Hailey Bieber may not have been the first to venture into makeup, but her influence has been undeniable. Her popular peptide-infused lip butter balm—packaged in sleek little tubes—along with the phone cases designed to hold them, became such a sensation that lip balms have since dominated beauty conversations. For Gen Z, these balms are now a must-have in any skincare routine—and it’s clear this trend is more than just a passing phase.

The appeal lies in how they make lips feel: irresistibly smooth, with a glossy shine that looks like melted butter. Packed with nourishing ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, and natural butters, they deeply hydrate while instantly plumping the lips, smoothing fine lines, and adding a hint of color. Essentially, they’re a 4-in-1 product that delivers results from the first swipe—making their popularity easy to understand.

But there’s more to it. Today’s makeup ethos is all about effortless, natural enhancement—think “no-makeup makeup.” The no-liner lip trend, where Gen Z skips traditional lip liner in favor of softly defining the lips’ natural shape, is another example of this shift.

To achieve that buttery finish, fans are flocking to brands like Rhode, Summer Fridays, Olehenriksen, and Laneige—often selling out online and in stores. These balms are the perfect multitaskers: a single swipe nourishes, adds a wash of color, and even doubles as a stylish prop for TikTok videos. Compact enough to toss in a purse or makeup bag, they’re as practical as they are covetable.

With new formulas, shades, and finishes constantly emerging, one thing is certain: the lip butter balm is here to stay. At its core, it’s a high-performance, ultra-hydrating lip treatment that actually works—and that’s why it’s earned its place in every beauty lover’s routine.

Shop Vogue’s favorite buttery lip balms below:

– Rhode Peptide Lip Tint – $18
– Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – $26 (Amazon), $24 (Revolve)
– Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment – $22
– Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum – $32
– Eos Cashmere Lip Butter – $7 (Amazon)
– Eadem Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm – $24 (Amazon, Eadem)
– Clarins Lip Perfector 2-in-1 Lip and Cheek Color Balm – $30 (Amazon)
– Well People Lip Butter SPF 15 – $15 (Amazon)