It’s been SO long since I’ve written an in depth review on here, sorry! But honestly I really wanted to put this up because there has been so much buzz around Kosas as a brand I wanted to put a very honest and in-depth post up about their lip balms. If you’re like me, if you want to test out a brand, usually I start with their cheapest product first (also because that’s all I can afford LOL) and if I get a good first impression, maybe I’ll dive in a little deeper. Here we go. Wait, btw this isn’t sponsored at all. Like always unless specified.

Specs:

Size: 0.17oz/ 5g
Shade: Rush: On their website it says “sheer cool pink”
Application: Twist up balm stick
Scent: Earthy mint
Packaging: Minimalistic flat, oval tube
Cruelty-free

Ingredients: :

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Silica, Octyldodecanol, Lanolin Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cera Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucamannan, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Trihydroxystearin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Captylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil [+/-: Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)]

Performance:

This year it seems like somehow I’ve really just ended up with a LOT of lip balms. However out of the different types of balms out there, I actually don’t have too many that are tinted lip balms. The one you would probably think of first is the one from Fresh ($22) because they make some of the best lip balms ever and have a decent variety of colors. These Kosas LipFuels come in 3 shades, and the one I have is in pulse, a sheer cool-toned pink. Both the packaging and the product itself comes in a flat oval applicator, which is different and nothing to complain about it. I actually think it’s cool so when you stick it in your pocket, it doesn’t bulge out as much as perfectly round lip balms.

With first application, I actually found that these aren’t actually as sheer as you would expect, but are totally buildable to give a noticeable tint on the lips. So much so that when I was in Vegas a couple months ago, I was using this as my primary lip balm, and my husband asked me “why are you wearing lipstick?” These feel very comfortable, and for having a lot of pigment, comes out to give almost like a blotted lip effect…not shiny with too much slip, but also not matte either. Most importantly there’s hyalouronic acid and Vitamin E to draw moisture. There’s a clear version as well, but I feel like this product yes, is great for everyone, but since $18 is quite pricey for a lip balm, is more worth it for the woman who wants a tint on-the-go or wears lipstick everyday and would like something still hydrating, but no fuss. No lip liner, no need to be too precise. For me personally, I usually wear clear lip balms because I don’t wear makeup everyday, and I feel like wearing a tint like this (that isn’t that sheer) is a little out of place on a bare face. Nonetheless, still a win for me and waaayyy better than Glossier Generation G lipsticks (that, to me, aren’t even lipsticks. They’re lip tints.) Now I’m just hoping that they’ll add a lip balm with SPF inside! Now that I’ve given this a try, I am interested in trying the Kosas blush/highlighter duos or their lipsticks because those also get rave reviews!

Verdict:

IF (like I said before) you’re someone who wears lip colors often and wants a balm on-the-go no fuss, I’d say it’s worth the 18 bucks. And if you don’t care for tinted lip balms but are still on the market for a solid stick lip balm, give this one a go! But if you haven’t found a lip balm you love,Of course, you can definitely get great lip balms for less than $10, but in case you were already eyeing this, I’d say go for it! My favorite non-tinted balm in stick format is the CAUDALIE lip conditioner, but if I’m reaching for something to give a splash of color, it would definitely be Kosas Lip Fuel.

Save Some $:

Kosas has quickly gained popularity and can be found in a variety of stores: Sephora, Free People, Revolve, Detox Market, Credo, Mecca, Nordstrom…so if you have any discounts to any of those places, use it there!

KosasSport Lip Fuel Review+Swatch-Retail $18