Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm

After a short break from blogging, due to working my bum off at my new job, I'm back with a permanent contract of work and more money to spend on products I don't need!


I mentioned in my post about  my favourite lip balms,  that Burts Bees lip balm is a truly wonderful, and in my opinion, essential beauty item, and I was hugely impatient for the release of the tinted version! On a recent visit to Cardiff, in their gigantic Boots store, I went searching like a mad woman I stumbled upon this finally, in the Tiger Lily variety.


Now, I've been using it for a couple of weeks now, almost a month. I've had a lot of time to use it and analyse my thoughts, and come to a conclusion. It's not impressed me as much as the incredible originals. 

What it says it is/does:

• Conditions,cares and moisturises your lips - It's not as quick and effective as the originals, but this is true. You have to use it a couple of times and not expect immediate effects, but it does work. If your lips are in need of intense rescue, I wouldn't recommend this for a quick fix. 
• Gives you a hint of colour, with a soft, sweet flavour and natural ingredients - Well, one of the main reasons I dislike this tinted variety more than the previous ones I've used, is the tinted colour gives you a bit of a lipstick-like cover on your lips, which I don't like. It makes me feel a bit like Joan Collins. 

Also, I chose the Tiger Lily one as it comes under the 'neutral' category, as I haven't yet felt the urge to go all   Jessica Rabbit and get some sexy red lipstick, and it's just not as neutral as I would have hoped. It's more of a dirty taupe colour, not at all sweet and feminine mixed with my skin colour. 

Sadly, this cannot be achieved via tinted lip balm alone.

The smell also isn't fantastic. It's very commercial and manufactured, and yet again, even stinks a tad of lipstick. The texture of it is also very creamy and just crosses the line of bearable and unbearable. Imagine sitting down one day, and oh, Hollyoaks omnibus is on telly, brilliant. Couple of hours later, stand up, and you've been sat on your lipstick all this time. Now think about what kind of textured slop that's going to be in. This is quite similar to that sad mental image.

However, I won't bash its abilities completely. It does work as a basic lip balm. There are 5 other colours to choose from, so if you enjoy tinted lip balms and lipsticks, and you want a product that's 100% natural ingredients, this may be up your street more than it is mine.


And, to be honest, the packaging is extremely pretty and professional for a lip balm!

Enjoy!

Philosophy Cinnamon Buns Shampoo/Shower Gel/Bubble Bath

Yes that's right, it's a multi-tasking wonder! I personally use it for shower gel, but it's award -winning, super-thick and smells exactly like what it says on the tin.


Philosophy products are simply enchanting. My first experience with this brand is when my auntie Sharon (fellow Philosophy worshipper and the best gift-buyer ever) bought me a bottle of Philsophy Melon Daiquiri for my birthday several years ago. And I was hooked instantly. When I was younger though, the word 'expensive' meant 'worth millions' and when I was told that this shower gel given to me was expensive, I felt very special indeed, and was probably the making behind my uncontrollable lust for higher priced beauty products. 


Also, the fact it's award-winning. It's won awards. That means it's super-special.


Although I cannot really show you pictures of this product as a before and after, I can keep talking about it!

Things it says it is/does:

• Rich, moisturising lather - It is very rich in texture, A small blob goes a long way!
• Leaves your skin and hair ultra soft - I can't speak for the hair, but as for the skin, very true. Leaves your skin feeling as soft as feathers all day, and the smell doesn't wear off like most shower gels!
• Feels like your birthday every day - Oh so true. Who doesn't want to smell fresh cinnamon in the morning when the days are getting more chilly and the shower needs to be a tad warmer?

These checkboxes below are from  the Sephora website. They're specific searches for items matched to these words, and Philosophy Cinnamon Buns came under these words! 

