10 Best Color-Changing Lipsticks, Balms That Adapt to Lip pH

I distinctly remember walking into a Sephora as a teenager and picking up a tube of Smashbox O-Gloss. The violently pink packaging appealed to my rapid-fire hormones, but as soon as I swiped on the clear gloss, I knew that this product was different from its bubblegum-scented counterparts. Eyeing myself in the station’s tiny magnifying mirror, I watched as my lips slowly morphed from their usual deathly pallor to a plump, juicy pink. I looked healthy and put-together, and all I had done was apply a layer of clear lip gloss—or so I thought.

Although that formula is now discontinued, color-changing lip products have been around since the 1980s, and still contain an active ingredient that adapts to the wearer’s pH. It transforms the clear (or sometimes blue or green) product into a personalized pinky shade that is relatively unique to each individual. In other words, it’s a mood ring for your lips; a bespoke lip color without the crazy price tag. It’s also my most foolproof way to add a hint of color to my pout without needing a lip liner or a mirror, or even paying too close attention to color theory with my outfit. It’s the ultimate swipe-and-go lip product, and luckily, the winning formulations just keep on coming in the 2020s. Keep scrolling for the color-changing lipsticks I always keep within arm’s reach for spring.

Luxury Lovers