Clio Balm

The Butter Balm Crayon is CLIO's primary balm product - a sheer-to-buildable tinted balm in a twist-up crayon format. Each crayon is 3.9 g and uses a butter-oil base that gives comfortable, non-sticky moisture without the heavy gloss of a traditional gloss. The crayon tip allows for direct application with defined lip edges, avoiding the slightly messy application that can come with finger-applied balms or bullet lipsticks with a rounded tip.

The formula is designed to be worn alone for a low-effort, moisturized lip look or layered under a matte lip product to prevent dryness. Coverage is light to medium - you see the color clearly but the lip texture and natural lip line remain visible through it.

The 10-shade lineup covers a wide tonal range. Pink Poster (01) and Pastel Rose (03) are the most classic, light pink options - soft enough for minimal makeup looks. Modern Art Beige (04) and Gallery Brown (05) sit in the neutral brown zone that works across most skin tones for a natural, everyday result. Breeze Apple (06) is the only green-toned shade, giving a cool, light wash of color. Movshade (07) is a deeper rose, Pop Art Berry (08) lands in the red-berry range, Gentle Cream Pitch (09) is a soft nude-mauve, and Maple Brick (10) is a warm brick tone for autumn looks.

Sheer formulas shift on different lip tones, so lighter shades like 01 and 03 appear more similar on deep skin than on very fair skin. The darker shades (08, 10) have enough pigment to show distinctly across a wider range of natural lip colors.

The Crystal Balm Plumper is clear and non-tinted, designed for a glassy, plumped lip appearance rather than color. At 3.3 g, it is slightly smaller than the Butter Balm Crayons. The formula uses a combination of volume-effect ingredients and light-reflecting particles that make lips appear fuller and shinier without the stickiness of older plumping glosses. Sensation is gentle - a mild tingle that signals the active formula without being uncomfortable.

It works as a standalone product for the no-makeup makeup look or as a topper over any lip color to add dimension and a glassy finish. Layering it over one of the Butter Balm Crayons gives a combined tint-and-volume effect in two compatible CLIO formulas.

The crayon format makes precise application straightforward. Start with the tip of the crayon and outline the cupid's bow and outer corners of the lower lip first - these edges define the shape. Then fill in the center with the flat side of the crayon tip using back-and-forth strokes. This gives more even color distribution than drawing from one corner to the other in a single line.

For a fuller effect, apply slightly over the natural lip line at the cupid's bow and center of the lower lip only - not the corners, where overfilling looks unnatural. For the most polished result, press lips together after application to blend the crayon color evenly without smearing beyond the edges you defined.

Butter Balm Crayons are comfortable for 2-4 hours between reapplications, which is typical for a balm formula at this coverage level. Eating and drinking speeds up fading. Because the formula is moisturizing rather than long-wear, reapplication is easy and fast - a quick swipe from the crayon restores both color and moisture. Keep the crayon in your bag for touch-ups throughout the day.

The Crystal Balm Plumper fades faster since it has no pigment anchoring it to the lip surface, typically needing reapplication every 1-2 hours for the plumping effect to stay visible. The moisturizing base remains even after the visual effect fades.

Both CLIO balm formats are designed to layer well. The Butter Balm Crayon works under a matte lip color - apply the crayon first, then blot lightly, then apply matte lipstick on top. The balm provides moisture that prevents the matte formula from drying out lips over time. This is especially useful for lip tints and liquid matte formulas that tend to crack when applied directly to dry lips.

The Crystal Balm Plumper goes on top - use it as the final step over any lip color to add gloss and volume effect. The clear formula does not disturb the tint or lipstick underneath when applied gently without pressing hard.

Choose the Butter Balm Crayon if you want color with moisture and a defined, polished lip look in one step. Choose the Crystal Balm Plumper if you want a no-color glassy effect or a universal topper that works over multiple lip products without altering their shade. If you do both looks regularly, the two formats complement each other - the plumper adds a dimension to the crayons that the crayons alone do not achieve.

Budget-wise, buying one of the Butter Balm Crayons plus the Plumper gives you a versatile two-step system covering everyday color and special-occasion gloss at a reasonable combined cost.