Scented(237) 

Foamy(226) 

Lightly Scented(91) 

Yummy(16)

Delicious(14) 

Creamy(10) 

Moisturizing(10)

Relaxing(4) 

Gentle(3)

Calming(2) 

Cinnamon(2) 

Comforting(2)

Decadent(2)

Deliciously Scented(2) 

Refreshing

(2)

• I highly recommend checking out their full range of current season bath/body gel,
• here.
  You can pick up a bottle also right now at Boots, for £14. But there are also Philosophy Hope products and the Pure/Amazing Grace range! Brilliant!
  
  Enjoy!
  

My Top 10 Favourite Lip Balms!

Ok this is a bit different to my other blog posts, but that is because I can't wait to review the amazing hand cream I'm purchasing at the weekend! So I'm going to review my top favourite lip balms ever.


10. Palmers Dark Chocolate and Peppermint Lip Butter

I bought this a couple of years ago as I am a big lover of Palmers products.  It's clear, and the smell of mint isn't overpowering, but I used it more as a quick lip gloss rather than a lip balm as it didn't give great results. It's £2.75 at Boots though, if you have sensitive lips and love products that smell of chocolate!

9. Body Shop Wild Cherry Lip Butter

My best friend bought this before me, and the smell is heavenly. Immediately you want to buy buy buy, and because it's the Body Shop, you know you can trust them. The little pot is very sweet, easy to fit in pockets, and like a teeny version of the body butters. It does moisturise your lips lovely, but my only issue was using the teeny little tub with long fingernails. You can't flatten your fingertip onto it, so you end up kind of spatula-ing it out accidentally. Other than that, it's fantastic! You can get it for £4 from the Body Shop.

8. Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips

This is a product with an almighty record of trust under it's belt. Original Vaseline petroleum jelly has been around for donkeys years, and is a household brand, so it's understandable in saying that everyone should own one of these babies. This one gives you fab lip care, but also a teeny hint of pink. Perfect for on-the-go glam. Unlike the Body Shop Cherry Butter, this tin is flatter and wider, making it easier to apply. You can get this beauty for £1.99 in Boots, but also in leading supermarkets and chemists.

7. Lush Sweet Lips Lip Scrub

Bending the rules a bit here. This is a lip scrub yes, but it contains jojoba oil that softens your lips during use and acts as a fantastic therapy for lips craving love. All you do is moisten your lips a teeny bit, scrub it on, and the unusual bit is that it's literally just sugar, so you can lick it off if you so wish (or you can challenge yourself not to!).  It's vanilla and chocolate scented, and irresistible. Everyone I've introduced it to has loved it. A good product for those who need some extreme lip care. You can get this unique, little tub of love from Lush for £4.95.


6. Sanctuary Lip Balm

Initially, I bought this as a gift for my mum. She loved it, and so did all her friends. Firstly, the smell is really appealing. It's colourless, but has a pearly, glittery sheen. Fabulous. When applied, it gives an unexpected tingle, which means it's working. After all, Sanctuary are a top London spa organisation. In Covent Garden! I loved this product so much I bought some for myself shortly afterwards, and still have it handy when I leave the house for an intense lip rescue when I need it. You can grab this for £4.19 from Boots!


5. Lush Maple Taffy Lip Balm

I bought this at Christmas, and it was limited edition, so hopefully they will bring this out again this year, but it was still a worthy competitor as far as lip balms go. It's main ingredient is extra virgin coconut oil, and in English, that means 'moisture'. Coconut oil is trusted in reviving anything that needs hydration, you will find this in many hair conditioners designed for dry hair. To make you all feel better about the fact it's currently unavailable to purchase, the smell gave me a headache. (But it was a very pleasant smell! Who doesn't love the smell of syrup??)

4.Vaseline Lip Therapy with Cocoa Butter

The second appearance from Vaseline, this product I used religiously once upon a time. It's a superhero for softening your lips, and making them smell kissable at the same time. You don't need a lot of it for complete coverage, and it's very gentle too, so you can trust it to work, even in the harshest weathers. The tin sizes are very generous too, so it lasts ages. You can snap this up for £1.99 in Boots and leading supermarkets and chemists.

