Hello and happy new week!

If you’re anything like me, the thought of putting on full FACE to get out of the house, at least these days, leads to full-body hives and a case of agita. I’m all for doing what makes me feel good and like myself, and makeup certainly can help with that. Right now, though, I’m looking for a shortcut in my routine most of the time.

A while back, I talked about a brand I use and love, Iris and Romeo.

Their Best Skin Days tinted moisturizer truly is the best of both worlds: a natural-looking moisturizer with a slight tint that does the best job of evening out your spots and uneven tone, all with clean and safe, skin-loving ingredients, to boot.

Check out the product here! I wear shade Medium in the spring and summer and will switch to Light Medium in the fall and winter.

Given how this product has become a staple in my routine, I was so excited to get a chance to try their new Power Peptide Lip Balms, especially knowing they can double as cheek color. I’m all for a shortcut!

Iris and Romeo Power Peptide Lip Balm: Review and Tutorial

Iris and Romeo Power Peptide Lip Balms: What to Know

This product comes in a pot and is a buildable, “skincare-meets-makeup” collagen-packed color pots that are both hydrating and long lasting. As for consistency, it’s a thin balm in a pot. It’s not whipped in texture but rather firm and “packed in.”

How I Use It

For a light wash of color, I swirl my fingertip in the pot and apply right to my lips or cheeks. When I want deeper, more visible color, I run the back of my pointer fingernail along the outside to get a nice little glob and then apply directly to my lips or cheeks.

Color Payoff

This is definitely a buildable product. You won’t get major color payoff with just one swipe. Frankly, I was shocked at how rich the color payoff was when I applied more.

Typically, balms don’t ever give that much payoff, even with a large amount. But with the Power Peptide Lip Balms, you absolutely get the color you see in the pot, if you apply enough.

In short, these shades can give the appearance of a lipstick but with the consistency and moisturizing properties of a lip balm.

How to Make it Last

While I like to wear mine during the day, if you’re going to be wearing this as your lip look at night, I’d start with a good lip liner to help hold in the color. As with other balm formulas, the color can migrate a bit beyond the border of your lips (which is great for a casual daytime look!), but if you want it to last, swipe on some Pillow Talk lip liner first to hold it in place.

My Favorite Shade of Iris & Romeo Power Peptide Lip Balm

Of the three I have, Fuchsia and Peony are my favorites. Both are cool-toned pinks, with Peony being a little lighter in shade. Peach is lovely too, but I found it didn’t show up as well as the other shades. For lighter skin tones though, it would be beautiful! (For reference, I’ve got yellow undertones and tend toward Medium shades in foundation products.)

What Else to Know About the Formula

All Iris & Romeo products are vegan, cruelty-free and made in the USA. They’re also made without PEGS, parabens, phthalates, chemical sunscreens, formaldehydes, mineral oil, sulfates, synthetic fragrance and flavors.

Tutorial with Iris and Romeo Power Peptide Lip Balm

Watch how I use them HERE!

Want to shop these gorgeous shades? Check out all the colors here. I’d start with Peony—it’s a truly universal and flattering shade!