We Tried It: Why QUILT Is Now in Our Lip Rotation

In late August, Denver-based high-performance beauty brand QUILT unveiled The Balm — a skin-loving, nourishing product designed to keep your lips hydrated, while maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier. 

Phrases like “clean beauty” or “sustainable” have notably become buzzwords in the industry. Throughout the years, brands have been called to a higher standard left and right by influencers, makeup artists and publications. Even certain publications offer clean beauty awards to products and brands that truly pass the test and abide by certain standards. 

For QUILT, the approach was simple – redefinition, reintroduction and efficiency. Their debut product, The Balm, only includes seven ingredients, with one of them being lanolin – a moisture-locking oil that comes from sheep’s wool. 

While this launch generated a lot of buzz and excitement amongst beauty lovers in Denver and beyond, we knew we had to get our hands on this product and test these moisture-locking ingredients for ourselves. 

Jordan’s Take: 

As someone who has helped launch multiple beauty and wellness brands and guided them to beauty awards from Byrdie, Allure, Cosmopolitan and more, this launch felt especially exciting to me. There’s something about a product that promises both performance and care, and I knew this one deserved a thoughtful test.

Professionally, I was instantly intrigued and wanted to learn more about the story behind QUILT.

READ: Meet Quilt – The Launch That Marks a Fresh Take on Ingredient-Driven Beauty

However, from a consumer standpoint, products like a balm or chapstick are my everything. I instantly wondered if QUILT would rival my essential lip care needs. And to be honest, I don’t have a favorite Chapstick. I just know I need one on hand at all times. It’s to the point where I have an iteration of some type of nourishing lip product on my desk, in my wallet, in multiple purses and in my husband’s car. 

Living in Denver, it’s no secret that the weather is incredibly dry out here. I find myself reapplying lip gloss or Chapstick multiple times in one hour. I’ve found that products that have a thin coverage absorb or dry up too quickly, which is why I constantly need to reapply. 

When I finally received The Balm in the mail, I was ecstatic. At first glance, the packaging was beautiful. The steel applicator connected to the tube of product felt high-quality and allowed a smooth application process. Just from looks, the quality and intention were already there. 

While applying the product, I noticed the consistency was very thick, so you have to really squeeze to get the product out. However, the thickness of the product is a key indicator that, once applied, it will not go anywhere. The Balm is long-lasting, tasteless and colorless; it is meant for hydration and nothing more. 

After the first application, this nourishing balm went everywhere with me. From local outings to a vacation in Maine, The Balm quickly became my holy grail, and I found myself reaching for it more than I reached for my favorite Summer Fridays Butter Balm. 

The product stays on for a long time, and I don’t find myself reapplying as often as I used to with other balms. Additionally, a little goes a long way! The thickness of the product spreads for an even finish. 

I’ve even found myself experimenting with The Balm and applying my favorite lipliner and topping it off with The Balm for some extra hydration when I’m going for an elevated look. 

The launch of The Balm was flawless, and I’m excited to test more of QUILT’s products in the future. 

Abby’s Take: 

I’m ashamed to admit that I’m an amateur at doing makeup. However, I am devoted to a good lip. While I typically opt for less coverage and no eye makeup (solely because I have a standing lash lift and tint appointment on the calendar), a bold lip helps me achieve a polished look with minimal effort. I started wearing QUILT and found myself ditching my lip routine without even noticing. 

Everytime I was sifting through my purse for my trusty Revlon lipstick, I found myself grabbing QUILT instead. Eventually, it made it into my lipstick pouch that gets transferred to every purse, and completely replaced my bold lip. 

The Balm leaves a sheer coverage that lasts for hours and hours. The applicator is elevated, with a metal tip. The slight shine gives my look an elevated essence. But the best part is the price point; at $24 your lip routine is going to change completely. 

At first, The Balm’s taste was hard for me to adjust to, especially because my drugstore lipstick collection either doesn’t have a taste or is likely some kind of flavor. But after listening to Co-Founder Sophie Gregory speak on a panel about female entrepreneurship at a recent event hosted by Pinch at esp, my mind changed. Gregory shared her Boulder roots and her affinity for products made with clean ingredients. I realized that the products I am so used to are made with ingredients that I have never heard of, while QUILT offers a clean solution. No wonder it makes my lips hydrated and sheen. 

There is intention embedded in every part of  QUILT, from the branding to the packaging and especially with the product itself. With Gregory’s roots in Colorado, it’s refreshing to find a local product and brand to support. 

Secure The Balm for yourself at QUILT’s website and follow their Instagram for brand updates.