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We Tried It: What Are Lip-to-Lid Balmies and How Do They Work?

Last Updated: June 29, 2022

Lip-to-Lid Balmies are a 3-in-1 color crayon loaded with skin-loving ingredients that are good for you and the earth, too. Grove writer Mackenzie Sanford tried ‘em out and gives us the lowdown with an Axiology balmies review.

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I don’t wear makeup very often, in part because I have no idea how to put it on. Makeup brushes? Beauty blenders? Contour? I stick to my trademark bright red lipstick and call it good. So I was intrigued by Axiology’s Lip-to-Lid Balmies set: 3-in-1 crayons that can be used on the entire face, no tools needed. Finger painting but with makeup? Now that’s something I can get behind. Keep reading for an Axiology balmie swatch and pics of the balmies in action!

What are Lip-to-Lid Balmies?

Axiology Lip-to-Lid Balmies are multi-use, vegan crayons that work on lips, cheeks, and eyelids. They’ve got a creamy formula that looks like a lipstick but hydrates like a balm, with a rockstar list of ingredients like kokum butter, neem seed oil, hemp seed oil, plum seed oil, elderberry extract, and vitamin E. The balmies glide on smoothly with a really lovely color payoff, too!

Packaging (or lack thereof)

Wrapped

You might’ve noticed that Axiology balmies look a little different from other lip crayons. That’s because they're zero-waste! Balmies are tube-free, but don’t worry — they have the same standard amount of product (.12 oz) as other lip crayons.

Unwrapped

Once you’ve used the product down to its paper wrapping, just recycle the paper, and continue to use the balmie until it’s gone. The red box the balmies come in is recyclable, too — it’s handmade from recycled trash by a Balinese women’s cooperative.

How do you use Lip-to-Lid Balmies?

I got the Of the Earth set, which includes a warm, glowy trio of Cherry (right), Nude Plum (middle), and Caramel (left). To use the balmies, apply them to your lips, eyes, cheeks, the tip of your nose, your brow bone — wherever! I used my fingers to smudge the colors, but you can use makeup brushes if you’re fancy and actually own some.

How they look on my lips and lids

Cherry

Cherry is the darkest shade of the trio. It’s a very earthy red — more like red clay than cherries. I used it for a monochrome look, and it was a bit too earthy for my lips, but I’m super into it as an eyeshadow. I think the color compliments my spots and dots nicely.

Nude plum

I did another monochrome look with Nude Plum on my lips, cheeks, and eyes, plus a bit of Caramel on my brow bone, because I’ve seen makeup artists do that on YouTube. The Nude Plum is actually a lot different than I thought it’d be — it’s a light, cool pink that really brightens up my features.

Caramel

Caramel is Axiology’s highlighter, but I used it on my lips, eyes, and the tip of my nose, too. Honestly, this was my favorite of the bunch. I added Nude Plum to my cheeks and the bridge of my nose for some extra color, and I love it. I look like a fairy!

Need a makeup remover? Micellar water is the French beauty secret that removes makeup while cleansing your face with ease.

Final thoughts

Axiology Lip to Lid Balmies are the bees knees – especially for makeup novices like myself. They’re super easy to use, unscented (yay!), and don’t dry my face out. I especially love the colors, and the vegan formula makes me feel good about using them. I will definitely be buying them in more colors — the Raspberry one in particular is screaming my name.

Shop other lip tints & balms

About the author: Mackenzie Sanford is a writer and musician experimenting with clean beauty in the Midwest.

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