BellaSugar

Doing Drugstore: Palmer's Dark Chocolate Peppermint Lip Butter

BellaSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:00:59 -0800

I have a hard time going into Walgreens without picking up some sort of lip thing or other, and my initial purchase of Palmer's lip butter ($2) was no exception. I've always loved Palmer's cocoa butter - my dear mama swears by the stuff, and even sometimes sends me care packages with sticks of it - but I've only used it as a hair and elbow/knee moisturizer.

I assumed anything made with cocoa butter would be creamy and need a little heat to deliquesce, so I was pleasantly surprised by the lip butter's moist, gel texture (I think the result of added vitamin E). It's clear and not sticky, but gives you a little more shine than a Blistex or Lip Smacker, the dark chocolate peppermint flavor isn't at all artificial, and I didn't need to reapply all the time, which is a boon when you're trying not to look like a crazy lip balm obsessive. If you want a traditional gloss shine, this isn't the product for you, but at $2 it's a total steal, and it's made in the US, so you can feel good about its origins, too. My overall verdict: Yum!

Reader Review of the Day: Yes to Carrots Lip Butter in Carrot

BellaSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Yes to Carrots makes a whole range of purportedly eco-friendly beauty products at drugstore prices, which in my estimation is a good thing. But sometimes cheap and green do not the perfect product for you make, as reader Oni1 found out when she tried the Yes to Carrots Lip Butter ($3.69). She says:

At first try, I thought this was the best balm ever, but now I've been using it off and on for several months and have concluded it's just OK. I like that it applies smoothly, the smell/flavor isn't offensive, and I like the packaging, but I've gotten similar results from Vaseline. For the price I think it should come with SPF.

Got a lip balm you just can't live without? Want to know which products other readers are wild about? Pop over to our Product Reviews pages, then. You can see real life reviews of over 50,000 products and write your own - it might even wind up here in our review of the day section.

In the Lip of Luxury: The Priciest Balms

BellaSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:00:37 -0700

I wear cheap lip balm. There, I said it. It's not that I don't wear pricier lip stuff, too, it's just that I sort of buy lip balm whenever I see it, so that at any given time I've got 12-20 little sticks floating around somewhere, and most of those cost less than $4. This state of affairs, however, would definitely change were I to plunk down a pretty penny for my lip-quenching needs. And it seems that lip balm is getting more expensive - very much so. I was shocked to see just how highly priced some of the products on the market have become, so I put together some of the most decadent ones out there to show you all. What do you think? Would you ever think of buying a $70 lip balm?

Decleor - Aromessence Lip Balm - 0.34 oz. - $26.00	Shiseido 'Benefiance' Full Correction Lip Treatment - $35.00
Benefit Lipscription - $32.00	Clarins ExtraFirming Lip & Contour Balm - $37.00
La Mer The Lip Balm (In Style Award Winner) - $45.00	Sisley 'Confort Extreme Levres' Nutritive Lip Balm - $70.00
Bobbi Brown Extra Soothing Balm - $55.00

Serena Serves Her Pomegranate Lip Balmer

BellaSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:00:11 -0700

I'd imagine lunging for a drop shot would cause some wind-chapped lips over time. (I'm imagining this while sitting my lazy bum on the couch.) Anyway, athletes who face the elements while practicing and competing, need to protect their lips.

To help keep her game face ready, Serena Williams worked with Mission Skincare to create a silky balm that takes her through the whole set. The Serena Williams's Pomegranate Lip Balmer SPF 15 ($4) comes with a sweet flavor (not just scent) and goes on super smooth.

With an added base including coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter for moisture, it's free of preservatives/ parabens making it the natural choice, even for me. Since the only thing I'm diving for is my cell phone, I'm glad this line features a special applicator (making it nearly impossible to turn unless the top's off) so I won't get sticky fingers in the process.

Love It or Hate It? Bacon Lip Balm

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:00:13 -0700

Oh my. This bacon-flavored lip balm is a curiosity. It's from the same people behind Baconnaise, a vegetarian sauce that combines the gloopy sauciness of mayonnaise with the salty taste of smoked pork. I've never been a fan of bacon, so I'll take a pass, but for those of you who love breakfast meats, are you enjoying the idea?

