MUA Cosmetics have just launched their new Hydra Juice Peptide Lip Balms, with a colour range that is somewhat similar to the cult favourite Rhode skincare lip tints. I would say these are a much more affordable dupe for Rhode in terms of the colour options - but the formula is actually better. I was able to get my hands on the full range of MUA's new lip balms and put them to the test.
Keep reading for my full review and comparison to MUA's Hydra Juice Lip Balms to Rhode's lip tints.
Price Point
MUA's Hydra Juice Lip Balms retail for £2 each which is an amazing price point! To compare, Rhode's lip tints are £16 each. That's over £14 in savings for what I found to be a comparable, if not better, formula. The MUA balms are available on their website here and I would assume also coming soon to Superdrug stores.
Product Performance
Now, I've tried a LOT of lip balms in my time. Some amazing, some not so much. It's also worth noting that vegan lip balms are usually not as good as non-vegan lip balms because so many non-vegan ingredients such as beeswax and lanolin make for a great thick lip balm formula.
Price Point
MUA's Hydra Juice Lip Balms retail for £2 each which is an amazing price point! To compare, Rhode's lip tints are £16 each. That's over £14 in savings for what I found to be a comparable, if not better, formula. The MUA balms are available on their website here and I would assume also coming soon to Superdrug stores.
Product Performance
Now, I've tried a LOT of lip balms in my time. Some amazing, some not so much. It's also worth noting that vegan lip balms are usually not as good as non-vegan lip balms because so many non-vegan ingredients such as beeswax and lanolin make for a great thick lip balm formula.
That said, the Hydra Juice Balms provide really good lasting hydration with a soft tint to lips. They last a good 30-60 minutes on my lips, which is much longer than any other lip balm I've used. And like I say, I've tried a LOT. They contain a three amino acid peptide complexes to nourish lips over time. The shades range from a deep cherry tone to soft neutrals. Each balm also has a corresponding scent, which I find light and not overpowering.
MUA vs Rhode
After testing both formulas extensively, here's how the MUA Hydra Juice Lip Balms compared to the Rhode lip tints:
- Smoother, less grainy texture
- Longer lasting tint, up to 1 hour per application. Don't need to reapply often.
- More hydrating, leaves lips soft
- Shades Heartfelt Hun and Caramel Glaze similar to Rhode's Toast
- Shade Watermelon Sorbet (why didn't they call this one Watermelon Sugar??) is similar to Ribbon
- Slightly less pigmented than Rhode, subtle tint
- Light fruity scent vs Rhode's unscented lip tints
- They are nicer scents compared to Rhode's scented lip treatments too as they are more subtle
- £14 cheaper than Rhode! A huge plus point considering how often I use lip balm.
The MUA balms deliver on hydration and a natural, luminous tint for lips. The formula glides on smoothly without any grittiness. The tint lasts a solid hour before needing reapplication. And the balms leave lips noticeably softer.
Shade Range
These tints are super subtle - slightly more subtle than Rhode - with the most pigmented being the darkest berry shade, Cherry Kiss. There's not much difference between the nude/pink shades. I love the subtlety of the tints because I think they would suit so many different skin tones. My favourite MUA shades are Heartfelt Hun, a warm nude, and Watermelon Sorbet, a neutral pink. Heartfelt Hun is very similar to Rhode's Toast shade.
The full lineup includes:
- Cherry Kiss: Deep black cherry with black cherry scent
- Heartfelt Hun: Warm nude with a vegan honey scent
- Caramel Glaze: Nude with a caramel scent
- Coconut Sugar: Clear with coconut scent
- Watermelon Sorbet: Neutral pink with watermelon scent
- Berry Bliss: Pinky red
It's also worth noting that I much prefer the Hydra Juice lip balm scents than Rhode's scented lip treatments (Salted Caramel, Vanilla etc) because they are much more subtle and you can't taste them. The Rhode scented balms smell really synthetic to me. The MUA Cosmetics balms, by contrast, are not sickly or synthetic in scent or taste. (Side note: I really adore Rhode's skincare! You can probably tell that I'm not as big of a fan of the lip balms but their Glazing Milk & Glazing Fluid I use everyday. See here for my review of the full line).
Final Thoughts
I'm genuinely so impressed with MUA's new Hydra Juice Lip Balms. They provide hydration, a smooth and subtle tint, and truly lovely lip care. If you love the look of a Rhode lip but not the price tag, these MUA's balms are a fantastic and affordable alternative. I highly recommend giving these new lip balms a try - your lips will thank you - and then you can thank me.
Have you tried the MUA Hydra Juice Lip Balms yet? Let me know your thoughts if so!
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