TikTok Made Me Buy It: The Glossy Balm That’s Also a Plumping Lip Serum

As a grown-up gloss lover, I was instantly intrigued when I first learned of Makeup by Mario’s TikTok-viral, oft-sold-out lip serum. In truth, I have yet to be disappointed by a single thing Mario Dedivanovic has unveiled, as everything from his silky blushes to his Soft Sculpt complexion offerings seem to fall at that elusive intersection between aspirational (imparting a glowy, filter-like finish) and everyday, real-world wearable. This definitely holds true for the MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum, which I’ve slipped into every handbag I carry for the better part of 2022.

Makeup by Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum

For one, the MoistureGlow lip tint is a hybrid between makeup and skin care that truly does it all: It hydrates, nourishes, and supplies a pop of color that makes my lips look healthier and plumper, while also bringing a warm, glowy brightness to my complexion. What sets it apart from other tinted balms is its innovative, serum-like texture, which has more slip than I’m used to–in the best way. It feels like I’m drenching my lips in a targeted leave-on treatment, its cocktail of conditioning shea butter and avocado, kiwi, and argan oils keeping my lips looking and feeling smooth and supple. But then it instantly melts in with a dewy, cool-tingle finish that’s light and refreshing.