'Sorry, but this $16 lip product is better than every expensive one I've tried.'

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Believe me when I say I have tried almost every tinted lip balm under the sun.

On any given day, if you hold my handbag upside down and shake it, at least five tubes, pots and sticks will tumble out.

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I've never been one for a full-coverage lip. As a toddler mum who lives by the beach and works from home, lipstick just feels kind of incongruous with my lifestyle.

I like something subtle that you can swipe on quickly for a wash of colour. And I hate a sticky gloss. Who needs their hair attached to their mouth all day?

In my quest to find the perfect pink tint, I've spent hundreds on random deposits of varying prices — everything from $7 lip balms hastily grabbed at the chemist checkout, to cult buys from Glossier and Summer Fridays, and splurges from Charlotte Tilbury and Chanel.

I don't even want to tell you what this particular bullet cost. Image: Supplied.

This one above has been a favourite… I don't even want to tell you what this particular bullet cost.

(But I will, it's the $88 Tom Ford Lip Blush.)

But my favourite is one I picked up for $16 while buying baby formula.

Meet the perfect affordable everyday lip product.

Natio Smoothie Lip Colour Crayon in Petal.

I discovered Natio's Smoothie Lip Colour Crayons at my local pharmacy a few years ago.

Since then, these sticks have been a staple in my everyday beauty routine and come with me everywhere.

The crayons come in three shades: Petal — a punchy coral pink, Tea Rose — a chic rosy hue, and Peony — a pinky nude.

Wearing Natio Lip Colour Crayon in Peony. Image: Supplied.

Peony gives that your-lips-but-better effect and is ideal for daily wear, while Petal is most useful when I'm wearing minimal makeup and need to brighten up my face in an instant.

A heavier application lends a more pigmented shade with a lush sheen, but no stickiness.

Wearing Natio Lip Colour Crayon in Petal, after full application. Image: Supplied.

A light swipe of the crayon gives lips a tint, which I like to buff back with my fingertip for a more subtle colour.

The balm goes on super smoothly thanks to a moisturising blend of plant oils and waxes. You can apply it like a chapstick all day, and keep your lips hydrated and happy.

Wearing Natio Lip Colour Crayon in Petal, after buffing with my fingertip. Image: Supplied.

While the reviews for this product are unanimously great, in my humble opinion, it's been totally slept-on — it's time it finally got a little commotion.

You can shop Natio on their website, or at MYER, David Jones, Priceline and Amazon.

Natio Smoothie Lip Colour Crayon in Peony, $15.95.

Image: Natio.

Natio Smoothie Lip Colour Crayon in Petal, $15.95.

Image: Natio.

Natio Smoothie Lip Colour Crayon in Tea Rose, $15.95.

Image: Natio.

For more tried and tested beauty recommendations, listen to the You Beauty podcast or watch You Beauty on YouTube

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Feature image: Supplied.