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A few weeks ago, after I finished reading Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Emily Weiss’s Glossier by Marisa Meltzer, I placed my first and so far only order for Glossier. I bought two things: the Balm Dotcom shown above and a Cloud Paint.

Reading Glossy, as someone who started getting really into beauty in 2018 (entirely coinciding with my pregnancy and new mom era), I couldn’t help but feel that I’d missed out on something special. I missed Glossier at the height of its powers. I missed the pop-up store in Austin (which I drove by—it was only a few miles from my house!). I missed all the cool launches as Glossier grew into itself as a business. I had FOMO, about seven years too late.

And then I remember my impression of Glossier from 2018: that it was overhyped and the makeup was far too subtle for my preferences. I would look at the Glossier images of their models, before and after makeup application, and the two images looked the same. And yet! I was intrigued by the Cloud Paint (Glossier’s liquid blush) and the Gen G lipsticks. Intrigued, but not enough to place an order or wait in line for the pop-up store.

I’m fundamentally a lazy person, so if I’m on the fence about something, it is hard to get me off that fence. Reading Glossy got me off the fence, in part because I wanted to be able to review some Glossier products in preparation to write my book review of Glossy. I wanted to experience Glossier as a consumer, not just a critic.

Of all the things to try from Glossier, why a lip balm? It seems so boring, even to me, and I’m the one recommending this one to you! Two main reasons: 1) a lip balm is a product I am likely to use up if I like it, and 2) the passionate devotion people have for the original formula of Balm Dotcom is evangelical, and for a product that has been around for ten years, that’s impressive.

And now, I’m here to report back: this is a great product. Really, truly, I love it too.

It’s a soft, cushiony lip balm with good staying power. It feels moisturizing and protective without being heavy or goopy. A few weeks ago, I wore it during my long walk workout on a cold, windy day, and it was the perfect lip product. Broadly speaking, I would recommend this to runners or other outdoor athletes who are in the elements, working out.

The Cookie Butter flavor smells like cinnamon cookies. It has a very slight pleasant taste and a subtle brown tint. It sheers out such that it doesn’t really leave any visible pigment on the lips, just a little shine. I consider this to be more of a skincare product than a makeup item.

Here is the catch about Balm Dotcom: there are two different formulas on the market right now. The original formula (available in Cookie Butter or Hot Cocoa) contains beeswax and lanolin. The newer formula was created to be vegan, so beeswax and lanolin had to be replaced with other ingredients. I haven’t tried the newer formula, but I know from experience with other products that lanolin is a miracle ingredient for me when it comes to lip treatments. Nothing else heals and protects the way that lanolin does.

I’m impressed!

Product Details: Glossier Limited Edition Balm Dotcom in Cookie Butter

Sold on Glossier’s website

Price: $14 for 0.5 fluid ounces (15 ml)

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