I wouldn't consider myself a minimalist, in beauty or in life. But the Violette_FR Bisou Balm may slowly be converting me into having a more streamlined routine. I'm usually a full-on lipstick girl, but over the course of the pandemic, I've been searching for the best balms, tints, and stains to apply when I take my mask off (and to soothe my chronically dry lips, which have only gotten worse over the past two years thanks to stress-licking). Most of them are pretty enough (and help with hydration) but still leave a lipstick-sized hole in my heart.
Enter the Bisou Balm. It sits somewhere between a balm and a matte lipstick, and the brand describes it as a “satisfying natural tint.” It's meant to create the effect of a just-kissed lip—hence the name—and comes in three shades: a neutral pink, a browny-nude, and a muted coral.
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The brand is the brainchild of makeup artist Violette, who I've been obsessed with since college. She's made a cool twist on classic “French-girl beauty” her signature. Think Rococo-inspired blush, lime green glitter, and graphic navy liner along with classic red lips and glowing skin. Her makeup philosophy aligns nicely with mine—unexpected yet wearable—so I knew I was going to be obsessed before I tried it.
I was right, and at first swipe, I knew the Violette_FR Bisou Balm was something special—my fellow Glamour Beauty Awards judges agree, as it took the crown for Best Sustainable Lip Product. It has a texture that is truly unlike anything I've tried before; it's somehow matte and moisturizing at the same time, but also barely feels you're wearing anything at all. It's not sticky, greasy, or cloying in the slightest, unlike many of the more balmy or glossy products I've tried in the past.
I could only get my hands on the nude shade Calisson, but honestly, it might be all I need. It's the perfect neutral nude shade on my fair complexion—it's not too gray or orange—and could pass as my lips, only better. It has almost a velvety effect that blurs any lines and makes lips look hazy and dreamy. My lips look poutier and more substantial like after a good make-out session, and it's the perfect finishing touch that makes me feel put together, no matter how much or how little other makeup I'm wearing.
In short, I'm giving all my other lip products un bisou goodbye.
Looking for more incredible product recommendations? Check out all 264 winners from the 2022 Glamour Beauty Awards.
