U Beauty’s Plasma Lip Balm Is Now Available in Two New Flirty and Flattering Tints

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There’s a time and place for drugstore lip balms — maybe you’re in a pinch at the airport or you need a tube that you won’t fret over if it slips out of your shoulder bag. That said, a luxurious, high-powered lip treatment also belongs in every beauty lover’s stash of lip glosses, lipsticks, and lip masks. U Beauty’s Plasma Lip Compound fits the bill with a multitasking formula that’s newly available in two flattering shades for summer, and our editors put it to the test.

The Plasma Lip Compound is one of U Beauty’s bestsellers, right in line with the complexion-smoothing Resurfacing Compound and the Super Intensive Face Oil. Where those two go for well over $100, the lip balm rings in at $68. Yes, that’s still comparatively pricey for a little tube of lip balm, but the Plasma Lip Compound is much more than a simple salve: The formula works as a lip plumper, a tinted lip balm, and a lip gloss all at once, with such powerful hydration that you only need to apply it a few times a day to prevent chapping.

When U Beauty launched in 2019, the luxury lip balm was exclusively available in a clear formula, however the brand has rolled out new shades seasonally since. In June, U Beauty teamed up with influencer Tinx to drop a “Rom Com” rosy pink shade, marking U Beauty’s first-ever collaboration. The newest shades — a ballet slipper-pink Tulle and watermelon-toned Idol — are ripe for summer with juicy color payoff and universally-flattering undertones.

Our editors have tested U Beauty’s Plasma Lip Compound for two months; read on for our testing review.

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How We Tested U Beauty Plasma Lip Compound

U Beauty Plasma Lip Compound Review — Editor Testing Notes

My overall impressions of U Beauty’s luxury lip balm? This find has range.

Usually I’m juggling a handful of lip products to meet my needs from morning to night — I like to apply a lip mask when I get ready for the day, then follow up with a tinted balm or sheer lipstick that I’ll rotate between a few coats of lip balm at the office. At night, I’m starting from scratch with lip liner and a gloss or a lipstick, depending on my plans. The thing about U Beauty’s lip treatment is that it covers all of those bases. U Beauty’s Plasma Lip Compound is a true hybrid product that applies like a lip balm, delivers the sheen of a great lip gloss, and resurfaces and hydrates the lips like a top lip mask. It also features luxury touches, like a cooling metal applicator that deposits the perfect amount of product.

If you’re after a spicy lip plumper, this isn’t it. Rather, the Plasma Lip Compound subtly fills out the look of my lips with a generous amount of moisture. In the short term, these hydrating properties combine with high-wattage shine to lend a plump, voluminous look to my lips. And after two months of testing, I’ve noticed fewer lines and creases on my lips. U Beauty’s Plasma Lip Compound isn’t going to fib a syringe of filler, but it will make your smile look healthy, hydrated, and slightly fuller.

The new Tulle shade has become a quick favorite for everyday wear: It’s one of just four U Beauty lip balms that comes with finely-milled shimmer. Its effect is a modern take on a frosty ’90s lip that reads natural and slightly cool toned, with plenty of shine. For more of a punchy lip look, you can’t go wrong with the new Idol shade. It’s a juicy pink tint that, according to many compliments I’ve received while wearing it, makes my teeth look white and my lips look lush — that’s something to smile about.

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Meet the Author

Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends from celebrity-loved beauty brands like U Beauty.