Lip butters and balms

I don’t know about you but, I am always reaching for a tube of goo for my lips especially since I seem to run very dry. I like different formulations at different times of the day, and year.. Sometimes I want a straight up balm to moisturize and give a bit of color and other times I just want a ‘vasaline like coating’ – to give me the healthiest boost of moisture possible.  

With so many choices in lip care many of us (myself included) are always wondering about the difference between a lip butter and a lip balm. A lip balm is usually an ointment that can treat issues such as chapped lips and usually come in a lipstick type tube or jar/pot. A lip butter has the highest moisturizing content and is usually of a creamier consistency.

Here a few of the products that I find myself reaching for again and again:

Waxalene: Original Lip Tube retail $9.99 This product started in my hometown of San Francisco by Todd Cooper and Eyjo Remington who were looking for a natural alternative to petroleum products. This little tube is fabulous! Made with soy oil, beeswax, vitamin e and rosemary oil - this product really does do the trick and give tons of moisture to my dry and parched areas! And it’s certified organic, cruelty free and hypo allergenic.

 Hurraw!: Black Cherry Tinted Lip Balm retail $4.00 When I look for a product with less shine and a big boost of color I reach for my Hurraw! Black Cherry. As a number of the reviews state this is a subtle burst of color to your lips. There are no animals products in this lip balm and it is made in small batches to make sure that the quality and hydration are just right. This has a cherry flavor and scent - so if you are not into scented things on your face this may not be for you. Winner of Allure’s Best of Beauty in 2015, and certified cruelty free and vegan.

 Bite Beauty: Agave Lip Mask retail $ 26.00 This is an intensive nightly recovery mask for your lips - though because some of the formulations have color I (and others) wear it during the day. This product will Improve the texture of the lips due to the ingredients of agave and jojoba oil. Formulated in Toronto in small batches it comes it a variety of colors - I own smashed. Bite Beauty was founded by Susanne Langmuir, who started her beauty training by sourcing beauty ingredients for other companies.  

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm retail $4.99 Started in Maine by artist Roxanne Quimby who was thumbing a ride on the byways of Maine in 1984 and was picked by local beekeeper Bert Shavitz - the two hit it off and Burt’s Bees was born! The company first started out by selling candles to stores in NYC later relocating to North Carolina to keep their dream of sustainability alive. Maxine started making the lip balms by using 19th century recipes she found in old farming books. They continue to be leaping bunny certified, sustainably sourced and have recyclable packaging.

Enjoy your summer!