Temptalia

Lip Balm Quick Reviews: Clarins, Jack Black, Nuxe, Tarte, Tatcha, First Aid Beauty

Christine — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 18:30:00 +0000

For reference, I test lip balms over months, not weeks or months, as I like to test them under a variety of conditions. My lips are usually what I’d say are “normal,” where they’re not dry, chapped, or cracked, and don’t feel like I need to wear lip balm all the time. As a result, a lot of lip balms are more than adequate for my day-to-day needs, which is why I end up testing them over prolonged periods of time so I can catch my lips when they’re worse as well. I typically test lip balms in the early morning, late evening, and overnight. These are a few I’ve tested (but haven’t gotten around to reviewing) over the last year and a half to two years:

Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm ($24.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is supposed to have “intensive hydration for dry, chapped lips.” After trying this last year, it became my “holy grail” of lip balms (though there are others I still love and use!). The reason I love it is for how hydrating it is without ever feeling heavy, clingy, or tacky. It has a really smooth, more gel-like consistency on the lips that still lasts for hours but is incredibly comfortable to wear. There’s a subtle, sweet rose scent but no discernible taste–the scent was so subtle to my nose that I forgot it was scented until I sat down to write the review.

For me, the formula works well as a night time lip balm as well as a daytime one, as it can go under lipsticks well, too. This is the lip balm I reach for at night time, and it has worked well whether my lips are dry from too much swatching or testing of drying lip products as well as just when my lips are in “maintenance mode.” I’ve repurchased this one a few times since initially trying.

Jack Black The Stick Natural Lip Balm ($7.50 for 0.15 oz.) is a twist-up lip balm with a firmer, more solid texture compared to the squeeze-tube version (which has been a long-time favorite). The firmer texture dragged a bit on the lips, though warmer temperatures will help it soften, so it may depend on where you store it (pocket, purse, house, etc.).

I don’t find that the stick version is particularly moisturizing (not drying, just barely hydrating) or long-wearing to the point where it may not feel that hydrating because I feel like I’m always reapplying it (I felt like it was gone within an hour or two). There’s currently only one scent (Fresh Mint), which is minty and subtle, slightly cooling on the lips, but tasteless to me.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm ($15.00 for 0.52 oz.) is supposed to “nourish, repair and protect” for “dry or chapped lips.” The texture was unlike most lip balms that I’ve tried: firmer, even though it was a potted balm, almost gritty, thick, and very waxy (not surprising, given the base). After applying to the lips, the texture has a much smoother feel, but it was moderately heavy and very noticeable to me; I knew I was wearing something, and for me, it wasn’t a texture that I ever grew to like. It did, however, wear an incredibly long time–there was still so much product would still be on my lips after wearing it all night.

The balm has a citrus scent, not too strong or lingering. Over time, I’ve found that beeswax-based lip balms never feel as hydrating for me as other bases–they tend to feel more like they sit on top of my lips but are not deeply hydrating for me. I felt like it worked well for protecting my lips when decently hydrated/moisturized, but this one did not work wonders for me after a long swatching session or a few days of testing really drying lip products.

This balm also reminds me a lot of First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Intensive Lip Balm (in texture, and it is also beeswax-based), which gave me similar results/overall feelings. Both are well-loved by the beauty community.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer ($19.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is supposed to be a hydrating lip balm and lip primer in one that can be used with lipstick or “as a soothing overnight treatment.” Initially, the texture has a smooth, balmy feel but shortly after applying, it dried to a white film that looked almost crusty on the lips (I think any time one has to use the word crusty while describing a lip product, it’s not a good sign). The formula felt drying, and when I tried it a few times with lipstick, it never made my lipstick look better–worse and more prone to fading from the center first. I didn’t test this one extensively (five times), given it was drying and produced whiteness–there was not much time needed to determine it was a miss!

Tatcha Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm ($36.00 for 0.28 oz.) is supposed to be an “ultra-hydrating lip balm” that uses “camellia oil and squalane [to] penetrate deeply.” There’s also a “hand-laid 24-karat gold leaf” that sits on top of the balm. I liked it for its texture–jelly-like, very smooth, and comfortable to wear, thick enough to feel plush but not heavy–and that it hydrated fairly well, but it has never been an intensive lip balm for me. The balm wore well for four to six hours; it didn’t wear away quickly but I could barely tell there was any left when I woke up. There was a subtle sweet scent but no discernible taste.