3. Blistex Cream

Not the most attractive packaging ever, or the best for convenience as it's ridiculously messy if you squeeze the tube just a tad too much. But it's medicated know-how makes it number 3 on this list. I have only ever used it for the odd occasion of seriously chapped lips, but you can also use it for cold sores and cracked lips. I also must say, you can't buy this if you are under 16 years of age. It is a medication. Which means you should consult your doctor before you use it if:

• You have an underlying medical condition
• Taking medication or complementary therapies, or symptoms persist.
• If you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
• If you're planning to become pregnant
• If you're allergic to anything.

Also, do keep it out of reach of children, as it does contain ammonia. Please be careful! It may only be a lip cream but the warnings are there for a reason. 

Aside from all the warning signs, it's a fantastic solution for your chapped lips, especially in winter. The only downside is the smell, but if you're adventurous, Blistex now has a range of products, so try them out here!

 

2. Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm

A 3rd appearance from Lush! The thing I love about Lush products is that they are all vegetarian, and the vast majority of them are vegan friendly and are naturally/locally/ethically sourced? For instance, in Honey Trap lip balm. The honey comes from Bournemouth, England, and the Almond Oil (2nd most used ingredient in the balm) is all the way from sunny California, USA.

Another thing you'll love about Lush: They once were suppliers of fantastic, natural ingredients to none other than Anita Roddick, when she was creating what you'll know as The Body Shop today. Isn't that amazing? 

What is also really amazing about this company, is their dedication to fairness, equality and rights across the Earth. Check out what their ethical beliefs and campaigns are here. One of their products which clearly shows they want us to be a part of their ongoing care and support for others too, is Charity Pot, because when you spend £12.75 on a pot, it all goes to various charity organisations. They literally are just the biggest caring company that sells luxurious beauty products you'll come across at the moment. Grab this gorgeous balm for £5.25. You so know you want to now...

And the winner is...

1. Burts Bees Lip Balm

Did you see that coming after reading my previous reviews? Well if not, this is a miracle amongst sins. I had not lived until I had discovered this wonderful product. Even as I am writing this, I have the honey variety smothered all over my lips! It's packed to the brim of oils, essential fatty acids and vitamins, for the best, most nourishing and conditioning treat your lips will ever welcome. It's not greasy, it's available in a handy little tube or old-fashioned tin (element of choice makes me happy), smells amazing, and is £3.69. It's worth so much more than £3.69. I'd even consider this to be one of my 3 items if I was ever to choose 3 items to be on a desert island with. (That, sun cream, and a bottle o' rum). What is also tempting right now, is Burt's Bees latest release of lip balms: Tinted Lip Balms!. I'm incredibly attracted to the Honeysuckle and Tigerlily versions, watch this space..!

Lip balms I would not recommend:

Jelly Belly Blueberry Lip Balm

I feel guilty putting this here, as it was a late birthday gift from a friend of mine. (Abby, I owe you!). But although this smells great in the tub, when it's on your lips, it smells seriously manufactured. Also, it's very awkward to even get out of the tub, you need to warm it up slightly first. And even then, it doesn't provide any care for your lips. Disaster!

I Love....Chocolate and Oranges Lip Balm

I couldn't find an exact picture of it, but it's the small tub you see in the picture. I bought it for a £1. And for a £1, you wouldn't expect to be wowed, but the smell was really gorgeous. But to put a long story short, it dyes your fingers and lips a dark red colour, and doesn't work as a lip balm. Sad times.

Enjoy the good lip balms anyway!

L'Oreal Lash Architect Mascara 4D

A good mascara comes into my life maybe once a blue moon. I hate buying them. The major bug about them is I have not once come across a mascara advertisement that features a model or celebrity with too-perfect, beautifully sculpted and separated eye lashes, that doesn't have scribbled somewhere 'Shot with lash inserts'. 

