There are a few levels to this lip balm thing. I use some balms to keep my lips hydrated and peel-free; I use others to hydrate and provide a subtle tint of color. Then there’s the Boosting Lip and Cheek Stick from Anomie, which is in a league of its own. Of course, this multi-stick hydrates my dry lips like any other balm, but unlike the others in my makeup drawer, I can use it on my lips and cheeks. I know what you’re probably thinking: You use lip balm on your cheeks? As weird as it may sound, I do, and my day-to-day makeup has never looked better. Since I always do my makeup on the train, the stick makes it easier to minimize the number of tools and products I use (there’s only so much space on a train). I can quickly go from applying blush and lip tint to scrolling through Twitter in a matter of minutes, all due to this single product.
The balm, made with sunflower seed, vacay oils, and shea butter, makes my skin feel soft and smooth as I apply it. After I use my foundation and concealer without leaving my face feeling sticky or greasy, the creamy multi-stick glides on. Additionally, its color is buildable, which means I can add more or less product to my lips and cheeks depending on how intense or subtle a makeup look I want. Since the product is designed to be twistable, I can avoid making a mess when applying makeup. I’m all set to just a few swipes from the stick and some light taps with my fingertips to blend in my cheek color. While six different color options are available, I’ve recently gravitated toward the shade Rani, Toasted Papaya. Its warm, orangey hue complements my yellow undertones without making it look like I’m wearing many products, which is perfect for that no-makeup-makeup look.