Nature Republic Honey Melting Lip Balm: All 3 Flavors Tested & Compared

Nature Republic’s Honey Melting Lip series has been quietly dominating Korean beauty shelves, but here’s what nobody tells you: not all three flavors perform the same way. After testing all three variants for weeks (Berry, Fig, and Plum), I’m breaking down which one deserves your money based on your specific needs.

Spoiler: One of these is significantly better than the others, and it’s probably not the one you think.

What Are the Nature Republic Honey Melting Lips?

These are tinted lip balms that combine:

Honey extract for moisture
Shea butter for nourishment
Light pigmentation for natural color
Melting texture that feels like nothing

The promise: Hydrated, naturally tinted lips that look like your lips but better.

The reality: Pretty close to the promise, but with important differences between flavors.

First Impressions: Packaging & Texture

Packaging

All three come in sleek, minimalist tubes with twist-up mechanisms. The packaging is almost identical except for:

Color-coded caps (pink for Berry, brown for Fig, burgundy for Plum)
Small color differences on the label

Size: Standard lip balm tube, easy to throw in any bag

Aesthetics: 8/10 – Simple but pretty, very K-beauty minimal

Texture Comparison

Here’s where things get interesting—they’re supposed to have the same “melting” texture, but they don’t.

Berry: Softest, almost melts on contact with lips Fig: Medium texture, smooth glide Plum: Slightly firmer, still comfortable

Why this matters: Softer doesn’t always mean better. The Berry variant can be TOO soft in warm weather, while Plum holds up better.

The Individual Flavor Breakdown

Berry: The Sweet, Sheer Option

Color: Soft pink with cool undertones Pigmentation: Sheer (barely-there tint) Finish: Glossy, dewy Scent: Sweet, slightly artificial berry

Hydration Rating: 8/10

Melts beautifully
Feels very moisturizing initially
Needs reapplication every 2-3 hours

Color Payoff: 5/10

Very sheer
Good for no-makeup days
Won’t show on deeper skin tones

Longevity: 6/10

Fades quickly
Leaves lips feeling conditioned even after color disappears
Easy to remove when eating/drinking

Best for: ✓ Fair to light skin tones ✓ Those wanting barely-there color ✓ No-makeup makeup looks ✓ People who hate the feeling of lip products ✓ Daytime, casual wear

Not ideal for: ✗ Medium to deep skin tones (won’t show) ✗ Those wanting noticeable color ✗ Long-wear needs

My verdict: This is the “safe” choice that won’t wow anyone but won’t disappoint either. It’s the vanilla ice cream of lip products—nice, but forgettable.

Fig: The Natural, Versatile Option

Color: Warm nude-pink with brown undertones Pigmentation: Medium (noticeable but natural) Finish: Semi-matte with slight sheen Scent: Subtle, earthy-sweet (actually smells like fig!)

Hydration Rating: 9/10

Best moisture retention of all three
Lips stay soft for hours
Doesn’t sink into lip lines

Color Payoff: 8/10

Beautiful MLBB (my lips but better) shade
Shows up on most skin tones
Can be built up or kept sheer

Longevity: 8/10

Lasts 4-5 hours with minimal fading
Survives light snacking
Stains lips slightly (in a good way)

Best for: ✓ Light to medium skin tones ✓ Professional/work settings ✓ Those wanting “effortless” look ✓ People with pigmented lips wanting to even tone ✓ All-day wear

Not ideal for: ✗ Very deep skin tones (might look ashy) ✗ Those wanting bold color ✗ Cool-toned skin (warm undertones might clash)

My verdict: This is THE winner. Fig offers the best balance of hydration, color, and wearability. If you’re only buying one, make it this.

Plum: The Bold, Statement Option

Color: Deep berry-plum with cool undertones Pigmentation: High (most pigmented of the three) Finish: Satin (not glossy, not matte) Scent: Barely noticeable, slightly floral

Hydration Rating: 7/10

Slightly less moisturizing than the others
Comfortable but not as nourishing
May need lip balm underneath for very dry lips

Color Payoff: 10/10

Rich, buildable color
Shows up beautifully on all skin tones
Can go sheer or dramatic

Longevity: 9/10

Best staying power of all three
Minimal transfer
Leaves a pretty stain even after fading

Best for: ✓ Medium to deep skin tones ✓ Those wanting actual color impact ✓ Evening/date looks ✓ Cool-toned skin ✓ Building up color intensity ✓ People who like berry/plum tones

Not ideal for: ✗ Very fair skin (might look too harsh unless applied lightly) ✗ Minimal makeup days ✗ Professional settings requiring subtle makeup

My verdict: This is the showstopper. If you want a lip product that makes a statement while still being comfortable, Plum delivers. Just know it’s less of a “balm” and more of a tinted moisturizer.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Berry	Fig	Plum
Price	$11.99 ✓	$11.99 ✓	$11.99 ✓
Hydration	Details 8/10 ✕	Details 9/10 ✓	Details 7/10 ✕
Color Payoff	Details 5/10 ✕	Details 8/10 ✕	Details 10/10 ✓
Longevity	Details 6/10 ✕	Details 8/10 ✕	Details 9/10 ✓
Versatility	Details 6/10 ✕	Details 10/10 ✓	Details 7/10 ✕
Skin Tone Range	Fair–Light ✕	Light–Medium ✕	All ✓
Best Use	Casual ✕	Everyday ✓	Special ✕

The Honey Ingredient: Does It Actually Work?

