Dior - Lip Glow

Texture:  Thick and Smooth

Flavour:  Slight Mint/Vanilla

Fragrance:  Also slightly minty and vanillary

Finish: Glossy but not sticky, goes on clear but changes colour

Lasting power: Two hours+ if you don't eat or drink anything

Colour:  This is tricky as it changes to your skin type! Mine usually go a light pink

Longevity: 12M

Size: 3.5g

Price:  $49AUD

Availability: Still widely available from Department Stores (Myer, David Jones), online.

Brand Contact: www.dior.com

Discontinued: No

Limited Edition:  No

Rating: 9/10

If you like this, try: Chapstick Mixstix - same kind of consistency but no colour change.

Ingredients:

Active Ingredient: Octinoxate (ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate) 7.50%
Other Ingredients: C10-30 Cholesterol/lanosterol esters, Diisostearyl malate, Bis-Diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, Phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, synthetic beeswax, dimer dilinoleyl dimer dilinoleate, octyldodecanol, ozokerite,  ethylhexylpalmitate, C20-40 alcohols, polyethylene, irvingia gabonensis kernel butter, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, decyloxazolidinone, tribehenin, parfum, luffa cylindrica seed oil, BHT, sorbitan isostearate, vanillin, tocopheryl acetate, tocopherol, benzyl alcohol, palmitoyl oligopeptide, tocopherol, propylgallate.
[+/-: CI 77891 (titanium dioxide), CI 45380 (red 21, red 21 lake), CI 45410 (red 27, red 27 lake, red 28 lake), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (iron oxides ), mica, CI 15850 (red 6, red 6 lake, red 7, red 7 lake), CI 75470 (carmine)].

What THEY say: A made-to-measure lip balm that beautifies and durably enhances the lips’ natural color. A customised colour result: thanks to its Colour Reviver technology, Dior Addict Lip Glow reacts directly with the unique chemistry of each woman’s lips before releasing its colour ingredient. Lips seem revived from within, amazingly fresh, full and radiant. In addition, its formula enriched with wild mango and luffa cylindrica continuously protects and moisturises. A universal balm for all lips.

Sounds fancy pants 'eh?

Dior Lip Glow. What can I say. It's a favourite, one that I'll repurchase. I first found this by someone posting it on Instagram. The packaging got me first, beautiful pretty pink! I think it's a little bit retro, a lot luxe.

The lovely packaging.

One of the reasons that I really love this product is because it is so moisturising. The other, the smell! It is a bit big to pop in a pocket {but I have}.
Some say that the 'colour changing' should be left in the 80's, but I really like this. I can do a smoky eye and have this on my lips as I know that it's not going to be overpowering. It leaves a really nice sheen, not gloss like and not sticky.

I asked the lovely Anissa what she thought of Lip Glow and she reiterated exactly what I've said - Smells good, tastes good and it's a pretty colour.

So, if you want to drop ~ $50AUD on a balm, this is one that I would try.

A repurchase for both of us.

Thanks!

Be kind.

Crabtree and Evelyn Creme Brûlée Lip Butter {tube}

Texture: Smooth but thin

Flavour: Vanilla

Fragrance: Vanilla

Finish: Gloss

Lasting power: 1 hr

Colour: White in tube, goes on clear

Longevity: 12M

Size: 14g (.49oz)

Price: $14.99 AUD

Availability: C & E stores, Chemists

Website: www crabtree-evelyn.com

Brand Contact: website above

Discontinued: No

Limited Edition: No

Rating: 8/10

If you like this, try: Lanolips LemonAid

Ingredients: 

Shea Butter Extract, Ricinus Communis (castor) Seed Oil, Lanolin, Beeswax, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Zinc Oxide,

POLYGLYCERYL-3 Beeswax, Lanolin Wax, Theobroma Cacao (cocoa) Seed Butter, Vanilla Extract, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Mango Seed Oil, Illipe Butter, Hellantus Annuus (sunflower) Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Glycine,Vitamin E, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Flavor

Crabtree and Evelyn - I've been a fan of their Gardeners hand products for years - but not for me, for my green-thumbed Mum. They just work. And this balm is the same. Although a little thin for me (I like THICK balms), it is very moisturising. It smells delicious. It really is like butter at room temperature. Not long after application, my lips go from very try to nice and soft. And the smell - have I mentioned that already? Vanilla is my all time fave. So, if you DON'T like Vanilla - like I do - don't buy this balm (oops - butter)

I haven't had any of the other flavours, but I'd be interested to try them. And next time I see them, I will try another flavour. This could very well be a staple in my handbag - if it ever leaves my bedside table!

Very much recommended. And a repurchase.

Be kind.

Emma.

Lanolips Banana Balm

Texture: Smooth

Flavour: None!

Fragrance: Banana

Finish: Gloss, not tacky

Lasting power: 2 hours if I don't sniff it off!!

Colour: Yellow shimmer in tube, clear shimmery application

Longevity: 12M

Size: 12.5g, (.42oz)

Price: $15.99 AUD

Availability: Priceline, David Jones, Adore Beauty, National Pharmacies, Malouf Pharmacy and Terry White Chemists.

Brand Contact: www.lanolips.com, you can also find them on Facebook, Twitter and  Instagram.

Discontinued: No

Limited Edition: No 

Rating: 8.5/10

If you like this, try: All of the Lanolips range! 