The gold leaf just feels gimmicky, and I expect it inflates the price (I’d rather they skip it and drop the price). It’s a lip balm I enjoy wearing when my lips need some added moisture but not when my lips are need of genuine repair (dry, cracked, etc.).

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Intensive Lip Balm
($20.00 for 0.34 oz.) is supposed to be a “concentrated lip treatment balm” that heals and gives “instant relief to dry, chapped, or distressed lips.” It has a beeswax base, which can work really well for some and less so for others–I am, unfortunately, in the latter camp. For me, it never seemed to repair or restore; it helped lock in existing moisture and prevent damage but other lip balms do more for me, personally. The balm itself has a much denser, thicker consistency that goes on thicker and has more of a “seal” feel on the lips, where I can always tell that I have something on my lips.

It doesn’t look as glossy as the average lip balm, though, which would make it ideal for someone who wants a natural-matte finish in their balm. On the upside, the balm wore awhile and lasted through the night due to the thicker texture that adhered quite well to lips. There was a subtle, sweet, herbal scent and had a slight tingle after initially applying.

Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm

Jack Black Fresh Mint The Stick Natural Lip Balm

NUXE Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer

Tatcha Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Intensive Lip Balm

Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm

Jack Black Fresh Mint The Stick Natural Lip Balm

NUXE Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Lipsaver Treatment Primer

Tatcha Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Intensive Lip Balm

10 Lip Products to Try at Sephora

Christine — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 18:00:00 +0000

Here are some of my personal recommendations for lip products to pick up while Sephora’s offering 15% off! Beauty Insiders use code TICKET, VIBs use code VIBTICKET, and Rouges use code ROUGETICKET. Feel free to share your recommendations for other readers to try!

Bite Beauty Cashmere Lip Creams (review) are really intensely pigmented liquid lipsticks. I’ve tried three shades and have loved all three! (Pictured: Moscato)
Guerlain Rouge G (review) is my all-time favorite lipstick formula, and it’s by no means inexpensive, so a sale is a great time to indulge. Love shades like Gemma, Girly, Gisela, Genna, Garconne, Gigolo. (Pictured: Genna)
YSL Glossy Stains (review) are glossy, pigmented, and long-wearing lip colors that come in a wide variety of shades. These are lovely for someone who likes a glossy lip but needs longer wear. (Pictured: Fuchsia Dore)
Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick (review) is a pigmented, comfortable, hydrating, and moderately longer-wearing lipstick that comes in a good variety of shades from beige to plum. I really love shades like Anarchy, Naked, Streak, and Venom. (Pictured: Anarchy)
Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lipgloss (review) is my go-to formula for sparkling, shimmery gloss with a high-shine, high-shimmer finish. I love shades like Canary, Naked Plum, and Plum Gold. (Pictured: Citrus)
Too Faced La Creme (review) is an excellent formula if you love a lipstick with a very creamy, emollient texture, good color payoff, and hydration. (Pictured: Bon Bon)
Givenchy Le Rouge (review) is one of my favorite formulas for its satiny finish, intense color payoff, and comfortable, hydrating, long-wear.
Buxom Full Bodied Lipstick (review) is a richly pigmented, longer-wearing, comfortable formula that won’t break the bank! (Pictured: Menace)
Marc Jacobs LoveMarc Lip Gel (review) is hydrating, emollient lipstick with a lot of shine and pigmentation. Some of my favorites are Showstopper and Seduce Me. (Pictured: Seduce Me)
Jack Black Lip Balm (review) is a must-have for me at all times.

Holiday Gift Guide: Must-Have Beauty Products for Lips

Christine — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:06:30 +0000

Holiday Gift Guide: Must-Have Beauty Products for Lips

One of the things I am most thankful for is that by becoming a beauty blogger and having the opportunity to try so may different products is that it’s opened up my eyes to how many fantastic brands and formulas there are. Not every brand does everything perfectly, and there are a lot of great formulas that are just varying degrees of great. Picking a favorite really comes down to a less quantifiable factor, I think. It might be the color range, packaging, scent, or the overall feel. These are all lip products I personally recommend from brands’ permanent ranges.

