I Tried the eos Super Balm Mini Trio—Here's Why It's My New Favorite Budget Lip Balm

4 min readConfession time: I’m a bit of a product hoarder. As our beauty editor, I’m constantly testing new products, including lip balms. After playing Tetris with my storage bins, I noticed my lips felt dry, so I grabbed an unopened vibrant yellow tube and swiped it across my pout. A couple of hours later, I instinctively went to reapply the new eos Super Balm Mini, but realized my lips still felt smooth and hydrated. Even several hours later, it still felt soft, which convinced me that the new lip balm performs as well as pricier alternatives in my collection.ProsLightweight yet hydratingNourish my lipsNon-sticky and makeup-friendlySmells like a vacation in Southern ItalyCompact size fits into the teeniest pursesAround $3 a piece, this is an incredible valueConsNot as moisturizing as pricier alternatives, but eos still offers major hydrationWhat I LikeLightweight Yet Long-Lasting HydrationMany of my pricier balms are thicker, making them better suited for summer. Plus, when I layer them twice for extra shine or color payoff, they can feel a tad goopy during the hot, balmy season. eos is my ideal summer lip balm. It’s super lightweight yet provides immediate hydration that lasts throughout the day. I honestly feel so comfy in it, I forget I’m even wearing the Super Balm Mini unless I check my reflection.Like with any lip balm, eos will rub off when I drink water or eat. It’s only natural for the balm to rub off, but without consuming anything, the satin finish lasts me up to four hours. But where it really shines is the after effect: My lip is smooth, cushiony, and pillowy soft. That feeling lasts well into the night. After a few days of using this balm, I now only need to apply it two or three times max.SHOP THE EOS LIPBALMNourishing IngredientsWith each swipe, my lips soak up the hydrating blend of shea butter, jojoba esters, avocado oil, and sunflower seed wax. Cocoa seed butter provides smooth, chapped lips, while castor seed oil ensures the balm glides and has a natural sheen. Because my lips are hydrated, the natural lip lines are less obvious.Non-Sticky and Makeup-FriendlySince eos boasts a non-sticky texture, my long hair doesn’t get stuck on my lips. The satin finish looks natural on its own and layers beautifully under lipliner and lipstick or on top. It adds a nice light layer of moisture underneath drying liquid lipsticks, though I would probably reach for something thicker in the winter. Still, eos has been my go-to balm for the past month—and I’ll gladly repurchase before the limited-edition drop sells out on Amazon.Sublime SmellsAs our resident fragrance enthusiast, I’m all about discovering products that smell incredible. eos lip balm trio quickly became a must-have because all three scents are enticing. They’re all seasonally appropriate, too and help bring a touch of Euro Summer to my day even if I’m just sitting at my desk writing this story.Strawberry Limoncello is my number one flavor. A limoncello spritz is my summer drink of choice, and strawberries are my favorite fruit, so this one is a big hit. The lemon notes are most obvious, but you can smell the strawberry's freshness as it settles.Tangerine Spritz is my second favorite. I’m from Florida and grew up near citrus groves, so this one feels extra nostalgic. It’s bright and fun, but doesn’t leave me smelling like a freshly peeled tangerine or remind me of something I’d beg my mom to purchase at Limited Too.Subtly sweet and fresh, Watermelon Frose is like summer in a mini tube.Small Size, Big ValueA lip balm so tiny it could fit in my tiniest evening bag with room for my card holder and a mini perfume. When I’m running errands around town, it fits neatly into my pocket and keys.And because I’m frugal and love a great bargain, the price can’t be beat. Currently on sale for $9.99 on Amazon for a three-pack, each balm costs around $3 a pop. I’ve already gifted my mom a pack, and she’s equally keen on the balms and loves that she has one for her bag, bathroom, and car, ensuring her lip is hydrated on the go.What I Don’t LikeHonestly, there isn’t much I don’t love about this lip balm. eos has quickly become the hot topic of my group chats. While I’m super into how the balm softens my lips and makes them feel cushiony, eos isn't as moisturizing as higher-end picks like my go-to Eadeam and Dr. Idriss Barrier Baste Lip Baste. And honestly, that’s OK. Dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, previously told me that luxury products often feel nicer or have more advanced textures, but it’s the active ingredients and your daily routine that matter most. “A well-formulated drugstore product can work as effectively as luxury creams if it has the right ingredients and consistency,” he said in our guide to how your skin changes in your 40s.SHOP THE EOS LIPBALMMore Lip Balms I Tried and LoveEadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening BalmI can go a full day or two without using this balm because the formula is that nourishing. The texture is also impressive—it’s similar to an intense lip mask without the thick, hard-to-spread texture. And it comes in a mess-free tube that tucks away neatly in my shoulder bag.Created by a DermatologistDr. Idriss Barrier Baste Moisturizing Lip Balm in DessertCredit: Dr. IdrissCreated by TikTok’s favorite dermatologist, this birthday cake-scented lip balm helps transform cracked, dry lips into hydrated and soft. A blend of ceramides, squalane, shea butter, and avena sativa kernel oil smooth my lips and I only need to use it once a day in the summer.Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Women's Health and has nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like red light therapy for hair growth and LED face masks, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, such as strengthening shampoos and body washes for dry skin on our site. Previously, she was the beauty editor at Best Products where she tested quite literally thousands of launches for her quarterly column and the Best New Beauty Awards package. She also launched the beauty and wellness coverage at NBC News and contributed to CNN, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper's BAZAAR. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventures.