Jack Black Lip Balm

So I'm just going to throw it right out there........this stuff is awesome!  I had wanted to pick it up for a while now, but at $7.50 for .25 oz it was a little hard to part with that much money for such a tiny tube.  But I'm so glad I did.  I am what you might call a lip balm connoisseur.  Or to be less fancy, an obsessed fanatic.  I'm pretty sure I've tried every balm out there, except the high-high end stuff like La Mer. (But I'm working up to that, trust me).  This JB balm feels really good, it's nice and thick, but not sticky or waxy. It's got an SPF of 25 which is great for keeping lips protected. It's full of good stuff like shea butter and avocado oil and it make my lips feel really soft.  I usually brush my teeth at night (well duh), rub my toothbrush across my lips and put this stuff on, and like magic, all soft in the morning. It comes in a few different flavors, mine is natural mint & shea butter.  I got mine at Ulta (it's a men's line, so check out the men's products to find it), but I've seen it at Sephora too, and anywhere else Jack Black products are sold. 

L'Oreal "Balm"

With the huge demand for the Revlon Lip Butters, I figured it wouldn't be long before other cosmetic lines joined the lip butter/gloss/lipstick/balm bandwagon.  And I have to say L'Oreal is off to a great start with their version called "Balm".  The color selection is much smaller, I believe their are 7 or 8 compared to the 20 Revlon Lip Butters colors.  The packaging on the Balm is very sleek and "elegant" if you can use that word to describe a lip product.  They are square and sleek, with a gold bottom and inside tube.  The cover is a transparent version of the actual product, and you can see it on the top through the cover.  I've heard some people complain that it should be totally clear so you can see the product, but I don't agree, I think they look really "upscale" this way, and you can see the product through it enough to get the gist of what the color is.  I purchased Tender Mauve first, then went back and got Nourishing Nude and Pink Satin.  I plan on getting at least two more, Plush Plum and Caramel Comfort.  These are advertised as a tinted SPF 15 balm, and claims to keep your lips conditioned for up to 2.5 hrs after removing it.  I haven't timed it myself, but they do make my lips feel good, especially considering we are in the middle of winter.  They do not have a taste or scent to them, and you can put them on without a mirror, which is a plus for the busy gal that needs a swipe of color as she's heading out the door.  The color and conditioning feeling stays on for a while (as long as you aren't eating, drinking, etc).  They cost approx $8, though I've seen them for less then $7 at my local department stores (Meijer, Target, Walmart).  I recommend these, and I know they will especially come in handy in the summer when I'm looking for more of a minimalist feel to my make up.

Tender Mauve, 518

Nourishing Nude, 818

Pink Satin, 118

Tender Mauve, Nourishing Nude, Satin Pink (swatched heavily)

Leave a msg and tell me what your favorite lip products are!

MAC Naked Honey Skin Salve



sorry, a little blurry...

It may not be fair to review this particular product, since you can't purchase it at a MAC counter or on the website.  But....you can buy it at CCOs (cosmetic company outlets) that most outlet malls have.  I got mine at the Cincinnati Premium Outlet Mall.  It was $15 and worth every penny.  I went to the mall a couple of months ago, and bought a few things at the CCO, and didn't notice the Naked Honey Skin Salve until I was walking out.  I tested it on my cuticles (which are a dried up raggedy mess) and went home.  On my way, I kept thinking how well it moisturized them, better then any cuticle cream or oil I've tried.  So....next time we hit the flea markets, which just happen to be across the street from the mall, I went and got one.  And I have to say it's one of the best beauty purchases I've made!  You got a huge amount, 1.41 oz.  I use it every night on my cuticles (and sometimes during the day when I think of it) and slather some on my lips.  Often during the day, I'll grab this instead of a lipstick or gloss, especially now that the weather has turned frigid cooler.  It is a honey color, the consistency is a bit like Vaseline, but not in a slimy way.  It has a pleasant taste, slightly sweet, although I don't recommend doing a lot of lip licking.  Another nice point for me is, it's in a large enough container with a screw on lid.  Those little tiny pots of cream and lip balms that are flat, (like Nivia, and Burt's Bees) are so hard to open......ok, I just realized I've gone on an awful lot over some lip salve-balm-moisturizer.....but those who know me won't think it's odd at all :-).  Anyway, if you have the chance to grab this stuff........do it!

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

Two word sum these new lip butters up........moisturizingly creamy.  I don't think moisturizingly is a word, but it fits.  These are sooooo nice.   They are like a lip balm, but more creamy, and with color.  I only own two of them (as of now, I plan to purchase many more), I have gumdrop and pink truffle.  These are not in all drug stores yet, in fact I went to Walgreens, CVS and K-Mart before I found them at Rite Aid.  They run about $7.50 and I believe come in 20 different shades.  They are more sheer and softer then a lipstick, but still have pigment.  Not like a lip gloss at all.  Just creamy.  They are exactly what you would imagine a lip butter would be.  They feel great on the lips, and you can get away with just using these (and can put them on without a mirror which is a plus for those of us on the go).  They wear relatively well, but they feel so good, I'm constantly reapplying them anyway.  The packaging is just like the Colorburst lipsticks, but the lid is transparent.  The tubes are slanted (like the Clinique Black Honey for example).  I love these and have heard nothing but good things from other people that own them.  They are perfect for a spring/summer color, but great for moisturizing in fall/winter.  I highly recommend!

Gumdrop, Pink Truffle

Gumdrop, Pink Truffle

EOS Lip Balms

From the top:  Passion Fruit, Strawberry Smoothie, Lemon Drop, Honeysuckle Honeydew, Medicated Tangerine, and Sweet Mint

These look like Easter eggs don't they?  I love these little lip balms.  The first thing you notice obviously is the shape....little ovaly circley round thingies (I'm very eloquent aren't I?).  They are very moisturizing, some flavors more then others.  I think the sweet mint one if my favorite, followed by strawberry and melon.  The lemondrop one is nice too, it's a little more glossy then the other ones.   The only one I don't have was the first one I bought (then threw away) which I believe is called Summer Fruit.  I was so excited to try it because when they first came out they were hard to find.  I really didn't like the smell.....but I'm thinking of repurchasing it and giving it another try because it's the only one I don't have in my collection, and I'm weird like that.  These lip balms are 100% natural, 95% organic, which is nice considering all the crap they put into stuff, (parabens, phthalates, etc).  They do have Shea butter, vitamin E, and jojoba oil.  I even have several of a few of them (4 lemondrops and 2 of the medicated orange ones) cuz you never know where you might be when you need one (in the car, one in a little box on the coffee table, bedside table, and where I apply my makeup.  Oh and one in the bathroom........in case I feel chappy while I'm errr....brushing my teeth!  EOS (Evolution of Smooth) lip balms are inexpensive, around $3 each, they sell them at most drug stores, or you can find them here:  EOS The website also sells hand lotion, shaving cream and body lotions.  Give them a try :-)

Soft Lips

I guess you could say lip products are a bit of an obsession with me. I've tried every kind you can imagine, balms, glosses, glitters, stains, etc. I think my favorite has to be lipglosses. And the stickier the better (although I don't enjoy them as much when it's windy and my hair sticks to them making me look like I have a crazy mustache). I've purchased them in all price ranges, from dollar store to high end. They keep my lips moisturized and looking soft and smooth. But in order to get to the "maintenance" point, you have to get them in good condition. Here are some of my favorite lip balms....

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve: Petroleum like, tinted a rose color, smells ok....very moisturizing, great for overnight

L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balm: Slightly thicker constancy, comes in several tints, smells like vanilla....great for daytime

Nivea stick: I keep this one in my purse, and slap it on when I'm in a hurry, no color, no smell

Korres Lip Butter: In Jasmine, more of a thinner constancy but stays put....tinted beigey pink...and I can't figure out what I think it smells like lol

Mac Tinted Lip Conditioner in Fuchsia Fix: Vanilla scented, nicely moisturizing but the color sticks around longer then the moisturizing effects.

EOS Lip Balm: This one is in Sweet Mint...I have them all and this is my fav. Sweet minty smell, tastes sweet and works great.....I have one of these in my purse, my desk, by my computer at home and next to my bed. I'm never without.