Lip Balms/Treatments

Kiehl’s #1 Lip Balm ($7.00) is nice for those who prefer a thinner balm with no shine. It’s very, very slick and thin on the lips, but it does a good job at moisturizing.
Jack Black Lip Therapy Lip Balm ($7.50) is my all-time favorite lip balm, and I have them all over the house–at my desk, purse, pocket, nightstand–and a stock pile of them in reserve. So, so hydrating and comfortable to wear. My favorite flavor is Lemon & Chamomile, with Original as a runner-up.
Philosophy Lip Shines ($10.00) are kind of a balm, kind of a lip balm; because they tend to run so sheer and have the thicker feel of a balm, I’m going to go with it as a lip balm! I like that they’re fragranced with Philosophy’s signature scents plus have some shimmer and shine.
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment ($22.50) is a decadent balm that works well but wears away quickly–I like the product, not so much the price tag and how quickly it finishes, though! They do have tinted versions, though, and they’re some of the better lip stains because they’re more hydrating, but they are prone to uneven fading.
Sara Happ The Lip Scrub ($24.00) is my favorite lip scrub, because it holds together well, exfoliates lips, and leaves them feeling soft and moisturized.
Guerlain Terracotta Baume Au Couer Lip Balm ($30.00) is tinted and feels like butter on lips; it wears for a few hours before disappearing, but it’s moisturizing the entire time.
La Mer The Lip Balm ($45.00) is probably the priciest lip balm I’ve ever used, but it really does work well. It hydrates lips while still wearing well (you won’t have to reapply every hour).

Lipsticks

CoverGirl Lip Perfection ($6.99) is really rich in color, glides on easily, and wears for hours. The downside is the scent, so if you’re super sensitive to smells, you might look elsewhere, but these perform well overall.
Maybelline ColorSensational Lipsticks ($8.29) is a good go-to for a more affordable lipstick brand, and of course, like other drugstore brands, you can catch it on sale for much less than $8 a pop. I find the creamier shades are the best!
MAC Lipsticks ($14.50) straddle that price point that doesn’t quite break the bank, feels a little more high-end than some drugstore brands, and is an all-around good formula. Their range is one of the most extensive that I know of, and with that, does come some inconsistency–not every single shade is as great as the last, but they do have several favorites. Some of these include Angel, Russian Red, Girl About Town, Crosswires, Sweetie, Cosmo, Plumful, and Media–just to scratch the surface.
Korres Mango Butter Lipsticks ($18.00) are lightweight, comfortable to wear, and come with a fairly glossy finish and semi-sheer color. Shades like Natural Pink and Natural Purple are really easy to wear.
Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Colors ($23.00) are long-wearing, opaque, and comfortable to wear. For cooler skin tones, try Bare Pink, Cosmic Raspberry, and Mod Pink. For warmer skin tones, try Cosmic Raspberry, Soft Coral, and Sweet Nectar.
Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani Lipsticks ($30.00) are creamy, moisturizing, and long-wearing while delivering good color coverage in over forty different shades. Shades like #400, 402, 501, and 506 are really easy to wear on most skin tones.
Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipsticks ($30.00) are rich in color and long on wear. For cooler complexions, I think shades like Ballet, Edition, and Fresco would work. For warmer complexions, try Edition, Muse, and Whisper.
Dior Rouge Dior Lip Colors ($32.00) is long-wearing and moisturizing with a wide range of shades. For warmer complexions, I recommend shades like Pink Songe, Andalouse, and Red Muse. For cooler complexions, I recommend Pink Caprice, Devilish Pink, and Daisy Plum.
Guerlain Rouge Automatique Lipsticks ($35.00) come really close to the Rouge G formula, but they are slightly less creamy, sometimes less opaque, and a smidgen less hydrating. They are really close but there is a noticeable difference on lips. I still really love the formula, though! For cooler complexions, I recommend Samsara, Cherry Blossom, and Champs Elysees. For warmer complexions, I recommend Violette de Mad, Rouge d’Enfer, and Coque d’Or.
Guerlain Rouge G Lipsticks ($47.00) is my all-time favorite lipstick formula, because it’s long-wearing, opaque, moisturizing, and the color range is really nuanced. For cooler complexions, I like Galia, Greta, Gabrielle, and Grenade. For warmer complexions, I like Galante, Gala, Gipsy, and Ginger.
Cle de Peau Beaute Extra Silky Lipstick ($52.00) feels like glossy silk on the lips; it’s super moisturizing and has a glossy shine. It wears well on me, too, despite how creamy it is. The shade range is really wearable and mostly universal, too.
Cle de Peau Beaute Extra Rich Lipstick ($60.00) is a decadent formula that’s rich in color, comfortable to wear, long-wearing, and has a formula that helps to plump and fill lip lines giving lips a smoother look. It’s totally over the top, but it’s an excellent formula, so you’re not just paying for brand name/packaging here.

