You know how there are those certain items you keep going back to again and again because they’re just that good — like maybe a brand of jeans that’s always cut just right, or a shoe label that’s somehow incredibly comfy without being blindingly hideous? For me, that item is lip balm. 

You’ve probably seen my go-to balm hanging out in the aisle of your local drug store — a little pastel sphere in flavors like mint, strawberry, and pomegranate? Costs around $3? That’s the one. And yeah, I do love EOS balm's obvious plusses, like how it gives the perfect amount of moisture, and tastes really nice and minty, and it’s super affordable, and also organic. But if I’m honest, what I actually love about it is how its domed design glides over my lips in a way that’s weirdly comforting. I’m not alone in my oral fixation, either — just check out EOS's 500+ (mostly) 5-star reviews on Target. 

I also know that my favorite isn't the only balm people can’t stop obsessing over, so we went on a hunt for the most highly rated balms at pretty much every store you can name and discovered 10 products that customers are talking up — from Le Mer’s little pot of luxury to a bargain balm that works out to less than $2 a tube.