Discussing this much-hyped product today.
THE BACKSTORY: Products going viral on social media gets more egregious when you add in Korean musicians to the mix. If an idol is seen using a certain product, chances are, it’ll be all over your feed and be on the brink of being sold out while you contemplate adding another item to your pile of stuff™. AOU (short for Always for Our Use) is a makeup brand founded by Cho Eun Bee, a makeup artist whose work I’m sure you’d be familiar with especially if you’re into K-Pop. She does makeup for the likes of BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Aespa, Taeyeon, IVE’s Wonyoung and more. This particular product is something that’s a steady bestseller for the brand.
THE PRODUCT: The product comes housed in a heavy plastic tub. The colours of the tubs differ from shade to shade so you’d be fine if you were to own more than one. I also like how their logo resembles a heart. It’s cute. There’s nothing remarkable about the packaging in the slightest so let’s move on.
The jelly-like consistency of the balm melts the moment it comes into contact with the warmth of your skin. It has a beautiful glossy finish and provides immediate hydration when you swipe it across your lips.
The balm feels plush and isn’t the kind to simply be a thin film on the lips. That was what I initially expected. But I like how plush and comfortable on the lips it is instead. It adheres well to the lips and isn’t sticky.
I know the product is also marketed to be used on the cheeks but I simply do not like how it feels on the cheeks. While it is non-sticky on the lips, it feels tacky on the cheeks and your hair instantly becomes an opp whenever you wish to use it as a blush. It’s also a lot sheerer on the cheeks and needs a good layer or two to show up. I suppose you could set it with a powder if you truly wish to use it as a blush but I just do not want to bother with all that. I will also acknowledge that it’s great for a quick selfie because of its glossy finish. But it’s simply not a blush product you’d want on your cheeks for extended periods of time.
Now, coming back to it as a lip balm, it works great as a product you slap on your lips when you’re bare-faced and want something that makes you feel more put-together. While it is sheer on the lips, its opacity can be built up in layers.
It’s not long-lasting but that’s just the nature of the product. It’s a lip balm. It’ll need to be reapplied every once in a while. Then again, it coming in a tub negates its practicality when you’re out and about. You absolutely need to have clean fingers to dip your finger in, to reapply. Anything that comes packaged like this becomes unhygienic whenever you don’t use clean fingers. So, this isn’t something you can mindlessly whip out to reapply. Unless that’s not an issue for you.
I bought a few silicone applicators to use with this but I’ve not used them at all, to be honest. I use my clean fingers.
While this formula is nice and it’s a cute tinted lip balm to have in your arsenal, I must say it’s nothing extraordinary. It’s not a must-have is what I’m getting at. Fwee, Colorgram and other brands also have a similar product in their line-ups so if you have one of those, you needn’t worry about getting this. I’m seeing this formula invade Western markets too, with Makeup by Mario’s Jelly Jar being eerily similar to the K-Beauty versions. If you have one, you don’t really need to bother with the others. Don’t fall for all the marketing.
The silicone applicator I bought to use with this product but never actually used much.
AOU Glowy Tint Balm in ‘03 Mulberry Balm’.
AOU Glowy Tint Balm in ‘03 Mulberry Balm’.
SWATCHES AND SHADES AVAILABLE: There’s 13 shades, as of writing.
- ‘03 Mulberry Balm’ – a sheer pinkish plum. The brand calls it “a mauve halfway between pink and plum” but I do not think it’s mauve in the slightest.
PRICE: $15 USD (approx. 1359 INR)
QUANTITY: 3.5 grams
AVAILABILITY: Olive Young Global, YesStyle etc.
♥ OVERALL: It’s a tinted lip balm in a tub. Nothing to write home about but it’s a decent enough product to not regret owning. It’s cute.
AOU Glowy Tint Balm in ‘03 Mulberry Balm’.
$15
Pros
- Easy to use. Beginner-friendly.
- Hydrating and comfortable formula.
- Sheer but build-able pigmentation.
- Feels plush.
- Shades in the line-up are wearable.
Cons
- Availability is an issue.
- Not long-wearing.
- Tub packaging isn't the most hygienic.
