Spring Lip Balm Picks

After a long winter with chilly winds and dry radiator heat my lips always need a bit of extra care as the sun starts to come out. My lips tend to be a bit dry whatever the weather so these are my picks for lip care this spring:
Vaseline Aloe Vera Lip Therapy is an old favourite and this is the Vaseline variety that works best for me when my lips are particularly dry or sore. Carmex is another well established lip saver brand and this Vanilla Click Stick is a new addition to my collection. It contains vitamin E and has SPF 15 which is perfect for protecting against the sun, has a slightly waxy feel that means it lasts well on the lips, and also makes satisfying little clicks as you twist it up! Another slightly waxier pick is the Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner, I love Blistex products for their menthol tingly feels-like-its-actually-doing-something effect on the lips and this little pot doesn't disappoint. It also contains SPF 15 and added collagen to keep lips soft and smooth from the inside out. My two favourites for an amazing summer scent are the Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose and The Body Shop Born Lippy in Pink Berry. Honestly I don't really care whats in the Nivea one because I just love smelling it and literally want to eat it but I do know that it feels lovely on the lips (like butter not surprisingly) but without being greasy and very subtly lightens my lip colour. The Born Lippy balm is full of moisturising and nourishing oils and contains Community Fair Trade Beeswax from Cameroon. As this has a balmy texture it lasts a long time on the lips but I've been applying it frequently just so I can have a quick sniff! If you're not into fruity scents then there's the Caramel Cream Lip Butter from Nivea that has a sweet but more subtle fragrance with the same thick but not heavy buttery feel. Both Lip Butters contain Hydra IQ, a hydrating complex that allows water and moisturisers to reach cells in deep layers of the skin through osmosis -the movement of liquids from a higher to lower concentration through a partially permeable membrane (yes I did learn that at school, yes I do still know it off by heart!). If you're not into fancy fragrances but like a glossy moisturised lip then my final pick is perfect- the Simple Intensive Lip Moisturiser is like a thick gloss in a squeezy tube but isn't runny or sticky. It contains Pro Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and Glycerine and I always have one in my bag for its no nonsense does-what-it-says-on-the-tube goodness!

How do you keep your lips smooth and soft in spring?

Most Loved: February Favourites

St Moriz Medium Self Tanning Mousse- Forgive me Vita Liberata for I have sinned!! I've tried the dark lotion but found the colour a tad strange, the medium looks more natural on my skin tone and with my purse a little empty I've been reaching for this mousse a couple of times a week!

Vaseline Rosy Lips- with Aloe Vera and Almond oil, and a lovely rosy colour I've been using this old staple throughout the day to give my sad winter lips some moisturising colour.

Rimmel Stay Matte Dual Action Concealer in 030 Classic Beige- this is my favourite concealer of the moment, it can be quite stiff on bare skin but blends wonderfully on top of foundation. It also has a green core (that includes Salicylic Acid, Cotton Powder, Cucumber and Chamomile) which helps to heal blemishes and works as a subtle corrector on any redness.

Opi Euro Centrale Can't Find my Czechbook- I've been wearing this colour constantly since receiving the mini set and and have been complimented on its unusual colour, read my review of the set here.

Stila Mineral Matte Eyeshadow in Makalu- My 'signature makeup' always includes a black winged out shadow liner applied with an angled brush and this shadow is the best I've ever used for this purpose. The texture is soft, silky and so easy to sweep along the lash line. The colour payoff is the best of any shadow I own and even though it is blackest black it has very faint warm undertones when blended so doesn't look stark or panda-y.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Roach- I just love this rich metallic brown, if not blended out on my lid I've been using it as a thin line in the inner corners to give a metallic copper glint to the edges of a smoky liner. Urban Decay's X was also a big contender this month.

Maybelline 24hr Gel Liner in Black- I love this liner for its deep dark colour and the way it can be easily swiped along the lashline. Unfortunately it didn't pass the naughty sleep-in-makeup test so on me doesn't last 24 hours (but I do have oily lids).
 

 

W7 Candy Floss Brightening Face Powder and Africa Bronzing Powder-  The Candy Floss is a light sheer pink powder with a hint of light reflecting shimmer, a lovely colour to brighten and highlight the face. 

Despite being called a bronzer, the Africa powder comes out a bright brownish pink (looks much nicer than that description!) it does give a bronzed effect but ive been using it as a blusher and I love it for livening up the face. Reviews and swatches on both coming soon (possible Benefit dupe alert).

 

 

Stila Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser- I picked this up as a bargain and think Stila have stopped making it but this is the only tinted moisturiser I have ever rated enough to actually wear out the house. There's quite a difference in colours so I use light 02 and 03 mixed together and as its so bendable I can use an extra layer anywhere I need more coverage. With SPF 30 this will be perfect for the summer.

 

Special Mention to Alien by Thierry Mugler- this is my all time favourite fragrance and its been the only perfume I've used in February. It's a gorgeous deep warm scent and it comes across to me as a night time smell (if that makes any sense). Ive got a refill bottle and it has lasted me ages!


Have you tried any of these products? What's your most loved of February?