So I've ignored the posters and adverts for a while now, and simply just examined the testers in stores. The first thing I look for is the 'gloop'. When you pull the brush out of the tube, does it bring half the contents with it? Yes? Put it down. My now ex-mascara was Models Own 2in1 Lengthen Mascara, and I wasn't wowed at the beginning, but just a couple of weeks later, it was incredibly stodgy, a horrible experience to apply, and just generally unhygienic-looking. Not to grass it up or anything...

Secondly, I look at the brush. There are so many different brushes now. Hell, Clinique make a mascara designed especially for your lower lashes! You think I'm joking? Click here! But you'll always be wanting a different style for your eyelashes. Long and fluttery, extravagant and fabulous, au naturale, simple/plain, glittery, coloured, waterproof...it goes on. 

So anyway. I purchased this mascara in the hope of a miracle. I saw this was new. I saw this was on introductory offer. I bought.

The brush is very exciting, it's like a spiral almost, hence the 4D name. No gloop when I first took the brush out, but just the right amount for only one application. See below for difference between eyes.

What it says it is/does:

• Enriched with teeny tiny fibres - I didn't even know this until now. I can't say I'm surprised though really, it really is brilliant at sculpting your lashes. Although I haven't got it in my eyes (yet), if it has fibres in it, it will hurt if you get it in your eyes.
• Volumises and Lengthens - True. My lashes certainly look longer and thicker.
• Texturises and Curves - Also true. My eyelashes don't feel heavy and stodgy with the mascara on, and they are definitely more curvy!
• No Clumps - If you don't apply 10 layers of it, I think you'll be clump-free.

Tip: I learnt this in 2007, and it's stuck ever since. When I apply mascara, to get my eyelashes curved, separated and as fluttery as possible, I slowly shut my eyelid onto the brush, shaking the brush gently from side to side. It's another trial and error situation, but it works for me. I do have an eyelash curler too, for when I require a sky-high eyelash day, and if I'm looking for a nighttime look, I push the eyelashes out to the sides slightly, and slick on some jet-black liquid eyeliner. Fab!

Before

Shot with lash inserts. Just kidding.

So to summarise, this mascara is quite brilliant. It's not expensive, £10.99 at Boots, but I got it on offer, and there's almost always a nice deal on. The packaging is very attractive, shapely and shiny. You could probably double it up as a mini-mirror too if you want to multi-task. 

Enjoy!!

Body Shop Shea/Strawberry Butters

I am definitely a bit of a BodyShopaholic. I can only afford a nice product once in a while from there, but when I do, it is totally worth it. If you are a virgin to Body Shop Body Butter, let me tell you, you are missing out. They have so many, you can't possibly not find one best suited to you and your skin. Body Shop aims to create products using natural sourced ingredients, and fumbles around with fair trading, which is awesome when it comes to contributing your part in making the world a better place.


Pictured above are the 2 butters I currently own, Shea and Strawberry. Both of them smell absolutely gorgeous, and both of them you could eat with a spoon. (Note: Not literally). But especially the Strawberry one. The moment I smelt it, I knew it had to be mine.


The tubs come in sizes of 50ml, 200ml and 400ml. The sizes you see above are both 50 ml, and are perfect if you plan on using them on smaller areas such as hands, elbows, knees and face. I prefer to use them both for hands and face. (That way the smell is closer to my nose! Yay!)


Shea Butter - What it says it is/does:

• It's for very dry skin - It's definitely a thick texture designed for the dryer skin types, but my skin type on my face is oily, and I like to use it as a night cream on my face. Works a treat! In the past I've used Body Shop Mango Body Butter on my face, which is also designed for very dry skin, and this left my face greasy for 2 days! :( Bad times!
• Provides 24 hour hydration - True! Makes my skin lovely and soft all day long.
• Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth - Like I just said above, true!
• Buttery Texture - Also true. See below for a pic of them both on my hand.
• Subtle nutty scent - This is amaaazing. I didn't get the nuttyness straight away, and it tended to remind me of being on holiday as a child for some reason, but it's a really lovely smell.
• Made with Community Trade shea butter - Yay! Team Fairtrade!

