November 15, 2016

Revlon Kiss Balm Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

revlon-kiss-balm-spring-2016

Revlon Kiss Balm ($5) is a new, permanent Spring 2017 tinted lip /balm that promises to provide lasting hydration to lips as well as protect them with an SPF 20. I recently ran across a display of the new Revlon Kiss Balms at Harmons and of course, I had to snatch up a few shades and try them out. I also got my handed on a limited edition shade called Sugar Plum at Walgreens which reminds me of Clinique’s Black Honey!

Let’s take a look!

revlon-kiss-balm13

Revlon Kiss Balm are available in six flavors (seven if you count the limited edition Holiday 2016 shade in Sugar Plum) and promise a formula that provides up to six hours of lasting hydration as well as an SPF 20. These weight in at 0.09 oz each which makes them a little smaller in size compared to Maybelline Baby Lips which are 0.15 oz and priced at $3.99 to $4.49. I’m not a huge fan of Baby Lips personally so, Revlon Kiss Balms were a welcome change in my drugstore lip balm world!

revlon-kiss-balma

These resemble the Maybelline Baby Lips Candy Wow in style and packaging with the dome shaped tip but they are considerably smaller and more compact in size. If you want to go way back, these remind me of something that Naturalistics had available in the early 90’s at the drugstore. I tried hunting down a vintage naturalistics commercial on youTube but no luck! A quick Google image search did bring up Alexis Bledel’s ads with the brand. For some reason, the packaging comes across rather retro to me but cute none the less.

revlon-kiss-balm

These are a twist up dome shaped lip balm. I found the flavors of the balms very tasty but if you’re sensitive you might not love them. I didn’t feel like the SPF left a bitter taste at all and the flavor does disappear fairly fast so, it isn’t something to linger on your lips for hours on end. These are much, much more pigmented than the Baby Lips formula and have provide not only a good deal of color but also shine to lips as well. The most pigmented shade was without a doubt Sugar Plum which Juicy Peach being the sheerest.

Revlon Crisp Apple Kiss Balm

Revlon Crisp Apple Kiss Balm

revlon-kiss-balm-crisp-apple

Revlon Sweet Cherry Kiss Balm

Revlon Sweet Cherry Kiss Balm

revlon-kiss-balm-sweet-cherry

Revlon Sugar Plum Kiss Balm

Revlon Sugar Plum Kiss Balm

revlon-kiss-balm-sugar-plum-shade

Revlon Juicy Peach Kiss Balm

Revlon Juicy Peach Kiss Balm

Revlon Kiss Balm (Crisp Apple, Juicy Peach, Sugar Plum, Sweet Cherry)

Revlon Kiss Balm (Crisp Apple, Juicy Peach, Sugar Plum, Sweet Cherry)

I find the formula disappoint on my first few application as they dragged across my lips during application and the tips felt very stiff. They do need warming up and after a few uses you’ll find the consistency of the balms is thinner and slicker compared to the original few applications. A few passes back and fourth over your lips will melt down the tip and give it a less stiff texture. I wouldn’t say these provided long term hydration but they felt pleasantly moist on my drier lips during the initial hour of wear but didn’t really provide linger hydration over a six hour period nor did they even last for that time frame as touch up was required within two hours to maintain color, shine, and moisture.

The good news is Revlon Kiss Balms are a step above Maybelline Baby Lips and should go over big with lovers of Baby Lips. There’s some nice shine here, fantastic color, and light hydration. But the bad news is you’re seeing long term moisture, well, you’ll be disappointed! But for color and shine these provide both in aces!

Revlon Kiss Balms are launching now at drugstores and at Ulta.com.

Tried them?

Do share!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Linda Whitener

    I picked up two of these at Target a few weeks ago, just before heading to the mountains on vacation–so they got a bit of a workout. Tinted balm’s just what I like for hiking: protection and a little color, but not enough to look made-up. I agree with your take on these, Muse–pretty good, if not perfect. Nice color, buildable if you like, and pretty moisturizing. (Some so-called balms make my dry lips even worse; these didn’t.) Well worth the purchase price, IMO.

    • Isabella Muse

      Agreed Linda! I typically hate reapplying lipstick or lipgloss throughout the day and these are perfect for light moisture, shine, and color 😀

  • Susan

    I picked one up a few weeks ago when I saw the display but haven’t tried it yet. I wanted a tinted balm with SPF to keep with me, just something easy to slap on with sun protection. I bet this will be perfect for my needs, based on your review.

  • S

    Omgosh the Sweet Lips kiwi flavor in the metal tube was the only thing I wore in middle school…. I wish it was still around!

    Thanks for the review on these! I’ve been waiting to try them, but it sounds like they kind of suck (just like Baby Lips- I’m with you on those too) so I may try one but I’ll probably pass.

