Every girl knows that lip balm is an essential we can’t go without. Whatever the weather, chapped and dry lips never look good. Often it can be hard to pick a lip balm, as there is so much variety, but fear not anymore! Oover the summer I tested out three popular brands to help make your decision that much easier.
The three contestants in this fierce lip balm battle are Carmex Original Strawberry, EOS and Burt’s Bees.
Carmex Original Tube – StrawberryThis is Carmex’s bestseller and a household name for lip care. Their original formula contains menthol, which aids the pain of cracked lips, cocoa butter, mineral oils and lanolin, which all work to moisture but also mimic the natural oils found in your lips. It was the first product I tried out, as I was told constantly that Carmex is the best for lip problems, but unfortunately it didn’t work as I expected it to. It smells nice and is easy to apply, but it does’t absorbe at all. The product just sits on the lips without doing anything; often I had to wipe it off. I can see this working better for those who only have slightly dry lips and no cracks. However, transferring the Carmex Original formula from a tin to a tube was a great idea, as it makes it super handy when you want to save space in your handbag. Widely available at all good retailers, the Carmex is the cheapest between the three at £2.69.
EOSEvolution of Smooth (EOS) is massively popular in the States and it’s not hard to see why. EOS lip balms are organic and packed with shea butter, jojoba oil, beeswax as well as antioxidant rich vitamin E, making this a must-have for any girl who wants to survive a London winter. This product glides on as smooth as anything and smells amazing. Within 24 hours of using it my lips felt softer and smoother. It’s not sticky and doesn’t leave any residue behind once absorbed, making it a good base for lipstick. I have the Sweet Mint version, which tingles when applied in a refreshing and cooling way. The design of EOS lip balms is one of the key factors of its coolness and popularity. A little sphere in an assortment of pretty pastel colours it’s just too cute to resist. One of the best things about the design is that you don’t have to use your fingers to apply the balm, you simply screw it open and glide it on. EOS has only recently become available for sale in the UK and can be ordered online at Naturisimo as well as at Urban Outfitters. Prices vary from £6 to £10, depending on where you buy it, and though it’s pricey for a lip balm, it’s well worth the investment.
Burt’s BeesA staple in organic skin and lip care, it’s no surprise to anyone that Burt’s Bees lip balms are made with 100% natural ingredients. Each lip balm is packed with different oils, depending on what you are looking for. The one that I tried was the Replenishing Balm with Pomegranate Oil – which is known for its anti-oxidant properties. Its smell was pleasant, even though it didn’t exactly smell like pomegranade. The lip balm applies well but isn’t suited to lips that are very dry, as it can leave residue on the cracked skin of the lips. It would be more suited to those whose lips are only slightly dry or need protection. The product comes in a handy little tube that you pop open and screw upward, which helps in making sure that you don’t waste a bit of it. The sunshine yellow packaging and assorted lid colours, depending on what type of lip balm you have, makes it easy to spot in your handbag and just looks just as pretty sitting your shelf. Widely available at Boots/Superdrug and stores with cosmetic departments, the Burt’s Bee’s lip balm is £3.69.
In the end, I’d say that despite the price EOS should be the winner of our battle. What do you think? Do you have other products to reccommend? Let us know in a comment!