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With winter fast approaching, I know everyone wants to have the very
best lip balm on hand to keep their lips soft, supple, and
protected. Well, I live in Minnesota, and before this I lived in
Chicago and Japan, and I have test-driven an unbelieveable number of
lip balms. (Japan may not sound too cold, but keep in mind that
houses aren't heated there...) So, here are the lip balms that
have stood out... they are guaranteed to keep your lips soft all winter
long!
Top Moisturizing Lip Balms: Duwop Buttercream, Neutrogena Lip Boost Intense Moisture Therapy, Desert Essence Lip Rescue with Shea Butter, and Ganache for Lips. These are the balms to reach for if chapped lips tend to be a problem for you--- they will fix the problem literally overnight. And as a nice bonus, all of them except the Neutrogena balm are all-natural with no petroleum, and good-for-you ingredients like unsweetened chocolate, shea butter, green tea, and sweet almond oil.
Best Smelling/Tasting Lip Balms: Ganache for Lips in Mocha Latte, Alba Hawaiian Coconut Cream Lip Balm, Duwop Buttercream lip balm. These lip balms are SO yummy and SO indulgent, it's like having a little tube of therapy in your pocket. They will definitely brighten your day, as well as anyone else's who is close enough to smell them.
Best SPF lip balms: DDF Glossy Lip Therapy SPF 15, Badger SPF 15 Sunblock Lip Balm, Kiss My Face Organic Lip Balm in Honey Vanilla. All these lip balms contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for full-spectrum UV protection, which I think is crucial. The DDF one is glossy enough that it can be worn alone. The Kiss My Face balm is very light, so it is good for wearing under gloss or lipstick (the honey smell is lovely too), and the Badger Balm wins an award for the incredible aromatherapy smell... lavender, ylang ylang, and citrus.
Finally, the WORST lip balm I've ever tried: Neutrogena Instant Lip Remedy. Not only did this make my lips even DRIER (is it possible??), but it has a gross bitter taste. Avoid at all costs.
Top Moisturizing Lip Balms: Duwop Buttercream, Neutrogena Lip Boost Intense Moisture Therapy, Desert Essence Lip Rescue with Shea Butter, and Ganache for Lips. These are the balms to reach for if chapped lips tend to be a problem for you--- they will fix the problem literally overnight. And as a nice bonus, all of them except the Neutrogena balm are all-natural with no petroleum, and good-for-you ingredients like unsweetened chocolate, shea butter, green tea, and sweet almond oil.
Best Smelling/Tasting Lip Balms: Ganache for Lips in Mocha Latte, Alba Hawaiian Coconut Cream Lip Balm, Duwop Buttercream lip balm. These lip balms are SO yummy and SO indulgent, it's like having a little tube of therapy in your pocket. They will definitely brighten your day, as well as anyone else's who is close enough to smell them.
Best SPF lip balms: DDF Glossy Lip Therapy SPF 15, Badger SPF 15 Sunblock Lip Balm, Kiss My Face Organic Lip Balm in Honey Vanilla. All these lip balms contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for full-spectrum UV protection, which I think is crucial. The DDF one is glossy enough that it can be worn alone. The Kiss My Face balm is very light, so it is good for wearing under gloss or lipstick (the honey smell is lovely too), and the Badger Balm wins an award for the incredible aromatherapy smell... lavender, ylang ylang, and citrus.
Finally, the WORST lip balm I've ever tried: Neutrogena Instant Lip Remedy. Not only did this make my lips even DRIER (is it possible??), but it has a gross bitter taste. Avoid at all costs.
Guide created: 10/31/05 (updated 06/19/08)
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