Ingredients: Lanolin*, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter*, Theobroma Cocoa Seed Butter *, Cera Alba (beeswax)*, Arooma, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisosterate*, Musa Sapientum (Banana), Fruit extract*, Ricinus Communis Oil*, Tocopherol*, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Tin Oxide, Calcium Aluminium Borosilicate *Naturally derived ingredients

Lanolips are my fave Australian brand. 

When Anissa and I started talking, it was actually over THIS balm! And because of this, it will always hold a special place in my heart. She actually ordered this from Victoria Health in the UK as she (read:we) couldn't wait any longer. So, we have had them for a while. I find it a tad annoying that an Australian brand launched this balm NOT in Australia? 

Anyhoo, onto the balm!

The new Lanolips packaging - especially on this product with the soft matte feel and the slanted tip is lovely. (I never use the product straight from the packet though, it always goes onto my finger first - a little bit of OCD coming out!) The smell hits you first - it is an amazing Banana scent BUT - it has no taste!! Oh how I would have loved it to taste like Banana too!! 

It's a nice, thickish balm that looks shimmery yellow in the tube but when applied to your lips, it is clear and has a lovely touch of shimmer. it's not sticky, very moisturising. It's a winner for me, but as I said, it is my fave Aussie brand.

For those that have waited for this to be released in Australia, do yourself a favor and pop into the above stockists (or order online) and get yourself a tube.

It's a repurchase for me. 

Be kind.

Emma.

Palmers Dark Chocolate and Mint SPF15 Lip Balm

Texture: Lumpy in tube, thin on lips

Flavour: Mint and Chocolate

Fragrance: Mint and Chocolate

Finish: Glossy(ish)

Lasting power: unknown - had to remove after 10 minutes

Colour: White in tube, clear on lips

Longevity: 12M

Size: 4g, .15oz

Price: $3.29 AUD

Availability: I got this at Kmart, haven't seen it anywhere else.

Website: http://www.palmersaustralia.com

Brand Contact: website above

Discontinued: No

Limited Edition: No

Rating: 2/10

If you like this, try: anything else with an SPF

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients: Dimethicone 1.5% (Skin Protectant), Octinoxate 7.5% (Sunscreen), Oxybenzone 4.5% (Sunscreen)

Inactive Ingredients: Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Coppernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Fragrance (Parfum), Tocopheryl Acetate, Flavor, Isopropyl Myristate, Saccharin, Beta Carotene (CI 40800), Zea Mays (Corn) Oil

I was so excited to see this. I mean - Mint and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is one of my favourite flavours. 

But the excitement was short lived. This has an SPF content - which I knew when I bought it, but I thought it'd be ok, because Palmer's is a well known and trusted brand, that the making your tongue numb thing wouldn't be an issue. But it was. I know it's not just me that has this issue, as when I told Anissa, she replied, 'oh, I hate that' So, while I love the smell, I'll only keep it to smell, or just throw it out cos I'll never use it again.

Also, what is with the oval shaped tunes? Am I the only one that finds them hard to apply? 

While I am at it, why, does a company as big as Palmers still release a product with their cocoa butter still lumpy? It it truly an awful sensation when you apply it.

I am not a negative person, usually, but the only positive thing about this product is the scent!

Be kind.

E x

Carmex Lip Balm jar

Image credit

Texture: Smooth and buttery.

Flavour: None.

Fragrance: Camphour. That sounds bad but it's not, the smell is mild and I find it quite pleasant.

Finish: Slightly glossy.

Lasting power: About three hours, provided I'm not eating.

Colour: Clear.


Size: 7.5 gram

Price: $5.99

Availability: Priceline, chemists

Brand Contact: info@carmex.com.au

Website: here.

Ingredients: petrolatum, lanolin, cetyl esters, cocoa seed butter, cera microcristallina, beeswax, camphor, menthol, salicylic acid, vanillin, fragrance.

This is one of my all time favourite lip balms. I am never without several pots of Carmex strewn around the house. It's my go to lip balm when my lips are cracked and sore because I know it will heal my lips within a few days. I normally steer away from balms with petrolatum in them, but this is the exception because it works. 

Due to the camphor and menthol there is a tingly feeling for a few minutes after application, however it goes away quickly and it's not unpleasant. If you haven't tried Carmex, run, don't walk, and get one (or two) now!

Surya Brasil Chocolate & Mint Moisturizing Lip Balm

Texture: Smooth and creamy

Flavour: Chocolate and Mint

Fragrance: Chocolate and Mint

Finish: Slight shine

Lasting power: Two hours if I don't lick it off

Colour: Clear

Longevity: 24 months

Size: 4.25 gram

Price:  $6.60

Availability: I purchased my lip balm from Healthy Life Health Shop. They can also be purchased from the Surya Brasil website.

Website: Surya Body Care

Brand Contact: Here

Ingredients: organic sunflower seed oil, candelilla wax, fair trade certified cocoa butter, organic chocolate flavour, organic jojoba seed oil, organic peppermint essential oil, d-alpha tocopherol, bertholietia excelsa seed oil, ucuuba nut oil, astrocaryum murumura butter.

I am totally in love with this balm and really want to try all the other flavours. It's 100% natural and as it's beeswax free it's suitable for vegans.  I purchased it for the chocolate mint flavour, as you can imagine, it smells like an after dinner mint. 

The texture is lovely, smooth and very hydrating with a slight mint tingle for a few minutes after I apply.  My only complaint is that it's not very easy to find.