I tried Revlon's iconic Rum Raisin lip balm — and it kissed my lips back to life

Back in the '90s, I felt naked without lipstick. Revlon's Rum Raisin was one of my most beloved accessories — and sometimes the only makeup I wore. The red-brown berry hue instantly elevated my look and my mood, whether I was sipping coffee uptown, working in Midtown or dancing downtown. Lately, my dry lips have been a total bore (listen, I'm a married mom who works remotely), but when I saw that the iconic Rum Raisin shade was back in balm form, I perked up and placed my order, sealed with a kiss, of course.

Confession: I'm no beauty buff. I'm 51 and embarrassingly late to the skin-care game. My lips have faded (and seemingly deflated) over the years, and they need color and conditioning more than ever, but lipstick looks harsh. When I tried this pigmented balm, it instantly woke up my face. It nourishes in a way lipstick didn't back in the day, blurring the wrinkled edges of my lips. Plus, I love having my favorite shade back.

In December, Revlon reintroduced Super Lustrous Glass Shine Balm in five returning shades and five newbies, each in a fresh white case. (The lollipop-y Cherry Luster and earthy Spiced Wine are also totally calling my name, y'all!) According to Revlon, this buttery balm is now 40% more hydrating than its black-cased predecessor. The hyaluronic acid, aloe and dose of rose quartz deliver a sweet moisture boost to my lips. While I'm too embarrassed to post a "before" pic, I can assure you that "after" is better. My lips are fuller, more vibrant and less wrinkly. The Rum Raisin shade still works, even against my older skin and now-gray (or sometimes teal or lilac) hair.

Rum Raisin is having a serious moment on TikTok too. One fan noted: "Everyone I see use this color looks absolutely beautiful wearing it." After testing it, they added: "Wow. It is very pigmented and absolutely beautiful. I definitely see that shine, that glassy finish. ... I need to go back and get more colors. ... It's super hydrating on the lips."

"Definitely viral for a reason," shared another beauty blogger. "Especially the Rum Raisin shade is gorgeous on brown skin."

Another popular poster declared "the mother of all lip balms is back" and proceeded to demonstrate all the colors: "I can't even describe how hydrating, smoothing and glassy it is," they wrote. "It literally feels surreal! Forever in love."

This balm is the bomb, indeed — but it isn't perfect. It certainly doesn't have the staying power of a lipstick. I find myself reapplying it about every two hours to maintain the feel and color. It's a pleasure, though; it smooths on easily and is forgiving enough to put on without a mirror. This five-star Amazon reviewer agreed: "Love, love, love this color. But you do have to reapply often because it's too creamy to stay on."

"Best everyday lipstick," declared another balm buyer. "[It] glides on my lips beautifully, does not accentuate dry patches or lines. The color will disappear after eating, so touch-ups are required during the day."

Another concern: As an animal lover who tries to maintain a vegan lifestyle, I was disappointed to discover that there are some gray areas regarding whether Revlon's products are cruelty-free. While the company says it "does not conduct animal testing and hasn't done so for decades," its products do undergo such testing in other countries. The statement reads: "Regulatory authorities in some countries conduct independent testing in order to satisfy their own mandatory registration requirements, and a limited number of these countries have not yet adopted alternative testing methods. While Revlon complies with the requirements for safety in all of these countries, we continue to collaborate with other companies to advocate for the adoption of alternative testing methods and the elimination of animal testing around the world."

This Gen-Xer is holding tight to her Rum Raisin for now. But while I wait for Revlon to resolve those concerns, I'll also be on the hunt for a truly cruelty-free balm that matches the quality of this beauty.

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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.