of 2024 — for up to two years straight — here are the criteria for each one I’ve applied:
- Consistency: Is it buttery? Is it soft? How does it glide on? All of these considerations were equally important in my quest to find the top ones on the market.
- Value: Is the product really worth the money? If I’d rather use Vaseline (hey, nothing wrong with that either), instead of paying retail price, it was duly noted.
- Staying power: Sure, with any lip product, you can expect to reapply? But, you shouldn’t feel the need to reapply every few minutes, let alone every hour. I kept the frequency of application heavily in mind.
belif Aqua Bomb Overnight Lip Mask
Pros:
- Most moisturizing lip balm tested
- Impeccable for dry skin
- Thick, long-lasting and non-goopy formula
Cons:
- None to speak of
It was love at first sight — the belif Aqua Bomb Overnight Lip Mask is a product I instantly fell in love with from the onset. I don’t call things “miracles” often, but this one surely was heaven-sent, and it’s one you should absolutely grab.
For less than $25 on Amazon, it’s the only lip mask you’ll need at your bedside table. For my dry skin, it helps nourish like no other. Applying it like a balmy salve (think: Vaseline, but better), it always leaves my lips more nourished and feeling baby-soft each time I use it.
I’m also a loyal fan of the brand’s Moisturizing Bomb Toner ($30) and equally-as-hydrating The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb ($52), so it didn’t come as a shock to me that its lip product would be on the same nurturing domain as its other product set.
Additionally, it includes shea butter (so, you already know it’ll be a dreamboat to use).
Best Budget Lip Masks
Mario Badescu Lip Mask with Acai and Vanilla
Pros:
- Spa-mimicking and lovely on the lips
- Affordable price point with a pleasing residue on the lips
Cons:
- May not be the best for chronically dry lips
The Mario Badescu Lip Mask with Acai and Vanilla holds a special place in my lip product stash, particularly because it always reminds me of the relaxing facials I’ll regularly schedule at the brand’s NYC salon (side note: you have to go, if you haven’t yet experienced the treatment).
For a product this good, I can’t believe it’s less than $15. It’s the top lip mask I’ll recommend to anyone on a budget because it’s salon-inspired for a fraction of the cost. Infused with acai and vanilla, it has both antioxidants and a nourishing, sweet feel to it as it’s applied to your lips.
For the full experience, I recommend using this after your favorite face mask. Seriously, your Sunday night self-care routine won’t feel better than this.
e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Lip Mask
Pros:
- Tacky, subtly sticky texture that is long-wearing throughout the day
- Most affordable lip mask tested
Cons:
- Not as buttery as some other lip masks tested
The e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Lip Mask is right on the money — holy hydration! And, it won’t cost you a ton of money.
Readily available online for only $7 (that’s right, only seven dollars), I was most excited to try this formula, specifically. Impressively, it measures up well to some higher-priced lip masks I used on repeat. And, if you lose it, you won’t really bat an eye, thanks to its reachable price point.
I love that it’s sticky but not *too* sticky; it’s just the perfect consistency to offer much-needed hydration as a spot treatment, whenever you need it. Its container is quite small as well so it’s wonderful to stash in your pocket or your purse for on-the-go use.
Best Lip Masks Worth the Splurge
fresh Sugar Recovery Lip Mask Advanced Therapy
Pros:
- Balanced formula that’s not too sticky or slimy
- Sweet, pleasing smell
Cons:
- Not as long-lasting as some other lip masks tested
I’ve been a fan of fresh ever since middle school (remember the twist-up lip treatments that every beauty guru on YouTube raved about?) Now, its more sophisticated formula, the Sugar Recovery Lip Mask Advanced Therapy, is here to save your ultra-dry lips.
It’s one of the more expensive options on this list but it truly is a fully fledged formula packed with nourishment. Ideal for sensitive skin, I love how my lips feel — especially toward my cupid’s bow — when I dab some on.
Because it contains berry wax, shea butter and hyaluronic acid, this truly blankets the lips for an instantly more hydrated, fuller look. Not to mention, hyaluronic acid is one of the most applauded ingredients among several dermatologists we’ve turned to.
