Hidden Valley and Burt's Bees Launch Ranch-Flavored Lip Balm

Sometimes April Fool’s jokes should be forgotten about by lunchtime on April 1, and sometimes they’re weird enough, interesting enough, or just … enough, period … that you might think, “Hang on, maybe there’s something to that.” That’s apparently what went through a few people’s minds at Hidden Valley Ranch, prompting them to turn a silly April Fool’s joke into a (slightly unsettling) reality. 

Yesterday, Hidden Valley announced a wildly unexpected collaboration with Burt’s Bees, dropping a limited edition set of Ranch-flavored lip balms. The flavors in the four-pack include original Hidden Valley Ranch, Crunchy Celery, Fresh Carrot, and Buffalo Sauce, and if you’re wondering whether you can put a price on something so transcendent-slash-terrifying, yes, you can: it’s $11.99. 

"We are officially in wing eating season, which feels right at home for Hidden Valley Ranch,” CC Ciafone, the marketing director at Hidden Valley Ranch, said in a statement. "As we inch closer to the biggest wing consumption day of the year, we are looking forward to teaming up with Burt’s Bees for this never-been-done-before collab - and our first foray into the beauty category!"

According to an exec at Burt’s Bee’s this absolutely was because of the overwhelmingly “enthusiastic” response to the fictional debut of these products on a previous April Fool’s Day. “This delightfully unexpected union comes just in time for dry lip season and [Super Bowl] game day,” Mariah Eckhardt, the general manager at Burt’s Bees, said. (Even revulsion can fall into the “enthusiastic” category, I guess, if you’re feeling buoyed by your sense of disgust.) 

As of this writing, there are four reviews for the Burt’s Bees x Hidden Valley Dippers Lip Balm set, ranging from a five-star review that just says “I love it” twenty-six times, and a one-star review that grumbles “Gross. If I could rate these zero stars, I would.” 

Hidden Valley hasn’t been afraid to bring its most intrusive thoughts to life in the past couple of years. It has previously debuted a “Ranch on a Branch” holiday decoration and storybook, targeted at parents who had already tapped out on the whole “Elf on a Shelf” thing; they auctioned off a two-carat lab-grown diamond that was made with a dash of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning; they launched a home decor collection including a $10,000 couch inspired by the combination of ranch and pizza; and they partnered with Van Leeuwen ice cream to make a Hidden Valley Ranch-flavored frozen dessert. 

As of this writing, the Burt’s Bees x Hidden Valley Dippers Lip Balm set has sold out on the Burt’s Bees website, but there is a waiting list you can add your name to, in case these delightful weirdos decide to bring this back in the future. Until then, we’ll be waiting (and gently bracing ourselves) for whatever bonkers idea Hidden Valley will bring to life next. 

We’re also going to pay a little more attention to everyone’s April Fool’s jokes this year.