Lancôme Color Design Hydra-Balm Summer 2012 Tinted Hydrating Lipbalm SPF 15

A few months ago, in the spring, Lancôme's Bronze Diva summer display started to appear at the counters. At each store, from Saks to Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom to Macy's, there was a glaring absence. The slots for Color Design Hydra-Balm ($22) were empty.

I was disappointed. I knew from the name that it would be a hydrating tinted balm, and I wanted it, by golly. One after another, the Lancôme reps explained to me that they had no idea what had happened to it, why it had never been delivered to them. The collection did ship to them in phases, but the Hydra-Balm was missing in action.

For some reason - not Hydra-Balm - I went off to Lancôme's Web site recently (before I lost my Internet connection), and there it was. I couldn't believe it. The coveted product was right there, in three shades. Perhaps it had been all along? I don't know, but I snapped up two shades faster than you an say shopping cart.

These new, limited-edition super-hydrating lip balms enhance the lips with a tint of popping, fresh, sheer color. You an summer-pamper your lips with long-lasting comfort with this shine-boosting balm that smoothes on deep replenishing moisture, along with a veil of SPF 15 sun protection.

Summer is a time for bright lip colors, but for me, they must be sheer. I don't want a lot of color on my lips when I'm hot. I do want some protection. Color Design Hydra-Balm suits me perfectly.

I took these photos on a blazing hot day. You can see the lip colors sweating. So was I. Lotus Blossom (#559) is shown at left, and Cactus Flower (#561) is shown at right. I knew they would be sheer and gorgeous, so the color in the tube of Cactus Flower didn't give me pause. There is a third shade, Desert Primrose, but it appears to be super-light.

I took them inside, put them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to let them cool off, then swatched, with Lotus Blossom at the top of my arm and Cactus Flower below. Both are sheer and offer a tint of color.

One pink, one peach, they will be perfect companions for me as we continue to sit out this heat wave. Today, the temperatures are predicted to be somewhere between 100 and 104. I'll be wearing one of these, trying to stay comfy.

I don't know whether they ever appeared at the department stores, but you can find them at the Lancôme Web site.

Photo at top courtesy of Lancôme; other photos by Best Things in Beauty