La Mer The Lip Balm
Pros:
- Subtly minty scent that refreshes and nourishes the lips
- Feels velvety smooth and luxe
Cons:
- Priciest lip mask on this list
While $80 is a pretty penny to spend on a lip mask, the La Mer The Lip Balm is ever-indulgent and worth your time — especially if you want *the* experience. Namely, its smooth base layers onto your lip with a subtly minty zing. This allows for not only nourishment but also refreshment to my lips whenever I swipe it on.
I love how it’s supremely soft — velvet soft, to say the least — and it leaves my lips supple and ready for additional product, say, lip liner or a well-pigmented red lipstick. It’s a divine product that, if you’re obsessed with lip products like me, are sure to appreciate.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Lip Balm
Pros:
- Ideal for both dry and sensitive lips
- No trace of fragrance
- Wonderful primer before other lip products
Cons:
- A bit too slippery, compared to other lip masks tested
As one of the best skincare brands I reviewed, Dr. Barbara Sturm surely has that it-factor that’s difficult to describe (the true definition of “if you know, you know”). Unsurprisingly, its Lip Balm is a dreamboat to use — the creamy, easily absorbable product that feels like you’re adding a blanket to my lips whenever applied.
Chic packaging aside, this luxury product has a lightweight silky texture that also produces a natural glow once fully on my lips, I find. It’s even said to help protect against sun, hot and cold temperatures which, though isn’t a true SPF lip balm, combines shea butter, avocado oil, seed butter and coconut oil for a quadruple moisturizing effect.
Best Overnight Lip Masks
Lano 12-Hour Overnight Lip Mask
Pros:
- Emollient enough to be superb for overnight use
- Offers long-lasting hydration
Cons:
- Subtle over-the-counter medical scent, though not a dealbreaker
The Lano 12-Hour Overnight Lip Mask has resided at my beside for years now, and its squeeze tube is one of my favorites to reach for. It’s a bit too heavy for daily use but it’s the signature overnight mask that’s (1) less than $20 and (2) incredibly nurturing to your allover lip area.
It’s fairly sticky which some people may not like but I adore it for before-bedtime use. Its one caveat is that it has a bit of an over-the-counter medical scent, though nothing too major to keep me from using it regularly.
LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask
Pros:
- Undeniably viral and widely loved
- Offers a subtle glow once applied
Cons:
- Not as hydrating as some other lip masks tested
Ah, we’ve arrived at the LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask. If we’re being honest here, it’s the lip mask that truly broke the internet and is probably a skincare case study in the product development world for its viral nature. While it’s fairly nurturing, it’s candidly not my favorite — but that’s why I enjoy it before bedtime every now and then.
Allow me to explain – when I apply this product to my lips throughout the day, I find myself constantly reapplying it every hour or so. The solution? Enjoy its subtly pink-tinted nature as a one-time swipe before catching those ZZZs, and voilà, it’s now worth the $24.
And, spoiler alert: I recommend the brand’s Lip Glowy Balm ($18) a smidge more. Though not a mask per se, it’s a bit more versatile for daily use, aside from overnight application.
Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Lip Sleeping Mask
Pros:
- Wonderful value for the price and quality
Cons:
- Stronger scent than most other lip masks tested
Don’t sleep on the Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Lip Sleeping Mask. Instead, sleep with it.
As captivating and alluring as its name, this lip mask is budget-friendly (less than $15) and packed with a smooth, nearly translucent base with a pleasing rose fragrance that makes me reach for it before applying additional lip products, especially. It doesn’t leave a tint but it serves as a wonderful lip primer that’s not too thick, goopy or shiny.
Namely, it’s an extraordinary value. When you come across how it helps turn over dry and chapped lips — while gliding on like silk — it’ll be one of your new favorite overnight products. It’s one of the more versatile lip masks, too.
Best Hydrating Lip Masks
Farmacy Apple Vitamin C + Peptide Lip Smoothie
Pros:
- Incredibly moisturizing and a personal top-tier favorite
- Contains vitamin C to leave a brightening, glossy finish
Cons:
- Leaves a bit of a tinted finish, though not a personal dealbreaker
Here’s the real deal — the Farmacy Apple Vitamin C + Peptide Lip Smoothie came as a close second to our “best overall” pick, the belif Aqua Bomb Overnight Lip Mask. It’s one of the most delicious (though I’m not *eating* it, but you know that’s something you look for when experimenting with lip balms) and unbelievably moisturizing formulations on the market. It leaves a subtle gloss result, making it both flattering and eye-catching on the lips.
