Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm Review & Swatches
Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm ($18) is a new ooey gooey lip balm that I absolutely had to get my hands on as the caramel scent, flavor, and shade was looking like a perfect natural Fall shade for my lips not to mention a hydrating one.
Fresh has been sort of stepping outside the realms of Sugar Lip Treatment with the introduction of several different lip balms, glosses, and treatments lately like Sugar Cream Lip Treatment, Sugar Shine Lip Treatment, and now a potted lip balm. Don’t get me wrong I know I love Sugar Lip Treatment as many of you do but it’s always nice when a brand doesn’t ride the high of a cult favorite product for too long and takes time out to introduce new products along the way.
Here’s my thoughts, review, and swatches of the new Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm.
One of Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm biggest faults is the potted packaging. Most makeup users are either rolling their eyes or cringing in agony that Fresh decided to introduce something in a pot but all I can say is, it is what it is. Sometimes we have to face the dilemmas of potted lip balms. It’s not the most hygienic packaging around but for this type of formula and texture it is a necessary evil.
Possibly one of the most interesting aspects of the balm is the size and price. Sugar Lip Treatment is $24 and 0.15 oz in size and Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm is $18 at 0.21 oz in size. The price is nicer on the balm not to mention the larger size.
I never tried the original Fresh Lemon Sugar Nourishing Lip Balm so, I can’t compare the caramel to it. So, I’ll just share my experience with this formula but feel free to chime in if you notice any similarities before the formulas.
Fresh markets this as a rich, cushion-y balm that provides 24 hours worth of moisture. They are indeed right about the texture! It’s quite rich, cushion-y, and almost has the consistency of melted caramel. It has a gooey texture with an almost velvety silicone texture that hugs lips in a silky layer of moisture and shine. It feels incredible on my lips! I think some people won’t love it as it is quite thick but I thought it spread easily and wrapped my lips in a yummy layer of hydration. It’s actually a little bit thicker than petroleum but has the same melt-y texture of it. I didn’t feel it was sticky nor tacky. I found it quite tasty! It smells and tastes like a yummy lemony, sugary caramel.
Sadly, it wears for a short time and doesn’t provide lasting moisture. It feels soothing and quite nourishing when it is on but it wears down within an hour and doesn’t provide any long term moisture benefits once it disappears.
But the most disappointing aspect of all is that it applies sheer. Sad sigh! I thought it might lend a natural hint of tint to my lips for a nude look but sadly, the color applies very sheer and my natural lip color shows through it. It appeared quite pigmented in photos but sadly, it wasn’t.
Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm will be a nice companion to matte lipsticks if you wish to add a bit of shine and hydration atop them or if you want some short term moisture this does the trick. Sadly, it is quite sheer and the moisturizing benefits aren’t terribly great so this does have some disappointing aspects to it.
Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm is available now at sephora.com.