    • Isabella Muse

      haha! I had one in a gloss formula, it was kiwi and so fuzzy and sweet tasting 😀 memories! My pleasure! They are lightweight moisture, nothing dramatic! Pretty shine and color but I wouldn’t say groundbreaking! Better than Baby lips though!!!!!!! 😀

  • Eraser

    I love them. I have the apple, cherry, berry and I just got the LE sugar plum. So far I’ve only worn the apple and cherry but I’m very pleased – they’re moisturizing, glossy and have a really nice tint. I’m also a sucker for the cute packaging, which reminds me of something I had long ago when I was new to makeup…

  • Heidi

    I’ve got three of these and do like them a lot. I agree they aren’t the most moisturizing formula ever, but they do a decent job. They also did a good job with the flavors. I have the apple, the berry and the sugar plum and they’re in the ballpark. Part of me wishes they had a tiny bit more pigment, but they do build up well, and they’re easy to apply without a mirror. And yes, the packaging is so damn cute and retro.

    • Isabella Muse

      isn’t the packaging so vintage-y? Totally had an 80’s makeup moment with these 🙂 Yeah, they aren’t groundbreaking but cute and fun!

  • ChynnaBlue

    I may have to go back for the Sugar Plum now. I bought the Peach last night. I have very pigmented lips and it didn’t show up on me as a color at all, but I did like the scent and flavor and it felt nice.

    • Isabella Muse

      Peach didn’t show up at all for me either! It was clear! But the other shades did 🙂

  • Katie

    You had me at SPF… no, really! I was about to scroll past this post (because I have SO MANY lip crayons) until I read that they had SPF 20 and now I need to buy all of them! I own a lot of different lip products but I’m constantly on the lookout for a tinted balm with sun protection! There actually aren’t as many as you’d think! (I did luck out with a Blistex one though, it’s amazing… but I digress…) There are so many times I need this whether it’s hiking, going to the beach, out at my grandparents’ lake cabin, at the county fair, at theme parks, etc…

    Now to go stalk every CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, and Ulta in my area! Thanks for the info!

    • Isabella Muse

      I know what you mean, Katie! Seems rare that lip balms contains SPF 20! 🙂 My pleasure xo!

      • Katie

        I found the Sugar Plum right away at Walgreens and used it over Thanksgiving. It was the perfect color and amount of moisture! I finally found Peach, Apple, Cherry and Strawberry at Walmart this past weekend. They had Coconut too but since that doesn’t have color (and I’m not a big fan of Coconut) I didn’t buy it. I’m excited to use one of them while I’m at Disneyland this weekend! 😀

  • FrugalCat

    I just bought the Sugar Plum at Walgreens on your recommendation. I love it! Thanks.

  • Erin

    Just wanted to thank you for your review! I’m in Walgreens right now & saw the Sugar Plum. It looked like something i might like- i love balms that aren’t too, too glossy & it’s the right color.. But when i looked online to see what it was about- nothing. I kept searching & found your review. With pictures no less! It was a huge help, I’m definitely getting a couple & i just wanted to say thanks for your help!

    • Isabella Muse

      my pleasure Erin 🙂 I’m glad the review was helpful! I hope you liked the Sugar Plum! That was one of my fav colors!

  • Tracy

    I bought the strawberry and the berry. I don’t notice much color/tint but love the moisture they supply! Great for winter. Nice shine. I want to get the cherry also. Did not know about sugar plum but will definitely look for it.

  • maryann

    I remember when Maybelline Baby Lips were popular and I had always wanted to try them. When I finally got my hands on a pink and orange one, I discovered that they weren’t that great. They felt greasy and lasted less than an hour. And after the product disappeared, I was left with chapped and slightly peeling lips. I recently got the Revlon Kiss Balm in Sweet Cherry and I was shocked. It’s so much better than Baby Lips. It’s softer when applied on lips, has a good scent, and the color is very cutesy. The cover and wrapping is also super duper cute! The only issue is that it isn’t very long lasting and washes off fairly quick so reapplication is probably necessary. I currently am waiting to get my hands on Sugarplum (hopefully soon)

  • Ali

    I SO appreciate your blog! I pull it up on my phone when I am in the cosmetics aisle and you never disappoint. Today it was for these lippies. I picked up cherry and apple, because there was a buy one get one half deal at Walgreens. I love the Baby Lips Cherry Me but just wish it had the tiniest bit more pigment. Hopefully these will help with that! Thank you for your wonderful writeups and helpful swatches!

    • Isabella Muse

      haha thanks Ali I am flattered!!!!!!!!!! Aw my pleasure dear xoxoxoxo! Let me know what you think of these when you try!

  • Huda

    I’m in Canada and they have other flavours here like tropical coconut (which I have). It smells absolutely heavenly; however, it has made my lips dryer which is disappointing as it costs a lot more in Canada and I really liked the smell.. 🙁

  • Tracy

    I’ve decided I like the cherry best. I like the color and the way it feels on my lips. I thought berry was going to be my favorite, as it was at first. Strawberry was too light so I gave it to a friend. But I love the cherry. That’s my number 1 pick!

  • rizu-kun

    I’m a big peach junkie, so for me, the bit of peach fragrance/flavor that you get from the Juicy Peach is so worth having to apply a few times throughout the day. I find the formula doesn’t last super long, but it’s decently moisturizing and is a lot easier to apply and longer lasting than Tony Moly’s peach lip balm. If you’re big into peach, give these a try.

  • Cindy LooHoo

    Oh my gosh you will not believe how much I love the juicy peach revlon kiss lip balm. It works so well! I put it on before bed and my lips are so smooth in the morning! It works like a peach!!