The consistency is one of the most flawless. The only semi-negative is that it does leave a bit of color or gloss, so it doesn’t offer that second-skin lip effect as some others. But, it’s one of the ones I love reaching for when I want a bit of a fruity and glimmering end result.
Kiehl’s Since 1851 Buttermask Intense Repair Lip Treatment
Pros:
- Supremely soft and divine to use
- Fragrance-free
Cons:
- Not as wonderful of a final value as some other lip masks tested
As its name suggests, the Kiehl’s Since 1851 Buttermask Intense Repair Lip Treatment is like butter: creamy, slippery to glide well onto the lips and luxuriously sweet.
It’s also sensitive skin-friendly, thanks to it being fragrance-free. From my experience product-testing in the past, fragrance-free formulations tend to leave either a film or a brief-lasting result — but not this product. I feel extreme nourishment and its coconut oil and wild mango butter allow it to be the ideal level of sweetness with a good-for-you feel.
Best Cruelty Free Lip Masks
ILIA Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment
Pros:
- Intentionally curated to be not only a lip mask but also a doubling treatment
- Subtle citrus scent that’s both non-irritating and lovely on the lips
Cons:
- Doesn’t over a glossy texture or shine, though is wonderfully nourishing
The ILIA Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment, in my opinion, in a class in and of itself. It’s similar in formulations to other lip masks on this list but it upholds a spa-esque aura to it (and, for that reason, it’s one that makes me feel like Kate Middleton whenever I reach for it).
Its cushiony formulation contains papaya enzymes to “gently buff away dead skin, clearing the way for moisture-magnifying salicornia (sea succulent) and plumping hyaluronic acid to sink in,” per the brand. I love tossing it into my purse for on-the-go relief, too.
Alpyn Beauty Willow & Sweet Agave Plumping Lip Mask
Pros:
- Vegan and feels just as natural on the lips
- Subtly sweet fragrance that isn’t overpowering
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer deep hydration but is effective nonetheless
If you know me, you know that I can’t stop raving about Alypn Beauty (for more, read my full brand review as digital proof). Its Willow & Sweet Agave Plumping Lip Mask took off on TikTok and, while its formula isn’t instantly creamy or syrupy upon first touch, it’s the most natural lip mask I’ve tried.
It may take a while for you to get used to — but, give it a week, and I assure you it’ll be one you’ll begin to miss whenever it’s not around. I love how it was intentionally curated (side note: the founder wild-picks plants and infuses them with clinical skincare, impressively) and its sweet agave is surely sweet on the lips.
Best Multi-Use Lip Mask
Klavuu Nourishing Care Lip Sleeping Pack
Pros:
- Ultimately hydrating and can be used on any area on the body you feel dry
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Not as accessible to order online, compared to some other lip masks tested
Real talk — I honestly don’t remember how the Klavuu Nourishing Care Lip Sleeping Pack ended up in my collection, but I’m thankful it did. It’s just shy of $15 on Amazon and, for the longest, time, I’ve been saying it’s a “more hydrating version of the LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask.”
There’s not much to say about it other than get it. It’s the epitome of Vaseline-but-better, and I love using it on days where I feel a bit dull and chapped in the lip region.
Best Tinted Lip Mask
Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask
Pros:
- Coats your lips in a pack of hydration with some shine as well
- Feels luxe; wonderful value and experience for the price
Cons:
- A bit goopy upon first use
If you want to feel like a million bucks without spending anywhere close to it, you’ll buy the Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask. Its chic packaging makes me feel like I ended high tea at a Japanese tea room — gold lip mask applicator and all.
Its indulgent formulation is available in tinted (Wisteria) and un-tinted (Original) makes, though adding a bit of color made this lip mask stand out to me. It’s a bit goopy but thankfully, the miniature applicator takes care of that problem. I love the your-lips-but-better shine it adds once fully coated, too.
It’s supremely hydrating and even had a partly plumping effect, though without the zing or zap feeling (which we love). With peach and Japanese-derived squalane, it’s a treat to use.
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