The Best Lip Balms
A Lip Treat for Every Occasion
From the early days of Cherry Cola Lip Smacker, lip balm has been a solid element in my beauty routine. Whether going makeup-free or glamming it up for a special event, every look is better off with a hydrated lip. In days like these where the temperatures are hovering around the -10 degrees Celsius mark, it's even more crucial to take care of that pout.
After many years of trials and tribulations this is how I am currently fighting the dreadful case of dry, chapped lips. I am an excessive consumer of beauty products so by no means does one need all of these items, but if anything catches your eye and suits your lifestyle, I am happy to have helped steer you towards it. I've also added budget-friendly alternatives that I have previously purchased and would recommend.
Lip Scrub
Lip scrub is an unnecessary luxury. The Bite Beauty Agave Sugar Lip Scrub has a luscious oily texture and rich caramel scent. It contains papaya enzymes and brown sugar to exfoliate dry flaky lips, and a mix of squalene and sunflower oil to hydrate.
Not interested? Try brushing your lips with your toothbrush in the morning for an exfoliating kick, or dab a cotton bud into Vaseline or coconut oil and rub it on your lips back and forth to get rid of dry flakes. A DIY blend of raw honey and sugar also does the trick.
The Best of the Balms
In the winter, my lips are perpetually uncomfortable and in need of TLC from morning til night. I am currently using the Emile Cordon Cashmere-On Lip Pot in the morning before I apply my skincare, and wipe off any excess if I am wearing matte lipstick that day as this balm has a shiny finish. It instantly smooths rough lip texture and smells delicious. The coconut cake scent is my favourite but they also do a rose version that gives By Terry Baume De Rose a run for its money. It has a light texture loaded with evening primrose oil and vitamin E. I also use the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in the same way. It has a thicker consistency and a sweet flavour, and uses jojoba oil and trans-resveratrol to keep your pout looking its best.
On a budget? Try the the little tin of Nivea Lip Butter - they may not look as luxurious on your vanity but they come in a variety of yummy scents and they give instant comfort to the lips.
Throughout the day I keep a little tube of Kopari Lip Love (now renamed Lip Glossy) in my handbag. I don't need to reapply lip balm in the warmer months, but in late fall and winter I find my lips begging for moisture when I'm at work. It has a shiny finish, and a subtle sweet coconut scent. It's a treat and it instantly brings relief to my lips. I don't like carrying potted lip balms with me since they're quite messy, so this little tube is perfect for me. I love it so much that in fact it is deep within my bag and I forgot to take it out to photograph for this post. Oops.
An equally effective albeit less sensory delightful alternative is the Aquaphor Healing Ointment. I don't find it QUITE as moisturizing as the Kopari, but it does the job.
In the evening, it's time for an intense treat: the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Intensive Lip Balm. This has a menthol kick to it which I love. It gives a cooling sensation which I find really soothing on my lips. The texture isn't particularly creamy - it's a slightly gritty paste - but boy, does it work. It's hands down my favourite lip treatment and I will not be without it. In the spring and summer I get by with just using this at night, and skipping all other balms. I apply a layer of Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream on top to seal in the moisture, but Aquaphor Healing Ointment works great for this step as well. It's very similar in texture to the Nuxe Reve De Miel lip balm, but that one smells of honey whereas this one has the minty kick that I prefer.