Lipglosses

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipglosses ($6.99) is a budget-friendly shimmery gloss that’s mostly sheer but delivers a fair amount of sparkle and dazzle. Like other sheer formulas, the range should work across skin tones.
Korres Cherry Oil Lipglosses ($17.00) are hydrating and comfortable tow ear, and about half the range delivers richer color, while others are sheerer (and are described as such). My favorites are #52, #52, and #22.
Make Up For Ever Lab Shine Lipglosses ($18.00) is a really wide range of glosses with three different finishes. I really like how Make Up For Ever has expansive color options for most of their products, and the lipgloss range is no exception.
Illamasqua Intense Lipglosses ($20.00) are a total must if you or someone you know loves opaque lipglosses–these are really rich in pigment, comfortable wear, long-wearing, and have a beautiful glossy shine. I recommend virtually all of them, but a few of my favorites are Belladonna, Hermetic, and Move.
Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lipglosses ($23.00) are a new favorite for me; they’re very reminiscent of Chanel Glossimers but more affordable. Sheerer color with lots of dazzling sparkle! Because they’re on the sheerer side, the shade range is fairly universal.
Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lipglosses ($28.00) are super slick, comfortable to wear, and moisturizing. Some shades are sheer, some are more pigmented. Shades like Siren are beautiful and opaque with a really interesting metallic finish. Fortune is a great shade for everyone because it’s sheer and peachy-pink.
Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armanis ($28.00) may not be as long-wearing as the brand claims, but a gloss that wears six hours without drying lips out while delivering good color coverage is rare. I really love this formula, despite the shortfall in wear (relative to their claim). I love shades like #401, 402, 404, and 505.
Chanel Glossimers ($28.50) are a classic gloss for someone who loves lots of shimmer and glossiness. These took me awhile to appreciate, but they really do shine and sparkle. These days, most shades are sheer, so they should flatter the full spectrum of skin tones. I really like shades such as Aurore, Coral Love, Futile, Meteore, Spark, and Sundress.
Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes ($36.00) are extremely creamy, non-sticky, and hydrating. It was one of my first high-end glosses (and probably high-end purchases in general)–who knew that $36 would become “normal” to me one day–and I absolutely love shades like Fraise Creme, Framboise Creme, and Papaye Creme.
Cle de Peau Beaute Lipglosses ($48.00) wear longer than the average gloss, have a great shimmer and shine, and are moisturizing. May I recommend #2? It’s a total staple for me.

What are your favorite permanent lip products?

Jack Black It’s the Balm Lip Balm Trio Review, Photos, Swatches

Christine — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:00:22 +0000

Jack Black Lip Balm Trio

Quick Review: Jack Black Lip Balm Trio

Jack Black It’s the Balm Lip Balm Trio ($19.50 for 0.75 oz.) includes three full-sized flavors of Jack Black’s Intense Therapy Lip Balm. Two of the three flavors are limited edition (at present) — when I inquired as to whether they would be made permanent, the brand indicated that it would see what customers’ response was. It’s a terrific stocking stuffer and an overall good deal, as individually sold versions are $7 a pop ($21 for 3).

I’m a huge fan of this lip balm. I have one in every room, my purse, my car… you name it. I think there are three on my nightstand, actually! Super moisturizing, comfortable to wear, and lasts for hours.

Natural Mint is minty-fresh with a slight tingle (but nothing burning or uncomfortable in the least). After much trialing, I think Natural Mint is my personal favorite.
Black Tea & Blackberry is a sweetened berry-scented balm with a slight sweetness to taste.
Grapefruit & Ginger smells like grapefruit; not overly sweet, strong citrus notes, and it even tastes a bit like grapefruit.

Please see my full review of Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm.

Welcome to Swatch-all-idays! To start 2011 off on the right foot (or post, as it may be!), Temptalia is going through a backlog of products we have photographed, swatched, and often tested but in a slightly different manner. Quick reviews may be partially incomplete, such as a blush may only be swatched on the arm rather than shown on the face. It is our hope that what we are able to provide is still helpful!

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

Product: 30/30
Value: 10/10
Ease of Use: 4/5
Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: Yes, yes, yes! I recommend these to everybody who wears lip balm!

AVAILABILITY: Nordstrom