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03 August, 2015

A balmy winter...



Of course you know that I'm not talking about the weather because we've just ended the coldest July in 20 years down here in Melbourne! Speaking of the weather - and here's my segue - I do gravitate more to using my lip balms in winter so I felt like doing a bit of a rundown of the lip balms I currently have on rotation.  It's been at least a couple of years since I last did this type of post and I'm confident there are no repeats from the original so it's time...


The pots


All of these little pots live on my bedside table so I like to alternate between them as my nightly lip balms.
  • SODA & Co Lip Balm (Orange Splash)*- This natural lip balm is the lightest formula of the three.  The Cocoa Butter rich balm melts under the touch of my fingertips so I end up with subtly slippery soft lips that smell deliciously of orange and cocoa. I get that pleasant whiff of something reminiscent of orange-infused chocolate every time I open the tin so I must admit to opening the tin just to have a little sniff! It's all about the delicious factor with this to be honest! This lip balm doesn't pretend to be a heavy duty formula so it doesn't last through the night although I'll still use it at bedtime if my lips aren't overly dry. You can read my original review here for more detail about ingredients etc.
  • Philosophy Kiss Me Tonight Intense Lip Therapy - I bought this as a specific overnight lip treatment after looking for a medium priced luxury balm.  This stuff feels heavy-duty as soon as I put it on - it's very thick and suitably sticky enough for me to know that it's going to hang around on my lips for more than a few minutes and is enriched with ingredients such as shea butter and olive oil. My lips initially feel a little tacky but it settles after a while (or maybe I just become accustomed to it!) and I wake up the next morning with flake-free lips.
  • NIVEA Lip Butter (Vanilla & Macadamia)* - I'd just finished a tin a few months ago when I received another as a PR sample which is fortunate because I'd have repurchased this anyway. I find NIVEA's Vanilla & Macadamia lip butter to be one of the most addictive and inexpensive lip balms in my collection so I'll freely admit to going overboard in the reapplication of this before bedtime!  The texture is thick and yes, buttery, so it's not the slightest bit sticky on the lips. It feels extremely comfortable and moisturizing and I'm a fan of the delicious, almost ice-cream, vanilla scent.

The tubes
  • Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil - This tube was a swap gift from the very generous Liz some time ago and it also warrants a precious spot on my bedside table because it's so smooth and moisturizing. This is very sheerly tinted - actually pretty much undetectable on my lips - so I've added it to my overnight lip treatment rotation. It makes for a nice little change from dipping my fingers into pots, especially when I've just applied my nightly hand cream!
  • Yes To Carrots Conditioning Lip Butter with SPF 15 (Pomegranate) - I don't have too much to say about the formula of this balm because I've not worn it in a little while.  I bought it specifically for the added SPF so I'll wear it when I'm exercising outdoors in the warmer months to protect my lips from sun damage. It's fit for the purpose and is handy to stash in my pocket for reapplication.

Tinted balms
  • Yard The Bloss (Balmoral Bliss) - This is a locally produced organic balm/gloss hybrid and that's how it's earned the unique name 'Bloss'.  It's glossy and contains the moisturizing ingredients of a good balm including cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, shea butter, jojoba and olive oil.  Note to self:  Balmoral Bliss is a sheer candy pink that I don't wear often enough because it's a pretty and more subtle alternative to pink lip gloss.  
  • Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 - This is another swap gift, this time from Larie! I've been toting this tinted balm around in my office makeup bag and have been using it as an after lunch lip treatment when my lips have been dehydrated from excruciatingly dry formula matte lipsticks - I love a good old fashioned powdery matte lipstick for that retro look but it never loves me back!  In any case, this balm does feel seriously moisturizing on the lips, like a cushiony protective layer rejuvenating and protecting them from the elements and the colour is very sheer but buildable enough for me to look a little more rosy lipped when I most need it.
  • Hurraw! Black Cherry Tinted Lip Balm - This is the newest tinted balm in my rotation and while I hesitated because of the cherry scent - sorry but I'm not a fan of anything cherry flavoured other than fresh cherries themselves - I found that it's not too overwhelming and quite bearable.  This balm feels very light and pretty much weightlessly moisturizing on the lips and the tint is again buildable enough to give me a natural flush as needed.  I also feel quite virtuous using this balm because it's "...100% natural, vegan, made from premium raw, organic and fair trade ingredients"

Swatched top to bottom in the same order as above

So that is my lip balm collection as it stands for winter 2015! 
What are your favourites? Do you reach for them more in winter or all year round?


