Last Updated on February 7, 2026 by Eve Dawes
Luxury packaging, subtle tint, and a high price tag! Let’s break it down
Prada beauty recently sent me their Prada banana lip balm and I have thoughts. My first impression was how beautiful the luxury packaging was and that this would make a great gift. However, we’re not just paying for pretty packaging, the Prada Beauty lip balm is infused with hydrating Bifidus extract and Jojoba oil and claims to offer 24-hour comfort and provide a luminous glow for lips and cheeks. So does the Prada lip balm actually hydrate and leave a subtle sheen? Is it worth it? Is the Prada lip balm refill a better deal?
This article contains affiliate links and gifted items.
Prada lip balm first impressions
Prada Balm in Banana Yellow packaging brings back the playful banana yellow motif from the Prada Spring / Summer 2011 collection. I love that the fabric packaging can be reused and not just thrown away.
What does the Prada Beauty banana yellow lip balm smell and taste like
Inside is a shocking yellow bullet lip balm but don’t worry it doesn’t come out that color and strangely enough nor does it smell or taste of bananas. Which is a good thing since I don’t like real bananas. Although strangely I do love the taste and smell of artificial bananas. The taste and smell is sweet but hard to place. People describe it in reviews as smelling like jelly sweets or Laffy Taffy but not of banana.
Prada Balm in Banana Yellow redefines lip care, sheer golden finish, and a juicy banana scent. Prada Beauty
Prada banana lip balm color and finish
We’ve already covered the fact it doesn’t smell of bananas so what about the color? Don’t worry it doesn’t come out yellow but it also doesn’t leave a golden warm luster finish that it claims to. It glides on and my lips felt hydrated, silky smooth and glossy without being sticky but to me it looks completely colorless in both artificial light and in the sunshine. With all that said, I loved the way it made my lips feel and look. It’s actually quite addictive and I kept wanting to apply more. That is until it snapped!
Yes, it literally just snapped right off at the base the second time I applied it and I’m not the only one. There are quite a few complaints on the Prada Beauty lip balm Reddit thread all saying the same thing. So when using, don’t twist it up too far and apply gently as the formulation is fragile.
You can just buy a Prada lip balm refill replacement but at $40 it’s only $10 less than rebuying the whole lip balm again.
Prada lip balm review | The pros and cons
If you don’t want to read the whole review, here’s a quick summary of the Prada lip balm pros and cons. I hate saying anything negative, as you can tell from my outfit, I absolutely love the brand:
- The Prada Beauty lip balm packaging looks luxe and elegant and feels weighty and good quality.
- It’s refillable which supports responsible and sustainable beauty.
- It’s enriched with Bifidus extract and Jojoba oil for up to 24-hour lip hydration.
- It feels hydrating immediately upon application and lips instantly feel and look smoother.
- I personally like the sweet taste and smell and that it doesn’t smell like bananas.
- The price is steep for what it is.
- Because of all of the hydrating ingredients the balm is very soft so handle with care!
- Prada Beauty is not a cruelty-free brand.
- The Prada Balm also comes in Astral Pink (a Ph reactive glowy pink), Maple brown, Noisette, and clear.
- Refills are available for the clear and Astral Pink.
Whether it’s worth it or not depends on how much you love your designer brands, whether you prefer color or clear lip balms, how much you’ll use it and how much you normally spend on makeup. I’m interested in trying the Astral Pink (a Ph reactive glowy pink).
Shop Prada Beauty
If you’re looking to save money, I don’t have a Prada discount code for you but you can get 5% off at Sephora when you choose autoreplenish when you purchase. I’ve also linked some of the Prada pieces I’m wearing and similar looks:
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