A jumbo lip balm is worth it if you use balm every day and are tired of buying, losing and replacing little tubes. At 30g, The Balm is about seven times a standard stick, lasts up to a year, and is big enough that it stops disappearing into the bottom of a bag.
That's the case. Here's the detail, including the bit where the size doesn't help.
The size does something, it isn't a gimmick
Standard lip balms weigh about 4.25g. Ours is 30g, which is 7.06 times bigger. That extra bulk changes three practical things:
- You can find it. In a bag, down the side of a sofa, in a coat pocket in the dark.
- You can apply it with cold or wet hands, which anyone who cycles or works outdoors will appreciate.
- You stop rationing it. A 4g tube makes you mean with it. A 30g stick doesn't.
"It's chunky. Easy to grab and use, and it works." Sue, verified reviewer
One customer described it as a deodorant stick for your face. That's about right.
What it costs per gram
Per gram is the honest way to compare a product you use up, because it strips out the packaging and the brand.
| Phatstix | Small stick | Little pot | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per gram | £0.80 | £1.17 | £0.48 |
| Designed for face & body | Yes | No | Yes |
| Made in England | Yes | No | No |
| Free from petrochemicals | Yes | Yes | No |
| 100% natural ingredients | Yes | Yes | No |
Note the little pot beats us on price per gram. I've left it in because leaving it out would be dishonest. What you're weighing up is that against the format, the ingredients and not having to dig it out with a finger.
"I love that someone has made a decent-sized, clean balm in this format so we don't have to jab dirty fingers into pots." Ms, verified reviewer
It's a multi-use balm, not just a lip one
Because there's no fragrance or flavour in it, people put it wherever skin is dry: chapped lips first, then cracked heels, dry elbows and hands, windburnt cheeks, healed tattoos, post-shaving skin.
"It has been miraculous for my legs. I can't thank you enough for creating it." Elaine, verified reviewer
"Bought it for my lips. Now I use it on my tattoos, cheeks, and my sore nose during a cold." Marie, verified reviewer
The texture surprises people
If you're used to balms being oily or sticky, this isn't that. It goes on smooth and leaves a semi-matte, non-greasy finish, which is why it works under lipstick and why people are comfortable using it on their face.
"Moisturising yet matte, which means I can use it on other parts of my face without feeling like I've spread lard all over myself." Marie again
When a jumbo balm isn't the right call
It won't suit everyone, and it's worth saying so.
- If you want a flavoured or tinted novelty balm, this is the wrong product. It has no scent and no taste on purpose.
- If you want something to slip into a tiny clutch, a 30g stick is more than you need.
- If you want SPF, it has none. Use a dedicated lip SPF.
- If you're vegan, it contains beeswax.
FAQ
How much bigger is it, exactly?
30g against a standard 4.25g stick, so 7.06 times. We round it to seven.
Will it last a year?
For most people, yes. It has a 12-month period-after-opening confirmed by lab testing, and daily users tend to get close to that from one stick.
Does the big size mean a cheaper formula?
No. It's nine natural ingredients with no water in it at all, formulated with a doctor-led lab in Yorkshire and made in England. The size is a format decision, not a compromise on what's inside.
Can I use it on my face and body?
Yes, on dry or rough patches. Not on intimate areas, not on broken or infected skin, and not as a substitute for sunscreen.
One stick. One year.
The Balm is £24 for 30g of natural, long-lasting protection. Made in England, and there's a Cheekbonez pin in every order.
Want the original argument for the format? Read the Big Phat Lip Balm post.