This Tinted Lip Butter Convinced Me To Put Down My Signature Cherry Matte Lipstick, Something I Thought I’d Never Do

It’s no secret—I’m (Cher from Clueless voice) totally, completely, butt-crazy in love with red lipstick. It is rare for me to leave my house without it on, and I’ve even learned which red lipsticks are completely mask-proof and meal-proof to the point where I need a serious oil remover to take it off at the end of the day. All this to say, something has changed in the universe lately—I’ve been switching out my signature red lipstick for a tinted lip balm, and that tinted lip balm as of late is Pili Ani Moisturizing Pili Lip Butter in “Barely There” ($20).

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Pili Ani Moisturizing Tinted Pili Lip Butter — $20.00

There are two major reasons why I’ve been drawn to this particular lip balm as of late. For one, it’s incredibly nourishing. I’ve experienced bouts of dry lips lately, either due to the weird LA weather that goes from 90 to 60 degrees in a span of 24 hours, or my sometimes bad habit of forgetting to drink enough water so my body turns into a raisin from the inside out (not literally, but I am probably dehydrated). Pili Ani is a skin-care brand founded and made in the Philippines, with its hero ingredient being Pili oil. Derived from the Pili Tree, this oil is chock-full of antioxidants, vitamin E, and fatty acids, making it a moisturizing savior, anti-aging hero, and pollutant protector.

The other reason is the slight tint. I still get a nice hint of color that brightens up my face a little so it doesn’t look lifeless, all without having to go for a bold matte. To opt for a tinted lip balm that’s also similar to a nude lip is definitely a big move in my world. But I have to admit, there are some pretty good bonuses. While the lip butter isn’t long-lasting like a matte lipstick, I also don’t have to go through the whole rigamarole of trying to remove it at the end of the day. It’s also a multipurpose product. In a pinch, I can use the tint on the cheeks for a quick touch of blush. And at night, I can use the non-tinted shade, Mint. When I wake up in the morning, my lips are soft and super moisturized.

While I probably won’t ever give up my red lipstick for good, I’m glad, and dare I say, extremely proud of myself, for stepping out of my matte lip comfort zone. Especially for something that not only looks pretty, but is healthy for my lips and feels good to wear, too. I now want to try all of the shades, especially the one called “Barely Red,” which looks like it could give me my signature lush cherry red lip. I’m also excited to try “Berry” and “Choclát”; this Pili Ani Lip Butter is so good, it’s even inspiring me to experiment with non-red shades!

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