Pucker up, I have some treats for you. One of the products I constantly spend my “allowance” on is lip balm. It doesn’t matter if I’m at Neiman Marcus, Sephora or the local grocery store, I am always interested in what’s new. It’s taken a few years to find my favorites, but, I can proudly say that I have each of these in my office, car and make-up bag.
The leader of the pack, Jane Iredale: Sugar & Butter Lip Exfoliator and Plumper. Soft, beautiful and oh-so-kissable lips are yours with Jane’s lip exfoliator/plumper duo. The tube is pretty small, but for around $24.00 it lasts for ages. The process is two steps:
Jane Iredale
1. The Brown Sugar: Organic brown sugar gently removes dull, dry skin. With no chemical preservatives or synthetic dyes to worry about you can eat the sugar crystals right off your lips.
2. The Tinted Lip Plumper: Once you have finished off the crystals, apply the tinted lip plumper. This side of the stick contains shea butter and peptides that moisten and plump.
The benefits are endless, peptides have been shown to increase hydration and stimulate collagen synthesis. A simple sweep will give your lips a natural, glowing pink tint while plumping and diminishing lines to reduce feathering. You can actually feel this plumper working when the cool mint and ginger ingredients start doing their job!
Next up, Fresh: Rose and Sugar Lip Treatment. Fresh creates modern alchemy by fusing innovative natural ingredients with time honored beauty rituals for an experience that is as indulgent as it is effective. At least that’s what their website says about them.
For just under $23.00 you can have either the Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment or the Original Sugar Lip Treatment. I prefer the Sugar Rose, it gives me just a hint of pink to look put together.
Fresh Lip Treatment
Sugar Rose Lip Treatment is SPF 15 and delivers a hint of color while nourishing, softening, and protecting the lips. The Original Sugar Lip Treatment is also SPF 15 and blends oils and waxes together with real sugar for delectable and dependable moisture. You can buy both of these on the Fresh website. Don’t be surprised if they are sold out every now and again.
And lastly, here is one that I bet none of you have heard of, Yu-be Skin Cream. Since 1957, Yu-Be has been the #1 selling, medicated, vitamin-enriched skin care cream in Japan.
The last time I was in Las Vegas, I had mentioned to a woman in the hotel spa that my skin was incredibly dry due to the change in climate. She pointed out a small tube of Yu-Be and asked me to try it. As soon as I applied the cream to my lips I had instant relief. Now, it certainly doesn’t smell as great as the Jane Iredale or Fresh products above (it smells medical) but it did the trick.
Yu-Be Skin Cream
The woman at the spa went on to tell me that people in Japan have many uses for Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream, it can be used on split cuticles, cracked heels, diaper rash – even frostbite.
The tube I purchased was around $14.00. Bonus for you, the Yu-Be website has a free sample offer. You can choose from a 3-pack of moisturizing cream mini tubes or a 3-pack assortment. Click here for details.
I’d love to hear what your favorites are.
Smile,
Ashley
This may seem counter to Ash’s awesome concept of passing on great bargain recommendations, but I have also really enjoyed La Mer’s ($45)lip balm and before you gasp at my even mentioning a brand that runs somewhere in the $200+ range for about a one-ounce size of “miracle cream,” let me explain: their balm comes in a thin, round, disc-like container that conspiculously lives on my bedside table and I apply it every evening before bedtime. It doesn’t take a lot to get the healing and softening effect and for the past three years, I have purchased it THREE (I am NOT lying and can post receipts to prove it!) times! That breaks down to .12 cents a day and based on that calculation, I DO think this is a bargain recommendation that deserves to be passed along. I can’t wait to look into some of Ash’s suggestions too . . . hey, I need something for my purse (and not just my nightstand, right?)! Happy puckering up, everyone!
I was intrigued when I read the post about La Mer’s Lip Balm so I checked it out. It’s #1 ingredient is Vaseline. Just a heads-up to those that might want to save $40-plus. Cheers!