All three contain honey extract, but what does that actually do?

Honey benefits in lip care:

Natural humectant (draws moisture to lips)
Antibacterial properties (helps prevent chapped lip infections)
Rich in antioxidants
Contains vitamins and minerals
Natural anti-inflammatory

Real results: Yes, the honey extract makes a noticeable difference. Lips feel genuinely nourished, not just temporarily slick like petroleum-based balms.

One catch: Honey is relatively low on the ingredient list (meaning there’s not a huge amount), but even small percentages provide benefit.

How They Perform Throughout the Day

Morning Application (8 AM)

Berry: Smooth, comfortable, looks fresh Fig: Beautiful natural enhancement, feels great Plum: Makes a statement, feels slightly drier

Midday (12 PM – After eating)

Berry: Almost completely gone, needs reapplication Fig: Still visible, lips feel moisturized Plum: Stain remains, color faded but present

Afternoon (4 PM)

Berry: Reapplied 2x already Fig: One reapplication, still looking good Plum: Original application still showing, lips feeling slightly dry

Evening (8 PM)

Berry: Multiple reapplications, lips are conditioned Fig: 2 reapplications total, lips still soft and colored Plum: 2-3 reapplications, left nice stain all day

Which Flavor for Your Skin Tone?

Fair Skin (Fitzpatrick I-II)

First choice: Berry or Fig Why: Berry provides subtle enhancement, Fig gives beautiful warmth Avoid: Plum applied heavily (can look harsh) Tip: Use Plum sparingly for buildable color

Light to Medium Skin (Fitzpatrick III-IV)

First choice: Fig (hands down) Why: Perfect MLBB shade, universally flattering Second choice: Plum for more drama Note: Berry might be too sheer

Medium to Deep Skin (Fitzpatrick V-VI)

First choice: Plum Why: Actually shows up, provides gorgeous berry tint Second choice: Fig (provides subtle enhancement) Avoid: Berry (likely won’t be visible)

Layering and Building Color

One underrated feature: these build beautifully.

For sheer application:

Dab on with fingertip
Blend into lips
One thin layer

For medium color:

Apply directly from tube
Swipe 1-2 times
Blend edges

For intense color:

Apply generously
Let it set 30 seconds
Apply second layer
Plum becomes dramatically pigmented with this method

Compared to Other Korean Lip Balms

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask vs Nature Republic

Laneige:

Much more expensive ($22)
Thicker, meant for overnight
Comes with applicator
Better for severe dryness

Nature Republic:

Half the price
For daytime use
No tools needed
Better for color + hydration

Winner: Different purposes; both are good

Etude House Dear Darling Tint vs Nature Republic

Etude House:

More pigmented
Liquid formula
Longer lasting
Can be drying

Nature Republic:

Sheer to medium color
Balm formula
Comfortable all day
Hydrating

Winner: Nature Republic for comfort; Etude for color impact

Regular Lip Balm + Lipstick vs Nature Republic

Balm + Lipstick:

More steps
Risk of feathering
Can be drying
Takes longer

Nature Republic:

One product
No feathering
Moisturizing
Quick application

Winner: Nature Republic for convenience and comfort

Common Issues & Solutions

“The color fades too quickly”

Solutions:

Exfoliate lips before application
Apply lip balm first, let absorb, then apply tint
Build up with multiple thin layers
Choose Plum for longest wear

“It’s too sheer/not showing up”

Solutions:

Choose Plum instead of Berry
Build up layers
Apply to bare lips (no balm underneath)
Consider your skin tone—you might need more pigmented options

“My lips feel dry after a few hours”

Solutions:

Apply regular lip balm as base
Choose Fig (most hydrating)
Reapply more frequently
Drink more water (seriously)

“The color doesn’t suit my undertone”

Solutions:

Cool undertones: Choose Plum or Berry
Warm undertones: Choose Fig
Neutral: All three work

How to Make Them Last Longer

Step 1: Exfoliate lips gently (sugar scrub or soft toothbrush)

Step 2: Apply thin layer of regular lip balm, let absorb completely (5 minutes)

Step 3: Apply Nature Republic in thin layers, building up

Step 4: Blot gently with tissue

Step 5: Apply one more thin layer

Result: Color lasts 2-3x longer with better payoff

The Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

If You Can Only Buy ONE – Choose Fig

It offers the best balance of hydration, color, and versatility. It works for most skin tones, most occasions, and performs best overall.

If You Can Buy TWO Fig + Plum

Fig for everyday, Plum for when you want actual lip color. This combo covers all your bases.

If You Want All THREE Be honest with yourself

Berry is nice but not essential if you have Fig. Only get all three if you love collecting lip products or need very specific tones for different looks.

Best Value Analysis

At $11.99 each (on sale from $15.99), these offer excellent value:

Cost per use: ~$0.10-0.15 (based on 2-3 month lifespan with daily use) Compared to: Western lip balms are $4-8 (but no tint), tinted balms are $15-25

Value rating: 9/10 – Excellent for what you get