Glossier finally did it. Killed the lanolin. Glossier Balm Dotcom now runs on a vegan base — and the internet is in shambles.
The real issue? OG fans aren’t mad about the ingredients. They’re mad the new tube doesn’t squish the same way. That satisfying toothpaste-tube dent? Gone.
$14 for 0.5 oz. Same cute packaging. The brand claims it’s “more hydrating” without the sheep sweat. I called bullshit — then tested it.
Texture shift
Slicker. Less waxy. Slides on like a gloss now — not a balm.
Scent change
Original Birthday Cake now smells like a vanilla candle. Not mad.
Staying power
About 90 minutes on bare lips. OG gave you 2 hours.
Photo: ajie wp / Unsplash
Castor oil and shea butter replace lanolin. It’s thinner — but spreads faster. No more of that thick, protective layer that felt like a lip condom.
- Castor Oil: Plumps on contact — not sticky
- Shea Butter: Sinks in 10 seconds flat
- Castor Seed Oil: Gloss without the slip
- Vitamin E: Heals cracks by day 3
Photo: Mariia Shalabaieva / Unsplash
First swipe: feels like I’m rubbing warm butter on my mouth. Sinks in before I can pout for a selfie. No greasy ring around the edges.
Two weeks in — my lips stopped peeling. That’s weird because I usually hate reformulations. The shine fades fast but my lips don’t feel angry after.
Photo: engin akyurt / Unsplash
My lips are softer. Less chapped. But I lost that thick, medicinal protection for windy days. Trade-off is real.
Photo: Rosa Rafael / Unsplash
It’s not better. It’s not worse. It’s different — and actually fine for most people. The meltdown is overblown.