PeaceBang loves her lipglosses and lip balms, and she admits to having recently gone on a Lip Smackers rampage with her eleven-year old second cousin, purchasing flavors like Cotton Candy and Bubble Gum in balm AND gloss form. It was an orgy of hideous ‘tween cosmetics and I regret it not at all.
Except that I realize I am essentially eating the stuff.
So from time to time, I remind myself of that fact and vow to only put on my lips what I would actually not mind knowing that I had ingested pounds of over the course of my lippy-wearing lifetime. The trouble is, a lot of the products made with honorable ingredients kind of stink. Burt’s Bees is lovely but wears off in about ten minutes. Kiss My Face is waxy and hard to apply. Alba tastes funny.
Giving my effort one more try, I discovered Crazy Rumors lip balm at the health food store check-out the other day. Thinking guiltily about how often I have swabbed my lips with Bubble Gum Lip Smackers of late (I keep one in my desk drawer at all times), I read the label and purchased it. This stuff is great. It’s made in Boca Raton, FL and contains ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, olive oil, and peppermint oil. I applied some two hours ago and it’s still on my lips and doing its job even though I have been drinking and eating snacks. Since I wear drying long-lasting lip color formulas during the work week, I like to give my lips at least one day off and just slather them with balm throughout the day. This is going to be my new fave.
I mean, I LOVE Rosebud Salve but I’m pretty sure that’s straight petroleum.
Hey dudes, your lips get really dry and flaky, too. Just sayin’. Because they have a flavor I think you’ll really like!! COFFEE!! Yum!
Two notes – if you are talking masculine flavors, there is some bacon flavored lip balm out there… just saying…
The second thing is that those of us who are allergic to wool may also need to check out the ingredients of things and avoid lanolin. Which is unfortunately present in a lot of Burt’s Bees stuff.
Burt’s Bees, and other “natural” lip balms tend to make my lips peel like crazy. I think it’s the peppermint oil. Do be careful y’all, just because it’s “natural” doesn’t mean it’s good for YOU.
You should also check out Thistle Farms lip balm. Its great and the money goes to a great ministry. http://www.thistlefarms.org/index.html
I do have to say I’m a fan of Burt’s Bees lip shimmers, even if the colour does fade quickly. I love the peppermint flavour. I buy on ebay as it’s about half the price of my local supplier, plus a bigger selection of shades.
AND–their pomegranate lip balm is really nice, lasts longer, and is very healing if my lips are very dry.
However, saying what I just said, there is a local product made by the Ramsgate Benedictines called ‘Sanctuary Balm’. I got one as a gift a while ago. Mine is an organic orange beeswax lip balm (in a pot, not a tube).
Four ingredients: sweet almond oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, orange oil. It does have a bit of the taste of a chocolate filled with orange cream, which is not bad. But it comes in a couple of other flavours too.
http://www.ramsgatebenedictines.com/shop/index.php?currency=USD
I swear by The Body Shop’s Lip Care SPF 15. I live where I pretty much need sunscreen year round and this stuff is great. My lips and skin are pretty sensitive too and this doesn’t bother them at all. it doesn’t come in flavors, but it has a nice taste when you do end up eating it off your lips.
Trader Joe’s has a wonderful spearmint lip balm that comes in packages of 3 for a very moderate price (under $5…maybe less). It goes on smoothly, feels neither waxy nor greasy, and lasts well.