Strawberry Butter - What it says it is/does:

• Ideal for normal skin - True. This is brilliant for me as body butters can be very heavy on skin, and this one is sleek and you can barely feel it on your skin once it's blended in.
• Provides 24 hour hydration - Same as the shea butter, yes. Plus, the gorgeous scent stays all day too!
• Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth - This is absolutely beautiful on your skin. I once used it as a moisturiser/primer before applying makeup!
• Buttery Texture - Yes, but not heavy at all like some butters. 
• Sweet strawberry scent - Very true, and yummy. Reminded me of a Barbie lip gloss I had as a child. Very girly and appealing to my inner princess once again.
• Made using strawberry seed oil - It's always refreshing to know a product hasn't been made with artificial scents. 

 Left: Shea Butter. Right: Strawberry Butter. Yom!

My sister is also a huge fan of the Strawberry butter, as seen here in the 2 tubs I found in her room. 

So to summarise these products, if you're looking for something different to a body lotion, and you enjoy products made with care and love and natural ingredients, and have wonderful good-enough-to-lick scents, these are winners. Do have a look in a store, or on their website for the full range of the body butters, and you're definitely certain to find one suited to your skin.

Enjoy!

Savon De Marseille

Or to give it its' full name, La Compagnie de Provence Savon de Marseille. I have been literally niggling to get at this product for AGES. And after browsing the world wide web for what seems like an era, I finally found it here, at Notonthehighstreet.com. I first heard about this brand in a magazine, and I believe it was recommended by Laura Mercier, who I personally adore, saying she uses it on her face and hair and swears by it. And if it's good enough for Laura Mercier, it's most certainly good enough for scum like myself. 


 It costs £3.50 for 100g, with £1.45 p&p, which I think is excellent, after I got quotes for more than double that on sites I don't think were trustworthy. Also, it says delivery is 2-5 days, but it does state elsewhere that it could take longer if there's issues. I think I was very lucky that after ordering it late Wednesday night, it arrived early Friday morning. Anyway, after unwrapping it pass-the-parcel style out of its hundreds of layers of bubble wrap, this is how it looked:

As you may have read, I'm a sucker for attractive packaging, and this is simply dainty and so... English. Just the names 'Gertie and Mabel' make my mind immediately switch to an image of 2 lovely elderly ladies sitting in front of a fire going 'Ooh another soap order, how jolly spiffing Gertie'.

It does give you weight and dimension measurements on the website, but here's a pic of it next to my average sized hand:

Spiffing.

Just a bit about this product, it dates back to medieval times in Marseille, and it's ingredients are essential oils/fragrance, vegetable oils, ocean water, coconut oil and sodium chloride. I purchased the original olive scent first as I'm a creature of tradition and originals to begin with, before exploring the more adventurous 15 other scents (Note: I understand that rose and lavender are not that adventurous). As soon as I opened the packaging, you could already smell it's amazing aroma.

Although, my parents were less amused at this, my mum starting coughing and my dad likened it to the smell of the soaps that his nan used to melt together when he was a boy. I enjoyed it though, and I can definitely smell the coconut in it.

Things it says it is/does:

• Non-drying and very moisturising - True. I've used it just once, and my skin smelt and felt great. I only used it on my face, neck, shoulders and arms, but it lathered up really quickly and left my skin, particularly my face, feeling exfoliated and clean. And extremely soft. For Gods sake, just do not get it in your eyes, it is soap at the end of the day. It could be the best soap in the world, but it is still soap, and you know that when soap is in your eyes, it's programmed to kill. Something to do with alkalines sucking the water out of your eye or something but hey, enjoy this soap!! 
• Added essential oils for fragrance and therapeutic properties - In my opinion, it'd have to be quite an amazing scent to have a therapeutic effect on me. I got this effect last from a Vanilla and Strawberry shower gel. I will have to stop there as I'm beginning to drool just thinking about it. But some people I know quite like the scents listed on the Notonthehighstreet page I linked to, and I can imagine it would indeed have the dreamy floaty therapeutic effect on someone.

