Review: Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine

I'm always on the hunt for a moisturizing lip balm that doubles as a pretty gloss. And when I say always, I mean it. I blame the Lip Smacker craze that ruled my life as a preteen. Dr. Pepper scented chapstick? Yes please. Sparkly vanilla frosting lip gloss? I'll take two. They never did much in the name of hydration, but they sure made you feel like the coolest kid in the classroom.

While it's safe to say my tastes have...ahem...advanced, I still find it difficult to find a balm that both colors and conditions to my liking. Standard tinted lip balms are typically too waxy and/or drying. That's why I decided to try Korres Lip Butter, touted by Sephora as "a rich, buttery lip balm that melts on the lips and offers a shiny, tinted finish." With seven different colors/scents, there's bound to be a shade for everyone. A few weekends ago, I picked up Jasmine, a sheer neutral pink.

 Pros:

• Milky-pink wash of color that slightly mutes the natural pigment of the lips. The perfect complement to a smoky eye
• Light candy-sweet scent
• Formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs or triclosan
• Adequately moisturizing

Cons:

• Adequately moisturizing. This is both a pro and a con because while it's better than most products I've tried, it still doesn't hydrate as much as I thought it would. It is certainly "buttery," but doesn't really sink into the lips if that makes sense
• Slightly tacky/sticky. This can be avoided by not applying as much product
• Somewhat messy application. Using your finger to apply the product also has the potential to be unsanitary, so make sure your hands are clean. Note: Korres also makes a Lip Butter Glaze that comes in a squeeze tube

The final verdict? I like it. Maybe even enough to repurchase. Note that I didn't include the $14 price tag in the list of cons, as this is more of a neutral factor for me. While it's a relatively small pot of product, a little goes a long way and I have a hunch this will last several months. I would also be interested to see the hydrating effects of this lip butter when used over a long period of time.

What are the most hydrating lip products you've found?