I Tried Glossier’s Balm Dotcom – Here’s My Honest Verdict

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Long before beauty lovers began collecting Rhode’s Peptide Lip Tints in every shade, Glossier’s Balm Dotcom was the ‘it product’ that people had to have.

With its fun packaging and countless tints and flavours, Balm Dotcom quickly found itself in makeup bags across the world.

In fact, it was so loved that when Glossier tried to change the formula, there was so much uproar that the company scrapped it and went back to the original. The new packaging did stay, though.

Having tried both the new and old packaging, today I thought I’d share my honest thoughts on this iconic lip balm. I’ll talk about which shades are worth buying, how long this lasts on the lips, whether the new packaging is an improvement and, most importantly, if it actually works.

Stick around to find out whether it passes the test!

Glossier Balm Dotcom shades & flavours

The Glossier Balm Dotcom lineup currently consists of 11 permanent shades:

• Original ? – Untinted and fragrance-free
• Espresso ☕️ – A dark mocha tint
• Black Cherry ? – A burgundy red tint
• Birthday ? – Clear with a subtle shimmer
• Strawberry ? – A sheer red tint
• Wild Fig ? – A coral-y red tint
• Rose ? – A sheer baby pink tint
• Coconut ? – Untinted with a tropical scent
• Lavender ? – Sheer purple tint
• Mint ? – Untinted with a minty scent
• Mango ? – A sheer peachy tint

Every once in a while, usually around the holidays, Glossier will also drop limited-edition shades, like Biscotti, Cookie Butter and Hot Cocoa.

Espresso was actually a Christmas 2024 limited-edition shade but made it to the main lineup this year!

The majority of these shades are scented to match their namesakes, and I do love this concept (even though I know this might not be for everyone).

The two scented shades I have, Espresso and Biscotti, are way too sweet (almost artificially so) for my liking, so I would probably go for something more traditional – like Mint – if I were to pick up another shade!

Packaging & application

This lip balm comes in a small squeezy tube with a colourful twist-off cap. The colour of the packaging depends on the shade which is a great differentiator (so you’re not always picking up the wrong one!).

Application is pretty easy and mess-free with Balm Dotcom’s slanted applicator tip… but this wasn’t always the way!

The old paint-tube style lip balm (before the reformulation) had no applicator at all, so you had to use your finger every time you wanted to use it. I know lots of people were pretty happy when this was changed… despite being not so keen on the new formula.

I do have to mention, though, that in colder weather in can be a real pain to squeeze the product out – and this applies to both the new and old packaging. The balm itself is quite thick so it takes a little bit of warming up to be able to apply it.

In the summer, the product comes out with ease, so if you live in a warm climate you probably won’t have an issue with this!

Formula

As you may have gathered, the success of Glossier’s Balm Dotcom is not just based on its looks, but also on the quality of its formula too.

The original Balm Dotcom formula contained lanolin, a waxy substance found in sheep’s wool. Lanolin is commonly found in lip balms, since it’s great for sealing in moisture and repairing chapped skin.

When the product was reformulated in 2023, Glossier used a synthetic alternative to lanolin in an attempt to make the lip balm vegan. This apparently changed the formula, making it runnier and more prone to separation.

I didn’t try the new formula – it wasn’t very long before Glossier changed it back – so I can’t compare the two. But I will say that the original formula is intensely nourishing, and really does feel like it’s benefitting your lips as you wear it.

Finish & texture

Glossier’s Balm Dotcom feels a world apart in texture to some other lip balms I’ve recently reviewed. The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms, for example, are much thinner – they feel more like a gloss or an oil on the lips.

Balm Dotcom, on the other hand, feels like a true lip balm. It has that thick, waxy texture which properly coats your lips and forms a protective layer. It’s a tiny bit sticky (maybe greasy is a better word to describe it), but it’s not at all gloopy like a gloss might be.

It’s also not as high-shine as a lip gloss. Yes, it does give a plump, hydrated look to the lips but it’s a little more matte. Ideal for those going for a more natural finish.

Pigmentation & swatches

I’ve swatched the three shades I own for you down below. At the top we’ve got Espresso, just below it is Biscotti, and at the bottom (it’s clear but hopefully you can see it) is Original.

Both Espresso and Biscotti are pretty pigmented, so I don’t need to use an awful lot of product to achieve the colour I want. I can see these tubes lasting me quite a long time!

What’s great is that I’m able to sheer this balm out, so even if it looks a bit intense on first pass, I can tap it in with my finger and adjust the opacity to my liking.

Looking at the swatches, you can also get a good idea of the texture. This is a thick lip balm so it’s not dripping or sliding all over the place. Once it’s on, it’s not moving!

Wear time

If there’s anything that Glossier’s Balm Dotcom excels at, it’s longevity. Because of its thick, occlusive texture, this really sticks to the lips, leaving them feeling soft and moisturised all day.

Even after eating, I can still feel this on. I actually find that, more often than not, I have to manually remove it before it wears off itself!

I get a lot of use out of the Original scent, in particular, because it makes a great overnight lip mask. It doesn’t budge when you sleep so your lips will feel super hydrated when you wake up!

Where to buy Glossier Balm Dotcom

You can buy Balm Dotcom directly from the Glossier website, or you can shop it from Sephora or Space NK.

It retails for £16 ($16) so it is on the pricey side for a lip balm. The price has crept up over the years, as when I bought my first tube in 2021 it was just £10!! That said, it is still comparable in price to lip balms from other mid-range brands, like Naturium and Ole Henriksen.

Plus, you can always save a little bit of money by buying these lip balms in a set. Grabbing the Balm Dotcom Trio saves you 13%, making each lip balm £14.

Final verdict: Is Glossier’s Balm Dotcom worth it?

While Glossier’s Balm Dotcom is perhaps not the most elegant lip balm out there, I do think it has its own place and purpose. Lots of people compare it to Vaseline, but I actually think Glossier’s offering does have slightly more going for it!

Obviously the (new) packaging is a plus. I love that you don’t have to get your hands messy – the applicator tip is a huge upgrade!

I also think that the shade and flavour range is good. I haven’t tried them all so I can speak on each and every variant, but I do love that this is a bit more fun and playful than your standard lip balm.

The Original version is probably the most versatile. It works equally well as a lipstick topper as it does a thick layer of hydration on no makeup days. I also like applying this overnight as a sleeping mask – my lips feel so much softer the next morning!

The only thing I’m not overly keen on is the scent (or lack of!). I’d probably go for Mint or Coconut next time because of this. But if you’re looking for a no-frills, ‘does what it says on the tin’, unscented lip balm, Original should be your pick. It’s my most used ‘shade’ of the ones I own.

I really like Biscotti and Espresso for their pigment but, again, I’m not keen on the flavour. They’re far too sweet and artificial for me.

Overall, I do think Glossier’s Balm Dotcom lip balms are worth it. They are super nourishing and they really do make a difference. If I’m looking for a quick fix for dry lips, I’ll reach for this first. But I do think how much you enjoy them is dependent on the shade you pick.

I really feel like you need to be able to sample (well, smell) them in store before you buy. I recommend popping into a Space NK near you if you’re able, they usually have a good selection available!

Thanks for taking the time to read my Glossier Balm Dotcom review! Have you tried this lip balm? If not, what shade would you pick? Let me know in the comments!