So anyway, I do think this product has lived up to my expectations, and it's definitely worth the money for such a progressed brand, dating back to the 17th century, and it comes from France. Apparently the french people swear by this soap, and in most rural french houses, this is the only brand of soap you'll find. I've yet to use this product on my hair also, but if it has the milky effect it's had on my skin, I literally can't wait.

Benefit Posie Tint

Ok, so I got this as a free gift from this months Glamour magazine, but I am telling the truth in saying I have always been curious to try this product out! I was quite lucky to have the choice of each 3 of the free gifts, Benefit Benetint, High Beam or this product, and I chose this one. Posie tint is a sister product to Benetint, but if you click here , then compare it to the picture displayed below, you'll see the difference between the two:

Doesn't that colour just reach out to your inner princess?! Whilst you'll probably agree with me that Benetint should be saved for those of you intending to look a bit more sexy and vixen-y. 

I must admit, I've mainly been using this product as a lip tint rather than a cheek tint, although it's meant for both. I've never been a huge fan of the blushed look, but I did try it out twice on my cheeks and it wasn't that bad. Here's a list of skin tones and how I'd recommend using it:

• Pale skin tone - Perfect for a preppy- English Rose look. If you're going to use it on your cheeks however, make sure you slick some on, and blend it in ASAP, because it absorbs really quickly.
• Olive skin tone - Like me, I much prefer it as a lip tint. I slick some on, leave it for 10 seconds to absorb, then blend it over my lips. If you want a stronger pop of pink, add another layer, and another, and another. This is really nice on olive skin if you use minimal eye make up too. I love wearing a jet black liquid eyeliner and creating a catty-egyptian look with this product, as seen one of the photos below.
• Dark skin tone - I personally think this would look fantastic as a lip tint, worn with a bright eyeshadow, such as yellow. (How summery!) But I also think that Benetint would look great as a cheek tint on ladies with darker skin.

Here are some before and after pictures:

Do you see a difference?

You can buy it for £24.50 from Benefits webby, or selected larger boots stores, and several other shops too, including large department stores such as Selfridges.


It's perfect for those of you who want an added oomph of colour to your cheeks/lips, but don't enjoy using lip products like lipstick or lip gloss, or if you do use other lip products and have issues with them lasting a sufficient amount of time. I apply this, and not only does it last hours, you can eat and drink whatever you want and it'll stay put, like an overbearing parent (Please note: my parents are not overbearing). 


Things it said it is/does:

• Brightens lips and cheeks - True! Not a strong colour, and you can add as much or as little as you like.
• Lasts for hours - As I said, this stuff would last in the Sahara Desert on your lips. 
• Smudge-proof protection - Also true. You can't feel this on your lips as it's not really on the surface of your lips like a lipstick would be, it's designed to absorb into your lips and literally stain them. Ever used fake blood on Halloween? Seen how annoying that crap is to get off your skin? A bit like that, but you want this.

So to summarise this product, I really like it. I wouldn't go far as to say I love it as a lip product, but if ever I was to use a lip/cheek tint again, I'd buy the proper sized version of this. It's a delightful colour as you've seen, it really dipped into my childhood too, as it reminded me of the Barbie nail polishes you used to get. (Awesome). The packaging is also hugely appealing to me, both the box it comes in and the product itself are pink, with a few pretty flowers on them, and Benefits signature writing font, which I personally love.

Here is the picture I talked about before, using this product the way I like:

Enjoy!