(Products marked * were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

18 comments:

  1. Love seeing a peek into your lip balm picks Vita - I have to be honest and admit that I hardly ever use lip balm, but one I keep in my handbag is the Chapstick Cake Batter stick and I adore it! I also have one of the EOS domes in Vanilla Mint in my daily makeup drawer to apply as a lipstick preparation but more often than not I forget to apply it! I really should search my stash for a nice overnight lip treatment though, my lips probably really need some attention.

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    1. Cake Batter stick sounds like something I'd love too! Not that I need any more...

      I find that wearing lip balm I don't have to use lip scrubs so I guess that's one reason/justification to consider using lip balms more regularly!

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  2. Hurraw! Black Cherry is one of my all time faves <3 Currently I'm obsessed with coconut scented Nivea lip butter, it's perfect for summer. I am however totally jealous of your winter .:)

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    1. Coconut scented!!!! I need to see if we have coconut scented in our NIVEA lineup! I'm intrigued about why you're jealous of our winter - it's been cold by our standards but we still don't get cold enough for snow everywhere, except up in the Victorian Alps. It HAS been a great ski season for those who love it though!

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  3. Love those Nivea balms! My littlest guy sniffs them and says "mmm shmellsh good!" Lol :) I love the little pot style balms, although I own mostly stick balms for convenience. I love the moisture lock balm which I won to review (coming soon) and Im almost finished the two BB lip balms Ive been using too- I cant go past Lanolips for heavy duty repair, although its not vegan, (not that Im vegan, I have friends that are though so I try and mention in my reviews), its a nice balm and it always brings my lips back to their best...speaking of which, I need a new Lanolips!!

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    1. Aww Christina! Your little fellow totally melts my heart!

      I think I have a Lanolips somewhere - that's awesome stuff! - although I'm trying, and failing to have too many balms on the go at once. Enough is never enough it seems!

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  4. Great lip balm collection! I love the Fresh Sugar Tinted ones-I think I have 3 minis in my purse at all times haha! It's dry here in Alberta, so lip balms are necessary all year round. I just got the Bite Beauty Maple Lip Mask thing to try-everyone loves those masks so much!

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    1. I saw all the publicity around the maple lip masks - I'm yet to try the agave lip mask so that is still on my 'must try' list! I can imagine that cold, dry air would play havoc with your skin and lips so balms would be a must! It doesn't get cold in the extreme down here normally but it's been pretty chilly lately so I've been relying on my balms, especially at night!

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  5. So many good ones. I really want to try Fresh tinted lip balms. I have been rotating Maybelline Baby lips, Burts Bees tinted lip balm and Nivea Raspberry and Rose.

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    1. NIVEA have such great balms! After two tins of Vanilla & Macadamia I think I need to try the fruity flavours next. The Fresh tinted balms live up to the raves too because they are sooo moisturising! I obviously received mine from overseas but I wonder if Sephora Aus is stocking them?

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  6. Haha, you are decked out with balm! I have one pot balm for overnight or heavy duty occasions, and one tube (Epic Blend). I try to be better about it, but usually I just forget to apply...just like with hand cream. T_T

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    1. I love your practical sense of restraint Larie! Without balms my lips get really prone to chapping so I'm a little obsessive about keeping them slathered in moisture - plus I love to try new scents/flavours!

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  7. I'm afraid to show you my lip balm collection. :P I'm a bit of an addict and have lip balms everywhere...because god forbid I have to walk two steps to get to my nearest one. :P

    I also stocked up on EOS balms earlier in the year so it's safe to say I won't be running out ANYTIME SOON!

    Some great picks here! Fresh, Nivea pots and Burts Bees are some of my favourites!

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    1. Lol you're not doing too bad I'm sure! Truth be told I have a few more balms lurking around - including 1 or 2 EOS balms - although I try to limit the number I have open at once. I'm right there with you when it comes to having a lip treatment nearby cos I have to have a balm, a gloss, SOMETHING in my pocket or purse so I don't get caught out risking dry lips!!

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  8. I love the look of cherry red tinted balms! (Also a hater of artificial cherry flavours - yuck.) I've also taken the time to admire all the cute little rounded dents in your potted balms, lol!

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    1. Yeah I've never been a Cherry Coke fan that's for sure! This one's just subtle enough though for me to forgive it...and thank you for admiring my little dents! Lol!

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  9. I love the Nivea Vanilla & Macadamia lip butter, too! I used it about 5 minutes before reading your post, and it's just DELICIOUSNESS. Bloss - I like that! Fun to see your balm picks, and to imagine chilly weather in July! :)

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    1. Hahaha! I couldn't wait to get away from the chilly weather and ran away to Singapore for a week! The Bloss pots are cute and they have a tempting purple in their lineup too! :))

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