Lip Balm

A main beauty obsession of mine is lip balm. I can't abide by a minute without something on my lips. I remember my freshman year in high school, where I would set my huge, chunky Bath and Body Works chapstick on my desk and apply it a dozen times or so during each class. It appears my "problem" hasn't subsided... So, here are some of my current favorites, with their pros and cons.

  

You'll notice I have some tinted balms mixed in with un-tinted ones. I probably own like three or four true lip sticks. Everything else is a gloss or balm. So, to add some color to my daily routines, I love to use tinted balms.

Nuxe Rev de Miel Nourishing Lip Balm - $19

I found this product while feasting my reading eyes on my most recent addiction, Essie Button. Being a yank (correction: Southern yank), I rarely get to buy all the fun things I see all the across-the-pond beauties rave about. When I saw this on Birchbox's website {AND free shipping} I just could not pass 'er up! 

It's foundational ingredient is honey. It smells so pure and sweet (with some citrus hints). It also goes on a bit gritty, but then your body heat takes care of the granules - much like putting honey in or on something warm melts it. Many balms go on glossy, but I love how this just settles in subtly. It doesn't appear you have anything gooey and healthy on, so topping it with a lipstick or gloss is just fine. 

It also last for eons! 

The only con (for me - and it's not really a con in real life...) is that it's in a pot. It's a beautiful glass pot, but it's not quick and easy to swipe on while driving. So, it tends to stay at home in the bathroom where I use it in the evenings or when I'm lounging about. 

One other thing - what are the darn ingredients? I cannot find them online anywhere. It was probably on the box, but I'm terrible about tossing packaging. So, I am curious as to whether it's really as healthy as it seems.

The website also says to use it on cuticles and small burns. I haven't done that yet but will definitely try to remember to!

EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere in Pomegranate Raspberry - $3

Let's be real... this is more fun than practical. In a normal tube this product would be considered good...average...run of the mill. But put it in a ball and call it a "Smooth Sphere" and you've got yourself a niche-y winner! 

I saw this at my local Target recently and had to snatch it up. I like the smell, though I am not a huge fruity flavor person. It goes on well (somewhat thinner) and lasts a good amount of time. 

I'm really attracted to it being organic, paraben free and sweetened with stevia (as opposed to saccharin or sucralose). 

I also love the shape of it. It's easy to find this "ball" in the bottom of your purse (while driving... I tend to need to moisturize during that daily drudgery). 

I also feel like a little kid every time I apply it. I hope someone is watching, thinking Man, I wish I had her lip balm! Silly... I know. 

Only con is how little it's available in my area. This flavor is the only one I've seen locally. However, I recently found the Sweet Mint EOS at ULTA (which was like a 45 minute drive...). Love it, though!

Whole Foods Market Organic Peppermint Lip Balm - $1.99(!!)

Speaking of mint... For years I've been addicted to Burt's Bees original Beeswax Lip Balm Tube. Who isn't?!? It's $3 on their website, but I'm pretty sure I've seen it higher in stores... a bit on the high side for a boring ol' chapstick, so when I stumbled across this goodie in Whole Foods at the check out stand I grabbed it up. (Kudos to your add-on skills, WFs!) It was LESS than $2 (crazy talk), organic (and a bargain?!?) and it's mint (perfect). 

And in case you didn't know this about me... 

I'M A MINT ADDICT!

I once bought 6 boxes of my favorite mint green tea online because they were discontinuing it. 

The only facial water I can stand is Caudalie's elixir which has what some describe an obnoxious minty smell. (Disagree!)
I also use peppermint essential oils to relieve headaches, add to drinking water, and rub into sore muscles.

I even sniff it! (At least it's that and not Sharpies... though I do think there is something kind of disturbingly good smelling about those...? Right?)

Back to the balm... I once lost this puppy for two days and tore the house up looking for it. My husband said, "Just buy another one..." Are you kidding me? I don't leave a product in the lurch like that - especially my best, brightest and most loyal! Abandonment was not an option; I finally located her; and we've been inseparable ever since.

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose - $7
Because I do love all things Burt's, I have to include this goodie. Although the packaging it came in was fun and almost keep-able, the tube itself is not fun or sexy. Good! It's easy to use. I can blindly grab it from my bag, swipe it on without a mirror and toss it back in.
It doesn't feel especially healing or treatment-like, but the pigment is a fun extra to add to an already great lip balm. I like how many color options there are. I've owned two of these, and this shade was the most pigmented on my lips.
Like I said before, I do love me some Burt's original beeswax balm, but the tint makes this my current go - to.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 in Rose - $22.50

Keeping on the same tint track...
I would definitely consider this a more luxury item. Granted it is only a few bucks more than the Nuxe, but being that it's heavily tinted, it's not as versatile. (ie. Use before bed or under lippies).

It does feel heavenly, and it provides a major pop of color. 

A few dry-shampoo, sock bun Sundays ago I wore it with highlighter, mascara and fuschia blush and got a compliment on how my makeup was "glowing"! I was the best looking hobo in Tennessee... 

It lasts quite a long time, too. 

