NOTE: The formula has changed since I first reviewed this lip balm. The review has been updated on 20/05/2024 to reflect the changes.
Does Labello Cherry Shine Lip Balm look oddly familiar to you? Labello is sold under the Nivea Lip Care brand in some countries.
I grew up with Labello’s lip balm. I’m sure I tried pretty much every flavour and variant they make. This one is my fave.
What can I say? I’m a sucker for anything cherry… Here’s what makes this my most used lip balm:
Key Ingredients In Labello Cherry Shine Lip Balm: What Makes It Work?
CASTOR OIL
Castor oil makes up the base of Labello Cherry Shine Lip Balm. The reason is simple: this stuff is super moisturizing.
Loaded with moisturising fatty acids, castor oil creates a barrier on the skin that reduces water loss. Moisture is now forced to stay into your skin, making them soft and kissable.
Castor oil has another trick up its sleeve. It’s more glossy than other oils, giving your lips a lovely shiny finish.
P.S. You may have heard castor oil can cause dryness and chapped lips. This is true ONLY if you’re allergic to it.
SHEA BUTTER
Shea butter is one of the most moisturizing things on this planet. A fat derived from the nut of the Shea tree, it’s rich in moisturizing fatty acids and antioxidants.
Like castor oil, it creates a protective barrier on the lips that locks moisture in, keeping your pout soft and hydrated for hours. It’s so effective, its moisturizing effects last for up to 8 hours!
Related: Why Shea Butter Is A Godsend For Dry Skin
The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
- Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil (Sunflower oil): Derived from the seeds of a hybrid strain of sunflower that contains predominantly oleic fatty acid, it creates a protective barrier on the skin that makes it softer and smoother.
- Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera (Sunflower Seed Wax): A hard wax derived from sunflower used to give lip balms shape and solidity.
- Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil: A non-fragrant plant oil that makes skin softer and smoother.
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E): A form of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and premature aging.
- Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Derivate): A derivative of Vitamin C that’s less effective than the pure form. It fights free radicals and slows down premature aging.
- Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower oil): The pure form of sunflower oil, it creates a protective barrier on the skin that makes your lips softer and smoother.
- Lecithin: A mixture of fats that makes skin softer and smoother.
- Aroma: Another name for fragrance, it’s the most irritating ingredient in skincare products. But it makes the lip balm smell delicious.
- CI 15850: A red colourant.
- CI 77492: A yellow colourant.
- CI 77499: A black colourant.
Texture
This lip balm has a soft and creamy texture that glides smoothly on the lips and doesn’t feel waxy on.
Fragrance
It smells like cherry candy: sweet and delicious. If you’re a regular here, you know I’m not a big fan of fragrance – it’s the most irritating ingredient in skincare. But man, does this smell GOOD.
How To Use It
Simply apply it wherever you feel your lips need the extra moisture. A thin layer is enough.
Packaging
The lip balm comes in a sleek, cherry-coloured tube that’s both pretty and practical.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Labello Cherry Shine Lip Balm may smell like cherry, but it doesn’t taste like it. In fact, it doesn’t taste like anything!
It’s not necessarily a bad thing. If it tasted as yummy as it smells, it wouldn’t last long on my lips. I’d just eat it all up lol. As it is, it lasts from 2 to 3 hours on me, depending on whether I eat/drink or not.
The lip balm glides smoothly on my lips, keeping them soft and moisturized for a few hours. It is also great to prevent chapped lips during the cold winter months. It can heal them too – with regular use (don’t expect results overnight!).
Once applied, this tinted lip balm leaves behind a soft wash of red colour on the lips. The colour is subtle, the shine isn’t (thanks castor oil!). The shiny, wet-look finish is really beautiful.
If you want a more intense colour payoff, you can always layer it.
What I Like About Labello Cherry Shine Lip Balm
- Smooth texture glides smoothly on the lips
- Makes lips softer and smoother
- Sheer tint with a shiny finish
- Practical and pretty packaging
What I DON’T Like About Labello Cherry Shine Lip Balm
- Not moisturising enough for very dry skin
- If you want a pigmented shade, this isn’t for you
- Smells delicious, but fragrant can irritate sensitive skin
Who Should Use This?
Anyone who wants a tinted, shiny lip balm. Just keep in mind that, if you have dry lips, this may not be moisturising enough for you.
Need help creating the best skincare routine for you dry skin? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Dry Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).
Does Labello Cherry Shine Lip Balm Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Delights your lips with a fruity cherry aroma. | Yes. You can smell it, but not taste it. |
| Prettifies with a subtle red shine. | True. |
| Provides 24h moisture for your lips. | More like 3 or 4. |
Price & Availability
£3.10 at Amazon
The Verdict: Do You Need It?
I wouldn’t say it’s a must. But if you’re looking for a tinted lip balm that gives moisture, shine, and a hint of colour, this’ll do the deed.
Dupes & Alternatives
I don’t know of any dupes for this lip balm.
Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil (Sunflower oil), Ricinus Communis Seed Oil (Castor Oil), Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera (Sunflower Seed Wax), Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Shea Butter), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Derivate), Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower oil), Lecithin, Aroma, CI 15850, CI 77492, CI 77499
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
