'The Ordinary just dropped a new $17 product. I bring it with me everywhere.'

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Beauty Editor trials The Ordinary's Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm.

I'm skilled at many things: Losing my house keys, spilling coffee on my shirt, race car driving... but also, losing lip balms. I have about 75 on the go at once, and if I reach into the pocket of approximately any piece of clothing I own, I'm guaranteed to find a lip balm in there. It's just science.

And you know what? Because I try and love so many in my job (and just, you know, life), it's truly hard to tell you what my favourite lip balm actually is. There's so many good ones out there. So, why not have a selection of favourite lip balms? 

Why not indeed.

Watch: You know what else I've tried before? Lube. On my face. Post continues below.

And so I present to you, The Ordinary's first lip balm: Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm.

Here's how it compares to the 345 others in my bag.

What is The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm?

It's described on the website as a "science-backed multi-use moisturising balm" designed to hydrate the lips, elbows and cuticles. Formulated with "skin identical amino acids" alongside hydrating squalane, it can be used for "all-day hydration and barrier support."

Sounds juicy!

The "skin identical" bit means it mimics all the natural moisturising stuff that goes on in the skin, using ingredients that are pretty much identical in composition. While the amino acids promise to help support long-lasting hydration, the squalane provides emollience for more hydrated lips, reducing moisture loss.

Ingredient details aside, the formula comes in a little 'O'-shaped squeezable tube and it's just the most delightful thing I've ever seen. 

Here it is in the box:

Cute!!

And here she is outside of the box and IS THIS NOT THE CUTEST THING YOU'VE EVER SEEN?!

SOMEHOW EVEN CUTER.

It costs $16.30, which isn't particularly cheap in the scheme of lip balms, but also isn't stupidly expensive like some of the other stuff on the market (lookin' at you, La Mer Lip Balm).

Yeah, it's very cute. How did you go with it?

As every woman and her Stanley tumbler knows, winter can thieve so much moisture from our skin — lips included. In fact, the more delicate skin of the lips is likely to lose water more quickly than the skin on your face, so it’s important to lock in moisture.

And look, there's nothing worse than a shitty lip balm. And there's plenty out there. No matter the price or brand, there are tons of balms (even some of those MVPs that are always hyped-up) that can actually leave your lips feeling really flaky and thirsty.

However, The Ordinary's newbie is not one of those balms. It won't just coat your lips and fool you into thinking it's doing something underneath. Instead, the creamy/milky-looking formula (it's thick but very lightweight on the lips) actually works to nourish, heal and properly moisturise your lips. Properly.

As well as softening and hydrating, it also offers a really nice shine and the hydration lasts. You don't apply it then feel like your lips have the consistency of puff pastry mere minutes later — which is just really nice? Because that's what lip balms are supposed to do??

The verdict.

A good lip balm is one that doesn't leave your lips feeling flaky and thirstier than when you first applied it. One that doesn't make you feel you need to keep swiping it on every three seconds. And friends, this is one of these lip balms.

Easy to pop in your bag or pocket (we love a balm that can be with us at all times for emotional support), it's no real surprise that The Ordinary has created a really nice product that does what it says it's going to do. It isn't just cute; it works! No flashy packaging, scents or colours — just a very good, science-backed chap (sorry) (had to) that stops you from getting flaky, winter lips.

Inevitably, I won't be able to find this within the next week — but until then, we're inseparable!

But who cares what I like, what do YOU like? Would you try The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied.