Glossier’s Balm Dotcom: from OG to mango

Since its inception I’ve purchased six tubes of Balm Dotcom, the classic, unscented version being the first — it came with the Phase 1 set which also included the Milky Jelly Cleanser and the Priming Moisturiser. This fact alone doesn’t make me special by any means, more like persistent in my pursuit to find the best darn lip balm out there.

Balm Dotcom was alright at the start, but it was lacking something. So, I tossed it in my vanity and didn’t give it much thought until the launch of Birthday Balm Dotcom as inspired by Milk Bar's hundreds and thousands (a.k.a rainbow jimmies or sprinkles) birthday cake. Birthday smells of vanilla cake and features an iridescent finish, alas I was spellbound by the holographic packaging more than anything else, and so it goes Birthday was relegated to my vanity shortly thereafter.

Not wanting to stop there (for the sake of experimentation and all) I purchased a trio of flavours, which included mint, cherry, and coconut. Mint is refreshing and tint-less; I enjoy applying this before running out the door to help make myself feel a little more put together than I actually am most days. Coconut is more on the buttery side (think, butterscotch) — lovely enough, but I still hadn’t found my match. With cherry plan on feeling nostalgic; think Lip Smackers circa 1995, just more grown-up with its cherry red tint.

As luck would have it, more like being in a pinch when I found myself with dry cuticles a few winters back and no cuticle oil on hand, I grabbed for a tube of Balm Dotcom to help keep my hands and lips happy, and I’ve never looked back.

The texture is consistent across all of the flavours — thick and rich, never greasy, and emollient; giving quenched lips and digits a new lease on life over and over again.

What about Mango? Well, it’s my personal favourite! With its light coral pink tint and mango-y goodness, it transports me back to Hawaii whenever I need a hit of holiday feels.

Wearing Mango Balm Dotcom layered over Cloud Paint in Dusk on my lips

It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts

Each tube features hydrating, good-for-you ingredients including:

Beeswax - a natural emollient used to help protect the skin.
Lanolin a.k.a. wool wax, but try slapping that term on a label for consumers to mull over - a moisturising ingredient which “mimics human skin lipids.”
Castor seed oil - a natural plant extract that acts as a humectant (helps to retain moisture).
Cupuacu fruit extract - moisturiser with Omega-6 and 9 fatty acids to maintain a healthy appearance.
Rice bran and rosemary leaf extracts - “antioxidants used to combat free radical skin damage” (free radicals are by-products floating around in the atmosphere, e.g. smog, dust, and cigarette smoke. Yay?)

Balm Dotcom, or BDC, well, it’s my jam — especially when it comes to Mango or OG BDC (balm dotcom, to you).

Wait, how much does it cost? I’m so glad you asked.

A single tube goes for $12 USD, or buy them in a trio and save $6 USD! So handy.