A pro and con: the packaging. I love that it's a metal tube, it's beautiful and feels really cool. However, I have to twist it up (and back down) every time I use it. And the topper screws onto the tube. So, it's not a one-hander. The downside to the metal part of the equation, I found, is that if it's in your pocket your body heat will be conducted by the metal and melt the balm. Mine is now all kinds of lumpy and melted. When I apply it, the stick pushes over the side. For $22 I would expect it to not be so soft, unless they put it in a pot. Despite the packaging and application issues, it's still a enjoyable "treatment." It smells divine - lemon-y and fresh!

I received it as a Birthday gift from Sephora, so I am not complaining too much. However, I will probably just enjoy it while it lasts and not repurchase. I just might have to resort to a lip brush... and it will be worth it.

Although it's paraban, sulfate, phthalate, etc free, it does score a 7 on EWG's Skin Deep database for a sizeable list of other undesirables. Disappointing! Another reason I won't repurchase but will enjoy in the meantime.

Vermont's Original Bag Balm  Protective Ointment - $9

I included this balm in my January Favourites post. I've had it for years and years. It is probably  the best bang for my buck in this post. Ten ounces for $9!?! Amazing. 

As ranchers were milking cows and applying this to their udders they realized how soft their hands were getting. The rest is history.

I mainly use it on my lips (big ol' blob!) before bed. I also like to put a huge dollop on my feet, then socks and sleep on that for softer tootsies, too. 

I have used it on my cuticles before, but it made my polish bubble up... Twice. Weird! I avoid that now.
Being that you don't really find this in health food stores, I wondered how non-toxic it could be. I was pleased to find it scored a 1 on EWG's Skin Deep database!

Only cons are 1) it will last until I die, so I probably won't ever try anything else again that is similar. I have my eye on some Badger Balm. And 2) it smells a little weird. Just think, cows don't care about fragrance.

What about you lovelies? What lip-savers do you trust your kissers to?

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rose

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Makeup Detox Episode 1: Gabriel Foundation

Gabriel Moisturizing Liquid Foundation - $28

One of my New Year's goals (I hate making resolutions...) was to replace my products with natural alternatives as I used them up. Firstly, using something up entirely is really difficult for me! Am I the only one? It seems my loyalty is lacking, and my tendency to keep buying and hopping around is terrible! However, I'm almost done with my MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Velvet foundation, which I love, but it scores a 5-6 on EWG's Skin Deep database. For starters, it contains parabens (studies have found many types of parabens in breast cancer tumors: un-metabolized by the body) and many other chemical ingredients I'd like to do without. So, when that's gone, I need another foundation. Many makeup purists will would rule out all liquid foundations, but I just don't know if I can give them up... 

My first branch out into natural foundation was Gabriel Cosmetics' Liquid Foundation. I decided to do my shopping at Whole Body (the beauty/body care side to Whole Foods). I tried several brands on my hands or fore arms, and this was the most 'normal' consistency in there. That was a little disheartening. You all know how much I love Sephora, so I really wish they had more natural offerings. Even Tarte, Korres and Fresh sometimes have ingredients I don't agree with. So, I ventured out.

I felt I was going out on a metaphorical-makeup-purchasing limb, since the cosmetic department lacked any marketing materials to explain what the purpose of this foundation was (other than the obvious normal use). It also does not come in a box or anything with print on it to "sell" it or promote its benefits. I can understand why: less packaging is green (and less expensive for the manufacturer). However, it left me feeling I was making a decision without all the vital deets. The associate that helped me match the shade said it should work for my oily skin, but she seemed unsure of herself. She also assured me I could return it if it didn't work out, and that sealed the deal!

As you know, I'm as pale as it gets. So, I matched on the inside of my arm (her suggestion) to the Pale Ivory. The packaging is so-so. As you can see, it's frosted glass with a typical top. I honestly prefer a squeeze bottle, so I can get the most use. When I opened the tester in the store, the black square top came off the cap that screws on to the bottle, so I expected mine to do that over time. For $28, I typically prefer some sturdy and more inventive packaging.

It comes out very liquid-y. I'm used to my matte foundation being a bit thicker, so it was easy for me to dispense too much.

When I got home with the product I went online to read about it and saw that it was truly meant mainly to moisturize, and I don't need that. (It does say it won't make skin oily...) I already use my Korres gel moisturizer under my primer, so a moisturizing foundation is too much. It also doesn't help keep the oily-ness down to a minimum.

 I spread this in and around using my fingers. I generally use a blending sponge to help it set on the surface of my skin, so I didn't love how it settled in the lines on my hands.

When applied to my face it was more moisturizing than I would have preferred and the coverage didn't last all day as well as my MUFE does. I also became much shinier than usual. I know... natural makeup can do that! You might be asking yourself: "Are you looking for a miracle, Tara?!" Why, yes...

Because I wasn't "in-love" with it, I did end up returning it. And I appreciated how friendly the Customer Service associate at Whole Foods was! I had my eyes on some BB creams and other foundations I'd rather try, and considering foundations last for half a year with me, I want to make that investment with care. Knowing a BB cream will not give the coverage I want, I have purchased the Korres Mineral Foundation and have really loved how well it does over a tinted moisturizer (and the MUFE foundation). It (+ a BB cream) doesn't provide the perfect airbrushed look I want, but I think I will have to sacrifice that to keep toxins out of my body. (Or I will just have a long quest to discover what works)! But I am excited to let my skin breathe more and hopefully that will result in better skin that needs less coverage.

Have any of you discovered a natural alternative that meets all your needs? Share the wealth!

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