Before, there was lipstick to tint and balm to heal. Today, there is no need to choose. The brands merge colour and care. Nourished, repaired, pampered, as much as subtly coloured and perfumed, the mouth is adorned with a tender and natural glow. Enriched with flower waxes, vegetable oils, shea butter… these new flattering doudous balms (in stick, small jar or small bottle with a foam tip) contain skillfully dosed pigments or"pH reagents", iridescent mother-of-pearl or gold microparticles (Gold Baume de Rose Parure by Terry, 25 €), which leave lips full and rounded, as velvety as petals.

Some even colour the cheeks (Baby Lips Balm & Blush - lip balm and blush - Maybelline, 4.90 €, four shades, from soft or bright pink to peach and ruby, from January/February) !

The latest Mixa sticks nourish as much as they dye or illuminate, thanks to their three pearly, cherry or pink tones (Nourishing Lip Care Correction Intensive Color Mixa Dry Skin, 2.40 €).

The icing on the cake, the gourmet flavours make the mouth even more appetizing, like all Labello Fruity Shine with coloured pigments and aromas of strawberry, cherry, peach or watermelon (Strawberry, Cherry, Peach, Watermelon, €2.25 each) which have just changed their look.

Lush also offers fuchsia pink tinted lip balms with fresh strawberries and virgin coconut oil (Strawberry Bombshell, €9.45). Or a Sunkissed Tinted Lip Balm (€9.95), which contains banana, ground fine oat flakes and sweet almond oil, as well as light pink pigments. This is also the case with Clarins, whose Cuddly Pink hue is both luminous and sparkling, (Instant Light Lip Beautifier, 17€, limited edition). Its delicious candy fragrance and its case customized with a child's naive line design make it irresistible! In the same vein, Clinique is announcing a coloured lip oil next April (after Clarins and Yves Saint Laurent in spring 2015): Pop Oil, 24 €.

Bobbi Brown launches L'Extra Lip Tint (33 €, Bobbi Glow Collection, limited edition in January) which smoothes, nourishes and softens lips, while colouring them in pure pink to highlight their natural colour. As for Lancôme, its Nourishing Honey Lip Balm in Rose is a pure treat (44 €, from February 1st) !

The colour developers

No reference here to Cushion already mentioned in the Zoom Cushionmania News…, but on the other major trend of the moment: color developers that react to the natural pH of the mouth, while pampering it. Their colour comes to life on contact with the lips. Each one gains a different coloring ! The newer ones are black (yes, you read well!) and no longer pink. They provide a"bitten mouth" effect, but can also be used as a top-coat to"smoke" or darken a shade and give it a more rock and sophisticated look. Guerlain's contains eosin, a natural colour developer (La Petite Robe Noire Le Rouge à Lèvres Délicieusement Brillant, tint 007 Black Perfecto, 29,50 €, from February 1st). Givenchy offers two, a black stick (Rouge Interdit Vinyl, lipstick color enhancer, universal shade 16 Black Revelator, 32 €), and a pink pot (Mister Gentlebalm lip balm color developer, 29.50 €, both from January 25). Dior is satisfied with a pink lip balm colour enhancer (Dior Addict Lip Glow, 36 €), but innovates with two original creations: an instant care gel colour enhancer (Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade, 36.50 €, January 18) and a pink lip contour pencil, smoothing and colour enhancer (Dior Addict Lip Glow Liner, 26.50 €). A great way to start the year!

Ariane Le Febvre