If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok lately, you’ve seen it. That specific, pillowy, "I just ate a cherry popsicle but make it fashion" pout. It’s basically become the unofficial mascot of the Short n’ Sweet era. People are losing their minds trying to figure out the exact Sabrina Carpenter lip balm routine because, honestly, her makeup artist, Carolina Gonzalez, is doing something magical. It’s not just one product. It never is.
Celebrity beauty is often a game of smoke and mirrors. We want to believe there’s one "holy grail" tube tucked away in her vintage Prada bag, but the reality is a mix of high-end liners, obscure prep balms, and the kind of layering that takes twenty minutes to look "effortless."
The Prada Connection: Why Everyone Is Talking About "Astral Blue"
The internet went into a genuine tailspin when Sabrina was spotted using a specific, translucent blue balm. It’s the Prada Beauty Balm in U001 Astral Blue. It looks intimidating in the tube. Like, Smurf-blue. But on the lips? It reacts to your pH. It’s that old-school mood lipstick technology but elevated into a luxury formula that costs about $50.
Why is this the specific Sabrina Carpenter lip balm that went viral? Because it provides a cool-toned pink flush that makes teeth look whiter. It’s physics, kinda. The blue micro-pigments neutralize yellow tones. When you see her on stage under those heavy warm spotlights, that cool-toned lip keeps her face from looking washed out or overly orange.
She isn't just swiping it on and walking out, though. Gonzalez often preps the lips way before the color even touches skin. A common mistake most people make is applying balm over dry skin. You can’t hydrate dead cells. Experts like Gonzalez generally use something like the Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask or a heavy-duty humectant during the hair and wardrobe phase. By the time the Prada balm goes on, the lips are already plumped from within.
It’s Never Just One Product (The "Espresso" Lip Combo)
Let’s get real about the "Espresso" look. You aren’t getting that with a single balm. It’s a strategic layering of brown-toned liners and high-shine finishes. While the Prada balm is the star for her day-to-day "clean girl" aesthetic, her performance looks rely heavily on a "blurred" perimeter.
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- The Liner Foundation: She’s been linked to Makeup Forever Artist Color Pencil in 606 Wherever Walnut. It’s a cult favorite for a reason. It’s the color of a natural lip shadow. If you want the Sabrina look, you overline only the cupid's bow and the very center of the bottom lip.
- The "Balm" Finish: This is where the lines get blurry. Is it a balm? Is it a gloss? For the "Short n’ Sweet" tour, there’s been heavy rotation of the Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm. Specifically in shades like "Slip" or "Trace."
The Hourglass product is interesting because it’s a hybrid. It feels like a Sabrina Carpenter lip balm because it’s buttery and moisturizing, but it reflects light like a mirror. It gives that "wet" look that doesn't feel sticky when she’s singing into a chrome microphone for two hours.
The Misconception About "Natural" Celebrity Lips
Everyone thinks she’s just naturally that pigmented. She’s not. Nobody is. The secret to her lip look is often a technique called "lip blushing" or just really smart stain application. Before any balm touches her face, there’s often a base layer of a stain—think Benetint or a diffused layer of a matte lipstick—blotted into the center.
The balm is the topper. It’s the sealer.
If you use a pH-reacting balm like the Prada one on bare, dry lips, it can sometimes look a bit patchy or "neon" pink. To get the Sabrina version, you need a neutral base. You’ve basically got to cancel out your natural lip redness with a tiny bit of concealer or a nude liner first. Then the blue balm turns it into a soft, ethereal mauve rather than a bright fuchsia.
Why the Beauty World Is Obsessed With "The Sabrina Effect"
Product placement is a billion-dollar industry. When Sabrina pulled out that Prada balm in her "Please Please Please" music video, it wasn't an accident. It was a cultural reset for lip products. We’ve moved away from the matte liquid lipsticks of 2016. Thank god. Now, it’s all about texture.
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- Comfort is king: Balms allow for movement.
- The Blur: Unlike a sharp lipstick line, a balm allows the edges to soften, making the lips look larger and more youthful.
- The Glow: Standard lipsticks absorb light. Balms and glossy hybrids bounce it back.
People are searching for the Sabrina Carpenter lip balm because it represents a shift in how we view "glam." It’s messy. It’s approachable. It looks like you’ve been kissed, not like you’ve been painted by a Renaissance master.
Does the Prada Balm Actually Work?
Honestly? It’s a luxury item. You are paying for the heavy metal packaging and the "click" of the lid. If you’re looking for the exact same pH-shifting effect on a budget, the Revlon Glass Shine lipsticks (if you can find them) or even the Essence Glimmer Glow do something similar. But they don't have that specific Prada scent or the weight in your hand.
There’s also the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment. While not her "official" branded balm, Sabrina is part of that same "It Girl" circle where Rhode is ubiquitous. If you see her with a clear, thick glaze that looks almost like honey, it’s likely a peptide treatment. These products don't just sit on top; they actually help repair the skin barrier, which is essential when you're wearing heavy stage makeup every night.
How to Recreate the Look at Home Without Spending $100
You don't need a pop star's budget to get the look. You just need the right order of operations. Stop thinking of lip balm as the final step. Think of it as the middle.
First, exfoliate. Use a damp washcloth. Don't buy those sugary scrubs; they’re messy and half the time they just tear the skin. Rub gently. Then, apply a very thin layer of a basic, non-shiny balm like Aquaphor. Let it sink in.
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Next, take a lip liner that is exactly one shade darker than your natural lips. Focus on the center. Don't line the corners of your mouth—that makes you look like a ventriloquist doll. Keep the corners clean.
Finally, hit it with your "hero" product. If you want that Sabrina Carpenter lip balm glow, look for a "balm-in-stick" formula. Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb Stix are a great alternative. They have that high-pigment-meets-high-shine vibe that she wore throughout the "Espresso" promotion.
Actionable Next Steps for the Perfect Pout
If you want to actually nail this aesthetic, stop buying every viral product and start focusing on the technique.
- Check your undertones: If the "Astral Blue" balm makes you look gray, you probably have a warm undertone. Switch to a pH balm that starts gold or orange—it will turn a beautiful peachy-pink on you.
- Layer, don't slather: One thick coat of balm looks goopy. Three thin layers, blotted in between, look like a natural part of your skin.
- The Finger Tap: After you apply your balm or gloss, take your ring finger and tap the edges. This "blurs" the line and gives that signature Sabrina soft-focus finish.
- Maintenance: Use a lip mask with hyaluronic acid at night. If your lips are hydrated from the inside out, any balm you put on the next morning is going to look ten times better.
The obsession with the Sabrina Carpenter lip balm isn't going away anytime soon. As long as she’s rocking that 60s-meets-2k-doll look, we’re all going to be chasing that perfect, hydrated shine. Just remember: it’s 20% product and 80% how you prep the canvas.