SINGAPORE - Busting Out The Lippie!
Economic indicators suggest potential recession: Could beauty products, such as lip balms and treatments, serve as the modern-day Lipstick Effect in 2025?
It's no secret that the ol' Lipstick Effect's been around for ages. This phenomenon in behavioral economics suggests that when the economy's down in the dumps, people, especially us ladies, still splurge on tiny luxuries - like lipstick. It gained mainstream fame during the early 2000s recession, thanks to Leonard Lauder, the heir of Estee Lauder Companies, who noticed a sales boost in lippies post-9/11.
Now, in 2025, with recession signs flashing left and right, a spicy new beauty category's caught our eye: peptide-infused lip treatments. These hybrid babies balance makeup and skincare, addressing the growing demand for lip care that's as pretty as it is practical.
NYC-based beauty tracker Spate's Popularity Index reports a whopping 327.3% climb in peptide lip treatments in 2025 compared to 2024 across all platforms, with TikTok raking in 96% of the popularity share. British market research firm Circana's March report revealed that lip treatments are skincare's fastest-growing segment, with a banging 69% value growth in 2024. Many credit American model and entrepreneur Hailey Bieber for kickstarting the trend with her brand Rhode Skin's Peptide Lip Treatment, which dropped in June 2022. Since then, the beauty market's been flooded with all sorts of lip treatments.
So, are we seeing a 2025 reincarnation of the Lipstick Effect? Here's our take on five peptide-packed lip products available in Singapore.
Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum, $32
After Laneige's 2024 Lip Glowy Balm came the TikTok-famous Glaze Craze, sporting the same juicy hydration but with a cute doughnut-shaped applicator. The rounded plush silicone brush is more than just a gimmick and is, hands down, our favorite of the bunch, hugging lips comfortably without leaving any gross gloss residue. Infused with 95% skincare ingredients, the formula's said to contain polypeptides to plump lips, argan ceramides to support the lip moisture barrier, and polyglutamic acid to retain hydration.
Straddling the line between a gloss and balm, the Glaze Craze comes in six pigmented, doughnut-inspired shades, each with a sweet scent to match. The high-gloss finish's surprisingly long-lasting, sticking around through meals and lightly tinting lips even after the shine's worn off.
Best For: A do-it-all lip product that deserves a permanent spot in your purse
Available At: sephora.sg
Romi Beauty Lip Treat Oil, $24
From local "it" girl beauty brand Romi, this lip oil's said to contain a super-blend of nine different peptides and ceramides, 17 skin-nourishing oils and hydrators like apricot seed oil and vitamin E. The sleek metal applicator proves not only cooling to the lips but also nifty for even application. It also feels more sanitary and easier to wipe clean after each use. In five shades - including one clear - the product adds the tiniest hint of color to bare lips.
It could be the applicator or the formula, but layering the product atop lipstick creates the most glassy, mirror-like shine that never fails to earn compliments. The result comes closest to the coveted "wet lip" look all the girls on Xiaohongshu are after.
Best For: Reapplying to bring your lips back to life midday or adding high shine and hydration over a matt lipstick
Available At: romibeautyclub.com
Bareness Skin Plump Screen, $28
New kid on the block Bareness Skin brings sun protection to the humble lip peptide, presenting a plumping lip gloss strengthened with SPF 15++ protection. Addressing how lip care's often overlooked in the skincare conversation, the Singapore brand's Plump Screen contains ingredients like sodium hyaluronate, a derivative of hyaluronic acid, for deep hydration. It also features hydrogenated castor oil and paraffin oil, claimed to supply smooth, long-lasting nourishment.
The lip gloss comes in three shades named after pilates terms, as a nod to how, just like pilates, lip care's underestimated yet effective. Glide, a coppery brown with a pop of glitter, is a 90s-inspired standout with a decadent caramel scent that can be worn alone or over lipstick. The hard ceramic applicator takes some getting used to, but the pointed tip helps with precise application around the corners of your mouth, keeping lips feeling plump without wasting product.
Best For: A pigmented, glossy finish with added SPF benefit
Available At: barenessskin.com
Sigi Skin Butter Glaze Lip Jelly, $32
Singapore skincare label Sigi Skin waded into the lip treatment game in October 2024. The lightest in consistency, the lip jelly gently moisturizes without feeling heavy. Packed with nourishing peptides, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil, the lip jelly also features strawberry extract said to help treat dark spots and brighten lips. The lightly tinted four colorways are great for when you want a thin layer of hydration and color that you can sheer out or build up accordingly.
Best For: A burst of hydration
Available At: sigiskin.com
Ultra Violette Sheen Screen SPF50 Lip Balm, $29
For those seeking more options with added sun protection, Australian suncare brand Ultra Violette has got you covered with six choices. Its Sheen Screen lip balm dishes out SPF 50 UVA and UVB protection, shielding your lips from harsh rays while keeping them hydrated. The lip-hugging silicone tip is a joy to use, dispensing the thick formula without mess.
The darker shades are pretty pigmented, making them more suitable for daytime use. A subtle peppermint scent keeps your pout minty-fresh, though it may not vibe with users who dig the tingle of tingly lips.
Best For: A protective lip topper paired with a lip liner
Available At: sephora.sg
Bye-bye masks, hello lipstick! Whether you're in it for the psychological boost or the added SPF, these peptide-packed lippies are just the ticket for smashing your way through these uncertain times.
- The surge in popularity of peptide lip treatments in 2025, as reported by NYC-based beauty tracker Spate, reflects a revival of the Lipstick Effect seen during economic downturns.
- Among the variety of peptide lip treatments now flooding the beauty market, Romi Beauty Lip Treat Oil, priced at $24, has gained fame for its sleek metal applicator, cooling effect, and ability to create a mirror-like shine on lips.
- Singapore skincare label Sigi Skin's Butter Glaze Lip Jelly, priced at $32, offers a lightweight, hydrating formula with nourishing peptides, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil, making it ideal for those seeking a burst of moisture for their lips.