This Vegan Balm Brings Bliss and Heaven to Lips

BellaSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:00:58 -0700

Calling all Kubrick fans with dry, chapped lips! Lips by Wong has created Clockwork Orange Creamsicle lip balm ($4) to let you look DeLarge and in charge. (The vegan balm has a vanilla-orange scent, hence the name.) Creator Kaia Wong, who plays in bands such as Mixel Pixel, makes the vegan treats in Brooklyn. Check out the website to see some similarly unconventional balms and soaps, and don't skip past the "commercial" on the landing page. It's totally trippy and weird, but it's funny, too.

Splurge of the Week: Payot Hydratation 24 Protection Levres

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:00:51 -0800

When it comes to lip balm, I tend to spend less than $10. I'm just too scatterbrained and forgetful to drop more than that on balm, because inevitably I lose it and feel like a chump for doing so. But now that I've tried Payot Hydratation 24 Protection Levres, I can understand why some people pay a little more. Payot, a decades-old luxury skincare brand, sent me a sample of this lip balm. And from the first application, I was hooked. The balm has a hefty dose of shea butter to protect lips from chapping, and macadamia and jojoba oils help soften while making the balm smell amazing. This balm doesn't smear, it doesn't feel tacky, and it absorbs quickly while leaving my lips feeling protected. When I put it on, I feel like I have large and beautiful Angelina lips, and chapped lips don't stand a chance. Unfortunately, it would help to have Angelina's bank account, too - this balm is $29, but if you have the means, it's worth trying.

What Causes Chapped Lips?

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:00:48 -0800

Mr. Bella and I were sifting through some old photos and after looking at each year's school picture, it was obvious that the poor guy spent the majority of his elementary days with chapped lips. It's pretty unavoidable, especially in moisture-depleted Winter months - and especially for that cute little guy who couldn't stop licking his sore, flaky mouth for relief. Poor fella.

Fast forward to the post - grad school years - and a generous supply of Chapstick - and my guy is all better. This got me to thinking. While the causes of chapped lips may seem obvious, what does an expert have to say about this annoying condition?

According to the Mayo Clinic, here are a few main causes of chapped lips:

The elements: Wind, air, and sun exposure can leave lips vulnerable. Protect with an SPF and/or apply a petroleum or beeswax lip balm. Oil-based creams work wonders, too. Oh, and don't be afraid to wrap your face up in a scarf for extra protection.
Dehydration: Drink plenty of water and consider purchasing a humidifier to keep the air in your home moisturized. Tip: I like adding some essential oil to mine for a therapeutic effect.

To see the rest of the tips, read more.

Lip licking: Such a vicious circle, eh? While you may want to lick your lips for some much needed relief, saliva actually evaporates very fast - leaving your lips all the more irritated. To prevent further lip licking, stay away from tasty flavored balms, which are just too tempting.
Open mouth: Sleeping with your jaw wide open or breathing with your mouth ajar can be. . . well, jarring to your lips. Prevent the cracks by applying a balm or cream (see "the elements" above).
Irritants: It could be that you are allergic to something in your lipstick or some other beauty product you're wearing. Hello, cayenne pepper experiment? Once you find the culprit, avoid it (obviously), and consider wearing a cream-based lipstick for further hydration.

Source

Reader Review of the Day: Honey Lip Balm by Burt's Bees

BellaSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:00:07 -0800

Are your lips chapped or dry right now? Mine are just coming down after a little cayenne pepper experiment gone awry. So, I did a little search for lip balms to take out some of the sting, and what did I find? A product by some bees, of course. For today's reader review, see what Indie B had to say about Honey Lip Balm by Burt's Bees ($3.99). The floor's all yours, Indie:

I love this lip balm. It is my absolute favorite hands down. There isn't a time when it's not on my lips. Smoother than the original Peppermint Burt's Bees, it has a subtle scent and gives a nice matte sheen to lips. Did I mention that it feels great? Excellent for parched, dry lips - excellent for any lips! This lip balm is a must-have. It also works wonderfully under lipstick or gloss.

Agree? Disagree? Write your own review (or just read others' thoughts) and it could appear on BellaSugar.

A Sweet Lip Balm Set For Hanukkah

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:00:04 -0800

Earlier this week, I filled you in on the brand's 12 Days of Christmas Lip-Stravanganza in my post about three lip balms for mistletoe moments, and now here's another festive find: 8 Days of Luscious Lips Happy Hanukkah Lip Spa Set ($18). Included in the sweet kit is a brown sugar exfoliating lip scrub, two breath mint lip balms, a hazelnut cocoa butter lip balm, a day/night lip conditioner, a mango butter lip balm, a shiny clear gloss, and a matte gloss. The only thing that could make this cute collection better? A piping-hot plate of latkes to go with it.